Picture of the Patriarch of Constantinople - Bartholomew I

The Patriarch of Constantinople is staying at my hotel in Jerusalem. This is a shot I got last night when he walked through the lobby to meet the Holy Father at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

 



To follow my travelogue as I journey through the Holy Land and pray at sacred sites, visit my website at denisebossert.com or follow my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/denise.bossert.

Picture of the Patriarch of Constantinople - Bartholomew I

Year of Faith... and so it begins

Image from Diocese of Down and Connor, Ireland.
Used with permission from the
Catholic Communication
Office of the Irish Bishops' Conference.
 

We are about to begin the Year of Faith.

For the Bosserts, it will probably be a year of great change. There is a very real possibility that we will be moving before the Year of Faith is over.

Not a move across town.

Not a move to a bigger house.

Not even a move to down-size.

A move away from family and friends and school and parish and everything that we know. A move out of state. A move out of the Midwest.

We don't know anything for certain yet. A fitting beginning for the Year of Faith.

We don't know if we will move. We don't know when we will move. We don't know where (exactly) we will move.

I don't know what I will do. Will I teach? Will I write? Will I speak? Will I go back to school? Will I be a stay-at-home mom?

Will I have too much time on my hands or will it be a lot like my life here. More to do than I can possibly get done - except by the grace of God.

Welcome to the Year of Faith. And so it begins...

I think women are good at this "not knowing" - it's kind of like being open to life. One little plus or minus sign means that everything is about to change.

I can do this faith thing. I don't give myself enough credit. It's all wrapped up in one word. Yes. May it be done unto me according to your word.

Spiritual pregnancy. Women get it intuitively.

I think I will throw myself into this Year of Faith. No holds barred. Yours, oh Lord, without reservation.

Yes, Blessed Mother, I'll do whatever He tells me to do.

Who knows what might happen - everything, anything -  from nothing, to a change of venue, to a change of purpose, to a change of heart.

Faith is exciting. Anything can happen when we decide to abandon everything to Divine Providence.

Welcome to the Year of Faith.

Buckle up.

You are about to give birth to Mystery.

Year of Faith... and so it begins

For These Gifts, Lord, Make Us Truly Thankful

(Paintshop drawing of a Sunset - thanks to my 10 year old daughter)

It was a good day today - the kind of day that makes for a pleasant evening review. I woke up early to catch the first half of the Son Rise Morning Show. I had my first radio interview. I have the great joy of writing for Catholic papers. Gone are the days of producing works that end up in a cedar chest or the trashcan. My youngest is in her last year of elementary school. Tonight, the Parish School of Religion kicked off the year's program. The theme is reverence. Such a good theme. I came home and my husband had made apple crisp - still warm enough that the ice cream melted deliciously into the crumb topping. My oldest turned 26 today. She has turned into such a lovely woman.





And by the end of 2009, God willing, I will hold my first grandchild in my arms.

A very good day.

For These Gifts, Lord, Make Us Truly Thankful