I am a DRE in a very busy parish. we have 620 kids in our Religious ed program. I'm only responsible for the Children's catechesis and First Penance, First Communion, and Confirmation (thank God!)
But my Vocation is a wife and mother. ANd we'd like to have another child soon. And I'm very torn between my ministry and my vocation. Last week I was off being stay at home mommy again since my MOm was in Myrtle Beach. I did not want to go back to the parish yesterday.
I suppose God could make this very easy on my by having our pastor retire and having him rplaced by another priest who is in line for a pastoral job who I don't really like. But since this is not likely to happen, (though with God who knows but Him?) I'm not really sure hwat to do. I'll probably stick it out for a while. My husabnd might get a new job with a large increase that could make life easier without my income, but I want to cut back at the parish.
These were the thing swirling around in my head over the weekend (plus I had some commment box issues with someone on another blog which sent me reeling).
Anyone else feel torn between minstry and vocation? Or between work and family? How do you reconcile them? what do you do about or how do you live with the guilt and confusion?
Help!
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
California Prop 73
Fr. Frank Pavone writes here urging everyone in california to get informed bout Proposition 73, an abortion parental notification law on the ballot there this November. Considering that a school nurse can't give a teen an aspriin without anote from mom or dad and that a child can't go on a field trip without parental permission, it sickens me that a child can have SURGERY without her parents knowing about it. Oh, yeah, and I believe NJ is one of those "enlightened" states with no mandatory parental notification.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Indefinite hiatus
There's a lot of stuff swiriling around in my addled brain and I think I need to be in the real world for a while. Nobody's dying in Giglioland, don't worry, but I have found I need to spend more time with the people around me and less time bathed in the blue glow of the computer monitor. Maybe I'll pop by other blogs, but i think i'll stay off line for now.
God bless you and trust that you are in my prayers.
Viva Christo Rey!
God bless you and trust that you are in my prayers.
Viva Christo Rey!
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Don't go to Asbury Park, NJ
Please. If more people start going, they'll ruin it for my family.
We spent the whole day there. The beach was not crowded, nor was the boardwalk. The beach is *clean*! and they are rebuilding the old boardwalk. Tags were only $4 for each adult, kids under 12 were free and parking was free (b/c it was a weekday? I dunno. I tried to feed the meter and it didn't work. Then I realized all the meters were like that!)
So, please don't go to Asbury Park. And don't tell anyone else about what I just told you. Everyone will go and it will be crowded. But then, they are trying to revitalize the town, so maybe you should plunk down some cash, bask on the clean, cheap beach (with playground onthe beach for the kiddies), and spend some moey so they can restore all of the great old architecture before it crumbles into the Atlantic.
We spent the whole day there. The beach was not crowded, nor was the boardwalk. The beach is *clean*! and they are rebuilding the old boardwalk. Tags were only $4 for each adult, kids under 12 were free and parking was free (b/c it was a weekday? I dunno. I tried to feed the meter and it didn't work. Then I realized all the meters were like that!)
So, please don't go to Asbury Park. And don't tell anyone else about what I just told you. Everyone will go and it will be crowded. But then, they are trying to revitalize the town, so maybe you should plunk down some cash, bask on the clean, cheap beach (with playground onthe beach for the kiddies), and spend some moey so they can restore all of the great old architecture before it crumbles into the Atlantic.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Totally missed everything WYD
No cable = no EWTN. Plumber replacing pipes in the house for 4 days = no time to read the papers.
World Youth Day in Denver was when I was in high school (maybe college. I don't remember). I thought it would be cool to go then. Now I realize that as I approach 30, I will be too old for the next one at a time in my life when I can appreciate it.
Is World youth day wasted on the young, to paraphrase? I don't think so. There are many kids out there who are more convicted than I was at their age, and maybe more than I am now. And even if some of them went for a cool tourist experience, maybe they will remember events later in their lives that will touch them in a certain way, bringing them back, or closer, as the case may be.
ugh. I sound like I'm 75! On to the email!!
World Youth Day in Denver was when I was in high school (maybe college. I don't remember). I thought it would be cool to go then. Now I realize that as I approach 30, I will be too old for the next one at a time in my life when I can appreciate it.
Is World youth day wasted on the young, to paraphrase? I don't think so. There are many kids out there who are more convicted than I was at their age, and maybe more than I am now. And even if some of them went for a cool tourist experience, maybe they will remember events later in their lives that will touch them in a certain way, bringing them back, or closer, as the case may be.
ugh. I sound like I'm 75! On to the email!!
Returning from an unexpected hiatus
The cable has been out here since last Thursday, so there was no internet access either. I hope y'all didn't miss me too much. Thanks to comcast for getting us back up and running.
Happy belated birthday to Mark Mossa, whose birthday was August 19. Live long and prosper.
I'm writing an essay which I hope will be included in a compilation of essays by Catholics under 35. The editors are looking for more submissions onm a wide variety of topics. If you are a good writer and would like the chapter list, please contact me at mamagiglio(at)comcast(dot)net and I'll send you the chpater list and the contact info for one of the editors.
Happy belated birthday to Mark Mossa, whose birthday was August 19. Live long and prosper.
I'm writing an essay which I hope will be included in a compilation of essays by Catholics under 35. The editors are looking for more submissions onm a wide variety of topics. If you are a good writer and would like the chapter list, please contact me at mamagiglio(at)comcast(dot)net and I'll send you the chpater list and the contact info for one of the editors.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
TV and my kid
I have heard about studies that report that kids who watch a lot of TV are more agressive than other kids. I have to give you some anecdotal evidence to that effect.
My elder son has had no TV for the last 3 weeks for hitting my mother and me. I cannot tell you how much his behavior has improved over the last 3 weeks. He has fewer angry outburts. He doesn't hit. His attention span is longer. It's like he's a different, happier kid!
The boy is 4. He never watched more than about 2 hours a day and it was all PBS. He doesn't watch a lot of cartoons. He likes Spongebob, but he only gets to see it about once a month. After 3 weeks of none of it, he is so much more calm. I've got my sweet little boy back.
Now, both of them will get only 2 shows: Sesame Street and Zoom. That's an hour and a half att he most, assuming we get up in time for the first half hour of Sesame, which we almost never do-all we ever seem to see is Elmo's World, but that keeps the little guy happy.
I'm no scientist, or psychologist. And my little experiment is not scientific. But it seems to me that if people would stop letting their kids watch TV, there would be a lot less kids on Ritalin. As they say in Bloomfield: I'm just sayin'.
My elder son has had no TV for the last 3 weeks for hitting my mother and me. I cannot tell you how much his behavior has improved over the last 3 weeks. He has fewer angry outburts. He doesn't hit. His attention span is longer. It's like he's a different, happier kid!
The boy is 4. He never watched more than about 2 hours a day and it was all PBS. He doesn't watch a lot of cartoons. He likes Spongebob, but he only gets to see it about once a month. After 3 weeks of none of it, he is so much more calm. I've got my sweet little boy back.
Now, both of them will get only 2 shows: Sesame Street and Zoom. That's an hour and a half att he most, assuming we get up in time for the first half hour of Sesame, which we almost never do-all we ever seem to see is Elmo's World, but that keeps the little guy happy.
I'm no scientist, or psychologist. And my little experiment is not scientific. But it seems to me that if people would stop letting their kids watch TV, there would be a lot less kids on Ritalin. As they say in Bloomfield: I'm just sayin'.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
I found a pro-life OB/GYN
He was at Mass today and he spoke about a hospital in Haiti where he volunteers for 2 weeks every year. After Mass, I asked him if he ran a pro-life practice and he said yes, There are 5 (!) doctors in the practice and they deliver at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck. His office is in Englewood, which is not close to me. I was crying tears of joy when he told me it was a pro-life practice. I have found a new doctor!!!! His name is Dr. Daniel Butler and you can find his contact info thru the Holy Name Hospital website: www.holyname.org
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Clik 4 Cathy
Click on the button on the sidebar and come back and click it some more. It will make you feel good and it won't cost you anything. Saw this first on the Donegal Express and picked up the sidebar button code from MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy via the Anchoress.
OK, the button didn't show up, but you can still go to the other excellent blogs and click there. What are you waiting for?
OK, the button didn't show up, but you can still go to the other excellent blogs and click there. What are you waiting for?
Prayer Request
My mom is about to leave for 2 1/2 weeks. I Ask you to please pray for her on her journey. I also ask you to pray for me while she is away. You see, Mom lives with us and her help to me while I work is immeasurable. I will be under considerably more stress as I am thrust back into the real world of working motherhood.
This time will surely make me appreciate her more. I just hope I don't get an ulcer.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, please pray for me. St. Anne, please pray for Mom.
This time will surely make me appreciate her more. I just hope I don't get an ulcer.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, please pray for me. St. Anne, please pray for Mom.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Signum Crucis
I did the sign of the cross for the boys in Latin tonight to open up bedtime prayers. My elder son greeted it with the throaty giggle I recall overtaking me when I was young and learning something new. I tried to get him to say it with me, but it was
8:30 and he was very tired and very resistant. Maybe in the morning.
8:30 and he was very tired and very resistant. Maybe in the morning.
My conversion on abortion.
I feel the need to post this here. I have told this story to 8th graders and I saw some lights go on. That gives me comfort.
I used to be one of those wishy-washy Catholics who said, "I would never have an abortion, but who am I to tell someone else they can't?"
My husband and I met in college and when we were home on breaks we lived an hour and a half away from each other. WE used to see each other every weekend, so we spent a lot of time in the car. One December we were going to his parenst' house after a Christmas party with my extnded family on my mom's side. I remember we were on Route 202 north of Flemington, NJ near the Wawa when I started thinking about abortion. Well, it was really God starting a conversation. I thought, "I could never have one, but who am I to tell another woman she can't?"
The reply came: "Well, why wouldn't you have an abortion?"
"Because I believe it's a baby and I couldn't kill my baby."
"OK. Well, what if oyu see a guy holding a gun to another guy's head? Aren't you obliged to do something about it? Maybe you don't try to get the gun away, but don't you at least call the police?"
"Yes, of course I would."
"What is the differnce?"
There was suddenly no air in the car. There IS no difference between that baby whose mother is about to make a bad choice and that hostage whose captor is about to make a bad choice.
I breathed again. And then God asked me, "What are you going to do about it?"
That's the part I'm still struggling with. When asked, or when the debate comes up, I am unapologetically pro-life in all instances. I donate to pro-Life charities. I have been on the March for Life.
As I type this, the thing I realize I lack in my efforts is prayer to end abortion, to convert the hearts of women who are considering this. To pray for the doctors who perform these procedures.
Not praying enough is a flaw of mine best served dissecting in another post. I would just like to ask you, gentle reader, "What are you going to do about it?"
I used to be one of those wishy-washy Catholics who said, "I would never have an abortion, but who am I to tell someone else they can't?"
My husband and I met in college and when we were home on breaks we lived an hour and a half away from each other. WE used to see each other every weekend, so we spent a lot of time in the car. One December we were going to his parenst' house after a Christmas party with my extnded family on my mom's side. I remember we were on Route 202 north of Flemington, NJ near the Wawa when I started thinking about abortion. Well, it was really God starting a conversation. I thought, "I could never have one, but who am I to tell another woman she can't?"
The reply came: "Well, why wouldn't you have an abortion?"
"Because I believe it's a baby and I couldn't kill my baby."
"OK. Well, what if oyu see a guy holding a gun to another guy's head? Aren't you obliged to do something about it? Maybe you don't try to get the gun away, but don't you at least call the police?"
"Yes, of course I would."
"What is the differnce?"
There was suddenly no air in the car. There IS no difference between that baby whose mother is about to make a bad choice and that hostage whose captor is about to make a bad choice.
I breathed again. And then God asked me, "What are you going to do about it?"
That's the part I'm still struggling with. When asked, or when the debate comes up, I am unapologetically pro-life in all instances. I donate to pro-Life charities. I have been on the March for Life.
As I type this, the thing I realize I lack in my efforts is prayer to end abortion, to convert the hearts of women who are considering this. To pray for the doctors who perform these procedures.
Not praying enough is a flaw of mine best served dissecting in another post. I would just like to ask you, gentle reader, "What are you going to do about it?"
Monday, August 08, 2005
Miracle at church yesterday.
My elder boy participated in the Mass. And he was SOOOOOOO well-behaved. I have to say that both of our kids are usually quite good in church. We sit right up front so tha they can't get bored. I highly recommend this to my fellow parents out there. It was a tip for me from my friends Anne who has 3 kids. Put them right up front so they can see everything. And it works!
I digress. The boy and I have been talking about how he can follow along with the priest in Mass in the missalette. He's starting to read now, so he is quite interested. Well, the DH was at work on Sunday AM and went to the 7:30 Mass-we're usually at 9:00- so I sat the boy down before we left and told him that I expected him to start saying the prayers with us and to sit, stand, and kneel when appropriate. He was ok with that. We were running late, naturally, so we rushed in, sat down in the first pew and Mass began.
He followed along, started to sing the mass parts and everything. He knows the Lord's Prayer, so he prayed that with us. And he was ENGAGED. So refreshing! the younger was less well-behaved (but still good-he's not yet 2. Have to cut him some slack) but for the first time in a long time Mass was not stressful!
So one the way back to the house from the bakery (where they got 2 treats instead of just one for their excellent behavior) I asked the older boy is he felt like MAss that morning was different. He said it was-that he learned more. I am still basking in the glow from my little boy. He's getting so big. It will be time for First Holy Communion before we know it (4 years!). I know. Try to move past my dorkiness.
I digress. The boy and I have been talking about how he can follow along with the priest in Mass in the missalette. He's starting to read now, so he is quite interested. Well, the DH was at work on Sunday AM and went to the 7:30 Mass-we're usually at 9:00- so I sat the boy down before we left and told him that I expected him to start saying the prayers with us and to sit, stand, and kneel when appropriate. He was ok with that. We were running late, naturally, so we rushed in, sat down in the first pew and Mass began.
He followed along, started to sing the mass parts and everything. He knows the Lord's Prayer, so he prayed that with us. And he was ENGAGED. So refreshing! the younger was less well-behaved (but still good-he's not yet 2. Have to cut him some slack) but for the first time in a long time Mass was not stressful!
So one the way back to the house from the bakery (where they got 2 treats instead of just one for their excellent behavior) I asked the older boy is he felt like MAss that morning was different. He said it was-that he learned more. I am still basking in the glow from my little boy. He's getting so big. It will be time for First Holy Communion before we know it (4 years!). I know. Try to move past my dorkiness.
Disturbing Planned Parenthood Cartoon
Can someone please pull the plug on this crap??? Maybe use Bill O' Reilly of Fox News for something good and show it to him? Pray for whoever came up with this. Hat tip to the Dawn Patrol.
Update: The Curt Jester says that the offensive cartoon is down. but you can still see parts of it at the Dawn Patrol (I'll have to put in the link when I get to a PC). Click on the link in the sidebar t get to the Curt Jester. He will lead you to Dawn.
Update: The Curt Jester says that the offensive cartoon is down. but you can still see parts of it at the Dawn Patrol (I'll have to put in the link when I get to a PC). Click on the link in the sidebar t get to the Curt Jester. He will lead you to Dawn.
Friday, August 05, 2005
You asked for it.
Maureen reminded me that it's Friday now, so back to posting. This may be the only one today, but I think it's a good one.
Below, I posted about having gotten a letter from the Quixote Center. They are raising money to take out an ad in support of women's ordination. They are asking for donations and they will put your name on the ad (as if you are signing this open letter). In the post, I said maybe somebody should take out an ad saying, basically, "We the undersigned fully support the Roman Catholic Church in all of her Teachings."
Well, it's not letting go of me. I think this is a Divinely Inspired idea and I think we should do it. I am not going to be able to do it alone. I was hoping that maybe some good "Neo-Caths" ;) out there can help me make this a national campaign, similar to Catholic Answers' Catholic Voter Guide that went out in 2004. Wouldn't it be great to get enough people and money to put a full page ad in every major newspaper (or at least 1 of them?)?
Can you imagine the energy this could give our priests and bishops? The hope it could give to other Catholics who follow Church teaching and feel like they're the only ones? The Church in America and Europe is under attack from inside and out. This can be a tool for solidarity! Maybe there aren't more of us who believe in what the Church teaches than there are those who are "cafeteria Catholics." I'm sure that there are enough of us to surprise some people.
So, who's going to help me?
Below, I posted about having gotten a letter from the Quixote Center. They are raising money to take out an ad in support of women's ordination. They are asking for donations and they will put your name on the ad (as if you are signing this open letter). In the post, I said maybe somebody should take out an ad saying, basically, "We the undersigned fully support the Roman Catholic Church in all of her Teachings."
Well, it's not letting go of me. I think this is a Divinely Inspired idea and I think we should do it. I am not going to be able to do it alone. I was hoping that maybe some good "Neo-Caths" ;) out there can help me make this a national campaign, similar to Catholic Answers' Catholic Voter Guide that went out in 2004. Wouldn't it be great to get enough people and money to put a full page ad in every major newspaper (or at least 1 of them?)?
Can you imagine the energy this could give our priests and bishops? The hope it could give to other Catholics who follow Church teaching and feel like they're the only ones? The Church in America and Europe is under attack from inside and out. This can be a tool for solidarity! Maybe there aren't more of us who believe in what the Church teaches than there are those who are "cafeteria Catholics." I'm sure that there are enough of us to surprise some people.
So, who's going to help me?
Thursday, August 04, 2005
No more posts today
I really ought to get some work done, and the blogosphere has been a major occasion of sin for me this summer. So no new posts today. If you're stopping by from other pages, thank you. Please check out my archives.
God bless you. Viva Christo Rey!!!
God bless you. Viva Christo Rey!!!
Happy Birthday!!!!!
Mom Turns 50 today and Dad turns 52. Yes. My parents have the same birthday.
Happy birthday to both of you!!!! I'll pray specially for you today, and I'll ask anyone who stops by this blog today to do the same.
Happy birthday to both of you!!!! I'll pray specially for you today, and I'll ask anyone who stops by this blog today to do the same.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
What model of the Church are you?
Maybe it's because I work in Religious Education that I turned out to be:
You scored as Sacrament model. Your model of the church is Sacrament. The church is the effective sign of the revelation that is the person of Jesus Christ. Christians are transformed by Christ and then become a beacon of Christ wherever they go. This model has a remarkable capacity for integrating other models of the church.
What is your model of the church? [Dulles] created with QuizFarm.com |
Hat tip to Happy Catholic
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
More about Fr. O'Leary
Christopher Blosser does an excellent job dissecting Fr. O'Leary from his own blog and posts. I'm grateful that he thought enough of my rebuttal to include it in his article.
Awesome vocations poster
From Paul Lew. He writes: "The bottom of this poster reads: "Trinity Pictures present The Catholic Church: A production by The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. In cooperation with the Blessed Virgin Mary. Coming to a parish near you."
I'm trying to get one for the CCD Office. Here's hoping!
Guess what I got in the mail yesterday?
I got a mailing from the Quixote Center, who have proudly tilting at windmills since 1976. Rev. Bill Callahan and Ms. Rea Howarth asked me to send them some money so they can put a full page ad in the the National Catholic Reporter calling for the ordination of women.
Ha. I thought to myself. You sent this to the wrong chick!
I sent them a letter which stated: "I do not now, nor will I ever support the ordination of women as priests. Please remove me from your mailing list. I will pray for you."
They wanted their contributors' signatures on the ad. Their letter reads: "If you fear retribution, please give yourself a pseudonym, such as 'SF Pastor' or 'Midwest DRE,' etc." What I want to know is, if you believe in a cause so much, why would you fear retribution? If you believe a cause is just, don't hide! Stand up straight and tall and declare yourself a heretic! Your bishop might not know you by your pseudonym, but God knows! And he's got to be disappointed.
Email the Quixote Center (qc@quixote.org) in the spirit of loving charity and tell them where they are wrong about women's ordination. When you write, do not be rude. Make your argument in a calm, loving way. Yes, Jesus was righteously angry at the moneychangers for turning His Father's house into a den of theives. And you and I and everyone else who adheres to what Holy Mother Church teaches has a right to be angry with folks such as this. However, our duty to our wayward brothers and sisters is to respond to them in love. Choose your words carefully, boys and girls!
Maybe Catholic Answers or someone like that can get it together to take out an ad in support of the pope and the magisterium. I would send money for that ad. And proudly sign my name.
Ha. I thought to myself. You sent this to the wrong chick!
I sent them a letter which stated: "I do not now, nor will I ever support the ordination of women as priests. Please remove me from your mailing list. I will pray for you."
They wanted their contributors' signatures on the ad. Their letter reads: "If you fear retribution, please give yourself a pseudonym, such as 'SF Pastor' or 'Midwest DRE,' etc." What I want to know is, if you believe in a cause so much, why would you fear retribution? If you believe a cause is just, don't hide! Stand up straight and tall and declare yourself a heretic! Your bishop might not know you by your pseudonym, but God knows! And he's got to be disappointed.
Email the Quixote Center (qc@quixote.org) in the spirit of loving charity and tell them where they are wrong about women's ordination. When you write, do not be rude. Make your argument in a calm, loving way. Yes, Jesus was righteously angry at the moneychangers for turning His Father's house into a den of theives. And you and I and everyone else who adheres to what Holy Mother Church teaches has a right to be angry with folks such as this. However, our duty to our wayward brothers and sisters is to respond to them in love. Choose your words carefully, boys and girls!
Maybe Catholic Answers or someone like that can get it together to take out an ad in support of the pope and the magisterium. I would send money for that ad. And proudly sign my name.
Read this one too.
I tried to put this in the box below, but Blogger is not being my friend today.
The Curt Jester has some info about St. Joan's in Minneapolis looking for a new pastor. Because they don't want their bishop to do it. Or something like that.
Can you imagine how St. Joan of Arc is crying over this parish?
The Curt Jester has some info about St. Joan's in Minneapolis looking for a new pastor. Because they don't want their bishop to do it. Or something like that.
Can you imagine how St. Joan of Arc is crying over this parish?
Go forth and read these blogs
1. The Anchoress is doing a poll for Catholics. Read it here, then email her at: theanchoress@gmail.com
2. Read Maureen Martin's "Article" about a guy asking for some love for Henry VIII.
2. Read Maureen Martin's "Article" about a guy asking for some love for Henry VIII.
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