One Bread, One Body

Last year, one of the priests at my parish asked me if I would be willing to put together a healing mass for "women only".  It would be a mass in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows, whose feast day is September 15th.  It would be a mass for women to come and lay any and all of their burdens at the foot of the cross - whether it ranged from abuse and abortion to the everyday trials and responsibilities of caring for a house and family.  I of course said "yes"!  God bless this priest for hearing God's call to heal His daughters.

Tonight was the 2nd Annual Women's Healing Mass.  There were about 65 ladies in attendance, which is pretty good on a Monday evening.  I didn't care if only one showed up.  I knew it would be what God wanted it to be.  After the homily, we had a candlelighting ceremony.  Each person got a small votive, lit it from one of the altar candles, and left it in a candelabra next to the altar or on a small table in front of the altar.  The Holy Spirit's presence was powerful - overwhelming, in fact.  I felt completely swept up in joy as the burden of carrying my crosses had just been lifted.  We prayed, we cried, we leaned on one another, we opened our hearts to Jesus, we listened, we walked to the altar, and we left our burdens in the form of a beautiful light burning bright for Jesus.  Once all the candles had been placed, the lights glowed together as one.  We were united as women of God in our sufferings.  During communion, once again, the Holy Spirit was moving powerfully through the Church - through each of us.  I could feel it.  I felt every one of the ladies' pains...and then I felt an overwhelming joy to the depths of my soul.  I knew something very special was happening tonight.

The week prior, our musician had asked me for some suggested songs.  The first one that popped into my head was "One Bread, One Body", and I could not get it out of my head.  I've been singing it all week!  I can't even remember the last time we sang that song at my parish. I was hoping she would play it during communion, yet she played two other songs first.  I sat there thinking, "Darn, she's not going to play it."  Well, she began playing it just as the last few women were receiving communion, and so we sat there - in complete grace - singing that song.  These sixty or so women were singing that song louder than at a Sunday service.  It was absolutely the right song choice!  In those moments, we were all connected by the Eucharist - by our Lord flowing through our blood.  We truly were one bread and one body...and we were praying for our own intentions whilst lifting each other up in turn.

p.s.  Think about starting one of these masses at your own parish.  We women have a very important role in the salvation of God's people.  We must do all we can to lift each other up!

I found this youtube clip of this song with the words.  Enjoy!  We are so blessed to be Catholics!!!

Blog Update + Mass With Kids? Sure!!!

Hello everybody, I just wanted you to know that I am shutting down the 2nd blog "Agnes Day".  I was beginning to feel a little schizo having to think of two blogs at one time.  Sooo, I will transfer some of the old posts over here.  Sorry for any confusion.  I will be much happier with my one blog - which means better writing :)  Have a blessed day!

Here is a posting I wrote September 4th:

Mass With Kids?  Sure!  Give it a Try!

This past Sunday, I was sitting in mass and I realized that all my children were quiet and happy sitting with us there in the back row.  Yay!  We were successful!  And by successful, I mean no one was randomly talking VERY LOUDLY, no one was whining "I'm bored", no sippy cups were falling during those quiet times in mass, no one needed to go potty, no one was fighting, no one needed to be cleaned head to toe from a mere "snack", and I wasn't on the floor cleaning up that "snack"!

I know just how challenging it can be to bring children of any age to mass - much less bringing many of them all at once - but it can be done.  I want to encourage anyone reading who might be forgoing mass during those baby/toddler years because it's just too much work.  Sometimes, some children might need to stay home during a few months of their lives (this was the case with all of my boys around the year and a half mark), but keep at it.  Be persistent.

The more you go, the more the kids see it as routine.  It will just be the thing the family does all together on Sunday.  I do have some helpful tips I'd like to share:

1.  If you have a newborn and he/she cries, you can feed (nurse) right there or walk in the back of the church or cry room.

2.  Pack a "mass bag" for toddlers and older children.  Let them pick their goodies which could include sticker books, short books, coloring books, blank paper, pencils, washable crayons, small dolls, favorite blankie, etc.

3.  Bring a simple snack that won't make a mess if spilled - goldfish are the worst offender.  I can't tell you how many times I've stepped on goldfish dust on the floor in the back of our church.  Try dried apples, bananas, raisins, cranberries, cheerios, fruit leather, and crackers/cereal (if you manage it). Remember to clean up after yourselves!

4.  Try to sit strategically so younger children are placed between mom and dad and older children.

5.  Let your younger children pick out their clothes (give them some appropriate choices) - if you fight with them to wear something they don't like, it's just one more thing they won't like about mass.

6.  Try not to rush the morning, but if you're rushed, don't yell!  Yelling hasn't really gotten me anywhere.  Trust me, I've tried it!  It's not a great way to start your Sunday.

7.  Praise your teenagers and older children in front of the younger children.  It's important for the older ones to know how much you appreciate their good behavior and how great it is they're "showing up for God".  It's also great for the younger ones to see them as role models.

8.  You can make a family outing, such as lunch, after mass a part of your routine if you're able.  It makes for a wonderful family day and kids will look forward to it.  It's worth not going out all week and saving the money just for Sunday.

9.  Sit near an escape route!  I can't tell you how crucial this is.  As much as you think your kids are perfect, every now and then they will need to leave for various reasons.  It's difficult for those around you to see, hear, and focus on the mass if the kids are squirmy and loud.  The back of the church is kind of like a given that it's for the families with little ones - that is if you don't have a "cry room".  If there are adults back there who are annoyed by your family, I say, "too bad - you knew what you were in for when you sat there"!

10.  Finally and most importantly, set a good example for your children before, during, and after.  Children watch and listen like hawks and they are the ultimate imitators.  Be positive, be patient, and be persistent.

I hope these tips help.  Persistence is really the key.  There have been times when one of our boys was just too much and too loud to handle, so we would go to mass in shifts - my husband at one time and me at another.  Sometimes a little one just needs a little walk around the back of the church or even outside for five minutes.  Don't deny yourself the graces that come from spending time with our Lord.  He knows you're there.  It's not crucial that you don't hear the homily.  Remember, we're Catholic - the homily is not the point of mass.  You're there for receiving the Eucharist.  I encourage anyone reading who has been avoiding mass to give it a try and leave me a note to let me know how it's going.  If anyone else has any other tips, please feel free to share!  You won't regret going to mass - Jesus is there and he wants you there too.  God bless and may you have many happy Sundays together as a family!!!