The week that was! Thanks to all who prayed for a successful week at Conception Abbey for Joel’s deacon formation classes. Job well done, prayer warriors; our week was spiritually fruitful in so many ways. Please know we prayed for each prayer request sent to us, too. There were some pretty heavy issues shared with us; we are honored you trust us to pray for your intentions.
Here’s a pictorial recap from our week.
“Lord, please send me Mary Poppins! I can’t get through this without her.â€
It’s time once again for Joel’s deacon formation summer school at Conception Abbey in Missouri when we pack up all of Das Schmidt Haus, kids too, and live with the Benedictine monks for the week.
What better time to spotlight the work of these good Benedictine monks and brew masters than today, August 2, International Beer Day?
Pope Francis recently consecrated the Vatican to St. Michael the Archangel’s protection. So I pondered: If Pope Francis consecrated the Vatican to the Archangel’s protection, can Joel and I do the same for our home and family, the domestic church?
Consider the following scenario. Your best friend hasn’t returned emails in weeks other than some variation of, “Super busy — get back to you soon.â€
Do you:
A) Fire off an email letting her know how offended you are at her neglect, being careful to recall the times when you were there for her.
B) Back off and just wait it out until she decides to get back to you. Try not to get too steamed if it’s a long wait.
C) Have fun picking out a humorous “I miss you†card. Send it with a note saying, “Would love to catch up with you when you’re up for it. If there’s anything you need, I’m always here.†Alternatively, if she lives nearby, drop off a batch of homemade baked goods. Maybe she feels guilty over her neglect and is now too embarrassed to re-establish contact. A kind gesture will go further than recriminations.
There. I proudly admit it. We are THAT couple who babymoons at a Benedictine retreat center.
On May 18, 2013, along with eight other men in our diocese, Joel petitioned for and received the Ministry of Acolyte. It is one of four formal, liturgical steps toward diaconate ordination. Two years ago these nine men began with the Rite of Candidacy, last summer they received the Ministry of Lector, and now the Ministry of Acolyte. God and bishop-willing, all nine will take part in the Rite of Ordination come August 2014.
In {pretty, happy, funny, real} fashion, I proudly share a few photos from the Rite of Acolyte, all taken with my new iPhone while wrangling an energetic preschool and a don’t-fence-me-in toddler.
One might think that when a man is called to deacon formation, the journey leads him and his family closer to Jesus and His Church. True enough. However, the demands of this journey have provided a plethora of opportunities for our family to get really good (read, bad) at being busy. Many of the spiritually strengthening devotional practices that were once a regular part of my life have given way to the all-consuming formation process. I’m running around performing acts of service like Martha yet still feeling hungry for something deeper.
It all came to a head one recent evening while eating dinner with my family — a fist pounding on the table and tears streaming down my cheeks kind of encounter. At that point, Joel insisted it was time to walk away from the diaconate, if only to get me OFF. THE. LEDGE!
Women deacons. It’s in the news again thanks to comments a German Bishop recently made about the potential of a new “diaconal” role for women in the Church. Given this topic is one that’s generating conversation and Joel is currently in deacon formation, we felt called weigh in on the issue over at Catholic Stand.
The phrase “smells and bells†is a colloquial expression used within the Church that refers to various sensory experiences occurring during the liturgy — incense and bells, oil and water, bread and wine. The domestic church, at least my domestic church, has its share of smells and bells, too. Not quite the same as the Benedictine monastery, but there is a parallel.