Beyond Belief

Just wanted to express a few things after today. My expectations for the course- Catholic Sexual Ethics with Dr. John Haas- have already been blown out of the water. I am so inspired. The individuals who are here came from all over and all of us have wounds in our past and all of us bear a different cross each day. I am so amazed! I want to spread this message of hope and a new way to look at and live each day...its so good.

You may be asking why? Well, I am here to learn more and more so I can explicitly tell you-- but right now--i will just trust my joy & sense of amazement. This is what the world needs- it has answers to tell you what the desire of your heart longs for. And its true love-true friendship.

I want to be a woman who can live this-teach this- and make a difference (ABG). The world is in so much need. I am praying for the state of NY ----TOB has the answers. ---But it does not make it easy. Not at all, it makes it more difficult mostly because so much of what we think will bring us happiness is fleeting. And I can't take credit for this but its true.... Its not going to be easy, but its going to be worth it!!!!!!

It has been a night full of goosebumps and Oh my lantas!!

I pray in Thanksgiving for this blessing. :) xoxo Can't wait for what tomorrow will bring. Praying for you all.


And above all else... its the Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Smokes. And our chaplain for the week gave a BEAUTIFUL homily. "Lord, Increase my faith!"

Prayer request

Hi Family & Friends:

A new Theology of the Body course begins on Sunday. This course is Catholic Sexual Ethics with Dr. John Haas -- President at The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia. Over 80 students will be attending and the topics are sensitive but Dr. Haas will be able to share with us how in vitro fertilization (IVF), masturbation, same-sex marriage and more is morally wrong and scientific proof of why. The harm it causes but not just because of the “God reasons”. How we can relate these issues to every person- catholic or non-catholic or non-believers. I want to learn and integrate this into my life. I want to be able to share it with you all. Please pray for the success of the course and for the attendees. AND for me-- it’s a lot to be immersed into, first with the initial TOB I course and now this one. I am very excited and it lasts until Friday. Hope all is well! Send me prayer intentions you have at any time.

Love you all! xoxoxo

The Catholic Shop

I was pleased to visit the smallest Catholic Shop today in Norristown, PA today! It was a goldmine for icons, books, medals, movies, and so much! We only went there because the other store had moved. They don't have a website because they are really small. But they had a complete section just for TOB. They are good in my book. I will be back. Its a promise ;)

Bucket List UPDATED

So far these are on my Must DO list while i'm on the East coast:

Yes, I have been known to do things then add them to the bucket list so I can check them off--this is still the case.

Try a Philly Cheesesteak - CHECK from Jim's Steaks

Visit Padre Pio Shrine in Barto, PA  - CHECK

Tons to see in the city of Philly - CHECK

Catholic Underground - CHECK
Mass with Cardinal Regali ---- no but I saw him on TV ;)

A tasty burger joint only on East Coast I hear called FIVE GUYS - CHECK

Weekend in NYC- Mass at St. Patricks - see where Archbishop Sheen is buried. --- :( No, but one day.

Visit the lovely Mr. and Mrs. Moore in Boston! - CHECK

Go to the beach! - CHECK CHECK!

Chadds Ford Winery in West Chester, PA - I did drink their wine, good reviews from me

tour of QVC -- ha! ---- not important lol
Visit Deleware. -- Oh, yes.

Joyfully Overwhelmed

                So, I am not sure where to begin! I have had a wonderful eleven days here in PA! After two days in the office, a day off, then the beginning of the first Head and Heart Immersion course (6 days) at Black Rock Retreat Center in Quarryville, PA, I would say I was joyfully overwhelmed! I spent yesterday and today relaxing in West Chester- went to the pool, went out to a bar/lounge last night with new friends and had my first PA brewski—it was a Yuengling (Yang-ling) from Pottsville, PA –America’s Oldest Brewery!

                As my dad tells me, “Whatever guy takes you out is very lucky because when he buys the drinks, he buys two and gets to drink 1 ½!” That is also true as of last night; I can only finish ½ of the beer successfully before it gets warm, usually! But it was a good beer! http://www.yuengling.com Tricia (the lady I am living with) bought it for me because it’s local and it’s a must-try! Also, Tastykakes are local in this area—they are a tasty baking company! I have tried them and I am not disappointed! http://www.tastykake.com/ I love trying and visiting local places!

                BUT If I could add one thing to this weekend- I would have taken my lovely father & my family to the Yuengling brewery to celebrate on this Father’s Day! Happy Father’s Day!

                Which relates to TOB (because once you start learning TOB you know it relates to everything- and as Bill Donaghy, the instructor, would say, “You are going to be ruined!”). One of the biggest themes in TOB is the importance of understanding our masculinity and femininity—why God created us male & female! The way the male and female bodies complement each other physically as well as emotionally too! I know I like to talk and woman (typically) pay attention to detail and we may analyze a little too much but it’s great when the man can help us and we can help them. We all have strengths and weaknesses which we bring to each relationship we have.

                As my parents celebrated their 30^th wedding anniversary on Monday, June 13^th (first full day of the TOB1 course) I really reflected on the grand blessing of their marriage in my life. I would not be the WOMAN I am today if I didn’t have the support, stability, and example of my parents and their love for each other.  

                If you don’t know a lick about TOB—know that it’s all about the sincere GIFT of LOVE! It’s a new way to look at the world. Blessed Pope John Paul II said he didn’t re-do the theology of the Church; he is just expressing it differently- the new evangelization. And he said he fell in LOVE with human LOVE!

                It’s all about the eternal exchange of love between the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which is made visible in healthy, loving relationships between friends, siblings, and most importantly the love between husband and wife! Marriage is a sign of what is to come in Heaven! I could say so much more and by writing this blog, I am compiling my thoughts, learning, and beginning to process all that is being thrown at me. (A lot of spiritual bombs!!) I am meeting a lot of new people!! There was over 65people at the course this past week and we all got along so well. Some wonderful priests, a wonderful sister from China, seminarians, married couples, single people, divorced individuals, college students, mothers, fathers, grandparents and everyone was blessed with something from studying TOB. It’s just the beginning to a change of thinking/living the world really needs!

The grand bonfire at the end of the week-- the rain didn't keep the fire from flamin'

A good ol' game of spoons--Can you see me? :)

                I have so much I want to say—just the usual ‘kel rambling’ and I will be working on more posts in the next couple days because I have a few stories of individuals who really taught me something this week. Please give me a call or shoot me a message if you want more! I don’t want my posts to be too long but I don’t want to make light of this.... It really is amazing!!

                Theology of the Body & the Catholic Faith, specifically, is so beautiful it’s like a good tasting hamburger—if you shove it down someone’s throat they are not going to enjoy it no matter how good it is because they are probably going to choke! No Joooke. And they are going to hate you and dislike the burger. So, you have to just buy the hamburger and let the yummy aroma attract them to it and then you let them try it!! And usually once they smell it they ain’t gonna say no! ;) (That is a little something Bill shared with us- hope I explained it well).

                If you like what you are smellin’--- let me know! J Love you all! And I miss you guys too. Continue to pray for me—because it’s all by the grace of God.

The sunset at 5:45am - Quarryville, PA (all photos courtesy of Bill)

A Fruitful Summer

It’s Saturday! Yesterday was FRI-DAY! I am sitting at a café named Fennario’s in West Chester, PA, it’s unique with a good iced coffee! I have been in Philadelphia since Wednesday afternoon. Tess from the TOB institute picked me up and I got a quick tour around and then made it to the office in time to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet with the ladies! It was a good start, in my opinion. I am staying with a friend of the institute for the remainder of the month; her name is Tricia and the other intern, Katie. She has a small kitty and her name is Lady. It’s nice to be with someone who is from this area and can point us in the right direction. Katie and I have hit it off and she is a graduate of Catholic University of America in D.C. It’s motivating and inspiring to be around good, orthodox Catholics who share in the passion! Tricia has really shared some great stories with us; she is a strong woman of faith, a lawyer, and a great Sunday school teacher! Her personality is contagious and I love when she tells stories (she is animated!). We are going to a trip up to the city and specifically from where she grew up and her home parish is the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestachowa!
Smokes!

To set the scene: the office at the TOB institute consists of 5 ladies and then us, the two interns. It is just enough space to get the job done! These ladies organize the courses and work with Ascension Press for publications and bookings. Then, the speakers and teachers are Christopher West, Damon Owens, and Bill Donaghy along with a board of directors and other helpers. Charles and his wife Susan have helped since 2007 since they heard Christopher give a seminar! He helped us moved everything from storage to the classroom! One amazing man with a true understanding of marriage because he said after 43 years they are still on their honeymoon! He said, “Marriage is my vocation and every day I have to work on it just like every day a priest works on his life in the church.” He had some great stories about his 5 children on earth (1 in Heaven J) and his 10 grandchildren with 1 on the way! The biggest thing about being in a new place is connecting with new people and letting each person make an impact on your life. Especially the amazing people involved with the Institute, they all are doing such good work for the Kingdom! To see the course from the bottom – up come together has been enjoyable—meeting the ladies here and getting to know them—praying for the students coming from all across the world (Mexico, China, and all over the USA) Mrs. Kim Sellers from Jackson, MO will be joining for the TOB1 course- Pray for her!

(I will post pictures of the office and retreat center soon)

Besides the office, the courses take place at Black Rock Retreat Center which is in Quarryville, PA (very close to C.W.’s house ;). Its very serene and I will be there all next week (Sun-Fri). The retreat center is where all the TOB courses are held: TOB Immersion 1 and 2 along with the Catholic Sexual Ethics course will be this summer and I will get to attend all three of them!!!!!!!! Oh my lanta!!!! And I promise to take notes ;) It is a summer of growth and learning, to say the least, with site seeing and fellowship along the way! As my friends in Cape study Love & Responsibility, I hope to read that book along the way too!

For lunch, we went to Sam’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant; I had a personal pizza bigger than the size of my face!!! It was a Margarita Pizza and I had the same type of pizza in Venice, Italy, and this was just as good. I recommend Sam’s for pizza anyways! They had cannolis too! (for any italians out there :)  Check them out >>> http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sams-NY-Style-Pizza-Italian-Restaurant/119939481402387?sk=wall#!/profile.php?id=33809421

Sam's & Black Rock is in Quarryville, PA is about 45 minutes from Exton, PA, which is about 40 minutes from Philadelphia! We are very close to the Delaware border and about 2 hours from the beach and about 2 ½ to New York and about 5 hours from Boston, MA! I am trying to make the most of my time here, so planning small trips for the weekends! And we started today, we ventured off to Valley Forge! It is the encampment site during the time of the American Revolution where General Washington & his troops were for about 6 months. We took a guided trolley tour.

The awesome trolley! :)

Mr. and Mrs. Washington (Katie) -- happy ever after!

 Our tour guide was Breanna – she was absolutely amazing, full of joy and very informative! Can you believe a tour on this revolutionary site was awesome?! I hardly blinked. Well it was! The original railing which General Washington and his wife used at that time was still in the re-built house which resembled the original.  

But to begin my first Saturday experience in PA – we went to mass at St. Philip and James at 8:30am and afterwards they pray a novena and then have veneration of a Relic of St. Padre Pio! They have veneration of this relic every Saturday. They pray for the sick especially those with cancer. It was awesome! The Shrine of Padre Pio is about 45 minutes away in New Jersey. Check out this link—they have a Padre Pio Prayer Group too, which meets every Wednesday night at 7pm at the outside Shrine. I will be visiting asap! http://www.padrepioshrine.org/index.htm I also was surprised to see and hear so much about Padre Pio – I saw his body when we were in San Giovanni Rotondo in Italy in 2009 and its awesome to see others’ devotion to him and the miracles of his intercession.

Yesterday, I received a wonderful care package from the soon to be Saint Kristen Rainey – patroness of everything rude & taking Drogo-like pictures & falling in the ocean- it was an amazing surprise—since she creeped to find my address! But the lovely kind box consisted of

Mike & Ikes -- my favorite & Ranch Salad dressing -- inside joke. & Guafre (Waffle) Mix -- self-explanatory (for most of you). & A beautiful crucifix. & the book: Preparation for Total Consecration according to Saint Louis Marie de Montfort (any fans?).

Thank you very much for your prayers and support! I wouldn’t be in Philly if it wasn’t for K-Dawg, she printed off the application for me ;)

Fun fact: No supermarkets or gas stations in the State of Pennsylvania sell alcohol, not even Wal-Mart. So for beer or wine (in moderation ;) one must go to a brewery, wine & spirits, or a liquor store!  There are several BYOB restaurants in West Chester. ha!

Overall, first three days- fabulous! I still can’t believe I am here. I feel like in the right place and I am surrounded by outlets which will only help my spiritual life.

See you in the Eucharist! I will have a big TOB blog after the course ends on Friday. Please pray for the TOB course and those in attendance, along with Bill, the instructor!

Pax!

Catholic Churches -- Here I come!

So, let me begin with beautiful Churches in this area and I will give ya the facts on where I go and pray! (listed in order which I visited) I will rate my favorite later!

#1 St. Agnes in West Chester, PA >> about 10 minutes from my residence. It was built in the 1700s.!!

It has the high altars, communion rails, old-style confessionals, wooden kneelers; original wood floors, beautiful stain glass, and tall brick walls! I felt like I was back in Europe for a wee bit! The lower chapel was built in the 1970s and it’s simple but still very nice. Evening daily mass is held in the lower chapel. Then, outside in the front of the church, Our Lady of Lourdes with a beautiful St. Bernadette statue has a small area. Bernie is following me--- and that’s great! Ora Pro Nobis

#2 St. Phillip & James in Exton, PA >> about 20 minutes from my residence. It was built in 1959 and it’s not the prettiest church honestly, (still has the communion rails and beautiful statues) but they have the relics of the saints right there for veneration. The kids mass at 8:30am was very nice, they sang great contemporary music! Mass is always great but the church is more plain and simple with funky colors. J On the other hand, they are still awesome! They have Saturday morning mass at 8:30am then a novena of the Miraculous Medal and veneration of a 3^rd class relic of St. Padre Pio. They pray for the sick especially those with cancer. This has occurred for the last 1 ½ years, which is awesome! They have four deacons which were very welcoming and gave us information on where to visit next >> The Shrine of Padre Pio, which I already talked about.

#3 St. Mary’s Chapel is right off the road and they have Adoration every day from 9am until 7pm. It was built in 1873 and was the original parish for the town until 1959 when St. Philip & James was built. The chapel is very precious and beautiful stone altar.

On the right-hand side a small Padre Pio statue--- I know about Pio and I have visited his city in Italy and saw his body—which was amazing! But I just don’t hear much about him around here! And then in PA – in West Chester anyways, they are all about Pio.

 Doesn't Padre Pio's face look really life-like? Check out this link to the National Centre for Padre Pio in Barto, PA http://padrepio.org/Centre/History.aspx

Three Holy Men: Joseph, Pio, and Jude

#4 SS. Simon and Jude in West Chester, PA as well! And it is the more modern architecture but has a Perpetual Adoration chapel named Sacred Heart. You will see the stain glass is all the saints with a major devotion to the Sacred Heart.

More to Come. Stay tuned.

Blessings!

+JMJ+

            Welcome! As I begin ‘blogging’ for the first time. My friends suggested that I blog over the summer while I am interning at the Theology of the Body Institute in Exton, Pennsylvania which is right outside of Philadelphia. I think it’s a good idea so I can share this amazing gift I am receiving with all my loved ones! And it’s practical so I can keep in touch! I returned from Europe on Saturday evening and as I begin to process the reality that I am leaving tomorrow morning for Philly. I am trying to connect with my friends and family and tell them about my amazing experience in France, Spain, and Portugal!! So I would like to start with that! I am trying to meditate on all the beautiful places we visited and the simple beauty of the Catholic Church!

                                                            Basilica of Saint Therese

              First, I named this blog, All By Grace (ABG), because honestly, all of this is happening because the grace of God. I made it to SEMO four years ago and I attended Mass at the Newman Center and I traveled to Italy two years ago and Theology of the Body was introduced to me in 2009 and recently spent another two weeks in Europe. I am very lucky and it’s the grace of God which has led me to this day! It could have been anyone, but all by grace it’s me!

           

            And just for a little laugh: ...I seriously considered naming the blog....

            “Gaufre’s mama goes to Philly” and “TBS: Traumatic Blog Syndrome”

            Or my GUH Christine suggested “rambling.blogspot.com” Whoa. RUDE! ;)

            Secondly, spending two weeks in Europe with 32 wonderful people: complete enjoyment is an understatement! We left on Monday, May 23^rd from St. Louis! We flew into Paris and toured the city and visited small towns nearby such as Nevers and Lisieux. They were very quaint towns! And if I return to France, I will spend more time in both of those places. Nevers, France is where St. Bernadette entered the convent and where her beautiful incorrupt body is placed next to the sanctuary in the Chapel! Father Patrick celebrated Mass right next to her tomb!!!! It was an amazing space to be and an amazing experience to share with everyone. Learning more and more about St. Bernadette really has helped my faith! We ventured onto Normandy: May God bless our fearless men and woman in uniform and their families! If I make it back I would love to walk around the cemetery and see every name on each cross! Time didn’t allow this time. (Freedom ain’t free!), then onto Avila and Burgos in Spain, then onto Portugal.

             The visit we had in Fatima was very relaxing and full of surprises! The atmosphere was more prayer friendly and our hotel was very close to the Basilica. To be so close to where Our Lady brought the message of penance and that suffering can be beneficial for us and for others’ souls! The opportunity for Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; seeing the bullet which passed through Blessed Pope John Paul the Great, which was during an amazing tour of the museum. Many spiritual bombs were dropped during that hour tour. We moved on to the end of our trip in Lisbon, Portugal where our final evening was full of laughter, Fado music, and delicious food followed by our two-hour jam session in the hotel lobby with Father John Paul (the baby grand master!!). His talent on the piano allowed for a memorable night!

           
           Overall, something I took away from this pilgrimage was the importance of suffering in our earthly life. Listen to the Beauty of the Cross by Johnny Diaz! Jesus Christ suffered immensely for us and I am experiencing just a slice of the pie in my daily trials and tribulations. As Father Patrick tells us, “It could be worse!” “People of the Earth!” and that is true but understanding the importance in the suffering we experience day to day whether it’s small in say. St. Bernadette’s life on earth was full of persecution and she was sick most of her life which caused her body to be in much pain during her thirty years on earth. Now, the faithful can come, see, and venerate at the foot of her tomb. The promise God gives us is right there! She is beautiful and her body is incorrupt!! Her soul is in heaven and her body doesn’t look a day old from the time of her death! She looks as if she is taking a nap! And from this I can see that she went through a lot in her earthly life and it was painful and she is being rewarded in Heaven. It was just a real hit to my faith to see her! It shows the rewards of suffering and doing the will of God. When Mary appeared to St. Bernadette she said, I can’t promise you happiness in this life time but I can in the next. And Our Lady has kept that promise! It a grand sign of hope!!

            Lastly, at the beginning of the trip I had researched and I understood these were great places to visit and miracles have occurred but it didn’t soak in! It wasn’t until I saw St. Bernadette and then an evening at Lourdes down by the Grotto when no one was really there and be able to feel the miraculous water run down the rock of the Grotto. It was amazing, every single experience! Then, when we arrived in Fatima, Portugal where I really was smacked with the Holy Spirit and felt a sense of God not only in the knowledge of these places in my head but also in my heart. To feel Mary as my mother not just as Our Lady and to feel her love for us and her concern for souls with reading and understanding the story of Fatima, the request for penance and conversion! The experience of walking on my knees and experience the pain many pilgrims take part in, which the Fatima children and St. Bernadette chose to do many times throughout their lives. They knew there was a purpose for their pain. They experienced the joy after all the suffering. Once the joy is experienced, the painful journey is a blur. I think of the Gospel reading from Friday, June 3^rd, which was John 16:20-23. And Our Lady told the children to recite this prayer,

            “O Jesus, this is for love of you, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation of sins committed against of immaculate heart of Mary.”

           Our Lady of Fatima            

          A new friend, Joe Kelly, shared this with me, “You’re not okay, I’m not okay, but it’s going to be okay!”  and it really stuck on my heart! It is that hope we have that gets us through the hardest parts of our lives. The song Strong Enough by Matthew West comes to mind. Mary said she may not make us happy in this life but the glory of Heaven will make it all worth it! St. Bernadette, thank you for your example of perseverance! I really enjoyed the entire pilgrimage! Everyone on the trip was there for a reason and I think it shined when we all got to together for fellowship, a good ol’ game of freeze frame helps! Everyone brought their own joy to the group, which made each day count. The laughter was remarkable. I am having withdrawals and I catch myself smirking by myself, Oh Gaufre! 

          Thank you to my amazing friends who experienced this pilgrimage with me.

                         The group infront of the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima

               Thank you to all my family and friends for your support thus far! XOXO! Enjoy the blog! Leave comments and most importantly, PRAY FOR ME! (Pro nobis!) This summer is truly a gift from God and I haven’t even made it to Philly yet! Also, my address this summer will be: Theology of the Body Institute 479 Thomas Jones Way, Suite 100 Exton, PA 19341

                                                          God Bless you!