7 Quick Takes

-1-

Appropriate for March Madness

-2-

My high school band director went to U of I and therefore our pep band played songs just like U of I's pep band.  During today's Illinois game I heard their pep band and was carried back.  Every time I hear the Rocky theme I imagine high school boys running out of the locker room doing their warm up routine, not a boxer.  It was some of the most fun I had in high school.  We even got to play at the state finals for pep band even though our team wasn't in the tourney.  I felt pretty B.A. when I filled the arena with my sweet trumpet solo at the opening of "I Will Survive."

Seniors Rule! Backstage at Peoria Civic Center

-3-

Yes it's almost 9 pm and I am just getting to quick takes because...

this doll won't stop crying when put down.  I usually only babywear when out and about but at this moment I have a sweet baby snuggled up and asleep on my chest hands free to type.  

-4-

Did you know that it's said the least productive work day in America is the first day of the NCAA tourney?  I filled out my bracket did you?  Go Kansas!

-5-

In 2008 my band director invited band alumni to come play the school song at homecoming as it was his 30th year of teaching.  He's already put out the invite for this September since it will be his last year.  I had so much fun last time even though it wasn't easy with an infant.  I hope to go again and see some more friends.  

The Fossils as Mr. Brooks calls us.

-6-

I walk this line of going crazy that the house is a mess and not caring.  Yesterday I was going through closets to purge stuff.  Today my clean laundry is thrown all over the family room.  I really have no in between.

-7-

Speaking of going through closet, you should see some of these '80's board games.  We have such gems as Murder She Wrote, Muscle Men Mega Match, and Tuba Ruba.  

Have a great week everyone and thanks to Jen for the link up at www.conversiondiary.com.

Solemnity of St. Joseph

   Exactly 10 years ago today I was in St. Peter's square in the very front row listening to Pope John Paul II talk to the crowd about St. Joseph.  So naturally I'm ecstatic that today is the inaugural mass of Pope Francis! 

 

  I love this litany prayer because it reminds me of all the titles St. Joseph has and offers me the chance to reflect on his life.  He's so great!  I hope you let God spoil you today!!

  Litany of St. Joseph  

V/ Lord, have mercy.

R/ Lord, have mercy.  

V/ Christ, have mercy.

R/ Christ, have mercy.  

V/ Lord, have mercy.

R/ Lord, have mercy.  

V/ Jesus, hear us.

R/ Jesus, graciously hear us.  

V/ God, the Father of Heaven,

R/ have mercy on us.  

V/ God, the Son, Redeemer of the world,

R/ have mercy on us.  

V/ God, the Holy Spirit,

R/ have mercy on us.  

V/ Holy Trinity, One God,

R/ have mercy on us.  

 

R/for ff: pray for us.

Renowned offspring of David,

Light of Patriarchs,

Spouse of the Mother of God,

Chaste guardian of the Virgin,

Foster father of the Son of God,

Diligent protector of Christ,

Head of the Holy Family,

Joseph most just,

Joseph most chaste,

Joseph most prudent,

Joseph most strong,

Joseph most obedient,

Joseph most faithful,

Mirror of patience,

Lover of poverty,

Model of artisans,

Glory of home life,

Guardian of virgins,

Pillar of families,

Solace of the wretched,

Hope of the sick,

Patron of the dying,

Terror of demons,

Protector of Holy Church,   PRAY FOR US!

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,

R/ spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world,

R/ graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world.

R/ have mercy on us.

He made him the lord of his household.

R/ And prince over all his possessions.   

 

Let us pray. O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever. R/ Amen.

Follow the Leader

  On my Facebook news feed our local news channel announced upcoming dates for the conclave.  The first responder posted, "Who cares?"  I stopped reading the others below it.  I try to avoid the comments section of religious news published by secular sources.  People can be so nasty.  It seems a glowing screen and qwerty pad give people an audacity they would be ashamed of in actual human interaction.

  People do care and at the least are certainly interested.  Every major news channel broke into regular programming just to air the cardinals entering the Sistine Chapel, having not yet voted at that time.  What is it that interests non believers?  The history? The misguided thinking the next pope will "get with the times?"

  Media commentators say the next pope will be an important one because he's going to need to bring back followers to a dying religion.  They say these are some of the toughest times for the Catholic church...

St. Peter is not Impressed

Caravaggio: The martyrdom of St. Peter, Crucified upside down

  Does the "success" of the Catholic faith rest in the hands of the pope though?  No because the election of a pope is not about a man.  It's about the Office, the Chair of Peter.

I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:18)

  From here the new pope will lead the faithful so that we can exemplify Christ like qualities and attract others.  He will guide us in ways to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit which gives us the ability to love and moves us to share God's love with others.  He will teach us and give us intellectual positions to meditate and act on. The pope's human qualities and personality will play into this leadership, but it's up to me to respond to that lead.   It's up to me to respond to Christ.  And, it's up to me to prove to harden hearts that the universal church is not dying.