It's Lent and I'm excited

I'm totally going to be involved in the Rite of the Elect on Sunday! I'm getting iniated at Easter! YEAH BABY!

Almost Ash Wednesday

I'm meeting with Kate (catechist) & Margaret (my sponser) to see if its apporiate to continue on the first Sunday of Lent for the Enrollment of Names and the sacraments of  initiation at Easter. I'm actually quite nervous that they're going to say I'm not ready. I would really, really, really like to be officially Catholic after Easter. If they don't think I'm "ready" I'm not sure what I'd do, because this has been such a long road for me (5+ years), deciding to R.C.I.A. to me, was like the final chapter and my final yes to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit and a public delcaration and discision to join the Church. If I had to wait another year I'm not sure I could do it. Plus, it's not very fun when everyone goes up to recieve communion and I'm just sitting there praying to God about the day when I can recieve him too.

The Universal Call to Holiness

Last night I went a pastoral area R.C.I.A. meeting and the topic was about the Universal Call to Holiness. First, we discussed what we this Holy means. Someone mentioned the Holy of Holies in the old temple and that got me thinking about how something Holy like that is set aside or seperate from everything else. For a specific purpose related to Gods work or ways. Next we had to think about us being Holy as temples of Gods spirit. I always think about the lamp metaphor when thinking of myself as a temple is which God lives. Now I'm just thinking about how if I am Holy (or trying to be) does that mean that I too, am seperate, set apart for a specific purpose that is related to God?

Then we talked about this coming Sundays gospel reading which is from Matthew 5:38-48;

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Sort of ties in nicely with what we were discussing before, I think Jesus is calling us to a higher state. To be perfect like his (and our) Father in Heaven.

Yay welcome tomorrow!!

It's finally my turn to be welcomed into the Church and its happening tomorrow! I'm really excited! I've got a sponsor and I think even Sue is coming up! I just e-mailed her today as she was wondering if Mum was coming... I don't think so. I don't even think she will come to my baptism. All I got when I asked if she'd like to is "we will see" which in mumspeak means "no".

Baptism - do you take yours seriously?

Okay so last Sunday was the feast of the baptism of Jesus and our Bishop was celebrating. He wanted us to think about our (and my future) baptism and what it means and how in the early church it took quite a long time to get baptised. He also asked what do you we think Jesus thought when he got baptised by John - the perfect, sinless man getting baptised and that it was the start of his public ministry? All I could think of after he said that was the song by the black-eyed peas "Lets get it started in here!" and honestly, from that point on thats all was singing in my head. I'm a horrible peson. However, its made me think even more intently upon my future baptism as a sign that "I'm getting in started" in my new life in the family of God and my walk with Christ.

The Pilgrim Church

I think I finally understand what this means. If not completely understand then have a firm grasp of what it means. Every time I hear this idea, I get this image in my mind of all the Chruch in a procession towards holiness. Everyone making his or her journey indivually but also with all the other members of the church. There are the Saints who are more towards the front because they are closer to holiness and then there are people a little bit further behind for their own reasons. But we are all heading in the same direction - towards God. This also means that we can't stop moving -the Church always has to keep one foot moving in front of the other in order to keep moving towards God.

In other news my welcom wasn't the Sunday I thought it was. Mainly because I still don't have a sponsor so Sue and Kath are helping me organise that a.s.a.p (I just hope I'm not rushing it. I pray that God can help me make the right choice). It is definately going to be sometime at the end of this month. Oh and:

Happy New Year Everyone!

Even thought it isn't easter yet

I just had to share this. It's a powerpoint presentation of some very interesting Stations of the Cross.

Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens

Will be happening next Sunday (19th December) for me!! There is one other inquirer who I think is (was?) an Anglican and thus already baptized and therefore, her journey is going to be a bit different to mine. I think there is going to be combined rite. Sue (who is apprently going to be my sponsor O_o not that I mind) and I are going to the Diocsean center tomorrow evening to prepare with other people from the Diocease for this.


I'm quite excited!

P.S - are Catechumens still dismissed after the homily? I don't know what will happen in our Parish as there is only me.

finally

Mann was talking to me during Mass about us getting initiated together. Kill 2 birds with one stone so to speak. She hasn't been confirmed and I haven't been baptized so I'll be getting baptized and we'll be getting confirmed together and maybe even my first communion. I'm talking to Sue about this afternoon - finally! something is happening.

Where to from here?

To be honest, I'm feeling a bit lost in the lurch. I'm really keen on becoming Catholic (and have been for some time now. Even before I started, officially, going to Mass) but... nothing seems to be happening. I thought there was this programme I had to go through but... there is nothing happening and I don't know what I should do to be honest. Perhaps I'll talk to Sue on Sunday. She is taking the Year 3's at St. Josephs through first reconciliation and said I might be interested. I might pop along actually. Although spending the morning with a bunch of hyperactive 7-8 year-olds doesn't exactly excite me (they are the same age as 2 of my brothers).

If someone said "Tania, do you want to get baptised this Sunday instead of waiting till Easter?" I would say yes. In a heartbeat.