This is more than a disgrace. This may be a permanent rift between Notre Dame and faithful Catholics, even those of us who love thee Notre Dame. If you agree, please visit this site:
http://notredamescandal.com/SignthePetitiontoFrJenkins/tabid/454/Default.aspx
This is copy and pasted from an e-mail my boyfriend sent, which I think sums up the issue we have with it pretty well...
"Newsflash: Barack Obama will be the commencement speaker AND will receive an honorary award at Notre Dame!
Yes, you heard me right. The most prestigious US Catholic university will be hosting and awarding Barack Obama:
The same Obama who overturned the Mexico City policy, releasing millions in funding to abortion groups worldwide while our country suffers economically.
The same Obama who chose people like porn lawyer David Ogden as Deputy Attorney General and abortion champion Kathlene Sebellius as head of Health and Human Services.
The same Obama who is considering overturning protections on the physician's right of conscience to not perform abortions without being discriminated against in the workplace.
The same Obama who vowed to sign FOCA, the most extreme pro-abortion legislation ever presented which would overturn all state laws on the issue, in addition to many other awful things.
The same Obama who forced funding of destructive embryonic stem cell research and removed funding for the much more promising and less ethically objectionable adult stem cell research.
The same Obama who supported an unlimited right to abortion at the latest UN meeting.
The same Obama described by many as the most pro-abortion president in history.
In 2004, the United States of Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) approved a policy statement called "Catholics in Political Life," which says, with reference to pro-abortion politicians, "They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions."
Regardless if you voted for him, if you have been following closely, I'm sure you might be feeling some "buyer's remorse" after some of these decisions he made. Perhaps you believed him when he said that he would work to reduce the numbers of abortions. As you can see, so far he has done nothing of the sort. And even if you approve of his presidency in other decisions, do choices like those above warrant an honor from a Catholic university?
I feel sick to my stomach. Betrayed by my own Alma mater. I can't imagine how the Virgin Mary feels, as she often weeps for the plight of these little ones. The betrayal of hosting Obama under the shadow of Mary on the golden dome, at her own special university, must be more than she can bear.
If you are an alumni, I urge you to contact the university and voice your disgust."
Notre Dame, Our Mother, pray for us.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Get Up, Stand Up
There is nothing worse you can do for the world than stand complacent while people speak lies and misconceptions around you. You must allow your voice to be heard in your words and in your actions.
This has been more apparent to me than ever this year. Since graduating college, I have been thrust into the working world of being an adult. Here, everyone comes from a different background. We are different ages, different religions, we make different lifestyle choices. But these are the people that I spend 40 hours a week with; more time than I spend with my family or loved ones (well, I suppose on some weekends my family or Scott could rival that, but it would only be breaking even). Let me back track a little...
During the previous eight years I was generally in places where I was nurtured in my faith and surrounded by people who were able to build me up to be a woman of God. This is not to say that I have been angelic in that time or that I never made a wrong choice, but for the most part, I have been in places and with people who took Catholicism and the teachings of the Church seriously. This was a wonderful place for me to be, and I truly miss my days as a student, whether it was at Holy Family Catholic High School or Saint Mary's College.
I recall a time as a freshman in high school that many of the people I was in class with really did agree with my moral and political leanings. The support for Bush in the 2000 election far out-weighed the Gore backers in my high school hallways. There is something special about realizing that you can trust someone to deeply understand your point of view and will agree on it.
But this time is over, and I am now endlessly faced with people who feel differently about so many different things. So how do we deal with it? We MUST be strong. And we must not be afraid of speaking up when someone is promoting something contrary to the truth.
I found this excerpt from St. Josemaria Escriva's book Furrow and it resonated with me last night:
"Be on guard against the propagators of scandal and innuendo, which some take in through lack of reflection while others do so through bad faith. They destroy a calm atmosphere and poison public opinion. Sometimes, true charity demands that such abuses and their promoters should be denounced. Otherwise, with their devious or badly-formed consciences, they or those who listen to them could think: 'They keep quiet, so they must agree.'"
Who knew that a Spanish priest who died some 60 years ago would say something so relevant to the dichotomy of our own secular culture against the culture of faith. Don't allow them to think that you agree. Be ready to stand up for your beliefs and know that though they may reject you, your greatest reward will be in Heaven.
This has been more apparent to me than ever this year. Since graduating college, I have been thrust into the working world of being an adult. Here, everyone comes from a different background. We are different ages, different religions, we make different lifestyle choices. But these are the people that I spend 40 hours a week with; more time than I spend with my family or loved ones (well, I suppose on some weekends my family or Scott could rival that, but it would only be breaking even). Let me back track a little...
During the previous eight years I was generally in places where I was nurtured in my faith and surrounded by people who were able to build me up to be a woman of God. This is not to say that I have been angelic in that time or that I never made a wrong choice, but for the most part, I have been in places and with people who took Catholicism and the teachings of the Church seriously. This was a wonderful place for me to be, and I truly miss my days as a student, whether it was at Holy Family Catholic High School or Saint Mary's College.
I recall a time as a freshman in high school that many of the people I was in class with really did agree with my moral and political leanings. The support for Bush in the 2000 election far out-weighed the Gore backers in my high school hallways. There is something special about realizing that you can trust someone to deeply understand your point of view and will agree on it.
But this time is over, and I am now endlessly faced with people who feel differently about so many different things. So how do we deal with it? We MUST be strong. And we must not be afraid of speaking up when someone is promoting something contrary to the truth.
I found this excerpt from St. Josemaria Escriva's book Furrow and it resonated with me last night:
"Be on guard against the propagators of scandal and innuendo, which some take in through lack of reflection while others do so through bad faith. They destroy a calm atmosphere and poison public opinion. Sometimes, true charity demands that such abuses and their promoters should be denounced. Otherwise, with their devious or badly-formed consciences, they or those who listen to them could think: 'They keep quiet, so they must agree.'"
Who knew that a Spanish priest who died some 60 years ago would say something so relevant to the dichotomy of our own secular culture against the culture of faith. Don't allow them to think that you agree. Be ready to stand up for your beliefs and know that though they may reject you, your greatest reward will be in Heaven.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Excuse, I Suppose
I have (unfortunately or not) been very busy over the past week and have had little time to blog. It's been difficult at work as I have continued to gain more responsibilities (good for the resume, not for my stress levels!), but I am ever thankful that I have a steady paycheck and a good job--a true blessing in these economic times. Now if only I could start to organize my time in such a way that I could have a little extra time to write here...
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Self-Knowledge
This is an excerpt from Matthew Kelly's "Rediscovering Catholicism." I thought it was a fitting reflection during the season of lent, a time when returning to the sacrament of confession is very prevalent and needed for us all. He writes:
In the spiritual life, it is very important not only to grow in our knowledge and understanding of God, but also in our knowledge and understanding of ourselves. Both knowledge of God and knowledge of self are necessary to make the Journey of the Soul. The two are inextricably linked. And one without the other is useless.
Confessing our sins in the sacrament of Reconciliation helps us develop this self-knowledge. The saints had this self knowledge. They developed it from hours of self-examination and a consistent practice of Reconciliation. They knew their strengths and weaknesses, their faults, failings, flaws, and defects, their talents and abilities, their needs and desires, their hopes and their dreams, their potential and their purpose.
They were not afraid to look at themselves as they really were by the light of God's grace in prayer. They knew that the things of this world are passing, and that when this brief life is over, we will each stand naked in the presence of God. At that moment, money, power, status, possessions, and worldly fame will mean nothing. The only things that has value in that moment is character--the light within you. Who we become is infinitely more important than what we do or what we have. Or as Francis once said, "Remember, you are what you are in the eyes of God, and nothing else."
Get to know yourself. The gifts of self-knowledge include freedom from the world's image of you and compassion for others. The more I get to know myself and my own brokenness, the more I am able to accept and love others. Furthermore, the more I get to know myself, the more I am able to understand others and be tolerant of their faults, failings, flaws addictions, and brokenness. Self-knowledge breeds the ultimate form of compassion.
Get to know yourself and every relationship in your life will improve.
In the spiritual life, it is very important not only to grow in our knowledge and understanding of God, but also in our knowledge and understanding of ourselves. Both knowledge of God and knowledge of self are necessary to make the Journey of the Soul. The two are inextricably linked. And one without the other is useless.
Confessing our sins in the sacrament of Reconciliation helps us develop this self-knowledge. The saints had this self knowledge. They developed it from hours of self-examination and a consistent practice of Reconciliation. They knew their strengths and weaknesses, their faults, failings, flaws, and defects, their talents and abilities, their needs and desires, their hopes and their dreams, their potential and their purpose.
They were not afraid to look at themselves as they really were by the light of God's grace in prayer. They knew that the things of this world are passing, and that when this brief life is over, we will each stand naked in the presence of God. At that moment, money, power, status, possessions, and worldly fame will mean nothing. The only things that has value in that moment is character--the light within you. Who we become is infinitely more important than what we do or what we have. Or as Francis once said, "Remember, you are what you are in the eyes of God, and nothing else."
Get to know yourself. The gifts of self-knowledge include freedom from the world's image of you and compassion for others. The more I get to know myself and my own brokenness, the more I am able to accept and love others. Furthermore, the more I get to know myself, the more I am able to understand others and be tolerant of their faults, failings, flaws addictions, and brokenness. Self-knowledge breeds the ultimate form of compassion.
Get to know yourself and every relationship in your life will improve.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
It only begs the question: Why??
Despite recent thought in the medical science world, Obama has gone ahead an reversed a Bush policy just to make a point.
Burnadine Healy, MD, a medical blogger for US News and World Report, just last week wrote a blog entry on "Why Embryonic Stems Cells are Obsolete." Interestingly, Dr. Healy pointed out on March 4 that "President Obama has been rightly taking his time in addressing a campaign promise to lift the ban on federal funding for research using new lines of stem cells to be taken from human embryos." These embyonic stem cells no longer have the steam they once did since the private research that is going on is yeilding no promise. In fact, notes Dr. Healy, president Obama was presented with information including "a report from Israel published in PLoS Medicine in late February that shows embryonic stem cells injected into patients can cause disabling if not deadly tumors." Yet, less than a week after Dr. Healy wrote this article, Obama has made the decision to, once again, overturn the Bush policy.
In the article, Dr. Healy goes on: "These still-mysterious cell creations have been removed from the highly ordered environment of a fast-growing embryo, after all. Though they are tamed in a petri dish to be disciplined, mature cells, research in animals has shown repeatedly that sometimes the injected cells run wildly out of control—dashing hopes of tiny, human embryos benignly spinning off stem cells to save grown-ups, without risk or concern." Somehow, this did not phase Obama in being sure to fulfill his promise to publically fund research in the embryonic stem cell field.
What's more is that adult stem cell research has been found to go far beyond the power that was originally expected of them. Within the past few months adult stem cell research has become increasingly promising for curing disease. In fact, there are many who argue that adult stem cells are better as you may use stem cells on the patient that are a 100% DNA match, rather than the random DNA of another human embryo.
So, why would Obama ignore the research and go for it anyway? Because he can. It's an in-your-face move that is worthy of the 3rd grade playground, not the US presidency. It is absolutely ludicrous, given the strides made in the past few years with adult stem cells, that our tax dollars should be going to these endeavors. Aside from the fact that these have proven to be volitile at best, there is an ethical issue that many Americans, inculding myself, would choose not to participate in the funding of harvesting of human embryos. It just doesn't seem to make sense that Obama would want to unfocus the efforts of stem cell research and diminish the bright spot of adult stem cell research to make his controversial move.
I can only attest this short-sightedness to the arrogance and power hungry nature of our new president. Something for which we all wish he will either grow out of, or grow unpopular.
Burnadine Healy, MD, a medical blogger for US News and World Report, just last week wrote a blog entry on "Why Embryonic Stems Cells are Obsolete." Interestingly, Dr. Healy pointed out on March 4 that "President Obama has been rightly taking his time in addressing a campaign promise to lift the ban on federal funding for research using new lines of stem cells to be taken from human embryos." These embyonic stem cells no longer have the steam they once did since the private research that is going on is yeilding no promise. In fact, notes Dr. Healy, president Obama was presented with information including "a report from Israel published in PLoS Medicine in late February that shows embryonic stem cells injected into patients can cause disabling if not deadly tumors." Yet, less than a week after Dr. Healy wrote this article, Obama has made the decision to, once again, overturn the Bush policy.
In the article, Dr. Healy goes on: "These still-mysterious cell creations have been removed from the highly ordered environment of a fast-growing embryo, after all. Though they are tamed in a petri dish to be disciplined, mature cells, research in animals has shown repeatedly that sometimes the injected cells run wildly out of control—dashing hopes of tiny, human embryos benignly spinning off stem cells to save grown-ups, without risk or concern." Somehow, this did not phase Obama in being sure to fulfill his promise to publically fund research in the embryonic stem cell field.
What's more is that adult stem cell research has been found to go far beyond the power that was originally expected of them. Within the past few months adult stem cell research has become increasingly promising for curing disease. In fact, there are many who argue that adult stem cells are better as you may use stem cells on the patient that are a 100% DNA match, rather than the random DNA of another human embryo.
So, why would Obama ignore the research and go for it anyway? Because he can. It's an in-your-face move that is worthy of the 3rd grade playground, not the US presidency. It is absolutely ludicrous, given the strides made in the past few years with adult stem cells, that our tax dollars should be going to these endeavors. Aside from the fact that these have proven to be volitile at best, there is an ethical issue that many Americans, inculding myself, would choose not to participate in the funding of harvesting of human embryos. It just doesn't seem to make sense that Obama would want to unfocus the efforts of stem cell research and diminish the bright spot of adult stem cell research to make his controversial move.
I can only attest this short-sightedness to the arrogance and power hungry nature of our new president. Something for which we all wish he will either grow out of, or grow unpopular.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Through Sadness
It's been a tough past few days. I went to Scott's grandfather's funeral up in Duluth, surrounded by the friends and family of a man I met twice. However, I have experienced the love and open arms of a family that I didn't expect to recieve, and I believe that in some small way I gave at least one person a shoulder to lean on. I am really glad that I was able to make it up there with Scott and there was a lot I learned through being there. There were points when I really didn't know what I was supposed to be doing, but I think I didn't make too much of a scene (I'm glad that Scott's Deeney grandparents were there to take me under their wing during the funeral mass... I know I could have sat with the family next to Scott, but I felt really comfortable sitting right in between grandma and grandpa Deeney). It was tough to see Scott so sad, but I am glad to know that he also is comfortable to open up to me and wanted me there in his time of grieving--I'm sure someday I'll ask the same of him.
So, even though it was a sad occassion to have to go to Duluth, I enjoyed my time spent with all of Scott's family and with Scott himself. I am surrounded by such wonderful, loving people in my life!
Please continue to keep Scott, his grandfather, and the whole family in your prayers!
So, even though it was a sad occassion to have to go to Duluth, I enjoyed my time spent with all of Scott's family and with Scott himself. I am surrounded by such wonderful, loving people in my life!
Please continue to keep Scott, his grandfather, and the whole family in your prayers!
Friday, March 06, 2009
Review: "What Went Wrong with Vatican II: The Catholic Crisis Explained"
In this sophisticated yet accessible take on the situation surrounding Vatican II (on which many Catholic's blame the crisis of the Church), Ralph M. McInerny defends the Church and Her council without compromising what abuses have followed it. As a professor of philosophy at Notre Dame, the author has spent much of his life in the trenches, so to speak, of the Catholic world and what the reactions and teachings following the council entailed. "What Went Wrong with Vatican II: The Catholic Crisis Explained" offers a picture of the Church from the perspective of someone who has both lived and studied the Church before, during, and after the first modern council, which rocked the Church violently.
McInerny is fast to point out that Vatican II, nor its documents, are the problem with Vatican II. In fact, it is on authority of the Pope and the bishops together with him that make every part of the council as valid and essential to Catholicism than any other council before. Rather, it was the sociopolitical climate that led to such seemingly disastrous effects in the Church following and even during the council.
Here are some interesting points that I found in this gem of a book:
"What Went Wrong with Vatican II" is a great read for anyone who would like to consider the implications and future of a post-conciliar Church. A small warning: this book does discuss some nuances of Catholic teaching that may not be as apparent to a reader less familiar with Catholic doctrine. McInerny does, however, write fluidly at a level accessible to many, which should ease any tension one might have with the actual content of the book.
Rating: Recommended
McInerny is fast to point out that Vatican II, nor its documents, are the problem with Vatican II. In fact, it is on authority of the Pope and the bishops together with him that make every part of the council as valid and essential to Catholicism than any other council before. Rather, it was the sociopolitical climate that led to such seemingly disastrous effects in the Church following and even during the council.
Here are some interesting points that I found in this gem of a book:
- In the US, many theologians PRIOR to the council were beginning to advocate the use of birth control for married Catholic couples. In anticipation of what they presumed would be something that was looked at by the council and previous teaching would be reversed in light of modern scientific advances, these theologians told Catholics they could use birth control and it would just be a matter of time before the Vatican followed suit. When before the council ended Pope Paul VI wrote the encyclical Humane Vitae, which clearly and definitively bars Catholic couples from using artificial birth control for family planning, many theologians began to openly dissent the teaching of the Magisterium.
- Rather than weakening it, as I have heard in my local parish (*Pax Christi*, ahem), the second Vatican council actually strengthened and reinstated the place of the Pope, bishops, and Magisterium within the hierarchy of the Catholic Church.
- Vatican II is mainly the backdrop of what was going on outside of it, but it was with the "anti-spirit of the council," as then-Cardinal Ratzinger dubbed it, that the rogue Catholic theologians infected the teaching body of the Church in the US and throughout Europe as well
- The greatest way to get the Church back on track, as she is currently heading, is through prayer and fasting (just as Our Lady has given us messages through Fatima, etc, time and time again)
"What Went Wrong with Vatican II" is a great read for anyone who would like to consider the implications and future of a post-conciliar Church. A small warning: this book does discuss some nuances of Catholic teaching that may not be as apparent to a reader less familiar with Catholic doctrine. McInerny does, however, write fluidly at a level accessible to many, which should ease any tension one might have with the actual content of the book.
Rating: Recommended
Love Will Keep Us Alive
Recently I read a reflection presenting the ideas that I write today. I just wanted to put them into my own words.
Love is the perfect way to heal our hearts. How interesting that when a small child scrapes his knee, his reaction to make it better is to run to his mother and ask her to kiss it and make it better. To the child, what makes his boo-boo alright is the love of the mother, not the material remedy of a bandage. This is the example for our hearts, that in our pain and suffering what we need most is love, particularly the parental love of God the Father. We are wounded by the sins of ourselves and others, and our heavenly Father is the only one who can take them away. There is nothing in this world that can replace that love. We are able to experience that love of God in our relationships and prayer. It is only with love that we can heal our wounds.
That said, I apologize for missing a couple of days here. I have been having trouble finding inspiration this week.
Also, please pray for Scott's grandpa Fitzsimmons who passed away last night. May God in His infinite love give him peace and everlasting life. Amen.
Love is the perfect way to heal our hearts. How interesting that when a small child scrapes his knee, his reaction to make it better is to run to his mother and ask her to kiss it and make it better. To the child, what makes his boo-boo alright is the love of the mother, not the material remedy of a bandage. This is the example for our hearts, that in our pain and suffering what we need most is love, particularly the parental love of God the Father. We are wounded by the sins of ourselves and others, and our heavenly Father is the only one who can take them away. There is nothing in this world that can replace that love. We are able to experience that love of God in our relationships and prayer. It is only with love that we can heal our wounds.
That said, I apologize for missing a couple of days here. I have been having trouble finding inspiration this week.
Also, please pray for Scott's grandpa Fitzsimmons who passed away last night. May God in His infinite love give him peace and everlasting life. Amen.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Selling Your Heart on National TV
I missed the entire season, and now I'm glad I did. I have never watched the ABC series "The Bachelor" in the past, perhaps just as a filler for a few minutes here and there while I was waiting for other programming. It may have been an odd choice to watch the last episode without everything that led up to it, but in reality tv, is that ever really necessary?
Last night when I went over to Stephanie's for our usual girls-tv-night Mondays, there was nothing new on our usual choice of the CW, so we decided to strap in for the 2-hour season finale of "The Bachelor". It was probably the biggest waste of time I've had in a long time, but it did provide some food for thought.
First of all, this guy is a pansy. I mean, seriously, he cried like every five minutes throughout the episode. At first, it was a little bit endearing. But then it got to a point that I'm sure many women called out, just as my friend Maria did, for Jason to "grow a pair."
Also, his little flip-flop thing was definitely not cool. We're talking within 6 weeks of the filming of the finale Jason fell "out-of-love" with Melissa, the woman he proposed to. (She was the right choice by the way. Adorable and she adored him and actually wanted a family life.) The whole dumping her on national tv and then asking out the other woman right there is a douche-bag move in my book. But the whole situation of this is what really got me thinking.
What is it that our culture values in relationships anymore? The entire dating process is entirely warped in such circumstances, and it is really almost unbelievable that these young, talented, beautiful young men and women are willing to put themselves at the mercy of the producers and casting agents for a show to find out if they can "fall in love" with this individual.
Some of what the women were saying last night was deeply troubling too. I mean, you're 24, 25 years old, how do you NOT know that love is more than infatuation? Physical attraction and the whole butterflies in the stomach thing are definitely components of being in love with someone, especially in the beginning stages, but do you truly believe that within the span of filming (with all of it's red tape and arranged meetings in front of a camera and so forth) is a sufficient amount of time to determine whether you would like to spend the rest of your life with this person?
It just seems really sad that this is the state of our dating culture today. That we are willing to basically put our lives, particularly our hearts, up for sale in front of the whole world and hope to win in the end. There is something so selfish in the whole idea of it that it seems rather contrary to falling in love.
I realize that there have been a few couples (three in fact, as I read this morning) that are still together after the end of this show. But the reality of it is that this is not exactly a formula for happiness. Melissa, I'm glad your parents realized that before you did (apparently, they chose not to meet Melissa's potential suitor during the course of the show, though they did cave in and talk to him on the phone in the last episode). Maybe in the future you could actually take advice from the people who love you and value yourself enough to give real love a chance.
And thank God you didn't even think about going on the disgusting and seriously wrong "A Double Shot at Love". I can't even begin to talk about everything wrong going on there.
Last night when I went over to Stephanie's for our usual girls-tv-night Mondays, there was nothing new on our usual choice of the CW, so we decided to strap in for the 2-hour season finale of "The Bachelor". It was probably the biggest waste of time I've had in a long time, but it did provide some food for thought.
First of all, this guy is a pansy. I mean, seriously, he cried like every five minutes throughout the episode. At first, it was a little bit endearing. But then it got to a point that I'm sure many women called out, just as my friend Maria did, for Jason to "grow a pair."
Also, his little flip-flop thing was definitely not cool. We're talking within 6 weeks of the filming of the finale Jason fell "out-of-love" with Melissa, the woman he proposed to. (She was the right choice by the way. Adorable and she adored him and actually wanted a family life.) The whole dumping her on national tv and then asking out the other woman right there is a douche-bag move in my book. But the whole situation of this is what really got me thinking.
What is it that our culture values in relationships anymore? The entire dating process is entirely warped in such circumstances, and it is really almost unbelievable that these young, talented, beautiful young men and women are willing to put themselves at the mercy of the producers and casting agents for a show to find out if they can "fall in love" with this individual.
Some of what the women were saying last night was deeply troubling too. I mean, you're 24, 25 years old, how do you NOT know that love is more than infatuation? Physical attraction and the whole butterflies in the stomach thing are definitely components of being in love with someone, especially in the beginning stages, but do you truly believe that within the span of filming (with all of it's red tape and arranged meetings in front of a camera and so forth) is a sufficient amount of time to determine whether you would like to spend the rest of your life with this person?
It just seems really sad that this is the state of our dating culture today. That we are willing to basically put our lives, particularly our hearts, up for sale in front of the whole world and hope to win in the end. There is something so selfish in the whole idea of it that it seems rather contrary to falling in love.
I realize that there have been a few couples (three in fact, as I read this morning) that are still together after the end of this show. But the reality of it is that this is not exactly a formula for happiness. Melissa, I'm glad your parents realized that before you did (apparently, they chose not to meet Melissa's potential suitor during the course of the show, though they did cave in and talk to him on the phone in the last episode). Maybe in the future you could actually take advice from the people who love you and value yourself enough to give real love a chance.
And thank God you didn't even think about going on the disgusting and seriously wrong "A Double Shot at Love". I can't even begin to talk about everything wrong going on there.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Right Place, Right Time
There are times when one knows one is just in the right place at the right time. I had one of those experiences over the weekend, and I would like to share it.
Saturday night I got to spend time with a lot of people I was looking forward to seeing for some time. I went to the Saint Paul Seminary with Scott to meet up with some of my old high school friends. We had a great time talking and catching up on each others' lives. Once we left there we were able to visit Ellie at her house at St. Thomas, since it was practically right across the street from the seminary. After a 45 minute visit with her, I was about to drop off Scott at his car when I noticed that I had no gas in my own. Since it was so late, Scott agreed to come to the gas station up the road with me.
I pulled up to the pump and began to get the gas going. Moments after I started, a car came pulling up wildly to the pump next to mine. I leaned over to Scott and noted how bizarre the man in the car looked and was acting, but sort of stopped taking note of it. I finished up at the pump, and as I opened the car door I noticed the woman in the crazy car did as well as she yelled out, "hey, lady, are you going to University Ave?" I, shocked that she was addressing me, replied, "No, sorry, I'm not going in that direction..." She tried again: "Can I get a ride? This guy is crazy!" When I responded negatively one more time, I got back into the car. Scott asked what happened and I related the conversation. He then told me that he thought we should give her a ride because she could be in trouble. I looked into the gas station; the crazy driver was at the counter paying. I quickly opened my door and said "hey, come on, you can get a ride!" and in a flash she was in the car and we were out of the gas station. Though the driver ran out to his car, he was never able to catch up with us.
In the drive to drop her off at her boyfriend's house, she told us about who the man was and a little bit about her life. The reason why she asked me for the ride is because she saw another woman (she looked all around the gas station specifically for a female), because a woman she can trust. She had been out at a friend's birthday party and needed a ride home. Her mom's ex-boyfriend (a meth head from what we gathered) picked her up, and once he got her in the car, he started to touch her, which is why she wanted out so bad. She is turning 22 next week and has a 5-year-old daughter. Her boyfriend is an alcoholic and beats her up, but he is trying to amend his life and go to AA meetings. She's a hairdresser, but is having a difficult time finding steady work. All of this came out in our 20 minute conversation to her house, except her name.
When we dropped her off, she asked us to come to the door with her. This was probably the scariest part of the whole situation, as it was in a very impoverished neighborhood in North Saint Paul and she already told us what her boyfriend could be like. We waited at the door, had a quick word with the boyfriend to tell him it was cool, got a hug from her, a handshake from him, and we were on our way.
The thing that struck me the most in this situation is the extreme blessings I have been given in my own life. My house looked like a mansion when I got home. My boyfriend looked like the perfect man. My family looked like the perfect family.
Through this event that there are so many people suffering quietly around me, and most of the time I am willing to turn a blind eye to them before I even know what is going on. It was an eye opening experience to see a woman, just about my age, with a like so completely different than mine in so many ways. My heart is warmed when I think that Scott pushed me a little bit, though it was outside of my comfort zone, to help this woman. I can't imagine a better example of being in the right place at the right time.
Saturday night I got to spend time with a lot of people I was looking forward to seeing for some time. I went to the Saint Paul Seminary with Scott to meet up with some of my old high school friends. We had a great time talking and catching up on each others' lives. Once we left there we were able to visit Ellie at her house at St. Thomas, since it was practically right across the street from the seminary. After a 45 minute visit with her, I was about to drop off Scott at his car when I noticed that I had no gas in my own. Since it was so late, Scott agreed to come to the gas station up the road with me.
I pulled up to the pump and began to get the gas going. Moments after I started, a car came pulling up wildly to the pump next to mine. I leaned over to Scott and noted how bizarre the man in the car looked and was acting, but sort of stopped taking note of it. I finished up at the pump, and as I opened the car door I noticed the woman in the crazy car did as well as she yelled out, "hey, lady, are you going to University Ave?" I, shocked that she was addressing me, replied, "No, sorry, I'm not going in that direction..." She tried again: "Can I get a ride? This guy is crazy!" When I responded negatively one more time, I got back into the car. Scott asked what happened and I related the conversation. He then told me that he thought we should give her a ride because she could be in trouble. I looked into the gas station; the crazy driver was at the counter paying. I quickly opened my door and said "hey, come on, you can get a ride!" and in a flash she was in the car and we were out of the gas station. Though the driver ran out to his car, he was never able to catch up with us.
In the drive to drop her off at her boyfriend's house, she told us about who the man was and a little bit about her life. The reason why she asked me for the ride is because she saw another woman (she looked all around the gas station specifically for a female), because a woman she can trust. She had been out at a friend's birthday party and needed a ride home. Her mom's ex-boyfriend (a meth head from what we gathered) picked her up, and once he got her in the car, he started to touch her, which is why she wanted out so bad. She is turning 22 next week and has a 5-year-old daughter. Her boyfriend is an alcoholic and beats her up, but he is trying to amend his life and go to AA meetings. She's a hairdresser, but is having a difficult time finding steady work. All of this came out in our 20 minute conversation to her house, except her name.
When we dropped her off, she asked us to come to the door with her. This was probably the scariest part of the whole situation, as it was in a very impoverished neighborhood in North Saint Paul and she already told us what her boyfriend could be like. We waited at the door, had a quick word with the boyfriend to tell him it was cool, got a hug from her, a handshake from him, and we were on our way.
The thing that struck me the most in this situation is the extreme blessings I have been given in my own life. My house looked like a mansion when I got home. My boyfriend looked like the perfect man. My family looked like the perfect family.
Through this event that there are so many people suffering quietly around me, and most of the time I am willing to turn a blind eye to them before I even know what is going on. It was an eye opening experience to see a woman, just about my age, with a like so completely different than mine in so many ways. My heart is warmed when I think that Scott pushed me a little bit, though it was outside of my comfort zone, to help this woman. I can't imagine a better example of being in the right place at the right time.
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