Catholic Carnival 188: Journey of Faith

It's the end of summer. College football has begun, and school supplies have been on sale and even clearance.

And, in my house, there's a newly mobile baby.

A year ago, I was preparing for a new baby, and this year, she's crawling and tucking her legs under her with a threatening-to-walk-before-Mommy's-ready air about her.

So, this week, with the Carnival, we're going to reflect on our journey - as Christians, as humans.

If you find, after this Catholic Carnival, that you’re inspired to learn more about the Catholic Carnival, you’ll find all the information here. There’s a submission form that’s easy to use. If you have found yourself submitting a few times, won’t you consider going one step further and trying your hand at hosting? All you have to do is pick your date and email Jay.

The New Bundle of Joy
I'm not - have never been - a baby person. But holding that brand-new bundle in my arms, realizing that nine months led to this, changed my world-view more than a little. I remember expecting a similar revelation when I became Catholic. I thought the world would stop, things would change, life would be more...something. It didn't happen that way for me, but I find, when my eyes are open and my heart is listening, that I can have little moments of "Ah!" and "Oh!" thanks to God's grace.

• Catholic Mom considers an awesome ad campaign for vocations and reminds us that "Children are never too young for us to pray for their vocations."
• "I am called to silence. I do not get enough of it," Colleen shares. And if you find yourself nodding, maybe you'd benefit from this short dose of wisdom and insight.
• It seems sex jumps at us from every commercial, from every billboard, from every little corner of our world. What's the deal? Marcel points out the dangers of the contraceptive mentality and points the way to the beauty of what God intended.
• "Even if it hasn’t been addressed at us directly, we’ve all heard and read the classic response when discussing moral issues: Don’t impose your morality on me." And, in the rest of the post, Lee examines just what people are really saying when they respond that way.
  

Rolling Over
"Enjoy them while they're little." I hear this a lot as the mother of two little ones. I laugh a lot in response, because while I do try to enjoy them, I also nod at God's wisdom in making this crazy-hectic-stressful time pass quickly! It doesn't take long for that new bundle of baby to grow and then try her hand at getting mobile. You'll sit her down in one spot, and next thing you know, she's at your feet across the room! As we mature in our faith and our understanding of God's ways of working, we too start to get more mobile. We explore new authors, try out new faith practices, find ourselves ending up across the room from where we were put down. We don't always understand how it works, but we have the desire to go.

• It seems everyone's trying to get debt-free these days (or, at least, the people I read and listen to and talk with). Here's a consideration along those lines: debt was bad in the Bible too!
  
• It's not pleasant, sometimes, to consider what's wrong, but sometimes, perhaps, we should consider where we, in America, need to focus our prayers. After reading this list, say a prayer for our country. There is always hope, and that's why hope is one of the Big Three virtues.
• As I explored Catholicism, and as I continue to learn and learn and learn, I am always struck by how rooted in reason the Church is. Over at Army of Martyrs, we have an exploration of reason and why it's necessary.
• Anyone who's taken young children to Mass - or been at a Mass where there are adults struggling with pint-sized wigglers - will appreciate the Mighty Mom account of a trip to Mass...and the graces tucked all around.
• It's football season! But, Sister Spitfire reminds us, it's also time to get the kids back to the books. She reflects - with her trademark humor and aplomb - on just what that means in her house.
  

Cruisin
We saw it coming...the baby isn't happy anymore with rolling over. She sees that there's a better, faster way to get to where the kids are. After two weeks of watching (and of others cheering), she got her knees under her and was off! She smiles as she crawls, most of the time. But lately, when her sister is trying to keep something away from her, she'll get a look of concentration that makes me shiver in my shoes. (I've seen that look before, and it's proof that she's my daughter, right there with the other one!) Even as I shiver, though, I also smile. Remember the first time you read some difficult Church document, only to walk away feeling...better, like you had gone somewhere amazing?

• A grotto in Texas makes for a nice little online traveling for everyone.
• When you're writing poetry, what better inspiration than the Eucharist? The imagery of a father and his little girl touches me in a very personal way, and if you haven't clicked through yet...well, don't wait any longer! Go!
• It's "Blog Day 2008," and Sean shares his picks. Why not join in for yourself? (Oh, Sean, now why did you have to go and do that? I have tons of other addictive things to do...)
• Heidi pauses long enough in her purchasing of lawn signs and polo shirts to share some insights about Sarah Palin.
• And while we're talking about Sarah Palin, Jean has done plenty o' research on the Alaskan governor and collected it all in one handy-dandy place.
  

First Steps
After not-long-enough crawling, they'll inevitably pull themselves up. The dog will look on with curiosity (soon to be replaced with horror), the mom will snap endless pictures, the dad will laugh (and run), the far-away relatives will demand more pictures. The world looks different when you're standing. Suddenly, you wonder why the fuzz on the carpet was so interesting when there are drawers in the kitchen full of shiny knives. As Christians, and as Catholics, we reach a point when we're standing, looking at the world in a whole new way. It happens in a different way and at a different time for everyone. Maybe it's after that 20-something rebellion and questioning, or perhaps you attend a retreat or conference that shakes up your understanding. Whatever it is, those first steps are the foundation.

• Alcoholism and addiction are painful, and they tear families apart. Owen shares a poignant memory that resonates with some of my own experiences.
  
• "I made the conscious decision to stop drinking. I never went to meetings nor was I ever confronted by anyone about the problem. I decided one day that enough was enough." Contra continues with a post about being sober and being Catholic, and how one led to the other and the other led to the one.
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and when the Beholder is Upstairs, your habit can be askew as long as you're working. The Beautiful Nun Photo Non-Contest is underway...
• Christine finds a simple lesson in the Gospel about walking on water, and it's one that I find challenging to apply: "trust in the Lord in all things - and don't be afraid to ask for help."
• Ebeth, that Carnival hostess with the mostest of late, shares what the Bishop of Raleigh said about how things need to be done during Mass and what needs to receive emphasis.
  

Away We Go!
Standing is just the beginning, and walking isn't good enough when you can run! How does the fire of the Holy Spirit light you up, inspire you to GO? What makes you put on your kickers and head for the great green beyond?

• St. Francis is a wonderful saint, and one that you don't have to be Catholic to recognize. The popular image of him, though, leaves a little to be desired. "The birdbath Francis isn't misleading or incorrect, but to a world that rarely sees his charism displayed in real life, he's simply another lawn ornament."
• Motherhood is close to my heart, not least because I've been so fortunate to be on the receiving end of it.
• Wandering politicians often need correction, and David reminds us that it's out of love that it should be done.
• "Paul exhorts us 'to offer [our] bodies as a living sacrifice' and to 'be transformed by the renewal of [our] mind.' What is the connection between these things?" In a reflection well worth your time, Kevin shares his insight.
• Imagine the responsibility of being a Catholic bookseller and having an item slip through that's just...not right, appropriate, or, well, Catholic. Aquinas and More gives us all a heads-up about a popular book.
• Late entry: I'm so glad Evann took the time to share about her two oldest daughters voting for the first time, despite Hurricane Gustav making it a pain to submit to this week's Carnival. Now, I'm off to check out the links she shared!
  

Catholic Carnival 188: Journey of Faith

http://snoringscholar.blogspot.com/2008/09/catholic-carnival-188-journey-of-faith.html