View From Cat's Window

Summer at the Parish

2010-08-04T07:06:00.000-07:00

It was my full intention that once NMU was out that I begin making a habit out of writing my blog. But, here it is August and I realized that my last post was from Easter. I guess that tells you how my summer has been.

Many parishioners think that I have the summer off - that since students are gone that I have nothing to do. I chuckle and I take that time to explain to them just what I do. I am employed by the parish AND Catholic Campus Ministry. So, I split my time between both ministries. Of course there are times during the year when one ministry gets more of my attention than the other. For example - the weeks leading up to Holy Week and the week itself I am not doing much at all at the CCM Center. But then when classes begin at NMU all my focus is turned on them.

It requires a balancing act of sorts. I need to be able switch gears quickly and be flexible. These are attributes that I'm fairly gifted with and it's something that I love about my vocation here at the parish. I love how it's always different and ever changing.

So, during the summer I take the slower time (students are gone but then we also do not have much going on in the parish) to organize, plan, evaluate, and learn. This summer I have been reading some Church documents and also a book called, "Rediscovering Catholicism" by Matthew Kelly.
On the parish side of my vocation I have been busy working with parents on Baptismal Preparations and with couples who are preparing for marriage. For the parish it has also been a time catching up with parishioners. Visiting some in the hospital, calling them on the phone if they have been sick, chatting with them at coffee socials and going to meetings, programs and social events at the parish. If you stop by or call the office you may even get me on the phone because I have been filling in where needed especially during staff vacation times.

For CCM this summer I found myself evaluating CCM and creating a Diocesan Review packet for our Diocese in May. June was full of Orientation Sessions at NMU and checking up on students on Facebook and email. I began planning and organizing for CCM in July - It's amazing how disorganized a person can get so quickly. This month it's planning, planning, planning!!! Fr. Ben and I have been meeting and allowing ourselves to brainstorm and think about great programing and visions for this year at CCM.

So - even though things are slower during the summer they are still busy! I find that I no sooner get used to the pace and quietness of the season and then it's time to welcome back students and committee meetings! Change Change Change.... it's never ending and it's a beautiful thing!

Easter Cometh....

2010-03-24T06:03:00.000-07:00

One more week till Easter - well, more like a week and a half. This is not only the CRAZIEST time of year for me... it's my favorite!

I have to admit that since having my son almost two years ago, Easter has gotten a little nuttier for me. All these amazing memories of my childhood and what Easter brought. Awh, all those memories, expectations and hopes. However, there is my ministry - which means that I am at work/church a lot. It's the two loves of my life - colliding... the love of the church/liturgy and then the love of my family/being a mother.

So, I find myself doing what many other working mothers strive to do - walk the crazy thin line of work and family life.

My life next week will consist of running home between meetings and liturgies (I'm so happy I live only blocks away from my workplace). And then during my son's naps, running to work - so as I don't miss too much of playtime with Jonah. I'm so happy that I have a flexible job and that I have an amazing husband who supports me and our parish.

In between meetings, liturgies, making meals, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, altar server practises and playtime with Jonah I will run around town making sure the Easter Bunny has all he needs for his wonderful visit on Easter Sunday.

The thought of next week makes me tired- but at the same time I am so excited!!!! Bring on the liturgies, the practices, and the Easter candy!!!!

In Like a Lion...

2010-02-15T09:36:00.000-08:00

Many people HATE Mondays...back to work, back to school, back to "reality". I though, don't really mind Mondays. There is something about getting back into the routine and schedule that does my heart some good. Of course I don't like to be away from my family but I do like my ministry so it makes the work week bearable.
Today though... well, I'm not a fan of today! This Monday greeted me with a big "thumbs down"! Of course there is the snow factor - I knew it was too early for spring. So, there Jonah (my 19month old) and I were plunging through the snow to get to daycare. But then the "little fires" of my work day began. These "fires" are not huge raging fires...but little ones. However, its funny how just a little fire first thing on a Monday can seem to spur into a forest fire. There I walked into work with a furrowed brow and "focused". The dark cloud was upon me.
Luckily for me a fellow coworker started my fist meeting of the day with a prayer of Thanksgiving. Then I remembered...in the big scheme of things life is good. It was a bit of a reality check for me. So, even though I feel the dark cloud on the horizon...I am working hard to keep my attitude focused on Him and the blessings he has given me.
Well, my Monday came in like a lion - I'm praying it goes out like a lamb.
Have a good week!

It's Coming....

2010-02-08T11:43:00.000-08:00

It's crazy to think that Ash Wednesday is next week! It feels like we were just putting up our Christmas tree. But alas, it is coming - whether we are ready or not. I've been doing my normal "wonder what I should do for Lent this year?" This is always one of MANY discussions I have with students - Lent is a big deal around CCM. When I was young the answer to that question was so simple but as I get older it becomes more and more complicated. Every year I pick 3 things to do (prayer, fasting, almsgiving)... inevitably, I fail at at least one - usually two of them. So, this year - to keep my life easier and to make my Lent more about what God is doing than what I am doing ... I'm thinking about focusing on one big thing. Hmmm... I don't know. Thank goodness I have a week to decide.

On a different note- we are getting all geared up for the St. Michael Parish Dinner Dance. It is happening this Saturday night. Last year due to a lack of interest - we had to cancel...this year it is going to be a BLOWOUT! Cocos is catering it and we will have a wonderful DJ (Rusty Bowers - our Pastoral Council's Vice-Chair). So far (as of this morning) we had about 60 folks signed up! Tickets are on sale thru tomorrow at noon at the parish office. Single: $20, Couple: $35, NMU Student: $15. Come and Party!!!

I'm sorry...

2009-09-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry that it has been so long since I have posted last. It was my intention and goal to write at least once a week. But, things at the parish have gotten very busy and I had to make some choices. This morning someone told me that they were feeling like they were underwater and needed to take a breathe but didn't know when they would be able to make it to the surface. I really felt for the person and in many ways I could relate. My reaction to my thought was, "why do we do this to ourselves"?

And then I remember Sunday liturgy. This is why we do this. Because when I sit down with my husband and baby and I look out into my parish FAMILY I feel complete. I have been given so much in my life; an amazing family, many talents, supportive friends and a great job. I know though that these gifts come with a price. This is where STEWARDSHIP comes into play. We give our time, talent and treasure to give back what we have been given. Being a part of a parish family means that we need to give back - there is give and take in families - and a parish family is no different. So, as we are in the middle of September - Stewardship month, know that the parish is in my prayers and that I am doing all I can to give back to you and to love and support you.

Batten Down the Hatches

2009-08-19T03:38:00.000-07:00

Back in June when I began this blog - it was my vision that I would write on it every week. It's amazing how the lazy days of summer sure make time fly by!!!

I have not been the best at keeping this updated - but I have seen in the past that I do better when I am stressed and extremely busy. So, I am hoping/thinking that this fall I will kick into high gear and be more consistant with the blog.

So much has been going on in the parish. The biggest thing probably has been helpinig Fr's Larry and Ben get "up to speed" and made to feel welcome in the parish. They have been working hard and I am so happy with what I have seen. They are kind hearted men who are not afraid to work!!! I know that they are struck by the dedication and faithfulness of the people of this parish. That is what makes St. Michael Parish so successful - the people!

Speaking of, the parish picnic committee is frantically getting ready for Sunday's picnic! It's going to be a great picnic this year! We're going to have a dunk tank (staffed with our very own Fr. Larry and Fr. Ben) and also the NMU students/families are going to be our special guests as it is NMU's Welcome Weekend! The amount of time, work and sacrifice that this picnic takes is unreal. If it wasn't for the dedication of a small committee and MANY helping hands it would not be possible. Thank you all for your work to make our parish picnic a special day where we create memories and gather as parish family!

Well, I should close out - I've been up and working since 6am, and I am beginning to hear my 13month old son, Jonah beginning to stir! (put away the Pastoral/Campus Minister hat and put on the mom hat)
God's Blessings!!!

Welcome Fathers Larry and Ben

2009-07-12T18:54:00.000-07:00

This morning as my husband Rob, my son Jonah and I walked into church I had to remind myself, "Catherine....things will be different - be open, gracious, and let go". (For me - as for many of you, change is not easy. So, I must remind myself to be open to newness) One of the first things I see is Fr. Larry greeting everyone. What a nice thing to see when we first walk in - hospitality!!!! After we visited and got reacquainted with everyone (since we were on vacation last week) I sat down in our pew and quieted my heart. Mass began with the same enthusiasm that the 8:30am Mass always brings - awh, such a wonderful community we are a part of! It wasn't long and I noticed that the cross had been moved - change is good, change is good. The Lectors, Cantor and Fr. Larry proclaimed - and then Fr. Ben taught, inspired and engaged us with his homily. All of a sudden I was stopped dead in my tracks.... "the small things may change - but the community, the spirit and God's faithfulness is still the same Catherine". It's OK, we're going to be OK, you're going to be OK.
Isn't it funny that even when our heads know something our hearts take a while to learn it? Why is that? Do we need to have experience speak to us before we can fully grasp with our heart? Are we that afraid of the unknown, change, the possibilities that it takes us a while before we can truly be at peace? I have some things to ponder during my prayer time this week.
I am truly grateful to this community, to our parish leadership (clergy and lay), and to God for being patient with me and for being so faithful. Praise God!

I Will Praise you Lord....you have rescued me.....

2009-07-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

Sorry you have not gotten an updated blog for a couple of weeks. My ministry has been focused on preparing for Fr. Jed to leave and also focused on welcoming Fr. Ben and Fr. Larry to our parish family.
This past weekend, while participating during Mass something hit me. (it's amazing that I had a profound thought despite my son Jonah's attempt to win my attention during Mass) As I sat and listened to the Responsorial Psalm, "I will Praise you Lord" which was proclaimed by Melanie Coddington I recalled God's faithfulness to myself and those around me. You see.... for years Melanie's wish was that she could move closer to her parents and children in Virginia. It was also Fr. Jed's hope to retire as he was beginning to slow down a bit and wanted to enjoy retirement while he was in good health. It also was my desire to have a child. For all three of us we waited. Melanie needed to wait to find a job, Fr. Jed needed to wait to the appropriate age and my husband and I were having some fertility issues. Yet - here the three of us were.... Melanie was moved back to Virginia and enjoying her new job and closeness to family, Fr. Jed was saying goodbye to parish life and looking forward to retirement and I sat with my one year old on my lap.
God had certainly heard our prayers and walked with us. He rescued us!
How many times in our lives do we feel alone, desperate and impatient? This weekend was a good reminder to me that I must hold to the truth that God walks with us - while we wait.

A Lesson from Mqt's Farmers Marquette

2009-06-16T14:02:00.000-07:00

One of the things that I have vowed to do is to take advantage of Mqt's Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings. There is nothing like fresh veggies and fruit - let alone local artists, music, plants and seeing friends. I love the Market!!!!
This week while at the market, my sister Mary and I were talking to a local gardener. She was showing us some perennials that she had grew from seed. She was saying that the plant grows best where it wants to grow. I guess when the flowers drop their seeds - those plants that come from the seeds do better than the plants that she plants. It's as if the plant knows what it needs and drops its seeds there.
This got me thinking...
How many times in my life have I been worried because I have not flourished or grown the way I think I should. Sometimes I put myself in a situation because it will be a "good learning experience". I think I know how I should grow and what will help me best to grow. I may learn something from the experience but it's not nearly as life forming as it is if I am thrown into a situation and left to figure it out as I go. Now those are life changing experiences!!!
I tend to think that God is like the wind - he carries our life where he feels we will grow best. Instead of me resting myself where I think I should be. I guess the trick is to TRUST that the wind will carry us to the right place.

Tip Toe Thru the Tulips...

2009-06-02T05:45:00.001-07:00

When I walked into the church on Sunday morning for Mass I was struck at how beautiful the worship space looked. Red fabric draped here and there, red banners hung at attention, and red candlelight flickered among the plants. It just looked so nice - and I was reminded... it's Pentecost today!

How many times do we notice the beautiful flowers, plants, candles, homemade details and prayer focal points that are created in order for us to pray and worship more fully? It's something that many of us take for granted. We may notice a flower arrangement or a blue bird up in a tree during Easter but do we really think about "who does all of this?' We don't have flower fairies or little elves that come out at night and decorate. We have a committee of parishioners whose ministry is to draw the community deeper into prayer and worship through visual aesthetics. The Art and Environment Committee is a small group of folks who gather once a month for a meeting to plan, organize and create beauty. Members sign up for certain holy days and weekends during the summer to decorate - members are teamed up with one other person. During the summer members pick flowers from parishioner's gardens (with prior permission, of course) and put together arrangements. It's a fun and rewarding committee to be involved with!!! There is nothing like sitting in your pew on Sunday morning and looking up and seeing a flower arrangement that you created pull attention to the Ambo during the reading of the Gospel. Or watching parishioners pray in front of the Holy Family Statues which are adorned by a simple yet stunning arrangement of flowers and leaves that you worked on.
The Art and Environment Committee is a gift to our parish. If you are interested in helping out on this committee, contact the parish office at 228-8180. The parish staff will take your name and give it to the committee. New members are welcomed and appreciated!!!!

Remembering or Just a Day Off?

2009-05-22T11:44:00.000-07:00

As a child Memorial Day weekend was always a special time for my family. I grew up in Calumet, MI but both sides of Grandparents lived in the Iron Mt/Norway area. Most Memorial Day Weekends were spent at my Grandma/pa Calcaterra's in Norway. It wasn't Memorial Day without spending the morning at the cemetery; listening to the speeches, the prayers and then going around to the different graves of relatives and listening to the retelling of stories from years ago. Then of course, in true Italian form we would spend the rest of the day having a nice meal (maybe some mock chicken legs, a roast, pollenta and of course a yummy dessert). It was a day that focused on family, our country, sacrifice and prayer.

I have to admit that in my young adult life I have lost that focus during Memorial Day. It has become for me a "paid day off". It even has been thought of as the start of summer for myself. With the parish loosing a handful of active parishioners lately, it has got me thinking. We need to keep telling the stories, we need to remember those who we have lost. We need to set aside a day where we gather to tell, listen, and celebrate the lives of those from our past.

Most importantly, we must thank God for the men and women who have given their lives for us and for our children so that we may have freedom. If I and many others could all just do one thing to remember and honor our deceased loved ones, our past soldiers and all those who fight today for freedom - then I think that Memorial Day would take on a whole new meaning. There would be less movie tickets sold and more flowers, there would be less time for sleeping in and more time for attending a prayer service at the cemetery. More importantly, I would not take my freedom for granted.

Blessings upon our great country. May we also hold up in prayer all our brothers and sisters around the world who live among war, injustice, fear, poverty and lack of basic necessities. May our Blessed Mother protect them and hold them in her care.

A Different View - An Idea.

2009-05-07T19:13:00.001-07:00

As I was sitting in my office this afternoon, pouring over my notes from this week's Stewardship meeting I had an idea. What if I created a blog that shared my view of St. Michael parish and CCM? It would be a perfect way to talk about things that are going on in the parish, my thoughts/perspective and also just my journey with this faith community.

Every week we hear from Msgr. Jed. We have an opportunity to hear what is going on in his life and about different things that are happening in the parish. However, it's his perspective! I think seeing things from someone else's eyes can be interesting and shed new light on things. So - this is my attempt.

I hope to update it at least weekly. You may find a story about a parish event, I may talk about how parishioners give of their time, talent and treasure (being stewards) to our parish, you may find a story about a Saint of the Day or about something that happened to me that was funny, touching, upsetting or just plain comforting.

Stay tuned - and let me know what you think!!!