Purgatory

A friend shared this article with me recently.  I just now had the chance to read it and all I can say is, "Wow!"

Amazing Stories From Purgatory

I often wonder about what happens after we die.  I realize we can read these stories and think, "OK, that makes sense."  But I still always wonder -- is that really the way that it is?  I guess it's the natural doubter in my that I can't believe things until I actually see them.

As I was reading, I came across the following paragraph, which, in an odd way, related to a conversation I had at lunch yesterday:

You sometimes say to me that the perfecting of a soul is a long process and you are also astonished that after so many prayers, I am so long deprived of the sight of God. Alas, the perfecting of a soul does not take any less time in Purgatory than upon earth. There are a number of souls, but they are very few, who have only a few venial sins to expiate. These do not stay long in Purgatory. A few well-said prayers, a few sacrifices soon deliver them. But when there are souls like mine - and that is nearly all whose lives have been so empty and who paid little or no attention to their salvation - then their whole life has to be begun over again in this place of expiation. The soul has to perfect itself and love and desire Him, whom it did not love sufficiently on earth. This is the reason why the deliverance of some souls is delayed. God has given me a very great grace in allowing me to ask for prayers. I did not deserve it, but without this I would have remained like most of those here, for years and years more.”

We were discussing how great it will be to be older and not have to worry any more about what we eat and drink because we will no longer have to think about seeing our children marry, having grandchildren, etc.  We will have experienced it and will have to worry no more!  And then we realized -- we will still care.  We will always care.  It's ingrained in us!

So is our faith life.  We trip up -- even fall sometimes.  But basically, our faith life is what sustains us.

I loved the story of the woman and her servant in there -- whom she visited in the middle of the night.  Have you ever had that experience of someone who has died visiting you?  I have -- I often hear my mother and her sisters giggling (or cackling) at certain points.  Or I feel my parents' presence many times during very holy times at church.

How many times have we had that experience and maybe even brushed it off, thinking it couldn't be real?  I know sometimes I wonder -- it's a great mystery -- if I'm experiencing something or if it's my imagination.  Over time, I generally figure it out.

One time as I was in church, at a healing mass for my cousin, who was battling cancer.....I heard his mother. She was there!  I shared with him and his brother afterwards and his brother expressed to me that he wished she would visit him.  I told him to be aware.  She probably already was.

The next time I spoke with him -- she had visited him at his home.  He said all he had to do was open his eyes a little more and he saw her.  :)

I hope that my friends and family who are in purgatory are able to reach me if they need my assistance.  In the meantime, I will gladly go to some extra masses if I think it will help those souls who are struggling to get out!

Feel free to share any stories you have regarding this.  I love to read them!

It's the little things!

I had a not so great day yesterday.  Not that anything really went bad -- it was just that nothing went right.  It was a Monday, for sure.  It started when I went to get coffee in the morning and realized that I had left my money in my pants pocket from the day before.  I didn't want to use my debit card to order a 69 cent cup of coffee, so I dug through my purse to get change to get a coffee.  Found it!  

I even mentioned to the lady selling me the coffee that I hope the rest of my day went better.  And, in the middle of my sentence realized that forgetting my money wasn't really such an awful thing.......

So, I drove to work.  It only takes me about 20 minutes to get there, and I have an hour from the time that I drop the kids off until the time I start work.  So, I generally take my time getting there.  I had been procrastinating getting gas all weekend, because it is cheaper in Sidney (by about 20 cents or so).  So, I thought I would stop and get gas on my way there.  I was all excited because I knew I had 40 cents off coming because of my Kroger Plus Card (yeah, it doesn't take much for me).  So, I pulled into the Kroger parking lot to get my gas.  Now would be a good time to re-read my first paragraph.

Remember that debit card I didn't want to use to get coffee?  Yeah, it was in the same pocket as the money I didn't have with me.  So, I had about 23 cents on me.  For gas and lunch.  :)  And, might I add -- my "gas light" was on, indicating it was high time I get to the gas station.  

I pulled out, trying to think of a solution.  Suddenly I remember this really old thing we used to do when we wanted money.  We would go to the bank and write a check for "cash".  Remember that?  Well, I did it yesterday!  Brilliant of me!  I got my cash, went back and got my gas, went to work and started my day.

We must have all been really hard at work because suddenly we realized it was after 5 and we were all still working hard.  Suddenly, we got a phone call that pulled us back to reality and realize that it was 5.  A little jolt of reality!

On my way home, I was getting frustrated because I needed to make a couple of stops along the way, and needed to get dinner ready for everyone who had places to go......and no one would answer the phone.  Not the house phones, not the cell phones......let's just say it wasn't one of my better parenting moments :)......

After I got ahold of our house and gave assignments, I decided to stop at McDonald's and get a drink for on the way home.  In the drive-thru, there was an angel.  A little boy walked out of the restaurant with his parents. This little guy was probably about 4.  I didn't know him at all -- didn't even recognize him.  What he did next made my whole day......

He was holding his daddy's hand, crossing in front of me in the drive thru -- he looked at me and --- he winked at me!  I wasn't sure if I saw it correctly, so I looked at him as he walked.  He smiled and did it again!

That little guy had no idea what an impact he had on me last night.  He helped me realize to not sweat the small stuff.  I'm sure his mother was wondering why I was looking at him and smiling, but I was, because he was so awesome.  

So, today give someone a wink, or a smile....just because.  You never know if they might need it!

Prom time!

Well, if you live in New Bremen and have a high schooler, you know that tomorrow night is prom.  A pretty highly anticipated evening for the high school crowd.  A time to put away the t-shirts and the pony tails, and dress up for a really fun night.

I remember when we first moved to New Bremen almost 16 years ago -- we found out they had promenade, which is a time when the kids all come out in their formal attire for all to see -- and we started going.  I would watch the girls in their beautiful dresses, and the guys in their tuxes, and couldn't even imagine my kids going to prom. 

Well, now I find myself with one done with prom entirely, and the second one entering that phase.  Jim and I often discuss the differences in our kids -- how can six kids, with the same parents, eating the same foods, in the same environment -- turn out so completely different?

Emily has been so fun to travel this journey with.  She is absolutely not all caught up in the "moment".  She has picked out a beautiful dress, and has a handsome date, but told me something really interesting while we were searching for dresses.  She said, "Mom, I'm just a junior.  This isn't my year to stand out with my dress.  That's best left for the seniors!"

I have to tell you I was floored.  I, in all my years, have never thought that way!  What a neat thing! 

She's been spending this evening doing her nails, and doing whatever primping she can so she can sleep in in the morning.  After all, staying up for 24 hours is hard work!  :)

I spent part of the day today with my friend, Carla.  She, along with her husband, Scott, are hosting the dinner before prom for their daughter, and their friends.  Fourteen kids, that will be ready to have a blast.  It was fun to get out my creative side today.  We even discussed how fun it was to make this a special night for the kids. 

I promise to come back with pictures.  I hope all of the kids have a grand time tomorrow night and keep safe.  But most of all, I hope they make some beautiful memories that will last them a lifetime!

RIP, Father Len!

I spent the better part of yesterday at the funeral of my uncle.  I have mentioned before that I have a very large family, with many aunts and uncles, and, unfortunately, they are all hitting that age where funerals are happening a little more frequently.

But yesterday's funeral was a little different than most.  That's because my uncle was a priest.  And not just any priest (are there any of the sort??).  He was many things to many people.  He did not spend his years just being a parish priest -- he was a rector at the seminary, a librarian, and also a parish priest.  Although originally from St. Henry, his ministry was out of the Kansas City Province, so most of his assignments were west of here.  That did not allow for many of us to spend a whole lot of time with him, as he would be home for a couple of weeks during the summer and that would be most of what we would see him for the year.

It was interesting to hear the stories told by Fr. Nassal, the Provincial of Kansas City, during his homily, of the Fr. Len that he and his fellow priests knew.  Not that they knew a different man, but they definitely knew a different side of him.  Anyone who ever received a letter from Fr. Len, or talked with him, knew he was very interested in the ancestry of our family, and he always had a new name of someone for  me to figure out how I was related to them.  I wish so much I had kept his letters over the years....I didn't always appreciate the knowledge he was trying to shower me with.

He mentioned during his homily that once Father Len was in a parish and noticed the tabernacle was locked.  He said, "Unlock that and let Jesus out!"  The priest mentioned, and the thought occurred to me as well, that maybe we do that within ourselves sometimes, too.  We receive Jesus in the Eucharist, but then forget to let him out and share him with the world!

Fr.  Nassal mentioned a poet that Fr. Len liked, but mentioned that he himself enjoyed the poetry of Mary Oliver more and quoted this poem.  I remembered her name and googled this poem when I got home because I appreciated the words so much.  It definitely describes Fr. Len.

When Death Comes by Mary Oliver

When death comes

like the hungry bear in autumn;

when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;

when death comes

like the measle-pox

when death comes

like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:

what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything

as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,

and I look upon time as no more than an idea,

and I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common

as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,

tending, as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something

precious to the earth.

When it's over, I want to say all my life

I was a bride married to amazement.

I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it's over, I don't want to wonder

if I have made of my life something particular, and real.

I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,

or full of argument.

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

I have bolded the ending of this poem because it describes Fr. Len so well.  He left no stone unturned, in his ministry or in his life.  He blessed us all abundantly by allowing us to get to know him, to allow him into our lives.  And while it was very interesting to hear the stories of his life in the priesthood, and nice to know how much they appreciated and loved "Father Gutty" as they called him, I will be happy with the knowledge that he was my uncle.....my dad's brother.  The man who was able to bring our family together for Eucharist each family reunion we had, and dine with us afterwards.  The man who made my dad smile.

I have never watched the movie "Great Expectations", but think I just might locate it at the library and watch it one of these weekends with Fr. Len in mind.  For he had great expectations of all of us, himself included, and was never afraid to let others see what expectations he had.  I hope people can say that about me at the end of my life.

Rest in peace, Fr. Len.  Job well done!

F.A.M.I.L.Y

A few weeks ago, I read an essay that my niece wrote about our family.  In it, she mentioned that basically she wasn't quite sure what it was about our family, but we were different, and she liked it.  It was very well written and (I know this will surprise you if you're a regular reader) it brought me to tears.

This past weekend was Easter.  A time to mourn Jesus' death and then celebrate his rising from the dead, and new life!  Traditionally, we have gathered with my side of the family on Easter and this year was no different.

As the grandchildren get older, we miss a few more each year as they have more celebrations to attend to.  We understand, yet we still miss them.  It isn't complete without everyone there!

At Christmas, we made a video to post on the internet to make everyone missing feel included.  We attempted the same at Easter, but somehow it wasn't quite the same......instead we burst into fits of laughter.  Judge for yourself:

I have to say that it's moments like these that I miss my parents the most.  Would they have been embarassed that we were doing such things?  Would they have told us to stop?  Absolutely not.  In fact, they probably would have been first in line!

I love that our parents taught us to be who we are and celebrate that fact.  Not put on airs, or be who others wanted us to be or act like.  I'm really comfortable in my own skin, and relish the fact that I (and the rest of my family -- except those hiding out in the car in the background :) ) can just be....us.  :)

I hope we are raising our children to cherish family as much as we do.  No matter what, no matter where, they are there.

I hope your Easter was just as fun!

He is risen!

PS I used the acronym F.A.M.I.L.Y. above because I love it so much -- if you haven't heard it before, it stands for Forget About Me, I Love You!!!!

Alleluia! He is risen!

Alleluia!  He is risen!

We just returned from Easter Vigil.  Truly, one of my favorite masses of the year.  The words to hear spoken, the beautiful music.  To hear the words, every year: "He is risen! Rejoice!"

I was so touched tonight by the two young women who came into our church tonight.  In a sense, I'm a little jealous of them! 

It's kind of like when you get something new -- a new car, or a new house......you love it.  You take such good care of it!  You think about it -- a lot.  Then, the older it gets, you think about it a little less, and maybe don't take quite such good care of it.  You perhaps even take advantage -- you know your car will be sitting in the garage in the morning, no worries. 

I'm thinking these women are at the same stage in their faith.  A mass that we of course got ready for by thinking an hour or so before we left about getting ready was most likely on their minds not only all day, but all week before-hand.  And tomorrow, when they wake up, they will think -- "I am Catholic!"

As they were confirmed this evening, I couldn't help but shed tears of joy for them.  I loved that their husbands (I think they were both married) were their sponsors -- to help them carry out the faith.  I even smiled when the one gently rubbed her back when they were done to welcome her.  What a beautiful gift!

I love the Catholic faith so much.  I love what we stand for.  I love the consistency across all Catholic churches.  I love that so many of us believe and hope for the same things.

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of serving as a sponsor for my friend, Alicia, as she completed the conversion process and became Catholic.  Aside from the wonderful fact that she was turning Catholic, it was such an honor for me to be able to sit with her in her RCIA classes.  As an adult, I learned so very much about our faith.  I learned many of the traditions and backgrounds of different parts of our faith.  My own faith grew so much that year.

I remember one of the women that was in class with her really struck me -- I even had her come in and talk to my religion class one time because she was so vibrant with her new found "Catholicity"......she told the funnest story.  She said the week after she became Catholic, she drove down 119 (if you are not from around here, 119 has many many Catholic churches on it) -- and, at every Catholic church, she would look over and point and say, "That's my church!"  Because she truly belonged to each and every one!

So, as we enter into the season for rejoicing and celebrating the rising of our Lord, let us also embrace the "newness" of our faith.  Let's not take advantage of it, but rather celebrate each time we drive down the road and see another Catholic Church.  Remember to think, "That is MY church!"

I hope that you have a blessed Easter and are able to have Christ at the head of your celebration!

Happy Easter from The Kaisers!

Lenten check up

So, how's lent going for you?  Have you kept up with your promises you made?  The things you gave up?  The "extras" you promised yourself you would do?

If you haven't, it's not too late!  Even if you have kept up with what you intended to do, but perhaps feel that maybe it "isn't enough" -- there's still time!  Add something else into the mix!

These forty days were meant to strengthen us as Catholics.  We give up in order to receive, we do extra in order to please God, and hopefully ourselves.  We want to do what is pleasing to God, even though sometimes it is hard!

I had the pleasure of attending "Cast Your Nets" last night in McCartyville.  This is an annual gathering of the youth from the northern part of our diocese, in an effort to foster vocations.  It's always fun to go to -- to see old friends and to see my kids make new ones.  There was prayer, and song, reconciliation, and, of course pizza.  Fun night.  My favorite part came last.  Mass.  Honestly, I'm not really a night time mass person -- I find I pay much better attention first thing in the morning, but I usually go to this mass because of the energy.  This year, Bishop Binzer was the presider.  I've really come to like this man.  He's fairly new to his position as Bishop (I think right at a year), but has come to fill the shoes perfectly.

His homily was spot on.  Firstly, his homilies are straight and to the point.  I like that!  He was discussing a couple of items with everyone in the congregation, but the one that struck me most was his talk about giving up and doing extra.  He mentioned that he gave up March Madness this year (hearing his schedule, I'm not sure he had a choice :) -- but I thought that was a fun thing to give up.  He also said he enjoys doing "extra things".  He didn't really say what he likes to do extra, but did mention taking time each day to write down (either on paper or electronically!) something that you are thankful for.  A word, a reading, a person, a song....whatever.  Big or small.  You may be thankful for the daffodil you saw when leaving your house in the morning.  Or that red light that you had to stop at, for it prevented you from being in an accident.  Whatever it is, write it down and be thankful for it.

And then, in two weeks on Easter Sunday, you will have a list of 14 things you are thankful for.  You can look back on them and review them.  Then start again!  But keep the old list.  Think of all the things you could come up with in a year.

I've been reading a lot about thankfulness lately.  It's an interesting thing.  If we center ourselves more on what we are thankful for, our lives as a whole begin to improve.  It's a fact.  When we dwell on the negative, it makes our lives way more negative.

So let's try this.  Can you do it for two weeks?  I can.  I've started my list on my iPhone.  (See?  I'm thankful I know how to make lists there!  LOL)

Have a great week everyone!

Pam