Katie’s Blog

I’ve always wanted to go to a World Youth Day.  The closest I ever got was being in Canada a few months before the Toronto WYD… which must have been back in 2002. In any case, I’ve spent the past week praying for all the pilgrims in Sydney–those I knew and those I didn’t. And, surprise, surprise, I’ve also been reading the blog-o-sphere for updates.

So when I came across this blog I naturally had to share. It’s called The Love and Life Site. It’s a series of reflections put together about WYD and the impact it’s had on young people. The women writing the entries are all members of the Sisters of Life. A dear friend of mine is feverishly trying to pass the bar exam and pay off her loans so she can join these sisters! Happy Reading!

EDIT: A friend of mine just drew my attention to the Dominican World Youth Day Blog.

News flash for those in the greater St. Louis area (or people with extra free time on their hands):

Archbishop Burke is leaving St. Louis for the Vatican. News just in this morning. There will be many folks blogging about the archbishop’s departure and who might serve in his place. Two notable blogs (with recent posts) are Amy Welborn and St. Louis Catholic.*

Prayers for Archbishop Burke, the St. Louis community, and whomever our new bishop will be. 

* - I’m not endorsing either blog, but they will have a variety of viewpoints and opinions presented.

Despite how I might wish to blog more regularly this summer, I doubt that will be a reality. Needless to say, these first few weeks of summer have been QUITE busy. My mom came to visit and it was truly lovely. I’m now in my third week of CPE and well into hospital lingo and learning more about pastoral care. My housemates and I welcomed a new member into our “clan”. (And I moved into a new room in the house, too.) My window boxes are full of flowers that are still managing to endure through the heat. Lastly, I’m headed up to Chicago for a few days to see the final profession of five wonderful Dominican brothers. Please join me in praying with and for them! 

Well here we are… the semester has ended (thankfully) and my hiking trip with my dad and sister was GREAT! I’m finishing my last few days working in the admissions office before I start my summer internship. (More on that on Jen’s blog.)

While I was blog-surfing today, I came across this wonderfully prayerful reflection on Pentecost that I wish to share with you all. Peace!

Pentecost is the day of love

Happy Summer to all!!!

It sounded like a good idea back in January when my dad, sister, and I planned a hiking trip. We’ve hiked Mt. LeConte on close to a dozen occasions since I was a freshman in high school. But lately I’ve been missing the mountains and lamenting the fact that my sister and dad can drop everything to go on a hike whenever they want (not that they do, but still).

So at the start of the semester, we picked the weekend before exams for me to fly home. I thought “Well, if I have it on my calendar this far in advance, I’ll have to get my act in gear and plan ahead.” Well, that time has arrived–and I haven’t planned ahead the way I would have liked to. Oh well, I’m still super-stoked. Check out where we’ll be staying!!!

Perhaps I’ll post pictures when I return… and when I finish the last few papers of the semester!!!!!!!!

The student brothers who traveled to New York last week got some amazing shots of their adventures.

Here’s the full photo album.

And then some highlights on the Central Province website.

I’m so excited for Pope Benedict’s visit to the US this week. I wish I was fortunate enough to get to see him, but alas I will be watching via tv and the blog-o-sphere. January of this year was the 10th anniversary of my first visit to St. Louis–to see Pope John Paul II when I was a freshman in high school. Not only have I looked back on that moment of my life fondly, but I have see the grace in my life as a result of it.

So here are a few websites of notes for those interested in things papally-related:

USCCB Website- Christ Our Hope

Amy Welborn’s blog- she has some good stuff up already, certainly with more to come.

Pope 2008- blog from the National Catholic Register

A Papal Discussion- from the NY Times

From the AI website- student brothers travel to New York

Please pray for safety for all traveling pilgrims and for all those heads of state with whom the Holy Father will be visiting!

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd Benedict XVI a spirit of courage and right judgement, a spirit of knowledge and love.
By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

SOURCE: EWTN

I think actually the reference is the final four… that’s basketball, right? Well, I don’t follow the NCAA, but I do follow the list of classes I need in order to graduate. And earlier this week I registered for my FINAL semester here at Aquinas. My last five classes are:

1. Integrative Seminar (Boudreau, OP)
2. Pauline Literature (Martin)
3. SPM III (C. Wright)
4. Christian Anthropology (TBA)
5. Contemporary Moral Issues (TBA)

And then of course there is CPE this summer. But the end is near! In the meantime, we’re well into the month of April and I can hardly believe that there’s just a month of school left. Schoolwork is demanding my attention!

My dad sent out an email earlier this morning with the subject line “The Easter Bunny is at our house.” The family dog, Scout, has always enjoyed his stuffed carrot squeaker toys. It appears that as he napped with them this morning the paparazzi arrived in time to capture the moment for our amusement.

I do enjoy traveling and have always enjoyed road trips. This year’s spring break was no different. I had intended on keeping things a bit more low-key, but then everything I wanted to do fit into my schedule perfectly without any conflicts. And then *POOF* I was out of town for ten days.

I had a lovely trip to Connecticut to visit a religious community and go on a retreat. I’m so grateful that I made my retreat (which coincidentally also counts for my Lay Formation retreat requirement) at the start of my spring break. It allowed me to think, sleep, unwind, and pray–and who can’t use a little R & R now and then? Additionally, I was privileged to witness the joy the sisters live in their life, prayer, and ministry.

Then I was able to visit my little sister at her college–she took me to my first hockey game ever! (And her college won.) She and I have made a concerted effort to visit one another even though we don’t live close. When I was in college she would visit me for “Little Sibs Weekend.” She and I have celebrated Thanksgiving together the past two years, also. But there is something really fun about getting to see how grown up she is now that she’s studying hard in college.

Lastly, this past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to speak on a panel of alums at my alma mater, Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame, IN). In my four years there I had never had the chance to hear first hand what you could do with a religious studies major. It was inspiring to visit with the other panelists and learn where God has led them in the past 15 years since they’ve graduated. The students themselves also seemed to be thankful to engage in conversation about what their degree can mean for/to them. I am very blessed to have the formative experience that Saint Mary’s gave to me. They value my opinion as a graduate and I continue to grown in gratitude for my time there. And as a bonus I got to give a “plug” for Aquinas and what a great school it is!