Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for us.

"I sit here in silence on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows wondering how fast the time always flies. I remember three years ago I felt complete guilt for being alive... My friends who had the gifts to inspire were taken by our Mother. Such a depressing story, I know, but that's life." The Gospel of Matthew chapter 7 says it's so beautifully, storms will come.

"It came to be today in prayer that we all have special graces and gifts allotted to us by our Lord. It is by these gifts we are able to build up the Church." We each, yes you, has a gift to do something beautiful today. God has given you the opportunity and unique opportunity for only you to do today. Only you.

So let's LIVE. Live like you don't know what will happen next. Storms will come by friend. Big or small, storms will come. But it's the foundation that will matter when they do.

JFA: Yes, I participated.

During my first FOCUS Staff Training, an organization came to teach the FOCUS staff members on how to have healthy conversations about abortion. They are called Justice for All, in short, JFA. I didn't feel called to go around the streets of Madison, WI to ask citizens their thoughts on abortion, so took the afternoon for prayer and personal reflection.

However, it was brought to my attention two weeks ago that they will be showing their exhibit at KU (University of Kansas) and we will be attending the training session once more, but this time I will participate. I was a little hesitate at first. Thinking to myself, who am I to go out and talk to my peers about abortion. But again lives are being lost each and every day.

Needless to say ther was a young man there from the early beginning who had a sign. He was actively protesting against the exhibit and screaming things here and there. As trained individuals, some would try to have some sort of conversation, but it was useless. I myself, tried to prove a point to this young women on the issue of dependency of the child to the mother.

I began a conversation with a young women, "Let's say you are the only one near the swimming pool and a three-year jumps, but cannot swim and needs you to save him/her. Wouldn't you say that this three-year old is dependent on solely you to save his/her life?" "Yes, but I would let the child die," said this young women. I was in shock and couldn't believe this women wouldn't save a child. Just to prove her point that a baby is dependent on a mother. The conversation ended and I said a prayer for this women.

As the hours passed and had tried to have conversations will students passing by, it was time to start again. I knew it coudldn't be any worse than the lady who would let a child die, so I asked the young man who had been protesting all day. "I said, hey why did you write that on the board." He continued on and I listened. I listen for the next 30 to 40 minutes talk about his life. At the end, I am certain I didn't change his view point on anything, but he did say something to me that I will always remember, "Thank you for listening, you are the best pro-lifer, I have ever met."

I have never considered myself so one of many words or huge advocate of this or that, I just live my self in the way I see the Lord finds fit. My advice, don't try to do change people, but try to listen and be the sincere heart they have been waiting for. I pray this young man daily, I ask you to do the same as well.

Use your ability...

M. Kathleen Casey - "You are the only person on earth who can use your ability."

Ladybug Extravaganza

LADYBUG DAY

10.30.07 - Between 3:30 and 5:30 there was a plethora of "Beetles of Our Lady" in my apartment. (true story that is the official name, google that)

Jacqueline: "It is bad luck to kill a ladybug because it represents the Virgin Mary. I just killed like 50 of them. Oh my God I am going to hell."
Marley: HAHAHA "Maybe you could go to confession."
Jacqueline: "c _ _ _ "
Marley: "Wait, isn't that a superstition?"
Jacqueline: "Yes, let's google that."
Marley: "Google solves every problem."
Jacqueline: "The Roman Catholic Church considers superstition to be sinful in the sense that it denotes a lack of trust in the divine providence of God and, as such, is a violation of the first of the Ten Commandments. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states superstition "in some sense represents a perverse excess of religion" (para. #2110). SWEET, I guess I didn't kill the Virgin Mary."

58 days later and I am back...

Every once in a while I think about this blog I used to own.

I truly apologize for not updating this blog in such a long time. It has been truly busy here at the University Missouri Kansas City.

I have been truly humbled and blest to fulfill this calling in my life. There are many mornings when I wake up and think... "Wow, God has called me today to communicate the fullness of life to others." But you know, you don't have to be a missionary to communicate the fullness of life. I just happen to believe that the best way for me to do so is by being a missionary.

In these past 58 days I have been blest to surround myself with two friends who communicate the fullness of life in such a radical way. One is in the convent and the other is joining at the beginning of the month. There are many times where I just sit and think, "Wow, how lucky am I to have been blest with their guidance, presence, and wisdom in my life." They aren't extraordinary individuals, but they are truly thoughtful. They are always thinking 5 minutes ahead and anticipating your wants.

In the simple ways, they show you kindness. You rarely hear them grumbling, but rather giving thanks for everything.

Yes, tonight, I declare to you that this year will be my year of kindness through simplicity. Why make things complicated? When all people really want in this world is to feel loved and needed.

Lord I ask you to give me the strength to do your will, not just the right thing. If this is what you want of me, please guide me and I will try not to grumble.