Evangelizing Through Facebook

Social media has impacted the world in both positive and negative ways- it has transformed the way we communicate and while the list of pros and cons is extensive I want to share today my personal take and use for evangelizing.  I opened a Facebook account when my friends began having children as a way to watch their kids grow. Due to responsibilities and distance it’s impossible to meet up weekly, but through social media I am able to share in their children’s growth and daily lives by the great family posts the proud parents display.  While my reasons for opening a page on said site were familial as I began this blog and deepening in my faith I realized that social media can really be used for the glory of God.  At first I was uncomfortable sharing personal bits of my faith, church involvement and overall my continuous testimony because I felt like I was tooting my own horn and appearing holier than I really am.  Yet, as I got more comfortable I realized that if we don’t share what God has done in our lives and our faith via actions and example than who will shine the light on the glory of God?  Jesus repeatedly told the people he healed to keep it to themselves, yet the healed went on sharing what Jesus had done in their lives not to go against the will of God, but because so great was the transformation that if they didn’t speak the rocks would sing.  The majority of the people in my life are not believers and if I don’t challenge them to seek God (or at least annoy them) who will?

If I am not bombarding my fellow Facebook audience with my personal testimony I post things that I love – mostly quotes that really speak to me.  I love language and words are important to me; yet, as I have grown in my faith I have realized that before I post a quote I have to make sure that the statement is in accordance with my faith.  I think many times (Christians are guilty of this too) people post things without reflecting on whether or not the post glorifies God.  Also, the things we “like” must be given some thought because it’s a public forum and others can see everything we do.  I have seen some Christian men “like” pictures of women in provocative dress, comment about drunken nights or unholy behavior and that’s really unattractive because it translates as spiritual immaturity.  When I was working as secretary of the Hispanic Council, the president posted a picture of a bottle of Patron and said that for every “like” he would take a shot and later posted a video of a plus size woman on a strip pole.  I confronted him about it and reminded him of the position he had in the church and he said it was just fun and people knew he was just joking.  Yet, we are representatives of Christ at all times and not just to people who know us, but to the whole world. 

Facebook is a great way to keep in touch and many blessings can come from it.  I like to wish everyone a happy birthday, and I “like” every comment people post on my page as a way of acknowledging them and thanking them for thinking of me.  It’s helped me get to know others better and even grow in my faith.  I have a couple private prayer groups that I established on the site and daily we reach out to one-another and join in praying novenas.  It’s also helped me share my faith with my loved ones in a way that it’s not threatening and often I get comments or messages that open up a faith discussion.  Currently it’s helping a special friendship grow.  I am happy to see in this man very thoughtful behavior and a great testimony of God - that has made my affection towards him grow.  I see in his way of using social media a respect for others and God.  Who we are silently or in our small actions reveals our character.  So think before you post or “like”: would Jesus approve? 

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia

On Saturday, my best friend and I went on a spontaneous road trip to Oceanside to visit San Luis Rey Mission. Though, California boasts of twenty-one missions I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting seven (to date) which means I am a third way done (smile)!  The missions were established by Franciscan priests to spread Christianity among the natives (from 1769-1823); yet, each mission has its own personal history.  They also vary in size and architectural design.  San Luis Rey is very well maintained and a very active mission.  I liked that color was added via a light blue dome on top of the campanario (smile) it gives the building personal character.  On occasion, I enjoy taking small pilgrimages to holy sites in California when I have the time, they are like miniature retreats that fill my soul with strength to face daily struggles.  It’s my way of keeping or rather feeding the light of Christ in me.  This, visit was really special because my best friend came along with me (though she’s not a practicing Catholic).  I love it when she comes with me on spiritual activities (smile).  She’s one of the few non-believers in my life that enjoys joining me on faith related events as she has done so many times in the past.  I sense in her the stirrings of God calling and her desire to respond…  On Saturday, while I prayed in the chapel she listened to the friars’ chant and was very moved by it…

Inside the Chapel.

As I am having trouble writing this morning and since I took many pictures this post will be saturated with images of our delightful trip.        

Lit a candle for a special intention. 

The mission & us.

Saint Francis taking care of the very real turtles ans Koi.

Greetings from my buddy Saint Francis.

Silliness behind giant cacti. 

Smile Like the Saints

I have been a recluse these past few days- feeling a bit under the weather emotionally.  Sometimes I get these short periods of anxiety and insecurity they last a couple days in which I feel rather vulnerable and exposed and my way of fighting it is to withdraw.  Yesterday, I was reading a biography on Blessed Mother Teresa in which the author describes a long period of dryness that Mother experienced.  Though Mother Teresa battled with interior darkness her motto was to serve with a smile.  In fact, the Missionaries of Charity are known to be some of the most joyful servants of God.  An instruction that she gave repeatedly to her sisters was, “always have a cheerful smile.  Don’t only give your care, but give your heart as well.”  I had to stop and reflect on that statement for a moment because as simply stated -it carries quite profound meaning.  I read that a sign of sanctification is the ability to laugh, to be of good cheer even in the most desolate circumstances… Often times am told to guard my heart, but when I study the lives of the saints I realize that they weren’t afraid of giving their hearts even though they were exposing themselves to great pain - even brokenness.  Thus, am beginning to reconsider what guarding my heart means.  More than ever I know it’s not a matter of protecting it from love.  Loving others will always come with high risks: the possibility of rejection, disappointment, hurt, even brokenness; but, as I have mentioned before we have a God that heals.  When we love someone whether romantically or not we are opening ourselves to a lot of possible harm, but we are also allowing God (who is love) to continue shaping us into vessels of His perfect love.

I have been broken many times in my past, but I have also been delivered from affliction every time.  Looking back I don’t regret the times I gave my heart to the people I chose because though some inflicted great suffering those experiences of love also gave me insurmountable amounts of joy.  I think at some point we all must make that decision to let go and just love.  To trust that God is with us through the end of time.  Mother Teresa and that saints knew and lived their lives trusting that God would provide ointment for their inner hurts and just pressed on in their labor of love.

I like a man a great deal and sometimes I feel really vulnerable about my feelings towards him and I just want to hide and give up because the insecurity of the unknown weighs heavily on me. At other times I over analyze my behavior thinking that I am doing all the things that I have read NOT to do in dating books and again I freak out. Yet, what I give of me is natural to who I am.  Loving others (most of the time) comes natural to me, being affectionate and cheesy is also a big part of who I am- to cut back on these gestures for the pretense of guarding my heart is completely unnatural to me.  In books, that I have read they teach people how to play games in order to win a man’s hearts (don’t reply right away, make him miss you, show him you have a life, etc.) and that just feels so wrong.  Even Christian courtship books do this and am not sure if I am too stubborn and set in my ways, but that’s not who I am at all.  As romantic as I am (because I am) real love is enough for me.  When two people overcome fears, insecurities, pride and just stand in front of one another with nothing but who they are (weaknesses and all) that’s beautiful to me.  I know my beloved leads a full life, as do I- so, I don’t have to nor need to be proved what I already know (smile).  Sometimes we complicate love and put all these rules and regulations in order to receive or give it.  The two things that I know love needs to grow is time and nurturing- like a seed planted in rich soil it should transform with time into a beautiful flower.  Thus, “let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”     

A Relationship that Honors God

When I was a little girl, growing up in a culture of telenovelas gave me reign to create these great fantasies about my future romantic life.  I dreamt of marrying a charro on a horse who would come and sweep me away into a passionate life - as mariachi songs and fireworks sent us off into a new world of perfect happiness.  As a child, my dreams were only of the conquista (wooing) and the wedding, but they never went on to create epic stories of life after the horse ride.  I guess even in my naïveté I knew that ordinary life was a thing that happened only to ordinary people- and my dreams were Mexican fairytales full of honor, chivalry and extraordinary people and events.  As I grew into adolescence and my college years many hours were spent with my friends watching romantic comedies- and again I found myself reducing love to a strong emotion with little depth and concept of reality..  Yet, love happens every day- it’s not a special dress that is only worn on Sundays.  When I became a Christian I realized that my idyllic notions of love only scratched the surface of this most beautiful gift given to us by God.  I wish I could say that witnessing and understanding God’s sacrificial, REAL love immediately erased these erroneous, self-centered, superficial notions of my childish understanding of love, but I had to painfully grow out of it.

As I sat with God trying to work together on an adult vision of what I want from romantic love- I realized that romance and wooing are not as important as I originally thought. According to extensive research, in a relationship that honors God there must be three things that will increase the success of the partnership:

Spiritual Unity:  The bible talks about not being unequally yoked- meaning that we should look for a partner that practices our faith and believes what we believe because we want a person who will motivate and encourage us to continue our walk with God.  

Same Purpose: A common phrase I hear among single Catholics is, “I want a person who will help me get to heaven.”  This is a common purpose; working together in honoring God and in personal (and mutual) sanctification.  Everyone should want a partner that is going to inspire and help during our moments of dryness and weakness; and, a partner who will encourage us daily.   

Emotionally Healthy: Healthy people create healthy relationships.  So look for someone and be someone with:   

• No Uncontrolled Anger 
• No Addictions 
• No Bitterness 
• No Selfishness 
• No Greediness

Look for someone who is generous, kind, honest- emotionally healthy and has integrity (and be that type of person too). God gave us a heart, but also a brain to use - especially in romantic love.  Attraction is important – you should be physically attracted to your significant other.  Romance, too, is a tool God gave us to celebrate mutual love. Nevertheless, our love and our decision to choose another person for the rest of our lives needs to be based on more logical reasons.    

RCIA Rewards

Every Sunday morning I help out with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program for the Hispanic Community at Saint Barbara Parish.  While our job as stewards is to toil and till sometimes God allows us to see the fruits of our labor to motivate and inspire us.  Yesterday, as my spiritual kiddos took the stage to present a short bio on the saint they choose during the program – my heart puffed with pride.  I thought about how each began a few months back reluctant, distrustful and so ignorant concerning spiritual matters – and now all have grown in their faith and love for God and His church.  Love is based on trust and trust is based on truth- as the truth of God has taken root in their hearts their trust in the Lord has improved noticeably and this gravitational pull towards holiness, goodness and God is extremely visible.  While some have progressed faster and deeper in their spiritual journey all have matured in faith and love.

I love working with the Hispanic community at this parish, because the people have very humble origins.  Some come from indigenous groups in Mexico with very little formal education, some are illiterate and most are materially poor.  Yet, they are some of the most honorable people that I have ever come across.  Working with them keeps me grounded.  I love their simplicity – they remind me of an old, endangered way of life where community and family ruled- where one’s word meant something. Yesterday, I joked with them about how they are becoming fast theologians and they burst out laughing- which really describes the atmosphere of our classes – full of laughter.  Sometimes in more affluent parishes I feel like this humble spirit is missing.

When I lived my retreat with Jovenes Para Cristo in 2007, I remembered being so arrogant thinking what will these people teach me?  I have more formal education than any of their speakers and am very well read… Yet their capacity to love me broke down the walls and before the weekend was over these simple people with their limited classroom education and resources became my heroes.  To this day- they are some of the people I most admire and respect.  I see that integrity in my students and am so pleased to recognize that God makes us all equal. 

It's a Waiting Game

Today I want to focus on a character trait that I have been developing - patience.  Over the years in my spiritual journey- I have grown a little in this area; yet, when it comes to romantic relationships I still have a lot of work to do.  It’s really important for me to not waste my time because of the promise I made to my brother-in-heaven - to live each day as if it were my last.  This desire to live my life without regrets has been a challenge in the subject of waiting for a mate.  Until recently, I thought that waiting for a man to make the first move was a waste of time IF it took too long.  Let me explain.  We introverts have a tendency to form attachments and are extremely loyal to those attachments.  Even if we don’t speak or have any type of relationship with the object of our affections we close ourselves off to anyone else and before we know it months, even years have passed and nothing has happened. Father has told me repeatedly that I must not take myself off the market until I have the commitment or promise of exclusivity from my man.

As a Christian woman my role is to wait in matters of two.  As I explored this deeper this is what I gather:

• I am told to wait, but waiting is full of activity.  During my waiting I must pray a great deal for discernment- that is for God to reveal my man (in John's words): Are you the one (my hubby) or should I wait for another?  

• It’s a time to encourage the object of my affections to approach me, to show him I am interested and if I receive signs that he is- then I am not wasting my time because small actions lead to the edification of relationships.  This is really important- to be happy with the small gestures and not to expect him to ask you out ASAP, but to be content with mutual unhurried self-giving.  The best romantic relationships begin as friendships. 

• Beginnings are tough! I get scared (some days more than others) that I am giving myself slowly and that maybe my love interest will meet someone else and drop me like a dime.  Or that I will do or say something that will push him away… I get these moments of vulnerability where I too need encouragement from my beloved.  I need daily reminders that he’s still interested not because I am needy, but because I care.  When these negative thoughts come I rest in my trust in God, knowing that God has a plan for my life and has saved (just for me) the man that will accompany me to heaven. I am in God’s hands and everything will go according to His plan.

• It’s a time to work on yourself spiritually, emotionally and physically.  Study, pray and serve.  “The ability to wait and be patient says a lot about you.  It says that you are whole, secure, your needs are met; and you are protected by this ability.”    

• “It has been said that patience is the weapon that forces deception to reveal itself.” Choosing a mate is one of the most important decisions one will ever make, and time allows for people to REALLY get to know one another.  To discover each other’s idiosyncrasies, weaknesses and compatibility- so don’t rush.     

We all have our own style or manner of working on our godly virtues.  I have learned to not waste my time and more importantly give my heart to a man unless I know that he is interested too.  If I see him valiantly overcoming his fears, insecurities and heroically giving bits of himself to me- then I am game.  I believe romantic love needs to be a mutual self-giving for both parties to maintain their peace and build trust in one another.  Am also learning to be at peace letting the man lead and establishing the pace… Waiting isn’t so bad if one does it God’s way (smile). 

Don't Blame Others

On Sunday I gave a talk to my RCIA students about the call to service that all baptized receive and what I really wanted to get across was that God entrusts all of us with a particular mission and He gives each of us the capacity to fulfil that purpose.  Lately I have been getting way too many compliments about me being a godly woman- and while the words are flattering they make me really uncomfortable because I want Jesus to shine not me.  I was telling a friend that one of the things that I really hate about blogging is that people build this erroneous view of me- they perceive me as this perfect saint- and I am so not.  All you have to do to get a clear picture of my shortcomings and weaknesses is to talk to my family and close friends- they will tell you that I sin, hurt others, lose my patience, get angry…  The laundry list of my peccadillos is long!  Yet, I got an email yesterday asking me how I manage to stay positive and faithful even with all the stresses and worries of life and I felt like I needed to take the time to answer that question.  If your language is poetry then “No Culpes a Nadie” from Pablo Neruda is my answer, but if flowery language is not a way that God speaks to you then here’s my humble answer.

Be still and know that I am God.

In life we have two options: to live as victims of our circumstances blaming others for all the wrongs of our lives or to take responsibility and create the life we want to live.  The sum of our lives is built on small, daily actions.  God gave us freewill to choose.  My hours of therapy have taught me that the only person I can change is myself and God asks me to sanctify myself- that is to live always striving to be a better me in Christ.  Thus, every choice I make will impact the wholeness of my life.  I reflect daily on the things and people in my life and if there’s an area that is robbing me of my peace I act.  Life is not a matter luck or good fortune (for some and not others) it’s a question of making the right choices.  If your job robs you of your peace, if a man doesn’t value or treat you well, if a friend causes you to sin…- God is using that feeling of unsettlement to highlight an area to pay attention to and change if need be.  Taking responsibilities for your actions is scary at first, but once you get the hang of it – the maturity to make right choices is so liberating!  I love my life- but it took a lot of change and a lot of godly choices for me to get to this point.

Prayer is also important, to have a dialogue with God and ask Him to highlight growth areas and to provide what’s needed to succeed in conversion.  Many times I tell people to pray and they respond that they do. Yet, prayer is more than just reciting words, or of one extensively talking about our list of needs to God without sitting around to listen to what He has to say.  Pope Francis, in the Joy of the Gospel, says that we must never stop being evangelized – that is that we all need to continue to grow in holiness.  If we read God’s word we find all the areas that we must grow in, so start there.  Work on joy, patience, kindness, faithfulness…  Currently I find myself working on patience and in trusting God.  I love this past Sunday’s reading about the incredulous Apostle Thomas because I too constantly need to be reaffirmed by God in matters of faith and my relationships with others.  I am working on patience in matters of the heart- to wait on the Lord and to treasure the edification of a friendship.  We only get one life, and we have no certainty how long it will be- this should push us to live wisely one good choice at a time.         

"Levántate y mira el sol por las mañanas y respira la luz del amanecer. Tú eres parte de la fuerza de tu vida, ahora despiértate, lucha, camina, decídete y triunfarás en la vida; nunca pienses en la suerte, porque la suerte es el pretexto de los fracasados."

A Matter of Guarding my Heart

The greatest adventures require courage... Everyday my little dog finds my hands and with his cute snout he positions himself at an angle perfect for caressing beneath my hands. He waits for my action and if I ignore him he either groans or shakes his tail until I have no other option than to massage his perfect, little body. He very humbly asks me as many times as it takes to scratch him, to acknowledge him, to simply love him. His persistence and vulnerability teach me so much. Many times I struggle to be loving to show those that I love that I care. I worry about rejection, of coming off as too needy or weird, of making others uncomfortable with my expressions of love and I withhold. Yet, in my genetic make-up, God, gave me this gift of over-sentimentality and corniness and if I go a day without being cheesy I am not living true to my potential (smile).

Sometimes when I read books about Christian courtship- they drive me nuts because they all advice to withhold sentiments in order to protect one’s own heart. This tip goes against every fiber of my being because I am Mexican! My culture is very expressive we hug, kiss, speak with our hands, serenade with Mariachi songs, love cheesy, romantic telenovelas and over all we are very sensual and affectionate. It’s impossible for me to withhold affection and it seems very unchristian to do so. God tells us to love one another as He first loved us- when I mediate on this command I see Jesus teaching, healing, liberating - LOVING without care for protecting His heart due to fear of it breaking. In fact, I once heard a theory that Jesus died from a broken heart because of His great and perfect love for us. When we love – no matter who we love – we are exposing our hearts to hurt and brokenness. The more we love the more hurt we will experience, but also the more joy and happiness.

Yet, as unromantic and opposing to my very being- I know that I must guard my heart. I need to guard it from selfishness, from greed, from gossip… from all the things that keep me from loving more authentically and build a divide between myself and God. I’ve been broken so many times in the past and God has delivered and healed me every time- so am not (as) afraid of pain because I know no matter the outcome I will always have my heavenly Father. I trust Him. Though I am very affectionate and cheesy- I don’t give my heart easily in romantic matters. In fact, I gave my heart to God for safe keeping and asked Him to give it to the man that He finds worthy. I crave for a husband and a family, but I am in no way desperate because God has taught me to be happy right now. He’s taught me to see the abundant blessings in my life and to rejoice and be satisfied with what and who I have in my life right now. Nevertheless, I am learning that romantic relationships require a lot of prayer, discernment and a slow process of giving oneself to the beloved. To slowly give as we receive so that there is balance of mutual self-giving. This interchange of self-giving creates trust and a safe foundation for love to be planted and steadily grow. As two people give of each other unhurriedly a healthy relationship is born. So, I guess that if my style of slowly giving myself is through a lot of corny acts I hope my beloved can appreciate it (smile).     

Easter Vigil

I was sharing with a friend that the Easter Vigil lasts three hours and her response was that of many, “it must have been boring, I would have been falling asleep.”  I remember sharing with the elected that the service would begin at 11PM and end at 2AM and their response was similar to that of my friend.  The first time I attended an Easter Vigil, I too was afraid that I would snore in the middle of the celebration- yet I don’t recall yawning once.  The service is really beautiful full of rituals and meaning.  This year it was extra special for me because the people receiving their Sacraments were the students I have worked with for the past year.  I felt like a proud momma during graduation day (smile).  It was also special because Father was ordained three years ago and this was the first Easter Vigil that he was officiating and the first one in American soil (he was transferred from a parish in Mexico).  He was so cute and nervous.  Before the celebration began we sat with him in the rectory going over the process of the ritual and he was terribly nervous, but would crack jokes that as long as he remembered the water and oil our spiritual kids would receive their Sacraments.  Father was a natural, the Holy Spirit totally guided him and he did an excellent job the entire service was free from errors (smile)… By the end of Mass everyone had huge smiles, especially those who received their Sacraments.  The Holy Spirit radiated from their beings. 

We cannot love that which we do not know- and many miss out on the most joyful celebration of the year for fear of boredom and plain ignorance.  Sometimes pictures speak louder than words and today I want to share some shots I took during the service which to me capture the beauty and outstanding happenings of the one night a year the church goes all out in celebration of our risen Lord.  The readings and music could not be captured in pictures, but they too were excellent!  

Easter Fire preparing to light the Paschal Candle

Service of the Light

 After the Liturgy of the Word, baptismal font is blessed.

 Christian Initiation: Sacraments of Baptism, Communion and Confirmation

You can see the Holy Spirit radiate in their beings.

It was such a great night- so inspiring and a complete faith renewal for those of us that have been walking with the Lord just a tiny bit longer.  Love needs to be fed or it too withers and dies- our faith needs moments like these that feed our soul and remind us that God is infinitely real and desires a constant growing relationship with each of us.  My spiritual kids begin this journey no longer alone or in ignorance, may God guide them and may they remain in Him por siempre.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a day of mourning.  In the small town in Mexico where I was born, people don’t work, watch TV, listen to music…  The entire day is spent in silence, prayer, fasting- in mourning the death of our beloved Jesus.  This year I decided to pay tribute to my old traditions and took the day off from work to silence my mind and to reflect on the great sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.  My entire morning was spent in deep meditation followed by participating in the service of adoring the cross.  While I contemplated the cross I remembered a story I once heard about a naïve, little tree who continuously asked God to use him for something extremely important.  Due to the persistent petition, God ordered the tree be cut down and asked a carpenter to make a cross from the wood.  The naïve, little tree became the cross Jesus carried and was finally nailed onto.  Am pretty sure the naïve, little tree (in his desire for importance) did not picture carrying Jesus or becoming the symbol of salvation; yet, God saw his potential and gave him a huge role.  I think most of the time our petitions are too small for us and God knowing our needs and potential provides according to His will (smile).  He’s just a generous God who always gives way more than we can possibly anticipate. 

Later that afternoon I joined my RCIA team, students and godparents to pray the Stations of the Cross at the beach while the sun set.  Beforehand three of us went to the beach and posted the fourteen stations on the sand spread on a mile long fragment of the beach.  Each of our students carried the cross to one of the stations where we stopped reflected on the station in silence and then with some corresponding hymns.  The experience was beyond beautiful! It took us about three hours to pray all the stations, and we watched as the sky changed from day, to sunset, to night with bright stars.  The calming sound of the waves and the cool wind just seduced us into deeper prayer.  Some people cried, some laughed and all were moved by the peace of our Lord.  We came to the beach and encountered God in all of His radiance and glory. 

We have a student with special needs and watching him carry the cross was so beyond moving.  His parents and family joined us and afterwards his mom and sister were moved to tears by the experience.  God truly is AMAZING and speaks to all of us- if we just listen.  More importantly He uses all of us no matter our capacity- to God we are all important and equally valuable.             

Seven Churches Visitations

Good morning! After taking Holy week as a time of silence and reflection I am back and so refreshed.  Sometimes we need a break even from the things we love in order to get inspired, regain a renewed appreciation and simply to hear the guiding voice of God.  This week I want to share with you my experience during this year’s Paschal Triduum, starting with Holy Thursday… A friend introduced me to a Catholic tradition of visiting seven churches following the Mass of the Lord’s Supper to pray in front of each church’s Blessed Sacrament.  It’s a great way of accompanying Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Usually two Stations of the Cross are prayed and reflected on at each of the seven churches.  Yet, as I was about to embark on my journey a friend sent me an email from a priest asking us to reflect on the last seven sayings of Jesus on the cross and I thought how fitting to reflect on one saying at each stop too.  In addition, my brother decided to join me – so, in one day the Holy Spirit helped me organize my meaningful trip.  As we got in the car, worship music helped us get in a prayerful spirit.

1. Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church-  "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."     
   
2. Holy Spirit Catholic Church- "Truly, I say to you, today you will be in paradise." 
   
3. Saint Barbara Catholic Church - "Woman, behold your son. Son behold your mother."
   
4. Our Lady of La Vang Catholic Church - "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"    
   
5. Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church- "I thirst."  
   
6. Saint Anne Catholic Church- "It is finished."      
   
7. Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church- "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."           
   

The night was such a lovely experience- I felt so connected to God throughout my entire journey.  At our Lady of La Vang parish I arrived while the Vietnamese community prayed the rosary in their native tongue- they chant their prayers beautifully - so much so that I closed my eyes and was transported into heaven (smile).  This is my second year visiting seven churches and I absolutely love the tradition! It's just such a blessing to aesthetically notice how each community prepares the altar for our God and to also see our brothers from many cultures worship: Jesus is the glue that keeps us all together! Gracias guapo for introducing me to this most beautiful tradition.