Wednesday, September 25, 2013

A Safe Little Haven

So yesterday, I wrote everything I had to say and it's sitting on my desk ready to send to the Archdiocese.  I'll send it in a day or two.  I find that I don't even care what the Archdiocese does with it.  It's the truth. It's there in black and white.  It's my story, and I've told it.  For me, that chapter is finished.  I will no longer talk or write about it, engage in it, or allow it to dictate my actions or non-actions.  It is really just finished. 

Tonight I was at the Opening Night for Faith Formation in Avon.

WOW!

The event was well-organized, people were invested, and kids were dancing and singing.

This new job as a Ministry Assistant is my safe little haven.  I am free there.  Free to serve.  Free to share ideas.  Free to think.  Free to listen to the Holy Spirit.  Free to act on what I hear.  Free.  Free.  Free.

I really love it there.  I loved watching the kids dancing in their seats when I was talking about a new way to celebrate our Christmas Pageant.  We are doing a show, the likes of which Avon has never seen and will love.

I hope it will be part of the ongoing effort to both set their hearts on fire and to create the community parish every community needs.

I mean really, why aren't non-Catholics coming to the parish?  We need Catholic parishes.  The Catholic church educates, donates, and provides medicine to a large portion of the world. Why aren't we welcoming others every single day?

And the people I met?  They are on fire.  There are things happening every week at that church that I want to experience.  If only I had mini-mes to send to the concurrent stuff. 

This is a safe little haven, and I am so excited for where it's going and how I get to experience the joy that true service offers.

In Christ,
Kari

Thursday, September 19, 2013

And the Gifts We Have...

We are made to share what we have.

I was a philosophy major back in the day.

Wow.  

Really back in the day.  I graduated from St Kate's more than 20 years ago.

Remember, though.  Philosophers are, by definition, lovers of wisdom.  We don't stop learning because we achieved the degree.  Not even close!

I digress.

So.

I am a lover of wisdom, of learning, of the classics, of the story behind everything that led us to here and now.  It's part of why I have always been Catholic; I love the tradition and history of the Church and love that it is what Jesus left us.

No matter what I do, I always start in prayer.  And the prayer is this:  "Lead me, guide me, bless me.  And may I gladly accept whatever you have in store for me this moment..."  Those words may be followed by something more, but I always start there.

Then I read the readings or story or notes or the definitions or instructions I have about the upcoming event.

Then I wait.

When it's time to start the required work - whether it's choosing music or creating a "show" or planning training or thinking about what I will say about a topic - I hear or feel things.  The flow is insane and with this process, I never, ever have writer's block or feel panic about whatever event is coming.  Never.

I think He has my back, despite what I have heard.

I think He ALWAYS has my back.  Why be afraid or worry?

And, you know?   I believe the Holy Spirit inhabits all of us, the space around us, and is in and around those we meet.  I am always aware of the presence of a sizzling sort of buzzing energy when I'm in the presence of someone especially in tune with the Holy Spirit.  I don't have footnotes or credit to offer for that statement.  It's just something I observe.  It's an amazing thing. 

We ARE called to share what we have.  Want some back-up?  Some footnotes?  I don't need them, but am happy to post them.

All I have to say is.... Blessed, blessed are we.

Kari

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Wow Colossians! Wow!

Today I was reading Colossians 3:12-17. 
Brothers and sisters:  Put on, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another, as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one Body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as in all the wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Right?

I am going to read this every day.  Every day. 

Blessings!
Kari

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

EXCITING NEWS!

So yesterday I went to visit a local pastor.  We had an amazing conversation.  I love, love, LOVE smart women in positions of authority - and who wear their authority well.

What a revelatory day.


And what a sad day.  For the past couple days, I've really been thinking about what has been taken from me.  For example, a person who was my first choir director when I was in third grade, and who I still played the piano with, is not someone I will ever work with again.  Sad.  Right?  And that's just the tip of the iceberg. 

Then today the pastor called me and gave me some interesting news.  There is a position available- in fact, the interim pastor is desperately looking for a person to fill the position - that has my name written all over it.

I can't remember the exact language, but it was something like using both traditional and contemporary music, respecting the liturgy, and playing the piano or keyboard. 

Umm. Wow. 

What this job is, is what I feel like the Holy Spirit calls me to do.  I have the most reverent and beautiful respect for the Liturgy.  I love finding music that ministers to the Liturgy.  I love all the music - contemporary, ancient, Christian, whatever.  I love the stuff that actually sings about submitting ourselves to Christ.  AND, the position includes playing the piano!!!  Woot!  Woot! Every single thing on the list of what they need is something I was denied at my last position - except the actual playing.  This will be so FUN!  Spirit filled!  God blessed!

I have an interview tomorrow at 3.  Pray that this is right.

Know what I'm thinking?  How can it not be right, not be a God thing?  I talk to the pastor, she meets with a group, someone tells her they have a need for someone like me, I call them and they want to meet?  Tomorrow?

Thank you God.  Thank you for finding a place for me.  Thank you for getting me to trust my instincts and talk to the right people.  Thank you for putting her with the right people.  Thank you for always, always blessing me, even when I feel the least deserving of your servants!

GOD BLESS!
Kari

Blessed Are You...

Today's Gospel reading is from Luke (6:20-26)

Blessed are you who are now weeping.  You will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you and denounce your name as evil on account of Jesus.

Rejoice.  Leap for joy. 

Wow.  Right?

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

All We Need Is Love....

I was talking to a very wise woman today.

She made me think really hard about some things.

The greatest revelation?

We don't need religion to get to heaven.

We need to believe that Jesus made a great sacrifice and because of that, we get to LIVE.  And that life is unending.

Read the New Testament. Tell me if I'm wrong.

"I (not a church or a priest or a building or a practice) am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

Whoever follows, gets eternal life.

That thought was enough to get Martin Luther not only excommunicated, but nearly put to death.  Just like the apostles suffered when they first shared the Good News.

Know what else she said?

All we need to do is love.

Pretty darn simple, if you ask me. 


Blessings,
Kari

Monday, September 9, 2013

The Writing Thing...

I used to write about everything.

I quit for dumb reasons.

I'm hoping to find my way back to it.  So here goes.

Today, I'm griping about what happened to me at a former job.
  • I am tired of being restricted from doing good because small-minded people don't understand.  
  • I am not going to lie or prevaricate to make things okay.
  • I will not be held to a higher standard than the people I work for.  
  • I want to author and support things that make people live better.
And.  I am going to write.  Publish.  Move one.

I feel good in this moment.  Yay!

Peace,
Kari