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Our military family has lived all over this great countryāup, down, down, east, west, middle and some repeats. Iām a Kansas girl, my hubby is a Californian guy. None of my kids were born in the same state. On our recent road trip, my husband and I commented numerous times about how truly incredible this country is. We, also, met many amazing and friendly people along the way. Itās easy to bag on something when you only prefer to see everything in a negative lense. Itās easy to find the bad when you constantly look for the bad because you want to find it. Ungrateful souls rarely appreciate anything. But, I am grateful for this country and Iām grateful for the people who fought to give us this country. Living all over and traveling all over gives one a deep appreciation for the varied beauty of our land and the interesting aspects of each regionās culture. America is good and beautiful and I love her. I will always love her. It is not uncommon for me to thank God above for the fact that I am an American. Have a wonderful Fourth of July, to my fellow American Catholic Pilgrims. God bless America.
Continue ReadingThese are St. Frances Cabrini's shoes. Of all the things I saw at the Mother Cabrini Shrine in Golden, Colorado, these were what stood out to me the most. My son and I went into the museum at the shrine and it was special for me to see her thingsāher nightgown, her habit, toiletry items, and such. When I came upon her shoes, I looked and I said to my son, āWow. These are the shoes of a missionary.ā Basically, they are the shoes of obedience. Iāve said this before but it bears repeatingāobedience is an ugly word in our culture. Too many people only want to be obedient to themselves. Swaths of people don't want to feel obligated to do anything. In fact, most people see things done out of obligation as an utter burden and a form of oppression. The going thought is that everything you do must be done only if itās super fun, super desirable, and something you really want to do. Itās why everyone whines about adulting these days. Being an adult carries with it a lot of obligations that we should be obedient to, but that puts a bad taste in our mouths. The shoes of someone who hates the word obedience would, I imagine, be clean and like-new. Why? Because they will not go where they need to go. Which in the end, means they only serve themselves as stagnant, unmoving people. Mother Cabrini was obedient to God and her shoes reflect that. Through reading her letters on my podcast, weāve been with her as sheās traveled back and forth over the ocean, walked streets looking for a church, rode donkeys, climbed mountains, jumped chasms, and worked in the slums. She did not count the cost to herself, but instead was willing to go. Her shoes show that she went where God called her and she was obedient. Because of her obedience she did amazing things. She is still remembered to this day for her great works and all her sacrifices for others. Her worn-out shoes remind me of my favorite Bible verse, āI have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.ā 2 Timothy 4:7 She ran the race of obedience and her shoes were worn out from perseverance, faithfulness, and love. May we all be obedient to Christ, Catholic Pilgrims.
Continue ReadingThe California missions are some of my favorite places in the country. I've been so blessed to visit 10 of the 21. Because the media and our universities love to villainize any European from long ago, St. Junipero Serra is often demonized because he came in contact with the Native Americans in California. Never mind that universities were given to us by the Catholic Europeans, but I digress. These people who smear his name have no real understanding of who he was or what he was trying to do. Most people have never read his words or attempted to read biographies about him written by those who knew him. Instead, in immature fashion, they label him bad because he was from Spain which was colonizing at the time. Through the many years of homeschooling my children, one of the things I teach them is to always read primary sources. You need to read the actual words of someone before you can make an informed decision on them. I have taught them not to just take what others are saying about someone, but instead, go to the source. In my children's curriculum, they have to read a portion of St. Junipero Serra's Diary where he explains his day-to-day activities. It is very ordinary in many ways, but, also, shows the heart of the man and his deep love for the "gentiles," as he calls the Native Americans. At one point he writes, "But greater was the number of poor sheep wandering in such great numbers of gentiles of both sexes and of all ages, that not only do not flee from us like others at the beginning, but stick to us, as well along the road as at the stopping place, as if all their lives they had known us and treated with us; so there is no heart for leaving them thus. I invite them all to San Diego. May God fetch them to us there or bring them ministers who shall guide them to heaven in their own land." He taught these "gentiles" many wonderful skills and worked tirelessly for the salvation of their souls. All for love of God and neighbor, he labored, Catholic Pilgrims. Have a blessed day. St. Junipero Serra, pray for us. *Picture is of Mission San Diego
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