What does Sunday mean to you?

What does Sunday mean to you? 

Me Before: When I was a little girl, I would wear my best dress and tag behind my teen sister and her friends to and from Mass.  I don’t remember much about the liturgical service, but I remember that Sunday’s were special.  First mom would get up extra early to attend service herself and on her way home she would buy delicious sweet tamales to accompany the coffee that only on that morning I could also drink.  After breakfast with the family, I would dress up in a frilly dress and tag behind my sister with my Domingo (my allowance) in my pocket.   We would attend Mass then afterwards stop at the plaza to buy a treat with the few pesos I had acquired earlier that morning.  My go to was a bag of chips, because each one would come with a prize, a small plastic figurine and I was set on collecting them all...  Sundays were special, set aside, a day I looked forward to.

Me Now: Today, I sometimes feel like everyone else does about Sunday -a day of scarcity instead of abundance. A day to do laundry and all the things that because of work I was unable to do during the week.  Yet, our faith challenges us to not look at Sunday as merely a day forming the weekend or to see it as “my time” versus “my work time.”  In a culture that values action and accomplishment we must remember that on the seventh day God rested.  He took the time to just be, to enjoy what He had created, and much in the same way we must follow His example.  Usually, I take my parents and my nephew to service every Sunday.  After RCIA I swing by my home and pick up the three and off we go to celebrate and be part of the heavens.  A few months back, I started adding ice cream after the Mass to do something fun so that my nephew will too cherish these times together (it’s difficult getting him excited about worship).  This past Sunday, we all went for Mexican ice cream at a fancy ice cream parlor in Santa Ana and it was such a lovely family moment.  Each Sunday, we get to feast on the Eucharist and then have dessert to prolong that family togetherness. 

What does our church say about Sunday:

1. It's the Lord’s Day recalling the day of Christ’s resurrection
2. It's Easter which returns each week, recalling and making present Christ’s resurrection
3. It's the day the Lord has made (Psalm 118:24)
4. From the Creation Story- it's a day of God’s rest (not a day of God’s inactivity, rather a day God lingers before His “very good work." The resurrection introduces the new creation and is thus the eigth day (after the seven days of creation), the age to come, a day entirely outside of the traditional week
5. It expresses the dependence of humans and the cosmos upon God- everything belongs to Him
6. It's the fundamental feast day established not only to mark the succession of time, but to reveal time's deeper meaning “sacred time”
7. It's a tradition handed down by the apostles which took its origin from the very day of Christ’s resurrection.   

Sunday has to be lived differently because on this day we are bound to come together as brothers and sisters, to worship in community under one roof.  To celebrate the Lord’s passion, resurrection and glorification of Jesus Christ.  To hear the words of life and eat the bread of life so that it can be a day of utter joy.  A day free from work.  And if a little gelato helps little guys or those who do not fully understand (yet) the beauty of the liturgical celebration it doesn’t hurt to try. A spoonful of ice cream…

How Social is Your Parish, Looking at Parish Events as Way to Evangelize

When I was a preschool teacher my students used to believe that I lived at the school, I think all children at one point believe this of their teachers.  In a similar way I think that people coming from the outside believe that church people live at the parish praying.  I know that I did.  I remember the first time I was with a group of young adults and I saw one of the leaders wearing a CSLB sweater, I was shocked that she might be attending university.  We soon became friends and I discovered that quite a few of the people in my Jovenes Para Cristo group were enrolled in collegiate programs.  They were girls like me who loved their Mexican culture and had a special connection with Spanish.  As I started exploring life with them I learned of the many invigorating things that they were involved in and was invited to the things they did socially in community.  They began to show me a Catholic life very different from the small, clueless definition I had created in my mind…  When we are immersed living Catholic lives we tend to forget that to outsiders we are still seen as people that go to church and pray (only)- which we do, but there’s so much more to show the world about who we are and open up a dialogue.

Theatre on the saints!

I am really lucky because I have a thriving diocese with all sorts of groups and events for people to get involved in.  Most social events serve as great hooks to bring people, other friends who are at the peripheries and ease them into the Good News.  Saint Francis used to say, “preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words."  I want to challenge you and myself to pick up a bulletin this Sunday and look at the events your parish has to offer and invite a friend to attend a gathering with you.  Parish picnics, tea parties, knitting clubs, hike groups are all non-threatening ways to bring the unbaptized into the church without being preachy.  When I came back to the church I seriously didn’t realize all the things that were available at my local parish.  These events helped me see a side of church that I never imagined.  A place where people who are trying to live the Gospel are also very human and even very fun!  Quiz your parish and see how much they have available to help you evangelize in a “light” way.

Look at the social events.  When I came back to the church I remember a friend took me to see “The Glory of Christmas,” an awesome theatrical production of the birth of Jesus and for this theatre junkie the experience was so life giving.  Our diocese still hosts a series of theatrical productions based on the lives on the Saints.  These are great to bring a friend or two and then afterward go out to dinner and have a discussion. 

Theology on Tap.

What else is happening at your parish or diocese?

Parish movie night.

For example, my Parish during the summer has lots of events like the parish picnic, parish bonfire, court yard theology, women’s tea parties, etc.

Parish Picnic

At a diocesan level we have theology on tap, Young Catholic Professional Networking Events, various sport leagues, concerts, plays, other groups of young adults…  In addition during the summer many of the local parishes host their parish fests with yummy food, live entertainment, games and fun for the whole family.

Parish Angels Game

All these social events are great times to bring others who lack a wider view of what it means to be Catholic.  God created us to form community and personally what has nurtured my conversion is always a matter of relationship.  These social parish happenings are great ways to court non-baptized and those non-practicing and invite them to slowly begin peeling layers to what constitutes as a Catholic life.  I know the more I saw the more I wanted to belong.  God just placed Catholics in my path who wooed me in His Name by helping me put my guard down through social interaction long enough to let the Truth come in.  I am not good at inviting non-believers to events, but the times I have done so my friends always come to an understanding that something special is happening in Catholic community, something that is lacking in their lives.  Thus, I have come to the conclusion that a community with many social events is a parish that has the possibility to reach the masses; so, take advantage of these social gatherings to share your faith with others who might not yet be ready for the deeper aspects of worship. But by slowly getting them involved they will soon open to God and His love.

You can even travel with your parish!

Appreciation Mass

Yesterday, we had a special Mass to thank all those involved in parish formation at Saint Barbara’s followed by a luncheon.  It was a beautiful service in addition to the various catechists our families were also in attendance because ministry requires sacrifice.  Our families sacrifice our presence, understanding the importance of service in spreading the Good News.  This year has been a difficult year for me, I have really felt the weekly Sunday commitment. I've felt overwhelmed and exhausted – mainly because I added a few activities to the mix.  I started working Saturdays, ten hour days during the week, I added the process of becoming a secular Franciscan and started an eBay business.  Thus, I felt like I didn’t have a day of rest because on Sundays (my only day off) I had to be at the parish from nine to twelve thirty.  Luckily my work schedule has return to its normal forty hours per week and I have gotten my Saturday’s back again (smile)...  Commitment to ministry is tough – but am reminded of the woman who gave all she had, while others gave of their surplus she gave from her own poverty and put in all she had.  God challenges us to give and usually a sign that we are giving a pretty good dividend is that it hurts.  When our giving makes us uncomfortable and when it takes us outside our comfort zone we have to rely solely on God.  The poor woman in scripture gave generously because her faith in God’s providence was much greater.   

In our parish, in the years that I have been serving as a catechist my RCIA team has never been invited to a service where we are thanked for our work.  Yet, this year in which I have struggled so much getting to the closure of our catechetical year and thinking that next year I might not return, sister decided to create  a special Mass for all of us serving the parish in faith formation.  While we were getting roses as recognition for our service, my teammate turned to me and said, “You still want to leave?  I think God is challenging you to stay.”  I looked down sheepishly because though a good servant serves without the need for recognition, the power of a thank you for those of us who are not yet saints really is powerful.

We were all given a gift of the spirit, a small paper from a basket, to grow in this upcoming year.  I got the Spirit of Knowledge, “that I may know God and know myself and grow in holiness.”  I have decided that I will return to RCIA next year, but I am still discerning my level of involvement.  At the end of the catechetical year we see many fruits of our labors which usually encourage us in our renewal to service.  This Mass helped me a great deal and to be able to share it with my family really was special.  

Incorporating Cultural Traditions in Liturgy: Sacrament of Matrimony

I love that the Catholic Church is unafraid to use the material world to increase our worship experience.  For my class on the Sacraments I was asked to attend a wedding Eucharistic celebration.   The service I chose was absolutely beautiful, but I do have a weakness for liturgy in my native tongue (Spanish) and of incorporation of cultural traditions into the liturgy.  The assembly was made up of both family and friends of the bride and groom, a mix of Catholic, Protestants and people of other faiths.  To make things a little easier for all to follow the assembly was provided a program personalized for the sacramental union of the two.  Aside from the priest there was a wedding coordinator assigned by the church which made sure that the lectors, Eucharistic ministers and choir were all clear on their assignments.  Most of these ministries were fulfilled by family and friends of the couple which added a personal touch to the service.

The readings were beautiful and selected ahead of time by the couple.  However, what I really loved were the cultural rituals like the coins, lazo, blessing of bible and rosary and the offering of flowers to Mother Mary.  I just love these symbols because I am a very visual person and to visually see the union of two souls, two families, and two lives as the sponsors place the lazo on the couple is quite beautiful.  I think that’s always one of my favorite parts when the couple are together kneeling facing the altar with a lazo literally binding them together.

Also the exchange of the thirteen gold coins invites the physical world to help express deep spiritual themes of providence and hope throughout the future together. 

In Mexican weddings it’s common to have sponsors buy a family bible and a rosary for the couple to have as they begin a new life together and during the mass these two objects are blessed.  At this particular service I realized what a great witness it gives the community (especially those not practicing their faith) because it’s stating that this couple wants to have the Word of God and payer actively in their home.

Lastly, the couple together went to place a bouquet of flowers at Mary’s altar.  Though some liturgist believe that this shouldn’t be done unless the couple have a deep Marianne devotion, I disagree.  Father asked the couple to go and place the flowers at the altar, but also to take a moment and pray together asking her to come into their marriage.  This small gesture accompanied with a good Marianne hymn can be such a powerful witness for the assembly.

I think that’s a dominating reason I love my Catholic faith so much because it has room to be inclusive of people from all over the world and our Catholic Church is unafraid to use the material world to increase our worship experience (smile).

  

Already a Princess

If you passed the magazine section at your local store chances are you have seen that the dominating cover story has to do with the coming nuptials of Meghan Markel and Prince Harry.  Will she become a princess after she marries?  It’s a great headline because little girls dream of becoming princesses, even big girls are still fascinated by royalty… What if I told you that we all are princesses and if you are men then you too are a prince charming.  Let me tell you a story that I heard yesterday during the homily…

Once upon a time, there was a prince looking for his princess, though his position gave him quite the selection in women, he wanted to marry a girl who would love him for him and not for his title or his possessions.  He spoke with the wisest man in his kingdom about his dilemma, and the seer asked him to go outside his kingdom walls dressed as a commoner. So, the prince privately exited his castle trading his royal wardrobe for simple dress and on foot he went into the world.  First, he passed by other nobles and seeing the prince in common clothes the women snubbed him, not giving him a second glance with their eyes fixed on the castle.  Then the prince passed by the town’s professionals and they asked him what he had studied, what his titles were.  The prince shook his head and said he hadn’t gone to university so this group of intellectuals looked down upon him thinking he was an ignorant man.  Then he came across a farm where a girl was doing all types of chores and farm work to support her elderly parents.  The prince asked her if he could stay on her farm for a while and help her with her farm work only asking for lodging and a plate a food.  The girl accepted.  For months the two labored together and through their daily interaction slowly they fell in love with one another.  The prince finally having found someone who loved him for himself revealed to the girl who he really was.  The girl replied, “I knew there was something odd about you because your hands were free from callouses, you speak as someone with an education and you are a picky eater only wanting to eat the best on the plate.”  He smiled and asked her if she would marry him and move into his castle for he had found the one who loved him for who he was.

Do you see Jesus in that story?  Jesus came down from his kingdom, he left his throne and royalty to come into our lives as the son of a poor carpenter.  He went around looking for his princes and princesses to bring them back into his Kingdom and in much the same way he was rejected.  We don’t need to dream about marrying a prince to become a princess- we already are royalty!  While the world might be blind to Jesus, as the King of kings, may you and I see him for who he truly is and in honoring his kingship may we also acknowledge our value.  For God came down and became man so that we could one day be with Him for all eternity in His celestial palace.  

Put Your Cell Phone Down and Enjoy Realness

The lone survivor.

I forgot to set the alarm this morning, thus I have been rushing all morning... Finally, I found a moment for a little breather and I took a walk around the pond outside my office and this time instead of praying my usual rosary I walked around in silence.  As I was walking I saw a woman walking her dog so engrossed in her cell that not once did she notice (or enjoy) the beauty around her.  Nowadays, it’s the norm to see people addicted to screens.  In fact, I have read multiple news stories about people getting severely hurt because they were walking while staring at their cellular phone.  I thought about “Ready Player One,” a film that I watched with my nephew which portrays a future world where people no longer live in reality, but are consumed in a fantasy world of gaming and virtual reality.  Is that where we are headed?  A society no longer fostering real relationships and experiences - opting for an illusion? 

A duck fishing always cracks me up!

Before I returned to my faith I lived my life in comfortable agnosticism.  Life hadn’t given me a strong enough experience to challenge me to make up my mind in regards to God.  Though, I grew up in a time before screens dominated our lives, even then tons of distractions kept me from stopping for real reflection. I was always on the go, work and college kept me running to and fro.  Yet, as I reflect on what kept me from appreciating my life it comes down to a sense of entitlement.  As an agnostic, I believed that the created world would always be there, it was mine not a gift from God.  When I awoke I expected the sunrise and all the created world to function rhythmically.  This daily assumption made me devalue the natural world so much so that I never felt the need to immerse myself or enjoy it.  In addition, American culture produces young people that live at such a fast pace running from little league sports and countless extracurricular activities – little kids with such busy schedules (and so much pressure) that it’s no wonder a screen is a welcomed distraction.    

Learn from turtles - they love soaking in the sun!

This year our RCIA kiddos were mostly young adults, people who have lived engaged in technology all of their lives.  I remember the afternoon we went to the beach for our Via Crucis a young girl took a picture of the sunset then used an app to Photoshop the picture into a turquoise monstrosity.  She showed me the retouched photo with pride, at which I silently thought what a desecration of God’s beauty.  I don’t have anything against the advancements of technology, but it does worry me that we are creating a world where we are not passing values like the goodness of real relationships, of appreciating God’s creation and being content with reality. As a Catholic I have learned to slow down, to be grateful for everything and to be happy submersed in the ever changing, morning sky.  The more I learn my faith the more I realize the wisdom of its teachings, slow down and just be...  Thus, I think as long as we have faith and live it authentically there’s hope for us, even in these fast technological times. 

Tertullian on Marriage

In my class (on the Sacraments) we were given this poem to read, written by early Christian theologian, Tertullian, on marriage.  I thought I’d share it this morning simply because in a world where much has been forgotten or distorted – our Christian faith must continue to illuminate our lives.  Here, Tertullian shines the light on God’s beautiful truth, giving us a great example on the Sacrament of Matrimony and whether married or single the truth speaks to all of us and answers questions that perhaps we had floating in our minds.  Good poetry and theology do that (smile), enjoy.

How beautiful, then, the marriage of two Christians,

two who are one in hope, one in desire, one in the way of life 

they follow, one in the religion they practice.

They are as brother and sister, both servants of the same 

Master.

Nothing divides them, either in flesh or in spirit.

They are, in very truth, two in one flesh; and where there is

but one flesh there is also but one spirit.

They pray together, they worship together, they fast 

together; instructing one another, encouraging one another, strengthening one another.

Side by side they visit God's church and partake of God's 

Banquet;

Side by side they face difficulties and persecution, share 

their consolations.

They have no secrets from one another;

They never shun each other's company;

They never bring sorrow to each other's hearts.

Unembarrassed they visit the sick and assist the needy.

They give alms without anxiety;

They attend the Sacrifice without difficulty;

They perform their daily exercises of piety without 

hindrance.

They need not be furtive about making the Sign of the Cross,

Nor timorous in greeting the brethren,

Nor silent in asking a blessing of God.

Psalms and hymns they sing to one another, striving to see 

which one of them will chant more beautifully the praises of

their Lord.

Hearing and seeing this, Christ rejoices.

To such as these He gives His peace.

Where there are two together, there also He is present; and 

where He is, there evil is not.

Master Catechist Certificate Diocesan Program

For almost two years now I have been taking classes at my diocese to achieve a Master Catechist Certificate.  In my diocese we have three options in terms of certification: Initial, Intermediate and Advanced.  In addition, the program is designed so that students can go at their own pace with classes in an eight or nine week rotation.  There are the mandatory classes that must be taken, but also the freedom to choose a few electives depending on the type of certification achieving.  These courses are the same classes that those with the desire to be ordained permanent deacons take.  Thus, since my beginning studies, I have joined a bubbly bunch of about fifteen aspiring deacons with their wives.  It’s been so much fun getting to know and studying beside them, my perspective of ordained (or soon to be) ministers has definitely changed…

In this time and day it’s important that the body of the church (you and I) are informed Catholics because there’s great need for Catholic wisdom in our society.  I actually began the program for that reason alone, I wanted to learn and understand my religion more deeply so that I can better share it with others.  I think this desire for deeper knowledge is the reason that I am going for the advanced option because as the classes are in rotation I get so attracted by different courses that I sign-up for them without keeping track of which option they fall under (smile).  I just know that in the span about three years (two down) I will achieve advanced certification.  Today, I want to share what I have learned taking classes at a diocesan level in case any of you have been curious or are on teeter-totter about possibly joining the Master Catechist Program.

Be Ready to Work- These courses are at a university level in terms of learning.  Each class is designed with a lot of reading, class work and a final paper.  So know in advanced that you will have to do more than just occupy space in the classroom.

Come with an Open Mind- The classes are usually led by priests or Catholic theologians who practice their faith and are passionate about the topic they are instructing on.  This also means that you get Catholics from all over the spectrum from very conservative to extremely liberal thinkers.  And the material is going to challenge some of your thoughts and beliefs – at times clarifying at others making you more confused.  Press on, the Spirit will guide you in the right path as you learn the true theology of our faith.    

Expect Disappointments- Some of the classes that I was most excited about ended up being the worst.  For example, I took a class on Liturgy of the Hours and the instructor was horrible, I don’t think teaching was a strength of his so I felt like I didn’t learn very much in that class.  I also had a teacher teaching us about liberal and feminist theology in a class that was supposed to be about Christology.  Then I had the teacher who taught using the new teaching trend where we are all right in our own way, never taking sides- it was quite annoying…  But I also loved Old and New Testament studies and faith formation.  

Challenge the Teaching-  At first, I thought everything I was learning was set in stone and not refutable because of the caliber of the instructors, but as I have pursued my Catholic education I have learned that teachers come with their own preferences and biases so in the end I have to make up my own conclusions.  Sometimes those conclusions will be that I don’t agree with the point-of-view of my instructor.

Though the road in my learning has had its bumps, I still think that all Catholics should take classes at their diocese whether pursuing a certificate or simply to learn their faith better.  Our church needs informed Catholic’s in our parishes, communities and in the world.