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On our last day in Charleston, I knew I wanted to see the oldest parish in the Carolinas, which had been established in 1789.
It was getting close to 4:30pm and the church was about to close for the day, so my family quickly headed over so I could at least lay eyes on it.
We parked, I got out and hurried inside hoping to beat the clock.
As I walked in, I saw a lady standing in the center aisle with a couple. I caught just the tail end of what she was saying, but I heard, “And that’s why we have our stained glass windows. So many of them depict scenes from the Bible and help us remember. They aren’t for idol worship.”
The couple, obviously non-Catholic, stared up at the windows with smiles and said, “Well, they are very beautiful. Thank you for sharing that with us.”
I was touched on two counts. One, my heart was warmed by the fact that this lay woman had given her time to explain our faith and she did it in such a kind and loving manner. As I walked around the church listening, I thought to myself with a grateful smile, “Well done, Catholic Pilgrim.”
And two, that this non-Catholic couple took time to visit one of our churches and ask questions with genuine interest.
That’s why it’s so important to know our faith well and be ready to defend and explain it because you just never know who’s going to walk through the door, Catholic Pilgrims.
Live the Faith boldly and travel well this Monday.
*St. Mary of the Annunciation Church in Charleston, South Carolina. This church was built in 1839, in the Greek Revival style. It was a popular style at that time and you can see Protestant churches around town built in the same fashion.
This is Mission Miguel in Sante Fe, New Mexico. It is the oldest church in the United States, which the original walls and altar built in 1610. It's so wonderful that we still have it. There was a time, when the church was the focal point of a town or village. Life moved and centered itself around the church, because the Sacraments were just that important. Whenever people moved to a new area, a church needed to be built. It was a necessity. You don't hear too often, though, of people moving to an area because of a vibrant church community. Jobs and schools are the two main considerations, which isn't bad in the slightest. Both of those things are important things to consider. However, I rarely, if ever, hear someone mention the importance of moving somewhere where the church community is strong and thriving. It's a lower-tiered consideration, if it's even one at all. Of course, work may call you to a place where life isn't centered around church and worship. In those circumstances, it is up to us to continue to find ways to feed our hearts and minds with good spiritual things. Our souls cannot be neglected. I love St. Frances Cabrini's practice. No matter where she was or what island or country she was sailing past, she always looked for the steeples to let her know where Jesus was residing in the Tabernacle. Have a blessed Tuesday, Catholic Pilgrims.
Continue ReadingOn our road trip, my husband and I stopped in Oklahoma City for the night. We got in town with time to go visit Blessed Stanley Rother's Shrine. It was one of the places I've been wanting to see. We got there kind of late in the day on a Wednesday, so there weren't many people around. As we were walking up the sidewalk, I saw a worker standing with a small group of people and she looked like she was trying to protect them. As I got closer, I could see that there was a lady there who clearly was causing problems. She looked a bit disheveled and agitated. She was not speaking kindly and it seemed she was maybe on drugs. As we approached, the worker tried to block her from us and, smiling nervously, encouraged us to make our way to the church. The second we passed by the small crowd, the upset woman immediately started following my husband and me. It was then that she started spewing the most vile things at us, specifically at my husband. I was so grateful that my son was not around to hear her words. There is a scene in "The Green Mile" where the wife of the warden is seriously ill. Normally she is the sweetest most gentle woman, but because of a brain tumor, her whole personality changed into what resembled demonic possession. That's exactly how the lady following us was acting. At first, given my background of working in a field that brings you in contact with awful behavior, I thought for sure she was using drugs. And she may have been. I was worried that she was going to follow us into the church and I couldn't bear to think of her language in such a holy place. But, as we opened the door, she stopped before the steps. Stopped like she hit a wall and couldn't go any further. Then I knew, this had to be possession. Part of me wanted to rebuke the demon within her, but I've never done anything like that before. Could I even do that? Do I have that power? I do as a baptized and confirmed Christian and I should have done it. The second I saw that she couldn't cross the threshold of the church and realized what was going on, I should have rebuked that demon and prayed for her out loud. In our Gospel reading today, the disciples realize that the demons are subject to them because of Jesus' name and Christ affirms that. To be sure, regular lay people shouldn't go around trying to be exorcists, but, if the situation calls for it, we should use the power of Jesus' name. Also, not everything is demonic possession and we shouldn’t jump to that conclusion in haste. The cops showed up and she ran off, but I've been thinking about her a lot. I've been praying for her and for myself to have courage if ever faced with that situation again. Spiritual warfare is real, Catholic Pilgrims, and we need to use all the tools available to us. The most powerful being the Holy Name of Jesus. Have a blessed Sunday.
Continue ReadingOur military family has lived all over this great country—up, down, down, east, west, middle and some repeats. I’m a Kansas girl, my hubby is a California 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. It’s easy to bag on something when you only prefer to see everything in a negative lense. It’s 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 I’m 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 region’s 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.
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