Father Charles tells us that this special feast day has many lessons for us.
It teaches us the deep truths about our own humanity.
It teaches us that life begins at conception. That God works in us from the very first moments of our life.
It teaches us that sin is not part of our human nature. That we were first created without sin.
Mary was without sin, but she was fully human.
That every gift from God to us also carries a responsibility. These gifts are not only for us, but to be used in the service of others. Mary's Immaculate Conception was not primarily for her. It was for her Son and for all of us. That we should offer everything up back to God, day by day, for His plan for planet Earth.
Lovely words for this beautiful feast of our Blessed Mother.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3uZ01LbSTg
Monday, December 9, 2013
First time blood donor (almost)
Today I saved a life. At least I hope I did. I donated blood.
I have been wanting to do this ever since the one time I did it 41 years ago, but I am quite a chicken poop. You know, the needle in the arm? The blood flowing out? Makes me queasy just thinking about it. But I finally did it.
All the folks at the Canadian Blood Services in Ottawa were very pleasant and put me at ease. I went around with a "1st time blood donor" tag on, and even got a little pin that I proudly put on afterwards.
When my daughter Johanna was born 30 years ago I lost a lot of blood. A ton of blood, in fact. I lost so much blood that I was actually unconscious for some time. At some point I had no recorded blood pressure and my pupils were dilated and fixed. I was attached to a breathing machine.
I do recall somewhere in the blackness that engulfed me, that at some point I was praying really really hard to a very loving God. I knew I was dying.
I know he was loving because I made him a promise, that if he let me live and raise my new daughter, I would do one thing in particular. I never did keep my promise to God. But God kept his end of the bargain (I do believe I have since atoned for that breach of faith. It also made me realize just how imperfect we really are).
When I finally woke up after they pumped me full of other people's blood, I was petrified. But I was alive.
That was an adventure I will never forget, and would have far preferred not to have experienced. But I did. And I lived because a lot of people donated their blood to me. People I don't even know. Maybe even people like me who are scared to death to donate blood.
The lady next to me was giving her 50th pint. Amazing. I wonder how many lives she's saved?
Now I hope to make this a regular thing. It really wasn't that bad. And they give you juice and cookies as a reward for good behaviour. How bad is that?
I have been wanting to do this ever since the one time I did it 41 years ago, but I am quite a chicken poop. You know, the needle in the arm? The blood flowing out? Makes me queasy just thinking about it. But I finally did it.
All the folks at the Canadian Blood Services in Ottawa were very pleasant and put me at ease. I went around with a "1st time blood donor" tag on, and even got a little pin that I proudly put on afterwards.
When my daughter Johanna was born 30 years ago I lost a lot of blood. A ton of blood, in fact. I lost so much blood that I was actually unconscious for some time. At some point I had no recorded blood pressure and my pupils were dilated and fixed. I was attached to a breathing machine.
I do recall somewhere in the blackness that engulfed me, that at some point I was praying really really hard to a very loving God. I knew I was dying.
I know he was loving because I made him a promise, that if he let me live and raise my new daughter, I would do one thing in particular. I never did keep my promise to God. But God kept his end of the bargain (I do believe I have since atoned for that breach of faith. It also made me realize just how imperfect we really are).
When I finally woke up after they pumped me full of other people's blood, I was petrified. But I was alive.
That was an adventure I will never forget, and would have far preferred not to have experienced. But I did. And I lived because a lot of people donated their blood to me. People I don't even know. Maybe even people like me who are scared to death to donate blood.
The lady next to me was giving her 50th pint. Amazing. I wonder how many lives she's saved?
Now I hope to make this a regular thing. It really wasn't that bad. And they give you juice and cookies as a reward for good behaviour. How bad is that?
Sunday, November 24, 2013
The trial of faith of St. Therese of Lisieux
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (January 2, 1873 – September 30, 1897)
I have read St. Thérèse's, Story of a Soul, but never really understood it very well, and why she is so important to the Catholic Faith. I couldn't seem to understand her spiritually, even though the book is simply written.
One day at Mass, Fr. Dennis talked about another book, The trial of faith of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, by Frederick L. Miller, STD and how it was such an important book to him. I bought the book. It is amazing. It explains Thérèse's spirituality, so that I am having a far easier time understanding her special faith.
Thérèse suffered intensely, especially in the last 18 months of her life, and she offered that suffering up for people who had lost their Faith, especially priests.
I have read St. Thérèse's, Story of a Soul, but never really understood it very well, and why she is so important to the Catholic Faith. I couldn't seem to understand her spiritually, even though the book is simply written.
One day at Mass, Fr. Dennis talked about another book, The trial of faith of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, by Frederick L. Miller, STD and how it was such an important book to him. I bought the book. It is amazing. It explains Thérèse's spirituality, so that I am having a far easier time understanding her special faith.
Thérèse suffered intensely, especially in the last 18 months of her life, and she offered that suffering up for people who had lost their Faith, especially priests.
"Throughout her trial, Thérèse saw herself mysteriously identified with those among her contemporaries who had lost the Catholic faith. It would seem that Thérèse, while never wavering in her profession of the Faith, was permitted to experience the darkness of unbelief that afflicts the modern world. She came to understand interiorly that her trial gave her an opportunity to offer herself for the salvation of all faithless souls. We must recall again that Thérèse had solemnly committed herself to work for priests and in particular, for Hyacinthe Loyson, the priest who had lost his faith. In the Story of a Soul, Thérèse identifies herself with apostates and others who had sinned against the Faith."I am only on page 67 of the book and am really looking forward to finishing it.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Elaine Maloney
Today is the 12th anniversary of our mother's death. November 14, 2001.
She died in the hospital after six weeks of us not knowing whether she would live or die. Sort of like Hell I think.
It was right after 9/11 and I remember sitting in the emergency after we brought her in, and watching the TV in the waiting room there. The Americans were bombing Afghanistan. It was all surreal.
After listening to Fr. Charles Orchard's homily on Monday about forgiveness, I knew I needed to forgive my mother's doctor for my mother's death. I still haven't done this, even after these 12 years. It seems so very very hard to do so.
On Tuesday I spoke with my spiritual director about it. He said I should bring my feelings to God so he can help me deal with them. And to pray. I need to forgive the doctor. For my sake. I will do my best. But crap it's hard. It would be so nice to let the feelings go.
We miss you Mommy. We love you.
(Fr. Charles homily on forgiveness)
She died in the hospital after six weeks of us not knowing whether she would live or die. Sort of like Hell I think.
It was right after 9/11 and I remember sitting in the emergency after we brought her in, and watching the TV in the waiting room there. The Americans were bombing Afghanistan. It was all surreal.
After listening to Fr. Charles Orchard's homily on Monday about forgiveness, I knew I needed to forgive my mother's doctor for my mother's death. I still haven't done this, even after these 12 years. It seems so very very hard to do so.
On Tuesday I spoke with my spiritual director about it. He said I should bring my feelings to God so he can help me deal with them. And to pray. I need to forgive the doctor. For my sake. I will do my best. But crap it's hard. It would be so nice to let the feelings go.
We miss you Mommy. We love you.
(Fr. Charles homily on forgiveness)
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
St. Josephat - uniting the Orthodox with the Catholic faith
Yesterday was the Feast day of St. Josephat. This is Fr. Dennis's beautiful homily on this martyr, and about this saint's wish to unite the Orthodox with Catholics.
Fr. Dennis also talks about uniting people within the Church itself. How this has something to do with humility. How we are always waiting for the other person to change. Maybe we need to change and take the first step ourselves. About showing charity, understanding and patience to the other.
Fr. Dennis says that we might want to pray for the grace to take this first step. To bring about reconciliation, unity and healing in the Body of Christ.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Remembrance Day 2013
Remembrance Day service at the Ottawa Civic Hospital on Friday November 8.
Lest we forget
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dijNFxKBzg
Lest we forget
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dijNFxKBzg
Friday, November 8, 2013
Jack
Death is never easy. This one was especially hard. A good friend who wasn't religious at all died yesterday. He had lung cancer along with other medical problems.
He underwent a round of chemo, radiation, more chemo, then into emergency twice, ICU, and finally palliative care. My husband Fred was a rock for Jack. I prayed daily for them both.
I prayed that Jack would make his peace with God before leaving us. I brought a good friend who is a priest to visit him at the hospital. They had a good talk I'm told. I was also able to get the chaplain at the hospice to give him the Sacrament of the Sick an hour before he died.
I prayed that my favourite saints and angels would intercede for Jack: St. Faustina, St. Ignatius, Walter Ciszek, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Raphael and St. Gabriel, Hector (my guardian Angel) and Blank Theo (my sister's guardian Angel).
I believe in God's Mercy and Love for all humans. For me. For you. And for Jack. May he rest in peace.
He underwent a round of chemo, radiation, more chemo, then into emergency twice, ICU, and finally palliative care. My husband Fred was a rock for Jack. I prayed daily for them both.
I prayed that Jack would make his peace with God before leaving us. I brought a good friend who is a priest to visit him at the hospital. They had a good talk I'm told. I was also able to get the chaplain at the hospice to give him the Sacrament of the Sick an hour before he died.
I prayed that my favourite saints and angels would intercede for Jack: St. Faustina, St. Ignatius, Walter Ciszek, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Raphael and St. Gabriel, Hector (my guardian Angel) and Blank Theo (my sister's guardian Angel).
I believe in God's Mercy and Love for all humans. For me. For you. And for Jack. May he rest in peace.
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