It's the 6th Sunday of the Easter season, and I am three weeks away from finally graduating with my B.A. in philosophy. The philosophy papers are keeping my mind off of graduation day, but hopefully the final products are rewarding.
It is looking like I'll be an uncle of three by autumn. Bryce will be four this August, and Laura just announced the expected arrival of another one in November. Rachael (my oldest sister) is also pregnant with her first, and I believe Rachael's ticket is for September. My plans are to stay with my mom this next year, and I will begin applying for graduate schools in the summer. Mom has been a tremendous help in reducing any unneeded stress through my ups and downs, so that's partially why I stay here. She and Joe are still dating, and Joe's quite the gentleman. Hopefully he'll stick around. My dad has not been doing well; thoughts and prayers would be appreciated. I hope to soon see him climb out of the struggles he's been dealing with. The divorce still seems to have a fresh effect on him. It is sometimes frustrating to notice a lack of healing progress in his emotional state, but I am sure the endured pain will foster development in his character. It hurts to sense bitterness in loved ones, and it's hard to maintain loving relationships with them when selfishness clouds our perception of them as dignified people. "Human dignity" was the echo I continued to hear in the air when Pope Benedict was in town; the tough part is channeling those echoes into practice.
Since my Confirmation in May, my religious focuses have primarily been on in-house ministries. I'm hoping to be an RCIA instructor next fall and also help with our youth group and Jr. High catechism courses. Father Benedict and the Holy See seem to be taking a turn toward more grounded education for Catholics in the States, so hopefully we will find a well-spring of desperately needed spiritual and intellectual growth in the Church in America. For this reason, it has been difficult for me to consider leaving for graduate school. I may take a more domestic focus and remain here to help at St. Peter (my parish). Many of the members of this church are intellectually and religiously mature, but many others could use a nudge or two.
It is looking like I'll be an uncle of three by autumn. Bryce will be four this August, and Laura just announced the expected arrival of another one in November. Rachael (my oldest sister) is also pregnant with her first, and I believe Rachael's ticket is for September. My plans are to stay with my mom this next year, and I will begin applying for graduate schools in the summer. Mom has been a tremendous help in reducing any unneeded stress through my ups and downs, so that's partially why I stay here. She and Joe are still dating, and Joe's quite the gentleman. Hopefully he'll stick around. My dad has not been doing well; thoughts and prayers would be appreciated. I hope to soon see him climb out of the struggles he's been dealing with. The divorce still seems to have a fresh effect on him. It is sometimes frustrating to notice a lack of healing progress in his emotional state, but I am sure the endured pain will foster development in his character. It hurts to sense bitterness in loved ones, and it's hard to maintain loving relationships with them when selfishness clouds our perception of them as dignified people. "Human dignity" was the echo I continued to hear in the air when Pope Benedict was in town; the tough part is channeling those echoes into practice.
Since my Confirmation in May, my religious focuses have primarily been on in-house ministries. I'm hoping to be an RCIA instructor next fall and also help with our youth group and Jr. High catechism courses. Father Benedict and the Holy See seem to be taking a turn toward more grounded education for Catholics in the States, so hopefully we will find a well-spring of desperately needed spiritual and intellectual growth in the Church in America. For this reason, it has been difficult for me to consider leaving for graduate school. I may take a more domestic focus and remain here to help at St. Peter (my parish). Many of the members of this church are intellectually and religiously mature, but many others could use a nudge or two.
Well, that's the vision I have scoped out for now. The love of Christ, His Church, His Mother, and those around me will have to keep me sane as the scenery changes.
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