Ode to the Creator's Trees

Trees, fully clad in winter's garb,

showing off their beauty 

                                            through the reflective glass.

                                       Sing praises to the unique Creator 

                                   for such loveliness accorded our world.

more reflections here

more Weekly Top Shots

 

St. Francis of Assisi Church

holy water font in St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

Holy water runs
down and around lovely tiles
offering blessings.

St. Francis is my middle son and his wife's home parish.
On certain holy days I attend Mass there.

  

St. Lawrence Church Revisited

Yesterday's post was about our bishop's visit to Muncie.  I could not leave my former parish church without taking pictures of its grand and beautiful interior.  Voila!

side altar with baptismal font in front

 s

Saint Lawrence for whom the church is named

 

before Mass, when people were getting settled 

choir loft which holds the pipe organ
The St. Lawrence school choir, who sang from here, was in beautiful voice yesterday.

The explanation why we Catholics
light prayer candles in church can be found here.

close-up of the Sorrowful Mother Mary
at the foot of the cross on which Jesus hung 

Our Bishop's Visit

the bishop blessing the altar servers after Mass

Bishop Doherty during his homily (sermon)

the bishop's recession, after Mass

the bishop during
the Liturgy of the Eucharist

St. Lawrence Church and rectory (where
the pastor lives)
It was at this church that the bishop celebrated the Mass. This week is Catholic Schools Week. Bishop Doherty visits the different churches of the diocesan schools.  Since there are two Catholic schools in Muncie.  They are St. Lawrence and St. Mary/Pope John Paul II.  St. Lawrence and St. Mary are elementary schools while Pope John Paul II is a middle school.  Bishop Doherty alternates visits each year. We are blessed to have 23 Catholic schools in our diocese.
I felt the love and respect the congregation had for our bishop, the other priests and deacons.  I find it thrilling to be at Mass celebrated by the bishop of our diocese.
Note: I was privileged to teach in both of our schools, first at St. Lawrence from 1967-1980 and St. Mary from 1986-2005.  The parents of both schools were a blessing to me and my students. 
Blessed be.

elevation of the Host (bread changed into the body of Christ)

Bishop Doherty's Coat of Arms

New Blog's Beginning: My First Post

 When I discovered Recuerda Mi Corazon and other gifted spiritual  bloggers through Rebecca's 12 Days of Mary, I started praying for a sign as to whether I am meant to write in that spiritual vein. Then I decided that my pondering (obsessing?) on this for more than a month then that must be the sign!  Next, I needed a title.  Easy, simple, right?  A resounding NO!  Hours and days have elapsed after reading the message "title not available" time and time again.  

Suddenly this evening, a title POPPED into my head!  Surely the Spirit must have a sense of humor for such an appellation! Then I messaged a friend about it.  My subsequent thought was...oh, just do it, woman!  So here I am.

  What does the title Faith in a Bottle mean to me?  I think of it this way- wouldn't it be simple and quick if faith were bottled?  Of course, it is not; it's a life-long journey.  But since I have been the serious one so much of my life, and knowing that God must have a sense of humor dealing with us humans, I am here... on Faith in a Bottle.  And I am glad!

Blessed be.