1.
My ashes have worn off. Anyone know where I can get them touched up? I made it till Sunday being moderately virtuous in the life of prayer and penitence, and then . . . well, some of us are more “childish” than “childlike” in our faith. But God is merciful, and every day is new. Back to it.
1B
I’m contractually obligated to tell you: You are doing Lent wrong.
At least, I think that must be a line in the Catholic Bloggers Handbook, because that seemed to be the theme this past week. Probably my punishment for too much internet and not enough diligence.
Take away lesson: If you are praying and fasting the wrong way, for the wrong reasons, and entirely too lightly, we the Catholic Bloggers of the World are here to let you know. You see how convenient it is, giving spiritual direction to complete strangers? So much simpler. You can say thank you anytime.
2.
But if you are putting sand in your holy water fonts, that is just plain wrong. It’s not my fault that I have to link to the grumpiest priest on the internet in order for you to find that out. Tip for mothers of tween boys: My son loves Fr. R. What’s not to love, between the guns and the complaining about lousy hymns? The girls got mad at me for reading one of his posts aloud — bad language (for our house). I used the “just quoting a priest” defense.
Anyway, I figure it’s best to go ahead and get the boy hooked on crotchety right-wing gun-enthusiast priests, because then at least our arguments can be fun.
2B
The boy recommends you watch Matrix run on Windows XP. I agree.
3.
Are we the only Catholic home where the wall and floor beneath the mini-holy water font are now very, very blessed? I’m divided between whether that means we are very bad Catholics or just that much more desperate for God’s blessings.
4.
If you want to do one thing right today, quick stop reading and say a prayer for Allie Hathaway.
5.
Look, I’m a grown-up now! I told Lisa Mladinich that she’d have to re-name her site “Pretty Good Catechists”, or “Amazing Catechists Plus Also Jen Sometimes”. She told me the no, she’s expanding the “amazing” brand to reach out the “It’s amazing anyone let you be a catechist” segment, and I was the perfect choice to lead that charge.*
Anyway, I posted one column at AC introducing myself, so if you aren’t sure who I am, quick go look. I’ll stick up a regular catechist-y column sometime soon, and you can be sure I’ll let you know about that. Double bonus if you go: You can see my picture instead of just a pile of rocks. My writer friends are all patting me on the back. Because now if you ever meet me somewhere, and I’m trying to stick my head through a very small window, sideways, you’ll be able to identify me right away.
6.
There’s a rumor that my first column at CatholicMom.com is going to appear tomorrow (Saturday) morning. I’m interested to see what I have to say. Something about homeschooling.**
7.
Blair of Blair’s Blessings pointed me (and many others) to the free audio stories for kids at EWTN’s site. Do you see how happy and sweet her kids are? She does things right.
***
*That is a COMPLETE FABRICATION. Lisa Mladinich is a friendly, cheerful person unlike your hostess here, and she would never ever say something like that. I had to make it up.
**Lisa Hendey has you send in your first two columns before you start. I don’t know which one she’ll put up first. I love the suspense — now I have to get on the internet right away at 9:00am Saturday to find out.
Ummm… is that priest for real or am I the only one being fooled by someone from the Onion?
I’m pretty sure he’s for real :-).
Oh. Em. Gee.
I imagine it’s mutual. You know that perpetual-motion machine where they put the buttered toast on the back of the cat? Could probably do the same thing by putting the two of you on a tire swing or something. :-). [Um, I am in no way suggesting we tie things to cats, nor torture my readers. Purely a theoretical exercise.]