My Eleven Dollar Easter Dress

Every time I step into Goodwill or the Salvation Army I am greeted with popular Christian music.  I think both stores subscribe to “The Fish” radio station- another perk of thrifting!  While many people think that thrift stores only carry used items, I find things with the prices still attached all the time- like my Easter day dress.  This is the Gap bandana, chambray, drop-waist dress covered in a groovy paisley pattern.  My dress came with the original 70 dollar price tag still attached and I paid 11 bucks for it brand new!  I live in Orange County and based on my thrift finds I have to say that my region is a highly disposable territory.  While there are more pressing issues than our environment – I still think that as good stewards we are called to address all problems - trivial as they might be.  While I profit from the overconsumption ways of my county, it still saddens me to see what we have become.  People who are addicted to shopping, people who follow trends and easily dispose of things without further thought to the problems our greedy actions create, people who use material things to cope with deeper issues…  I am guilty of this too because even though I thrift, I still find myself shopping second hand often. I have this cycle of thrifting and donating.  After acknowledging that I too am a huge consumer, I’ve decided that I will only buy things that are top quality and will last me a really long time.  My goal is to create a classic wardrobe with pieces that will last years and will help me diminish my consumeristic ways.  I been updating my room and I am shocked by all the stuff that I am finding- I am a packrat and for someone who loves Franciscan spirituality this is unacceptable.  True change happens slowly, so while I continue to redo my room I am learning a great deal about changes that I need to make.  Change is good when it promotes growth.  Recently I have learned that just because an item is a great deal it doesn’t translate into a good purchase if it doesn’t have a long lifeline.  Also, I am learning to become a selective thrifter and that’s a good lesson to begin with...  In the meantime I love this dress it's so comfortable and cute.  Looking forward to getting many wears out of it this summer. 

Happy Easter!

 Brand new dress tags still attached.

What I wore:

Gap bandana dress -Retails $69.95 Thrifted $10.99

Seychelles Antology Beaded Sandal- Retails $89.99 Thrifted $4.99

Banana Republic Necklace- Thrifted $6.99

Loft bracelet- Thrifted $6.99

Happy Easter

He is risen, Happy Easter! Goodness, I had a weekend of so much activity, but so much contemplation & worship too. 

Picture with all RCIA students and their sponsors.

On Holy Thursday, four of us (one cancelled) headed to do the seven churches visitation and it was a night of much adventure.  We ended going to eleven parishes because to our surprise some didn’t have the Blessed Sacrament exposed!  Yet, we didn’t let that stop our desire to be with Jesus.  This year instead of reflecting on the last words of Jesus at each parish we meditated on Jesus going from one judge to another.  We accompanied Jesus in his abandonment and suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, at the house of Annas, Caiaphas, Herod, Pilate, at Calvary and in the sepulcher.  We started at Saint Barbara Parish and had to end there too because we had no luck finding seven open parishes (found six), but if we look at the journey of Jesus he was sent to Pilate twice (God incidence).  The guys that I went with really enjoyed this tradition (that Saint Phillip Neri started in Rome) and are looking forward to doing it again in the years to come.  They are some of the RCIA teachers that I work with and we offered our journey for our students and our own personal intentions. 

My students participating in the Washing of the Feet ritual.

Seven Churches Visitation

On Good Friday, we (RCIA team & students) went to Newport Beach to pray the Way of the Cross.  This is a yearly prayer activity that we incorporate into our RCIA program.  We ask the students to come adore Jesus with their sponsors and families.  Half of the teachers go ahead and we set up the fourteen stations with small crosses that the students have previously decorated.  We separate each station twenty feet apart and have rotating students carry the crucifix from one station to the next.  Usually one student carries the cross and another leads the prayer for that station. We begin the prayer right before sunset, get to experience the sunset and then the dark night.  We end our Via Crucis on purpose at the thirteenth station with Jesus in the grave and ask our students to contemplate Jesus in the sepulcher until the following night when he will resurrect at Easter Vigil.  Praying feet away from the ocean so aware of the beauty and splendor of God makes this a very moving experience and one of my favorite moments of our RCIA program.  The students and their families love this too- at first they are a bit intimidated by praying in such a public way, but as we contemplate the painful journey of Jesus (for our salvation) they forget about all the distractions and focus on the reason for the season, Jesus Christ. 

Each station is done with artwork from our students and a solar light stake to guide us.

We begin with sunlight...

Continue as the sun sets.

Taking turns carrying the cross.

Ending at night.

On Holy Saturday night we begin our Easter Vigil outside in the darkness with only the light of a bonfire.  Father lights the Paschal candle and from there our students light their sacramental candles and pass the light to the rest of the church community.  At midnight we celebrate the resurrection of Christ by bringing more people into the church with the Sacraments of Initiation.  Though the service is usually about three hours long, it seems quite short. This year because I was a sponsor I sat and enjoyed the service.  Every year that I’ve gone to Easter Vigil I am always serving in one way or another so this year not having any responsibilities other than my sponsor duties really made a difference and I was able to enjoy it so much more.  I seriously wanted to scream and holler when the bells went off and the lights came on in sign that Jesus has risen.  I wanted to do my happy dance (smile).  Thank you Jesus Christ!

We begin in the dark outside.

 We had two baptisms this year. 

I was unable to take pics of First Communions.

Confirmation Students.

On Easter, my spiritual kiddos received their Sacraments and from there it was all about celebrating God for sending us His Son.  At two in the morning we headed out to break our fast, then sleep and after spend time with our families.  Though the weekend was full of activity and late nights with Jesus – it was such a happy Easter time. 

My godson & his beautiful wife.

What I wore: 

Banana Republic Rose Tee - Retails $39.50 Thrifted $3

 Frenchi fluffy Jacket- Thrifted $4 

Polka-dot Skirt- Old

Let’s Keep Jesus in Easter

Happy Holy Thursday! We did it, we survived forty days of fasting (almost)!  Today we begin the triduum (the summit of the liturgical year) with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper where the ritual of washing of the feet takes place and then the Blessed Sacrament is taken to the altar of repose where the faithful can visit until midnight.  A friend introduced me to the Seven Church Visitations and tonight will be my third year participating in this tradition.  I have recruited most of the teachers that I work with in RCIA and tonight five of us will be traveling together to keep Jesus company: “this Holy Thursday seven church journey remembers Jesus’ going from one judge to another to be unjustly condemned.  The pilgrimage of the faithful in this night seeks to accompany Jesus and to give him comfort instead of the condemnation and abandonment he suffered.”  I have found that embarking on this journey nourishes me spiritually.  In the silence of the night I am alone in the presence of Jesus and he speaks to the inner most part of my being there I find rest and hope.  Going from church to church in Orange County also means that I get to worship with my brothers from different cultures and I see a church united under God.  It’s not too late to draw up your map and embark on this journey of love.

On Good Friday, I request the day off from work because a family member has died and I want to mourn Jesus’ passing by reflecting on the hopeful meaning of his passion and death.  Mass is not celebrated instead we have a service where the faithful typically venerate the cross.  It’s such a beautiful service, where the community (one by one) goes up to a simple wooden cross and adores it by touching or kissing it.  I find this ritual a little uncomfortable because I am performing such an intimate action (kissing the cross) very publically.  It’s a very vulnerable moment to declare through actions our love for Jesus.  On Good Friday, at some parishes we commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus through the reenactment of a live Via Crucis (Way of the Cross).  This is very typical in Latin American Countries.  Usually we take our RCIA students and pray the Way of the Cross at sunset at the beach.  It’s one of the best moments of our program, to be out in nature, guitar in hand singing and praying the Stations of the Cross.

My nephew picked this ceramic egg for me- too cute!

On Holy Saturday no masses are offered during the day, but at night we all unite in one of the most special nights of the year, the Easter Vigil.  At Saint Barbara Parish we begin our Vigil at eleven at night and conclude three hours later, so it’s a long service.  We go from darkness into light, from death to the triumphant resurrection and then our students celebrate their Sacraments.  It’s such a hopeful, promising night- we have the promise of savation!  Jesus has opened the door of life everlasting – the path to God!  Glory to God in the highest!  This brings us to Easter Sunday the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Oh happy day! 

Easter basket & toys ready for my boys!

Let’s keep Jesus in Easter.  As with many holidays in America, Easter has also suffered commercialization, bunnies and eggs dominate the festivity doing a great job at blocking the real meaning of the season.  There’s nothing wrong with the Easter bunny or egg hunts, but we must remember that Easter celebrates something bigger than spring.  Easter is about remembering Jesus, what He did for us on the cross and rejoicing on death overcome.  It’s about change - of nailing our sins on the cross and continuing our conversion.  It’s about giving glory to the One that loves us so much that He died to redeem us and bring us back to Him.  So before we partake in secular traditions let’s celebrate the reason for Easter, our Lord, the King of Kings - the Christ.     

"He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen..."

New Testament Class: God Involves Humanity in His Work

I love words.  Since, I can remember every time I heard powerful phrases my skin would get covered in goosebumps.  Thus, loving scripture and finding that one of the most intimate ways God speaks to me is through His Word was expected.  After much prayer and preparation, I decided to start the Master Catechist Certificate Program with a specialization in Biblical Studies.  While everyone warned me that I was going to dislike my Old Testament class, I loved it.  I loved learning about God’s salvation plan in Old Testament times and learning that all His corrections were an act of love.  I was moved by His great love and His never ending attempts to clear the chaos and bring peace to His people.  This semester, I began my New Testament class and surprisingly I am not having the same positive experience.  Looking at scripture critically from a historical, literary perspective makes it really difficult for me to see the work of the Spirit.  Maybe it’s the main book that we are using in class that I dislike… Vincent P. Branick to me takes scripture and humanizes instead of glorify it.  Am trying to keep an open mind, but reading this book has been torture! Branick’s theories of multiple authors, additional sources (Q), later added verses and human involvement in the New Testament has made my experience really uncomfortable.  Good thing that the supplemental reading is Peter Kreeft and I am enjoying his points a lot better.  Fortunately, as difficult as I have found this class, this week I complete my second semester with the submission of two essays by the end of the week (smile).  Then in a few weeks I begin semester three “The Psalms.”

I love learning, especially when it comes to theology and matters of faith.  In many churches after praying the Stations of the Cross, we have the Seven Words Sermon, a reflection on the last words of Jesus on the cross.  On Friday, I attended this service at my parish and while I was listening to the short homilies after each of Jesus’ expressions, I thought about how Jesus constantly teaches in parables.  These short stories not only make his teachings more memorable, they encourage us to think critically, to ponder things more deeply and to ask questions.  In scripture, we have many examples of the disciples asking questions.  Yet, Nietzsche claims that Christians have sheep mentalities that religion makes people brainless dimwits.  Nonetheless, Jesus teaches in a manner that makes people think deeply about everything and to ask questions freely.  When I was a teenager (who thought I knew everything) I hated self-help books with a passion.  Instead I loved reading novels and reaching truths through story form.  Jesus likes revealing the truth in story form encouraging us to use our intellect to uncover the beauty of God.   These biblical parables are simple reads; but, their substance has bottomless truth. 

My New Testament class has helped me understand the truth better by studying scripture from a historical perspective.  By looking at the New Testament writings as they were intended for who they were intended using exegesis and looking at the biblical writings together as a whole I’ve gotten a better understanding that faith and works go hand in hand.  That sola scriptura is not an option.  I’ve learned that eisegesis can be dangerous.  However, coming from an evangelical background it’s no secret why I am having trouble with this class.  I am being asked to change a mentality that has dominated my faith.  I am also being challenged to look at the humanity of the Christian writers and the human process by which God acts.  He’s not a magician, He uses ordinary people and ordinary ways to show us His majesty.  And as much as I want to see the spreading of the Christian church as a spiritual phenomenon, God involves humanity in His work- using our hands, feet & lips - He acts.  I pray that God continues to change my erroneous thoughts and ways even if I squirm along the way.      

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, hope you have your green on I don’t want to come over there and pinch you (smile).  Goodness time flies, we are about to enter the holiest weeks of the year.  In Michoacán, where I am from, Holy Week is a community affair.  I remember that as a child I didn’t really understand and hated the sadness of the Triduum because we really participated in Jesus’ passion & death.  On Good Friday we weren’t allowed to listen to music, watch TV, do house work, shower, dress up…  It was a day of mourning Jesus and we really did mourn him as if he were a member of our family we'd lost.  But with great mourning great celebration came on Easter Sunday!  As we prepare one more year to remember Jesus, as we get ready to travel with him the path towards Calvary to witness his death and celebrate his resurrection - before we travel into the most solemn days of the year we have some great, happy Feast Days to fill us for the hardships that follow. 

Today is national green day, a day to celebrate with green beer and fun green outfits.  More importantly it’s a day we honor the life of our brother Saint Patrick the Irish saint who’s associated with some of the best legends.  He’s our own Catholic Pied Piper who drove the snakes out of Ireland and who creatively used the shamrock to teach about the doctrine of the holy trinity.  He’s the patron saint of Ireland, but has through the years become as commercialized as Saint Nick.  Sadly he’s become the mascot of a commercialized holiday and other than wearing green and getting drunk very little is known about the Saint by many.  I was talking to a friend and she didn’t realize that Saint Patty is actually a Catholic saint a real historical person.  She thought he was just a fable like leprechauns and pots of gold- unfortunately that’s the prevalent thought today.  Yet, Saint Patrick has one of the most awesome stories of conversion.

I have been wearing green most of week!

I like Saint Patrick because like me in his youth he has trouble believing in God.  It isn’t until he is captured by Irish pirates and enslaved that he finds his faith.  I too, experience a very low blow that humbled me enough to open my heart to God and to realize that I needed Him.  During his time in captivity Saint Patrick has a deep conversion and he asks God for forgiveness for the years he lived in ignorance.  As a slave he works as a shepherd and being out in nature helps him connect with God.  One day he hears a voice telling him that he will soon be freed and returned home to Britain.  This comes to happen and when he returns home (to his family) he continues his Christian formation.  Later he returns to Ireland and initially has a very difficult time as a foreign missionary, but he perseveres bringing Ireland to encounter Christ and renew their faith.  There’s a lot of great biographies if you are interested in learning more about him. 

In the office today, our property management provided green bagels and of course I wore green!  May the radical conversion of Saint Patrick motivate us to transform our lives and align our will to God's.

Today's Outfit!

Outfit One:

Calvin Klein Leggings: old

Calvin Klein Cable Knit Sweater: Retails: $80 Thrifted $4

Chico’s Drape Vest Metallic Green: Retails: $99 Thrifted $4.99

Matt Bernson Gitanes Loafer: Retails: $196 Thrifted $6.99

Jewelry: Old

Outfit two:

BCBG Cardigan: Old

New York cream Tank: Old

Abercrombie & Fitch green, plaid, chiffon scarf with tassels: Retails: $34 Yard Sale: $2

Hat hairband: thrifted $1

Catholic Community Weddings

My soon-to-be Godson and his beautiful wife.

On Saturday, I was invited to witness the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony for three of my students from RCIA during our parish’s community weddings.  Two students were from last year and one from this year (who will also will be my godson at Easter Vigil).  I was so excited to be part of their special day and for the blessing of seeing their ongoing conversion.  Last year I had a timid woman, who came with a lot of hurt and was dealing with a recent loss of a friend.  We became friends during the course of the class and I remember asking her about considering marriage by the church (since she was already civilly wedded) and she was a bit apprehensive about how her husband would feel.  To our surprise this year her husband appeared on day one of RCIA to prepare to receive his sacraments and during the class God moved him and on Saturday both of my students joined in holy matrimony!  Last year I also had a man in the course in a similar situation- and through the course I saw how God was changing him into a better version of himself.  He was living with his partner of years and they have four children together.  In his case he was unsure how his lady would feel about getting married; yet, on Saturday the couple looked stunningly happy.  RCIA is about leading our students to have an encounter with God and from that encounter to propel them into an ongoing conversion.  Thus, to witness this special moment in the lives of my students testified to the great work the Holy Spirit is doing through our ministry (smile).

 Three of the seven couples getting hitched!

Sacramentals: el lazo, las arras, & bouquet for Mother Mary. 

The entrance, the vows, the blessing, presenting bouquet to Mary.

Our parish’s community wedding joined seven couples in holy matrimony this weekend.  It was new to me to see so many couples at once celebrate the sacrament and I kept thinking how awesome my faith is and our church.  I have heard in my circles (from people that are quite ignorant about Catholicism) that the fees charged by the church for weddings are outrageous.  The mentality is that because God is generous the church shouldn’t ever ask for money.  Yet, because God is generous we need to be generous too.  God never asks for something that He isn’t already.  We give monetary donations to the church to help sustain it and the church offers many ways to lessen financial burdens.  Community weddings are a way to help couples with financial woes.  

What God has joined...

Couple Two: My Student from last year and his beautiful bride.

Money should never be an object when it comes to celebrating sacraments.  It still saddens me that some feel so offended when it comes to giving money to the church, people spend tons of money on weddings; yet, on the Eucharistic celebration they feel entitled to have it free of charge.  I understand their argument that all things God related should be free, but we have to understand that our money is supporting parish maintenance and our priests.  No one (not the priests) is keeping the money and growing rich from it.  In fact, every parish at least once a year does a breakdown for the community of how the money taken in is spent.  Any who that’s my rant on parish finances (smile).  My point is that money shouldn’t be an impediment for getting married by the church.

What I wore.

Jessica Simpson Tights: Retails: $13 TJ Max on Sale: $2

Miss Sixty Purple Suede Pumps: Retail: $129  Thrifted: $14.99

Japelle bu Shilton International Vintage 80’s Clutch: Yard Sale: $1

Betsey Johnson Ring: Gift

Betsey Johnson Multi Layered Black Beads Bracelet: Retails: 24.99 Yard Sale: $1.00

Vintage Earrings: Yard Sale: $1.00

Flower Statement Necklace: Retail: $9.99 Yard Sale: $2

Ellen Tracy Polka-dot Cardigan: Retail: $29.99 Thrifted: $5.99

Mossimo Fit & Flare Dress: Retail: $29.99 Thrifted: $8.99

Young Catholic Professionals: Encourage One Another

Last night I went to an event hosted by Young Catholic Professionals with some friends.  I was interested in the speaker because he is the Vice President at Goodwill and this thrifty gal wanted to hear what he had to say on the subject of being Christian at work.  The evening is organized in a way that promotes networking among young adults for the first hour.  There’s wine, appetizers and a warm environment to get young adults talking about faith and to foster godly friendships.  I am an introvert so usually networking events are not something that I enjoy nor am I likely to do much socializing.  Small talk kills me- I just have no idea how to keep it going.  Thus, I usually go with a friend and I am most likely to remain by her side.  Last night, however I was able to do a little bit of mingling and by mingling I mean I found a person outside of my comfort group to have a great conversation with.  Father Bartus – yes, I spent most of my night having the best conversation with a priest (smile).  We both talked about our conversion stories and about the style that we most enjoy worshiping God.  I think I spoke about him before, he’s the priest that converted from the Anglican tradition along with more than half of his congregation.  Last night he gave me the details of his conversion going from agnostic, to various Christian denominations, to finally finding his home in the Catholic Church.  He shared how he took his congregation with him in this faith journey (studying the church fathers) and how together they discovered the one true church.  He shared about the unique way his parish community celebrates the Eucharist and invited me to attend.  He also explained something that I have long wondered like why in some traditional Eucharistic celebrations the priest faces the altar not the community.  I learned that when a priest faces the altar it’s a gesture to help the faithful focus on God.  It helps people in the pews change their point of focus from priest to God.  I found that really interesting, so am hoping when I get a break from my RCIA classes I will attend Mass where he presides.  Though he joked that services are in old English and not Spanish (LOL).  It’s such a blessing finding priests that are so inviting and accessible.  Father Bartus is doing a lot of great things with the young community and I love attending the events he creates.

The speaker was great too, even though he didn’t really talk about his work with Goodwill.  His talk challenged us to not be afraid to practice our faith in the workplace.  After all Catholicism is a twenty-four-hour vocation not a religion to be practiced only in the privacy of our homes.  We must always be people of honest character never deceiving even if it brings us trouble and unpopularity. We must be people of high moral character unafraid to stand for our values while at the same time loving others who differ from our views. He encouraged us to be the light of world and gave us some great tips to follow in our places of work.  

The combination of talking with Father and listening to the speaker strengthen my faith and by end of the night I was feeling pretty motivated.  I have learned that in order to continue our conversion we need to feed the light that God lit in us at our baptism by being around godly people because Catholicism will always be about community.  We can’t be Christian alone nor become saints by ourselves.  

I was totally prepared with my thrifted outfit!

 Sum Spec vintage layered necklace & ring: Yard Sale $1 each
J Crew keyhole blouse: Retails $98 Goodwill $5.99

 Kate Spade Wellesley Durham Bag: Christmas gift 

Michael Kors Leggings: Retails: $98 Ross: $29.99

 Franco Sarto pointed wedge: Retails: $100 Goodwill: $5.99

A Journey of Hope Along The Migrant Trail: A Via Crusis

The Stations of the Cross is a journey of hope, they take us through the heartbreaking walk of Jesus towards Calvary, but by faith we know that they also lead us towards salvation and life everlasting with God.  A good samaritan who regularly walks the migrant trail from Mexico to Arizona to help people who are lost and in need of help began collecting articles left behind by the many migrants that pass through the desert south of Tucson.  She was moved to recreate the fourteen Stations of the Cross to tell the stories of the many lives that are lost in the trail, of the many people that disappear nameless and unknown, of the many crimes that go unreported and of the hope that drives all these migrants from Mexico, Central and South America towards a better life in the North.  Every station shows us how Jesus too was a migrant from the moment he was in Mary’s womb to the moment of his death on the cross he embarked on treacherous journeys.  Every migrant station reveals personal testimonies of human rights ignored, rape and death all in the hopes of finding a better life. Like the story of a woman who died scorched by the heat and whose dad came looking for her and found her by identifying the rings on a badly decomposed body, or the young fourteen-year-old from el Salvador who was crossing to reunite with her mom and celebrate her quinceañera only to disappeared in the desert, or of the boy who was unjustly shot six times by border patrol in Nogales, Mexico…  Heart wrenching stories that disturb, but educate on the realities happening so close to our homes.  Below are some photos I took.

Childrens' articles from the many children that also migrate.

Rape Trees: Many human smugglers consider rape part of the price of admission for women

Children the most vulnerable are often forced into slavery.

Bibles, photographs, and love letters show the humanity of our brothers and sisters.

The stations were nicely organized so you walk and pray at your own pace.

Tons of "servilletas" are found showing that a mother or a wife 

prepared tortillas and food for the journey.

Piles of shoes and blankets are often found along with tuna cans, 

since tuna is cheap and doesn't easily spoil. 

Hundreds lose their lives yearly and end with the title of "unidentified." 

I love praying the Stations of the Cross during Lent, but I have never been brought to tears.  The way this artist combined the plight of the many weak and vulnerable with the story of Jesus made me reflect on the life of Jesus in a totally different way.  I saw the blisters on his feet, understood his thirst and agony.  I saw Jesus so alive and real in all these stories of helplessness and mistreatment: "Whatever you do unto these You do to Me..."  Yet, the journey of the cross is one of hope, the same hope that drives all these migrants on their journey - and suffering is part of the human experience.  We understand that the road to Calvary is needed to open the way to God and even in these painful stories I see the face of God.  Many of the migrants tell of encounters with angels, some are the good samaritans who silently walk the trail daily bringing water and food to the many taking this journey.  May the Lord continue to inspire each of us to see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, and to do our part in helping one another.  Pope Francis spoke about this in his visit to the USA, he reminded us to see the issue of migration as people in need of help.  People like us with hopes and dreams for a better life...