Confessions of an Underground Catholic

SEVEN QUICK TAKES (Volume IDK)

Clare — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:32:29 +0000

So, obviously I don’t keep up with what number on the 7 Quick takes food chain this post is. Especially since I’m really bad about doing these every week. Ergo, I am just going to start putting the date on them. Or something.

Anyway, this week’s theme: Reasons I love the Church.

NUMBER 1

I have learned so much about the history of mankind thanks to the Church. A lot of my Separtist friends don’t realize how intertwined the Church and secular history are. Many think that’s kind of a no duh sort of thing but obviously public school doesn’t always teach history properly.

NUMBER 2

Um, Body and Blood of Christ, yo! I love Jesus. I love what God did for us mere mud sculptures. And I love the feeling of wholeness I especially have when I partake in the Eucharist.

NUMBER 3

It is totally okay to be single. My Protestant family likes to ask me if I’m dating some nice boy yet or whatever. Being single and Catholic doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to be an old cat lady. (Or, if you’re like my mother, a les. Gracious goodness.)

NUMBER 4

Speaking of mothers…
We have our wonderful Momma Mary. She is such an inspiration with her fiat and complete acceptance of God’s will. I strive to be as virtuous as she and as willing to give my life for God’s will.

NUMBER 5

The saints. I know they always have my six. Especially St Clare and Don Bosco and St Vincent de Paul and St Paul and St EA Seton and… yeah. They’s got my back.

NUMBER 6

Advent and Lent.
I’m big on waiting periods as some call them. They’re not really waiting periods but preparation periods. And prepare I do. Advent for me usually means decorating the tree, setting up my (tiny) Nativity scene (which is still out and on top of my desk), and the anticipation for the remembrance of the birth of Christ. Lent is fasting, reteaching myself good habits, lots of fish, Stations, extra Rosaries, and lots of reading to prepare for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. (Woot woot!)

NUMBER 7

Reason 7.
The actual sense of community. No matter where I go, I can find another Catholic and someone to welcome me and ask me how I am. That’s a comfort. We might be strangers, but we are siblings in Christ. I could travel to the other side of the world and find another Catholic. Because that’s what Catholic means – Universal. We believe the exact same thing at the church here or a church in Australia. God gave us this amazing Son of His in order that our sins may be forgiven. He instituted the Eucharist in remembrance of Him and to draw us closer to Him. Dude, we are all here to worship Him. Look at the Bible. Study the history. The truth blows your mind.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

The Perfect(ish) Guy

Clare — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:04:10 +0000

So, today’s topic is on literary crushes. Well, shite. Who was my first literary crush? I can’t quite remember. Let me put it this way: in 2nd Grade I was reading Nancy Drew. In 3rd grade, I was reading Gone with the Wind.

Yep.

Ergo, I will be writing about the literary crush that has stuck with me the longest.

Of course, as a 3rd grader, I developed a crush on Rhett Butler.

Sure, he was a cad. A freaking gorgeous cad that had Scarlett so flustered (and me, as well, when I went back when I was older and read the book and watch the movie again). Impeccably dressed, always with the right lines (even if Scarlett didn’t want to hear it)… >sigh<

Of course, when I was in high school, I somehow stumbled across a Rhett-in-the-making-but-more-a-cad. I was smitten. Fortunately, it didn’t end on quite a volatile note, but still.

That’s all I can say about this. I really do like old-fashioned guys.

In closing, some wisdom from Rhett:

Rhett Butler: No, I don’t think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That’s what’s wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.

And one more:

Scarlett: [pleads with Rhett as he is about to leave to join the Confederate Army] Oh, Rhett! Please, don’t go! You can’t leave me! Please! I’ll never forgive you!
Rhett Butler: I’m not asking you to forgive me. I’ll never understand or forgive myself. And if a bullet gets me, so help me, I’ll laugh at myself for being an idiot. There’s one thing I do know… and that is that I love you, Scarlett. In spite of you and me and the whole silly world going to pieces around us, I love you. Because we’re alike. Bad lots, both of us. Selfish and shrewd. But able to look things in the eyes as we call them by their right names.
Scarlett: [struggles] Don’t hold me like that!
Rhett Butler: [holds her tighter] Scarlett! Look at me! I’ve loved you more than I’ve ever loved any woman and I’ve waited for you longer than I’ve ever waited for any woman.
[kisses her forhead]
Scarlett: [turns her face away] Let me alone!
Rhett Butler: [forces her to look him in the eyes] Here’s a soldier of the South who loves you, Scarlett. Wants to feel your arms around him, wants to carry the memory of your kisses into battle with him. Never mind about loving me, you’re a woman sending a soldier to his death with a beautiful memory. Scarlett! Kiss me! Kiss me… once…
[he kisses her]

Books to Give Away Redux

Clare — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:03:04 +0000

Ok. so… Cameron and Jeanette and Sullibe already have dibs on the books! They went fast! I know I had several people interested in Story of a Soul. HOWEVER if you have the Kindle app/program for your iPhone, iPad, laptop, or desktop, (or if you have a Kindle) you can get it for free here.

As I read more of my books, I’ll let y’all know. Sullibe, I’ll be emailing you soon to get contact info.

Thanks everyone!

Books to Giveaway!

Clare — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:44:33 +0000

I have four books that I’m passing on to you, my precious blog readers. I am done with them If you would like any of them, please comment with which book you would like and an email address (although I think it usually lists one if you make a comment…). I will then contact you about where to send it.

The Books:

I Believe in Love by Father Jean d’Elbee

My Meditations of Saint Paul by the Confraternity of the Precious Blood

Story of a Soul by St Therese of Lisieux

Companion to the Calendar: A Guide to the Saints and Mysteries of the Christian Calendar by Mary Hynes

Hello, friends!

Clare — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:57:39 +0000

I have a guest post today by Kate! You can view her blog here. This is her list of why Valentine’s Day is such a bad idea. Enjoy!

(And thank you, Kate!)

Here is why Valentine’s day is a terrible idea:

1 – Februrary is too damn close to the holidays. The year has barely started, and we’re all still chubby from Christmas cookies and New Years Beers. I can’t feel sexy when my cute clothes don’t fit.

2 – It’s the middle of winter, one of the coldest, darkest parts of the year. I don’t even want to shave my legs when it’s this cold. I certainly don’t want to wear lingerie – I want to wear sweatpants and hide under blankets.

3 – Unless you go indoor tanning you’re pasty as hell – not that cute.

4 – Why is it suddenly acceptable to reserve one day out of 365 (366 this year) to show affection? If you’re not showing affection to your loved ones year-round then it rings hollow and unsatisfying.

5 – I already feel chubby, and I’m supposed to get chocolate? BAD IDEA.

6 – It’s quite possibly the ONLY holiday that you can’t celebrate with friends and family without looking like a social pariah. Go ahead, think of another holiday that’s so isolationist and solitary. On principal, I mistrust any holiday that doesn’t encourage a mass party of eat, drink, & be merry. On a similar note – name another holiday that essentially shames a massive portion of the population for something they cannot control?

7 – It’s a recipe for disappointment, whether you’re taken or single. When was the last time you experienced a Valentine’s day that met your expectations? Surprises are hard. As an adult, finding the time (AND MONEY) to pan extravagant gestures doesn’t happen every year, so even a great experience this year only spells disappointment for the next two.

8 – Last, but perhaps most, money does not equal love. Real love is shown by habits of self-sacrifice, of laying down oneself for another (whether that’s your friend, your sister, your mom, your husband) and putting the wants and needs of the other before your own. And that will never be encapsulated in a bunch of flowers or a heart-shaped box of candy.

Something’s Gotta Give

Clare — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:00:31 +0000

This has been the week from Hell.

I feel like I can’t breathe.

I’m alone so much.

I’ve had four nervous breakdowns.

Something’s gotta give.

Happy Feast Day

Clare — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:34:12 +0000

Today is the feast day of Don Bosco. So happy feast day!

“Believe me… nobody can be truly happy in this world unless he is at peace with God.”

- St. John Bosco

Yo

Clare — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:03:33 +0000

Hey y’all. I’ll be making a holy hour of adoration on Friday at about 9 am Central Time (U.S.). If you have any prayer requests or such, don’t hesitate to drop me a comment or whatever.

God bless you.

Kids Say the Darnedest Things

Clare — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:27:36 +0000

Kids say the darnedest things.

I help teach Sunday school. The fifth graders. Everyone is learning about the new Mass translation and everything and so we have workbooks and videos we watch. Today, the entirety of the Parish School of Religion went into the Church proper and nave and listened to Fr J talk about the Mass translation and some of the different stuff about the Mass. (The little boys thought it was cool we have bones (relics) in the altar.) Then it was the question time and the questions got interesting.

These came from the youngest group up there, I believe.

1. How was God born?

2. Who is God’s mommy and daddy?

3. Does God have an aunt? (To which Fr J said God doesn’t but Jesus does >hehe<)

4. How do we know what God looks like?

5. If we don’t know what God looks like, how do we know what Jesus looks like?

6. Can I try on the chasuble?

Oh, goodness. I think these kids will be sent back to Catholic Theology 101.

Like a Ton of Bricks

Clare — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:03:31 +0000

All the depression and sadness and crap I felt over Christmas is gone. I am happy.
That boy and I are done.
Good riddance.