Day Girl's Bookclub

Update on the Brazilian wax... ...VERY painful! Not sure I will do it again! So far it seems the same as when you just shave it bare, but we will see how it grows back and at what pace! I am pleased to say that my **** took it like a champ and I was still able to pee afterwards and sit down normally, I am however happy that I chose to wear a long skirt with no panties  !

So I definitely don't have a strong connection with my parish at the moment, but I do like my parish. The parish that I got married at, I have more of a connection. That was where Andrew joined RCIA and we went to classes together on a regular basis and really got to know people. We became very close with one of the priests through our marriage prep, and I just felt close to the parish. Unfortunately we ended up moving and I had to find a whole new parish but I do enjoy the one I go to now. The people that I encounter seem nice and I do love the priests. Loving the priests is definitely one of the biggies to finding a parish. If you can't connect with at least one of the priests I don't think the church is a good fit. The priests are the ones who give the homilies, do confession, and offer their guidance and support during times of need. I definitely want to get involved in my church and meet some people. I've been feeling a calling to do this but just not sure in what way. They have get togethers for women once a month that I would love to go to but it always falls on a day I'm working which sucks. I think ultimately I would love to get involved in the adult education at the church. I find the catholic faith so enriching and fulfilling when you understand it, unfortunately many people think they know the catholic faith and they actually don't, there are so many stereotypes that are completely wrong. I feel so strongly about the faith though and think RCIA is extremely important, sometimes it's the only education a new catholic gets in the faith and then they are done, so I think making sure each church has a good RCIA program is super important and unfortunately I don't think many do. But like I said I would love to be able to be in charge of running a class and planning all the itinerary of it and having a say in what all gets discussed. At this moment in time I definitely don't feel like I am ready, I need to be educated more, I'm still learning so much, but that would be a goal I would like to work towards.


I will say one thing I love about the parish I'm going to now, is they are about to be remodeling, it's going to be a long process but the end result is going to be a beautiful cathedral. I am in love with cathedral style churches and feel so lucky that I found a church that is going to be one. This definitely isn't something important when looking for a church but it's a nice plus, at least for me. For some reason I just feel closer to God in a cathedral style church.

Jenny, loved your post!  I think you would be a great asset to an RCIA program and you are right it is such an important class and there are some out there that aren't that good.  I hear a lot of negative stuff about how Catholics have to go through a nine month long course but its meant to give the person the opportunity to really know all about the faith before making that commitment.  I can't wait to see your church once they are finished, I'm sure it's going to be beautiful!

I found this chapter interesting, especially since I will be moving soon and will need to find another parish.  Since we will be going back to the same town, I will probably go back to the same parish as before, but not knowing where we will be living, I might need to find a new parish.  So this gave me some really good things to think about, especially the part about not being so worried about the what the parish can do for you or how much you do or don’t like this or that and remembering what’s really happening in the mass!  

The second thing I found helpful in this chapter is the importance of getting involved in your parish.  I always say I want to be involved but never really find what I would be good at and go for it.  Since it has been such a long journey for me to be able to take communion, I have thought about Eucharistic ministry.  Another one is prayer ministry.  This is something you can do anywhere and anytime.  I also liked what she said about getting to know your priest (more than just shaking his hand after mass!)
I thought the “Martha Ministry” was a cool idea that Lindsey from the Catholic Homelife mentioned.  But, I get nervous about cooking if I have to cook for someone else, worrying that they may not like my food!  That may not be a good one for me, but I thought it was a good program.  I would love to one day, when I have more time, sew pillows or quilts for nursing home patients or elderly patients in the hospitals.
 
Okay, I’m rambling but just thought I would share what I got from this chapter.  I hope you all were able to find something from this chapter that spoke to you or that you found interesting.