June 2017 Newsletter Update

                                                                                                                                                                           

28 June 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

I write to you later than usual because final classes and studying for exams kept me busy all through May and June. Finally I am FREE from school for a while – and oh boy is freedom just so sweet! I have more time than I’ve had in a while without mornings taking exams and afternoons filled with study. And what will I do with it all you ask?...I don’t know yet! I’m still celebrating this new found “leisure” time! Certainly community life doesn’t lack options with which to fill my time. Of course, as always prayer and chores remain, and now there is the added preparations for our month away in the mountains. There are luggages to pack, lists to check (again and again), houses to close up, and cars to load. Oh…and a pilgrimage of 50 American young adults arrives in Rome today led by a group of our sisters and brother, Fr. Alessandro. I’ll be spending some time with them as well!

Important Events

Aug 5 – Francesca takes her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to become a fully

consecrated member of the Apostles of the Interior Life.

                Aug 7 – I arrive HOME!!!

                Aug 17 – Briana’s little sister Danielle marries her best friend Ryan Stone! Prayers for them.

                Aug 31 – Brandon, my big brother, celebrates his birthday!! Pray for him.

                Sept 2 – I arrive back in Rome and start Driving School to get an Italian license!

                Sept 4 – Dad celebrates his birthday: Pray!

                Sept 29–Oct 1 – Women’s Retreat here in Italy

                Oct 2 – I start my second year of Philosophy

                Dec 9 – Kalin takes her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to become a fully                               consecrated member of the Apostles of the Interior Life.

Father Salvatore, our founder, turns 91!

Story Time (It’s so hard to choose just one!!!)

                One of the most common misconceptions about consecrated life is that one has to give up his or her dreams and desires in order to follow God’s call. I’m going to share with you a story or two that says the contrary!!

                First, I can say that even the really superficial and human desires of mine are being completely fulfilled in my following of the Lord. For example, since I was a little girl, I have wanted 3 things in a house: stairs (two stories), a balcony, and a library. Not exactly your average-joe “gotta have” list but it’s always been mine. I currently live in a “house” compiled of 2 apartments, one on top of the other (stairs/two stories). Each level, since we are in an apartment building and not on the ground floor, have a terrace (balcony). Thanks to studies and gifts, we own enough books to fill up many rooms and this past year I got to even organize some (library).

                Now I’ll share a more vivid story. Since I was little, I have always loved to sing. Mom says that at 15 months I was sitting happily on the lap of my Uncle Mike singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” to him. The Christmas gift that was probably the best buy and got the most use over the years was a karaoke machine...it still rests in my closet. Growing older I began to sing some at church and for retreats. In college I didn’t involve myself too much in this area of ministry but singing remained a huge part of my prayer. Entering into community, I found myself singing more than ever before. Singing in Mass, during adoration, and just around the house. This year I even landed in a house with 2 great musicians, one of which, Ruth, graduated from KU with a degree in music (Violin and Viola). The other, being Briana, taught herself guitar and sings beautifully.

                An example of the unique opportunities I have gotten this year in order to realize this dream of mine to “be a singer” happened just the other day (June 20). We were invited by a priest friend of ours to animate an evening at his parish. It was an evening in a series of evenings in which there were different forms of inspiring entertainment. The goal is to bring some wholesome fun to this part of Rome that is often lacking in this area. The event was held outdoors in a courtyard on the parish grounds so that all those within a certain range could hear the music and testimonies. Our evening was called “Sing Spiration: Songs and Testimonies with the Apostles of the Interior Life”. Ruth (violin and vocals), Briana (guitar and vocals), and I (vocals) took care of most of the music alternating songs with testimonies by the other sisters. The set-up was amazing! There was a stage with lights that changed with the rhythm of the music, there was a technician to monitor and adjust our volume levels (instead of us having to do so), and, most importantly I’d say, a warm crowd welcoming and very encouraging the whole way through. Because of the lights however, the crowd was even a little difficult to distinguish just like in the real concerts! We learned a couple of new songs specifically for the evening. One, in particular, which was quite the challenge but so much fun to work on and pull off! It is a song with a folk feel to it and three voices so that we could all sing harmonies together. I was most nervous for this song uncertain if I would really succeed in hitting all of my notes and keeping the right pitch. Thankfully it was not the first song so I was warmed up by the time we got to it: warmed up with my voice but also with the crowd, feeling less shy and risking even eye-contact every now and then while singing. In this way it became more fun and more like an interaction with the crowd instead of a simple performance. The words of my spiritual director kept repeating in my mind: “sing because you love to sing, not for an applause or for any praise…sing because you love it!” And that night, I really felt my love for singing and for sharing this gift with others.

                The more I find myself singing in the events like that above and also others (with the whole setup of mics, mixer, and sound system) – things I always dreamed of doing – the more I realize what a gift it is to be singing in this specific way. Not only am I living the “dream” of singing with other talented artists and before crowds that praise us when we are done. That’s just the human part of my dream. The “God-part” is that this gift I get to use in this way leads others closer to Him, helps them to reflect and pray (and helps me as well), and is focused primarily on Him and not on me or my performance. This is important because it takes away the anxiety of being perfect, hitting every note, or never losing rhythm. Singing remains, as I cited my spiritual director above, something I love to do. It’s not a job and I don’t have to prove anything in doing it. Here, living this life in community, following God in this way, I get to express the song that He has woven into my heart. The Lord fulfills my desire to sing and I can sing with the psalmist: “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.”

Where is my heart?

As in many of my other letters, I write to you with a very full heart. Perhaps it is a heart still over-joyed and relieved with the end of a demanding academic year but most certainly it is also a heart basking in the gift of a sweet and subtle peace that the Holy Spirit has brought in the wake of His coming at Pentecost.

This year was one of trials and victories. I have learned much about myself through my interactions with others especially those with whom I live – those wonderful sisters of mine to whom I owe a simultaneous “I’m sorry” and “thank you”! Day in and day out they help me to see myself in the light of reality both to accept that which is and work to change that which must pass. Of course their contribution to this self-knowledge, though great, is nothing compared to the role of the Lord who gently pours His grace upon me to shed light on those areas in need of conversion and patiently (oh so patiently) awaits my response, so often reluctant and late in its coming.

In a word, my heart in this moment, amidst all the difficulties and seemingly “impossibilities” interspersed amongst the great joys and bountiful laughter of this life, is certain. As much as I feel constantly challenged to grow or see things from a different perspective or accept the daily deaths-to-self that life deals out, I am utterly secure of one thing: I’m in the right place. If anything, it is these very challenges, these experiences that stretch me and push me to my limits and way out of my comfort zone that prove to me this very truth. Already after only 2 years in community, 1 of which here in Rome, I find myself in a greater freedom to be myself purified from the walls of defense I built up over time or the face of perfection I created for myself according to what I thought was expected of me. Through talking to complete strangers in apostolate to vulnerable sharing with my sisters at home, I am slowly catching up to the fear that always ran before me to scope out the environment. I’m learning to live the present moment and simply accept the authentic reaction, thought, or opinion that I have instead of filtering it with my idea of the expectations around me.

At the same time that the challenges confirm my heart’s certainty, so too does all of the JOY. Those who know me, know I love to laugh. It’s the environment I grew up in (thanks Mom and Dad). No day here goes without hearty laughter, contagious and shared by all. I find myself cracking all of those silly jokes I used to give my Dad a hard time about (secretly loving them all the while!). My sisters know just as well how to give it back so it’s a continuous receiving and giving of joy. If what they say about laughing being good for you is true, the inhabitants of the House of Formation of the Apostles of the Interior Life are downright “health-nuts”!

Prayer Intentions

                As the summer officially begins (with exams over!!), I ask for your prayers to accompany me in my living of these next months in which I will first be with all of the community (those who normally live in the States and those who live with me here in Rome all under the same roof!!). I ask for prayers that this be a time truly of sharing and joy, and that I savor each moment living always in the present.

                I pray the same prayer for my time at home. I know that 3 weeks will pass like nothing but I don’t want to live it thinking of having to leave. Rather, I want to breathe deeply each gifted breath of fresh Texas country air and listen closely to each rise and fall of the laughter of my loved ones joining in with my own. Please pray that it be a time of many graces and love.

                On a more human level I ask prayers for the Driver’s Ed that I will be taking in September. Even for Italians this is a process lived with quite a bit of anxiety so I ask for prayers that I can live it with peace and pass the first time without having to repeat anything!

                I ask prayers for Francesca and Kalin who will be taking their vows this year. That they may live these last months of preparation growing ever closer to the heart of Him who will be there Spouse from the moment of the vows and on. That this may be a time of peace and great joy.

                I also ask prayers for vocations to our community. That other young women may recognize in their heart the call of the Lord and their desire to walk through life in this mission with us. That this world so confused on the meaning of both vocations (marriage and priesthood/consecrated life) can see the value and necessity of both and be filled with holy examples of each.

                                                                                                           United always in Him who loved us first,

                                                                                                                                                Cherise J

I baked kolaches for my birthday!

We are now a family of 5!

Me with some of my classmates!

Represented countries: USA, Guatemala, Brazil, Italy, Jordan

Giving a presentation at school

The whole Roman community with Father to celebrate Briana's birthday!

Sing Spiration

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Rome by Night

It’s 1534. On this Friday night, the bustling eternal city calms as the moon slowly rises with the new life of the night. One by one or in small groups of friends and couples, flocks of Romans leave their residences destined for the 16^th century equivalent of modern-day bars and night clubs. Motivated by the instinctive carnal desires known to man from the time of his first sin, they are not in the least aware of the true desires being masked and burning deep within. Happiness is what they seek, and happiness is what they will find; a happiness immediately satisfying and yet…fleeting by its very nature leaving an emptiness even more desolate than before.

One solitary soul, ripe in his young age softly closes his front door and steps onto the darkened Roman streets. He too is pressed on by a longing – an infinite desire he can’t seem to ever fully satisfy. His heart simultaneously seeks silence from the world and the noise of Heaven. Oh to hear His voice, to enter into His intimacy.

The road is long, 25 kilometers (around 15 miles) and the night is cool, but the mood is peaceful and the desire strong. His objective is simple: remain. In the next several hours from sunset to sunrise he will make his journey passed both the noise of Roman night life and the dead silence beyond the walls. He will make seven brief stops, all hallmarks of the Faith that leads him on. Invisible to the human eye he will have Divine Company each step of the way.

Prayer and offering; giving glory to God the Most High; interceding for the souls yet journeying in this life and those enduring purification for the next; communion with the saints gone before us; and penance for his own shortcomings, a young Philip Neri not yet priest and not yet saint takes up the ancient tradition of the Pilgrimage of the Seven Churches – a tradition again reinstalled around 10 years ago and currently lead by those who now follow his rule of life.

On the night leading to the 100^th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady in Fatima, I too took part in this all night pilgrimage with 3 of my sisters and around 600 others. Setting out on foot a little passed 8 pm after celebrating the Holy Mass together in the church founded by St. Philip Neri, we walked in his footsteps and those of many others saints. The seven churches unevenly spaced along this route include: St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, St. Sebastian, St. John Lateran, Santa Croce, St. Lawrence, and St. Mary Major.

It was a night to forever remember. Gathered together for the shared desire of those of St. Philip Neri listed above, the spirit of the pilgrimage was richly felt and lived. Focusing on our identity as children of the Father, we journeyed with Christ in his trip from the Garden of Gethsemane to Calvary. We prayed for strength against the vices all around us in our daily lives and for the raining down of the gifts of the Holy Spirit with which to combat them. And we gave testimony to the One always eager to claim us as His own walking in an unmistakable mass of voices lifting to the Heavens in vocal prayer or song cultivating also moments of absolute silence and personal prayer.

With each step our identity as sons and daughters deepened in as much as we became more and more brothers and sisters. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and Mother Mary united as Church we endured all aspects of a true pilgrimage symbolizing the course of the human life. From moments of light-hearted joy to heavy fatigue, we were given the opportunity to remember what, or rather Who, is at the center of our lives. Walking in the dead of night past active bars or the contrastingly calm countryside, we find ourselves yet again reoriented towards the real goal of our lives: that of Holiness.

Our guide, Fr. Maurizio Botta, never tired of reminding us that to grow in holiness means to grow in our being children of God, and we become children of God following His Son who is the only one who reveals to us the Father. Contemplating the seven effusions of blood Christ suffered for us in His Passion, we reflected heavily on His doing of the Father’s will. On the cross, in the gravest of human suffering, Jesus calls God “Father” and accepts His will. This is what it means to call God “Father”: to accept all in trust from the loving hands of the One who loves us infinitely and unconditionally.

After the days of physical effects of this pilgrimage are long gone (and of those I expect not just a few), I hope those of the spiritual kind long remain. It was such a simple act in reality, what we did last night. There was no glamour or limelight. The only cause of the attention we attracted was our sheer number of participants. I was humbled by the realization that I too often live my “daily life” disoriented from my true goal. That which we live (worries, struggles, joys…) is only worth it in as much as it brings us into a greater intimacy with the Son who reveals to us the Father and breaths upon us the Holy Spirit. We must live every moment WITH Him praying unceasingly as He implores us to do. No moment is too small or difficulty too great to invoke His presence.

The graces I perceive to have immediately received from this pilgrimage are: a greater sense peace; joy of being in communion with the saints, both present and in the making; and a reorientation towards to true goal of my life and center of it all, that is holiness and my relationship with the Holy Trinity.

It was a sincere blessing for me to live this night of simplicity, poverty, and fatigue in intercession for those I hold in my heart and to give glory to Him to whom all honor and glory are due.

“He who wants anything other than Christ, does not know what he wants.”

 – St. Philip Neri

An Ode to Fidelity

It’s not the first or the last but the each and the every.

It’s not the individual but the whole.
It’s not even so much the disposition of the heart but the conscious presence.

Hard, the habit to start.
Easy, to break.
Impossible, the habit to ignore: one either consciously is or isn’t.

Unrecognized, the small victory of its persistence.
Strong, the temptation to see the every’s and the each’s on their own as waste and not fruitful.
Subtle, the change it brings about.
Sweet and lasting, the long term fruit it bears.

While outside the flowers blossom and the fragrance of spring sweetly tickles my nose, I’d have to say that I am experiencing a kind of interior drought: a spiritual slump of sorts. St. Ignatius of Loyola, Father of the Discernment of Spirits and founder of the Society of Jesus – more commonly known as the Jesuits – would call this a time of desolation. In his writings, St. Ignatius teaches about spiritual consolation and desolation. Spiritual consolation is like an uplifting of the heart in which one eagerly and with ease gives praise and gratitude to God turning to Him in prayer with much joy and peace. Instead, a time of spiritual desolation is a weighing down of the heart in which one feels to be in darkness, overcome by doubts, temptations, or self-worries. All of us experience each of these as we make our way through low and dark valleys or enjoy the view from the mountaintop in this journey of life. St. Ignatius offers different suggestions on how to combat this spiritual desolation, not allowing it to inflict too much damage, but in the end, one must often simply wait for consolation to return.

What I’ve found most effective for me in this current “spiritual slump” is returning to moments of spiritual consolation in which I am certain to have heard the Father’s voice. There are around 4 or 5 distinct moments of prayer in my past that I still can’t doubt came from the Lord. In none of these instances did I actually hear a voice but I know that He spoke His words write into my heart.

Returning to these moments has helped me in many ways. First I find my heart lightened with the memory of a consolation. It’s as if the clouds of my desolation part for a second and allow some rays of warm sunshine to bring relief to my shadow covered heart. I have renewed hope that consolation will return and I will once again feel the certainty of His presence. Secondly, I am able to reflect on those moments and how I arrived at them. The one thing each of these moments has in common is my experience of self dependence that immediately precedes them. In each case, I find myself at the point of surrender to the Lord because I finally come to realize that I can’t depend on myself and that in doing so I keep running into the wall of my imperfection and limitedness. In the frustration and exhaustion of having tried to be self-sufficient for so long, I turn in desperation to the only One who not only can fulfill each of my needs and desires but wrote each of them on my heart before I ever came to be.

And the final lesson? The most important I would say…is that of fidelity. Faithfulness. I would have never arrived at these moments of rich joy if I hadn’t persevered through long periods of great drought. My Spiritual Director says that the best way to end prayer is by saying to the Lord: “Tomorrow, I will be here.” He says that it is in little acts of faithfulness that love grows. And I see the truth of this in my own life. In each moment that I decide to go into the chapel or pick up my rosary even when I feel no desire to do so, even when it seems as if I am merely completing a task on my to-do list - in those moments, I am really making an act of faith and opening up the door. Even just a crack is enough to let in the great love that our God is already pouring out on me and that I am just not yet able to receive in full. And each day that door opens another little bit, and another, and another until BAM! I find myself overwhelmed by a moment of great love. This love surprises me and catches me off guard but if I stop to think about it, it is merely the same love being poured upon me all along. But the best part? Even when I fail to be faithful, God remains faithful and never stops loving me to the highest degree possible! It is my love that grows in faithfulness. It is my love that grows more capable of meeting and accepting the unconditional and overbearing love of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. His love…it is always faithful, always true, always present, and always mine.

This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him. But if we deny him he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.
2 Timothy 2: 11-13

God is Love, and God is Faithful.

A taste of a joy that is complete

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you…” (John 15:11-14)

This past weekend (March 23-27) I experienced what must be a foretaste of the overwhelming joy of Heaven. I got a taste of the “complete joy” promised us by Christ Himself. I spent 5 beautiful days with true friends of God who follow His command and truly love one another. I witnessed my brother vow to lay down his life each day for his new bride who promised to submit herself to him in imitation of Christ and His Church.

Wednesday evening, after a long day of travel, I arrived at DFW surprised to be greeted by the smiling faces of my parents along with that of my brother who I had expected to be alone. Immediately a human desire of mine was granted at Five Guys Burgers and Fries as I sunk my teeth into a juicy double cheeseburger! At Brandon’s apartment I met Jen’s (and now also his) cat CJ who accompanied me throughout the night with his occasional yet seemingly often meowing.

Thursday – my first full day in Dallas – started out early as my confused body had me up and wide awake by 5 am (around noon Roman time). I was able to do a good deal of prayer before my family awoke and Brandon started frying the bacon. (Note on the food: this weekend I ate many classic unhealthy American favorites with no shame and only a little regret). Like the good ole days we ate breakfast together – our last as a family of four – laughing and making fun as we always will. But after breakfast we did something new. We ended our days of fitting comfortably in a restaurant booth or in a standard hotel room with 2 double beds with an action that is not only one of the most beautiful but one that I’d say accurately defines the main focus of the growth of our family in recent years: we prayed the rosary. In Klekar style we did so not without laughs as we all simultaneously made the sign of the cross giving a quick kiss to the crucifix after “Amen” and chased my dad who took off with the Apostles’ Creed even after we had decided that Brandon would lead us. Each had personal prayers or intentions to add before each decade and a different idea of the appropriate speed at which to roll the familiar words off of our tongues so compromises were to be made. I was forced to close my eyes in order to clog up the tears that threatened to escape at such a beautiful sight. We are all now daily rosary prayer-ers and yet we’ve never prayed it together as a family like this before, and now with Jen no one will even have to lead a decade twice!

Continuing this union in prayer we went to Mass at noon before catching a lighter lunch at Jason’s Deli. Somehow we often find ourselves shopping together and headed off to find luck at the first store we tried all together. At the second, Brandon and Dad even joined the hunt for the final piece of my dress which Brandon actually picked out. Back at the apartment Mom and Dad grabbed our bags to check into the hotel and we all began to get ready for the evening that would officially kick off the festivities for which I made the long trip from Rome.

Brandon happily referred to the weekend as their “Wedding Triduum” as Jen looked on smiling at the rehearsal. Things all started becoming real as Fr. Kevin explained in great detail when and where the couple had to stand, hold hands, repeat after him…Words and expressions like “Rite of Marriage”, “rings”, “I have”, and “Mr. and Mrs.” stung my ears and my heart began to grow warm. Never before (and never again) had I been the sister of a groom. Never before had I sat at the front row and read the first reading at a wedding. Never before had I had a sister…yet here I was.

The dinner to follow was simple and delicious. In a back room of La Hacienda Ranch the bridal party and immediate family of the bride and groom were joined by significant others and close friends for a fajita buffet. My dad gave a little “thank you” and welcome speech to start us off and the best man and maid of honor delighted us with their toasts midway through the meal. Hearing such beautiful words of my brother and his would-be wife was so amazing. Certainly I could have told them all the wonderful things they said of Brandon already knowing and loving those same qualities but there’s something different about hearing them from others who have different roles and perspectives than I do. A common theme was that of the central role of God in their relationship. How their individual striving for intimacy with the Lord not only drew them to each other but makes their striving for holiness as a couple all that much more powerful. Aside from the words, this evening was the beginning of my weekend witnessing the shared looks, small gestures, smiles, love exchanged, mutual respect, and naturally prayerful disposition of the now newlywed couple.

Friday promised for Jen a day of pampering and for Brandon one of packing. My day started early – wide awake this time around 5:30 am – in time to pray my rosary and Morning Prayer before Mass at 7 am at the beautiful Cathedral downtown. Staying for an hour of adoration after, I found myself speaking with the Lord about the beauty my heart was trying to soak in after only one day. The love shared between my brother and Jen is just so obviously pure and mutual. Already past times visiting I had noticed the way Brandon was free to be completely himself under Jen’s loving gaze and how Jen was all “google-eyed” by what for me as his sister was borderline embarrassing. Needless to say, it makes a little sister very happy to see this and my prayer, aside from being an intercession for the climax of the wedding weekend, was one of gratitude and awe at the wonders and goodness of our God.

After spending the morning with a good friend from college I returned to the hotel in time to meet Jen’s mom and mine for lunch with Jen and the girls at Newk’s. Mom and I split a pizza and shared conversation with a table of giggling girls and a miraculously calm and only slightly stressed bride all with three main things on their mind: the present moment, the next appointment(s), and the wedding itself.

To make good on the little time I had with him, mom and I went to a second lunch with Dad, Brandon, and Louis, Brandon’s best man and oldest friend. During the lunch, before me sat a young man, calm and collected, capable of both small talk and deeper sharing, more excited than nervous for the big day. This second lunch was followed by more last minute shopping. Whereas Thursday the sister of the groom finally bought a dress for the wedding, Friday marked the day the groom bought an essential to the honeymoon: swimming trunks! (Not without consulting the future wife I might add. Thank you multi-media messaging.)

Slipping away to see his future wife Brandon then left us to prepare for that evening’s events which were to be one of the most memorable and I’d also say crucial for the peace of the bride and groom. At around 7pm we all met up at the house of one of the friends along with some of the wedding party, immediate family, and members of Brandon and Jen’s separate men and women’s groups. The evening was to be dedicated to prayer through song and spontaneous intercession for the spouses-to-be. It was aptly entitled “Praise and Worship”. Singing songs picked by Brandon and Jen we formed a circle around the couple who sang and prayed with eyes closed and hands open asking for the pouring down of God’s grace and desiring to render due thanks and praise to the God without whom none of this would be possible. At a certain point we came closer placed a hand on them and with the guitar still softly playing its sweet melody in the background, spontaneous prayers began to be raised to the heavens on behalf of Brandon and Jen. Prayers for peace, grace, love, fruitfulness, and prosperity. Prayers against tragedy and suffering. Prayers of thanksgiving and hopes for the fruit to be born in the Kingdom of God by the testimony of their married love. Again my eyes were to remain closed mostly in order to hold back tears although I also felt drawn to watch the sincerity and rawness with which Brandon and Jen prayed showing the confidence and comfort of speaking to a friend who they speak with daily and yet showing also the reverence one must use when tiptoeing on holy ground. At the end Jen thanked us for joining them for prayer and added that she was glad we – as the family – were able to see the type of community it was that surrounded them there in Dallas. And what a community it is! A true witness of the meshing of the “weirdness” of young people choosing to dedicate their lives to striving for holiness renouncing that which the world upholds as its highest goods and the “normalness” of young people who love to joke, make fun, grab a beer, hike, play a game or sport, and hope to leave their mark in this life. A community that not only accepts friends as they are and meets them where they are at but challenges growth and calls to attention that which needs it. A community that lets this little sister leave her brother and new sister-in-law in peace knowing that they are more than taken care of. A community that also provokes in her a slight sting of jealousy desiring to be one who gets to participate so intimately in the daily living out of their Vocation.

Saturday: it has finally arrived! Again I’m up early – 6 am this time. I go for a walk around and around the hotel parking lot and I pray. So much was on my mind and heart so up they go: prayers of intercession, my hopes and dreams for this couple, for their joy and holiness, for the strength to live out this Vocation so blatantly attacked in our society. Prayers for peace and grace in the final hours of their preparation. Prayers for their presence to each moment soaking it all in and savoring each and every flavor. Prayers for fruitfulness: for many nieces and nephews to spoil with goodies from Italy and smother with love. Prayers of wonder at all of the good God is working through them and gratitude for the God who has put such a woman in my brother’s life causing him to express a joy that is contagious to all who can’t stop smiling at the way he keeps smiling at her. Prayers over the first reading which I would later proclaim that day of a God who rejoices in us as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride. A rich and powerful image for those around Brandon that day. Prayers that I too might exude such a joy and love in my Vocation. Prayers that I too might inspire others to strive for holiness just by the living out of my daily life. Prayers for Brandon and Jen – the groom and bride soon-to-be husband and wife.

Invited to the maid of honor’s mother’s home, my mom and I spent the day with the girls getting ready for the wedding. As usual from the start Jen was beautiful but it was fun watching the hair, make-up, and finally the dress bring out even more her natural beauty. At first I had thought I’d have rather spent the day with Brandon (not that that was ever an option!), but I’m glad to have been so included by Jen in these immediate preparations. I was also thus given the chance to get to know her bridesmaids more who are all such lovely souls. Another lovely soul in our midst, always present and joyful, was Jen’s mom Pat. I would love – and look forward to – spending more time with Pat and Jen’s entire family. Similar to ours in their laid back nature and living out of the faith, I felt instantly welcomed and comfortable around them. Even though it is Brandon who married their daughter they continued to speak of the joining of our whole families and not just the entrance of Brandon into theirs. God is certainly doing wonderful things here and blessing us greatly in the uniting of our families – a unity which is sure to bring about much growth on our journey of holiness.

Having a late wedding (7 pm), the whole day was quite relaxed. Never were we rushed and almost always were we actually ahead of schedule! I think this, plus the night of praise and worship along with a well done discernment leading up to this day, allowed Jen to live the preparation with much peace and calm. Necessary nerves were certainly felt for the “yes” to be said was not a little one but these were nerves worn with sincerity and style. Later I was to interrogate my Dad about Brandon’s behavior before the wedding and he was to confirm that it was quite similar to Jen’s: calm, joyful, serene, expectant, and eager.

At the church, more pictures were snapped and the “First Look” was set up. Contrary to common tradition, Brandon and Jen shared a moment of seeing each other in tux and gown for the first time before the wedding, followed by the pictures that, if taken after the evening celebration, would have “stolen” the reception. The First Look was a moment very precious and special for the bride and groom even if us girls were all shamelessly watching from the window (they said we could!). I don’t think I’ll ever forget the look on Brandon’s face when he first saw her – certainly Jen won’t. Joy. There’s nothing else to be said. It was a joy that showed right from his heart out through his smile. Neither of them from that moment on stopped radiating this pure joy all night. And their first action together as fully dressed bride and groom was, of course, in natural “Bran-Jen” style to bow their heads in prayer before the statue of the Blessed Mother.

I’m still not sure how they tore Brandon away from her. It must have been the promise of the “one flesh union” to come in the following wedding Mass. I should also mention that Brandon cleaned up quite well and was dashingly handsome in his navy blue tux. Jen was equally eager to keep her eyes glued on him!

Blurry...but captures the joy!

The wedding Mass: I could write for days on this single hour long event. So much beauty. So much love. So much continued joy. The music, the presence of friends and family, the brief and well preached homily, the joyfully and clearly proclaimed vows…of course the treasure of the Mass itself as the height and summit of the Christian life making present the one saving sacrifice of Christ. But what will remain impressed in my mind most of all was watching Brandon and Jen truly, prayerfully participate in the Mass. There close to the altar, before the eyes of Catholics – practicing and non – and non-Catholics alike was a young couple really living the Mass. During the songs and prayers they sung and proclaimed with a loud voice and eyes held closed in concentration. Their hands remained clasped together with their free hand often and naturally raised in a posture of praise before our God. Their vows were spoken with smiles on their faces, clear voices, and watery eyes locked in an intense gaze marveling at the mystery of a God who sacramentally joins two persons through the seemingly simple repetition of words chosen long ago. In an appropriate gesture on the great feast of the Annunciation they consecrated their marriage to Our Lady offering her a bouquet of white roses and lifting up a prayer for her intercession. The Mass ended with a blessing and sending forth of the husband and wife announced as “Mr. and Mrs. Brandon and Jen Klekar.” (We’ll forgive Fr. Marco for his unfortunate mispronunciation!)

With the wedding bells rung and a few more pictures snapped, the reception began! Heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks of all kinds accompanied the guests in the short wait to welcome the newlyweds who impressed with a well done first dance full of twirls and even ending with a dip (nicely done Brandon, nicely done)! Next the mingling commenced as the happily married couple made their rounds. Watching them I couldn’t help but notice the freedom and security they each had wanting to stay together but able to easily leave each other’s side with no sign of clinging. Jen’s love gives Brandon the confidence to know he has what it takes and is worthy of this beautiful woman’s self-gift. Brandon’s love tells Jen that she’s enough, special, treasured, cherished for who she is, and protected. Each of their love gives the other the freedom to be nothing other than utterly and authentically themselves. Then, Jen’s dad gave a beautiful toast making me proud again to be Brandon’s sister with his praiseworthy compliments and welcoming of our whole family along with Brandon into the Gavia flock. This was followed by the father-daughter dance and mother-son dance which opened up the dance floor to a mix of a well-chosen playlist offering opportunities to two-step, line dance, and break multiple moves. Enjoying myself with the various guests and family I still found myself often gazing after the newlyweds watching and witnessing their love so delicately and simply shared. In good Aggie fashion we “sawed ‘em off” in a swaying circle where I proudly (and strategically) placed myself by my brother being reminded of Aggie football games attended together. The night was approaching its end and I was beginning to prepare myself for our goodbye. Would he forget? There is a lot going on after all, but we won’t see each other again for several months. I’d sure like more than a side hug or quick hand wave. The final song “Don’t Stop Believing” – the city girl and small town boy dancing together in the middle of the crowd gathered only for them, guests of all ages screaming out the words to this timeless Journey classic. The music ends and the crowd disperses in search of sparklers and a good spot in the line leading up to the getaway car. Miraculously there remains basically only us on the dance floor. The moment I’ve been so dreading meets the moment for which he’s been so long waiting. See you in August. A look, a knowing and pained smile, a generous big-brother embrace. Of course he didn’t forget. He’ll miss me too. More than ever I loved my brother. I loved who he’s always been, who he was standing before me then, and the man he was destined to become walking this path. I loved his wife, the woman God had chosen to put by his side and entrust with Brandon’s holiness. There was so much I could say in that moment like how much I love introducing myself as “Brandon’s little sister” and look for every opportunity to do so. Or how proud I truly was to be able to claim this man of great faith who leads through his example. Or how full and yet light my heart was in the rays of his contagious joy. Once Brandon told me that he wanted to be a role model in everything for me as my big brother – even in the faith. Well, I could have told him how inspired I was by his holiness to strive more determinedly towards my own. I could’ve shared my hopes, dreams, and prayers I have for him and Jen in this adventure of life together as one. I love you. I’m proud of you. You did good. I say as I motion to Jen. I love you too. I know, Brandon. I know. A hug to Jen – the sister I always wanted and a sincere thanks for including me so warmly in even her side of the preparation and festivities.

They’ve arrived at the car. The scene is set for a perfect get away. Sparklers lighting the dark sky, he dramatically dips her for a kiss, the family steals another hug, he chivalrously opens the door and seats his bride-turned-wife before getting in himself, and they are off. Only a few short hours separating them from their flight to sunny paradise!

My heart is full. There is just a tinge of sadness. Sadness at the end of an era. The end of “the 4 of us”. The end of “Brandon’s place” knowing from now on she’ll always be there. Sadness perhaps hinted also with jealousy of having to share my Brandon which now must become our. But this hint of sadness is overcome by such great joy! Joy of a new beginning. Joy at being 5. Joy at going to visit Brandon and finding her always there. And not just any her but Jen – the girl I met and instantly liked even before I knew they were friends. The girl that makes Brandon smile like that and will run alongside of him so as to win the crown of glory. Yes, Saturday marked the sadness of an end but also the great joy of a new beginning. What lies ahead only time will tell, and I can’t wait to live every present moment of it!

Sunday met me with a hangover of joy and constant thoughts of the happy couple and how they were living their honeymoon and recent made vows. A beautiful breakfast with family at Denny’s allowed me time to make good on this chance to come home half way through year one in Rome. Swapping stories of Rome life for those of home life, we laughed through the meal enjoying each other’s’ presence. The end came too soon and our goodbyes were said with a hopeful look forward to August that “will certainly come quickly.”

I spent the afternoon walking around a beautiful lake and chatting with another newlywed couple and dear friends from college. It was nice to catch-up.

That evening after Mass it was just me, Mom, and Dad. Walking around downtown Dallas we chatted like old times laughing and making fun as well as often wondering aloud at the doings of Brandon and Jen at that moment. We commented on the wedding, our favorite parts and the impression it had left on us. We shared memories of Brandon and first moments of Jen in our lives – moments that will quickly be multiplying. We decided on take-out (pizza and mozzarella sticks) to be eaten in the privacy and comfort of our hotel room for our last night together before my return flight to Rome. Very simple but all we needed: time together and rest.

Monday morning seemed to come quick as my departure became real again. After some last minute errands, a long breakfast at Ihop, and wasting time in Kohls we headed to the airport. Sitting in the car replaying the funniest moments of the weekend tears brimmed my eyes in the midst of one of those hard laughs Dad and I often share: tears due to the laugh but also to the emotion of leaving. Staring at my parents after the weekend with Brandon we had just had, I was more aware than ever of what I was leaving behind. I love my family in all their quirks and imperfections. I love my story and where I come from. I love that they support me in my life choices to the extent of driving me to the flight that will separate us with the ocean even when it breaks their heart. Like the love Brandon and Jen share, that of my parents also makes me free. Free to fly – literally and figuratively. Free to be me and pursue my heart’s greatest desires. Free to discover who God has created me to be and follow Him wherever it is that He would lead me. The freedom of a loving gaze constant and pure. A gaze that says between tears that even more than I want you to stay, I want you to go because I know it is what is best for you and what will make you most happy. A gaze that truly wants the other’s good. And now I sit aboard my international flight fighting back my own tears as I review this weekend’s beautiful events. More than ever before I want to stay and experience the newness of this adventure of “5” and walk with Brandon and Jen in their adventure of “2”, but this isn’t my reality. God has other plans for us. Plans greater than my ideas because reality is superior to ideas, and we live in reality not the ideas that roam around in my mind (thank goodness!!!). So I entrust myself again in His hands. I entrust Mom and Dad, Brandon and Jen. I entrust our relationship defined by distance, and I look to the Heavenly Father with trust and love knowing that my reality is a gift and work of mercy leading me Home to Him. What is entailed of my reality is what is “necessary” for my holiness. This is my avenue to sainthood and, inspired by the witness of Brandon and Jen’s pursuit of God in their everyday life, I embrace it in the good and bad, beautiful and ugly, easy and difficult with hope and joy of a “tomorrow” together that one day will never end.

Christmas Newsletter 2016

December 24, 2016

Dear Family, Friends, Benefactors, and Loved ones,

Today is Christmas Eve here in Rome! My first “Christmas in the city”, and I wouldn’t be honest not to admit that it is both beautiful and very difficult. Beautiful because I’m getting to spend it with my community – my crazy new family that has accepted me as one of their own. Beautiful also because I get to experience Christmas in a new culture, that of a city and that of Italy. Very difficult because for the first time, I’m not with my family who is the main reason that I am who I am today. And very difficult because the exciting newness of the city life also reminds of how much I miss the peace and quiet of Christmas morning in the country waking up to the sun pouring in through the blinds and racing to the warmth of the cozy fireplace prompted by the curiosity to see what’s inside the mountain of colorful boxes under the Christmas tree.

Today and tomorrow are sure to be filled with much hearty laughter as is always the case when the community is all together. It will also have its moments of tears from a heart both sad and overjoyed at the knowledge of being loved so far beyond its capacity to reciprocate and nostalgic for that life when there will be no end to the time shared with its loved ones.

Important Events

Please pray for my exams (almost all oral…and in Italian!)!!!!!:

·         25 January à Introduction to Philosophy

·         31 January à Philosophical Anthropology (my favorite!)

·         3 February à Logic I (written)

·         6 February à Methodology

·         8 February à History of Ancient Philosophy

Other Important Events

·         15-19 February à House of Formation Spiritual Exercises

·         25 March à My brother Brandon gets married to Jen!!! (and I’ll be there!)

·         29 March à Father Salvatore Scorza’s 65^th anniversary of priesthood (our 90 yr old founder)

·         5 August à Francesca takes her vows in her home in Calabria!!

·         December à Kalin takes her vows (date to be determined)

Story Time

                Many of you might not know that here in Italy it is more common to have a stick shift than an automatic. In fact, we only have cars that are stick shifts. What does this mean? That I had to learn to drive a standard…in Rome. It goes without saying that my first month of lessons (taught by my formator Janel) were filled with much anxiety and heart dropping moments in the driver’s seat. I felt completely without control and like I was having to start over from ground zero. But it proved to be a very beautiful experience: one of choosing against my anxiety and nerves to trust in Janel and myself and go back out there each time accepting all embarrassing moments and mistakes that led to many “deaths” of the car.

                What I’d like to recount to you though is a major victory that Briana (my roommate and another girl in formation with me) had one Monday afternoon. Feeling by this point more confident in my driving skills, I still wasn’t fighting any one for the keys. However, that afternoon, after our weekly apostolate of doing evangelization on one of the biggest university campuses in Rome, only Briana and I were left going home in the car. We both looked at each other with little nervous half smiles but determination and also excitement at the opportunity before us of another one of our many adventures together. Having driven more at that point, I took the keys and chose to rely fully in Briana’s memory to get us home. We don’t have smart phones anymore and we didn’t bring the navigator with us so Briana was literally navigating us through the streets of Rome always succeeding in telling me to turn just as we reached the next street! You have no idea of the joy it was to see the church and piazza near our house that confirmed we were officially not lost!

                We were so excited and content with ourselves that upon our arrival home, after returning the keys to the other apartment, I begin climbing the stairs to our apartment (the 3^rd floor). Turning the corner I am stopped in my tracks not recognizing the door as ours until I realize that I climbed too many stairs and had arrived on the 4^th floor!

                I wouldn’t say that I’m an expert at driving a stick shift and the idea of having to stop and start on a hill gives me butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it, but I have definitely overcome my initial fears and anxiety. I can even appreciate driving a standard as fun and at times a sort of endearing challenge. Just a little example of what little joys (among the many big ones) this life is offering me!

Where is my heart?

                Where to start? Just six short months ago I was on a plane traveling to Rome with a checked bag containing those of my belongings that “made the cut” in my move (I arrived on June 23). In this relatively brief time yet one extremely rich with experiences, I have had my ups and downs. I’ve been through periods of prayer involving more ease and those involving more struggle. I’ve hit many walls I thought would be the last just before overcoming another challenge or obstacle in the journey. I’ve continually learned of my limits and also of my ability to do so much more than I’d ever imagine. I’ve been reminded again and again of the value and necessity in surrendering because self-reliance never achieves lasting victories. I’ve found myself face to face with the beautiful yet demanding reality of being a part of a family (my community) made up of women from all different walks of life and varying opinions and personalities from night to day. I’ve been discouraged and encouraged just to be discouraged all over again. I’ve done many happy dances from having received a letter or having had a skype appointment with a dear friend to correctly using Italian grammar in an everyday sentence. I’ve fought and won the battle against the irritatingly slow and complicated Italian bureaucracy to officially become a resident of the city of Rome. I’ve ventured out alone in the city to take the “mezzi” (public transportation) and arrive on time to my appointments. I’ve met many new and beautiful people enriching my life with each new smile!...

                And amidst all this, the craziness of this fast paced rhythm of life – one that could leave me forgetting to breathe if it wasn’t vitally necessary – I find that in my heart…in its core, beneath the wear and tear of everyday life…there is but a pulsing presence of great joy and peace.

                A scripture passage that has been following me these months is Psalm 36/37. One verse in particular caught my eye: “Abita la terra” (dwell the land). When my eyes first came across this verse, I felt immediately drawn to it. It is as if the Lord, through these words, is constantly inviting me to be completely present to my realty. He has chosen to place me in these situations, with these people, these difficulties, and these joys. This is the “stuff” it takes for me to be purified and become holy. So instead of allowing myself to “leave” this reality through my thoughts or distractions, He is continually calling me to be present to it even and perhaps especially when it is hard. With my gaze on Christ, I am reminded of the future glory (already won) that I am walking towards and I have the courage to accept, own, and truly live the reality that is mine. I see it as a gift, a work of mercy really. In His great mercy, God has given me this reality to lead me back to Him. All I have to do is trust in Him and dwell in it.

“The journey is not long for the person who loves who he/she is going to find.” – African Proverb 

Prayer Intentions

                With that all said, I ask for your continued prayers. They are certainly that which sustains me in the everyday, ordinariness of life. In particular I ask prayers for the grace to truly live this call of the Lord to be present to my reality. In the midst of anxiety (with these upcoming oral exams for example) I find myself very tempted to leave reality though my imagination or even complaints and wishes that I didn’t have to study or that I knew more of the material already. I ask for special prayers for Francesca and Kalin who will be taking their vows this coming year (Francesca in August and Kalin in December). For their preparation to give their whole selves in consecration to our Lord. I ask also that you pray for the people that we encounter in our mission: that they may find their peace and joy in our God who loves them beyond that which they are able to comprehend. That they may be swept up in this unending love and lead to the eternal joy of His Kingdom. And finally I ask prayers for my own personal journey: that I may remain always with an open heart to receive the whispers of God revealing His will for me.

With much love and united in prayer,

Cherise J

 

Our Community in Rome

Our founder Fr. Salvatore Scorza the day before his 90th birthday!

Love in the details

Oh now You’re just showing off!

You know when someone goes over the top to demonstrate their capacity to do something? That person who doesn’t hesitate to go an extra mile just to remind you that they can? Well…for me, in these weeks, that person has been none other than God Himself! Let me give you a few examples…

Parting the “Red Sea”…again

In my last post I mentioned that my current source of anxiety was my learning to drive a stick shift. My how far we’ve come from those days!! First off, I don’t experience NEAR as much anxiety as I did at that time. In fact, beyond feeling rather comfortable behind the wheel (and all 5 gears), I actually kind of like it! Driving a stick shift is already enough of an adventure on its own but when it occurs in Rome, that’s a whole other kind of monster! However, I must admit that I don’t feel all that challenged yet in the sense that the Lord has certainly shown His hand again and again in my driving adventures. The first time I drove to school in the morning, I was dreading the final piece when we basically have to stick the nose of the car out into oncoming traffic until they stop to be able to reach the entrance of the university that is not conveniently near to any stop light. In my good fortune (which I prefer to call Providence), the moment I arrived in the car, I didn’t even have to stop because there was – miraculously, I assure you – no one coming and enough space for me to turn without even having to shift gears! More recently, I hit about all the green lights possible including the dreaded red light that divides our uphill stretch just before reaching the city center. That day we arrived to school earlier than ever before! The great thing about all this is that in the meantime I am only gaining confidence in my driving skills so the challenges that do come up phase me less. But most importantly, I get to smile all day long recognizing how God really does love us in the details!

“Posso darti un invito?” (Can I give you an invite?)

Every Monday, after school, we take a short trip in the car to another university – the biggest in Rome – the Sapienza. Here we meet up with some of the other sisters to have lunch with any students around, animate an hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel on campus with songs and prayers, and then walk around sparking conversations with the students we meet about life, faith, and God. This last part is often called “evangelization” and is not something that comes naturally to me. I would much rather keep to myself secretly hoping that a deep conversation about these topics I do enjoy happens upon me. However, in this case, we are the ones seeking to create these conversations and satisfy the thirst to speak about something of depth and profound meaning that, in reality, we all have. So far, all of my experiences have been really great! Pairing up with a sister with vows, I have the opportunity also to learn much from her personal approach and years of experience. Two of the times now I have been with Sabina and we have happened upon a group of young men studying or chatting in the green lawn in front of one of the department buildings. In both occasions, the initial reaction was one of little interest as we use the excuse of passing out flyers for a discounted student trip to Siena to “disturb their peace” and enter into dialogue. In fact, in the second experience we were met with a harsh “no” before even one pair of eyes! However, in both cases we were able to embark on a conversation starting with simple questions about their studies and interests before entering into our story (how we have chosen to give our lives to God and to sharing Him with others). It’s always beautiful to see the questions and curiosities of the human heart. Even those furthest from the belief in God – or perhaps especially these – when given the chance, show a great depth of desire for meaning and understanding. There is certainly fear in not knowing how to respond to something but I’m learning that principally two things occur before a question we don’t have the answer to: (1) the Holy Spirit jumps in with the right words to say, or (2) the best thing for that moment is to admit not having the answer and offering to let the person know after seeking it out. After the most recent encounter with a couple of young men and Sabi, the Lord found Himself another opportunity to flex His muscles. It was already enough that He’d gifted us with a beautiful half hour length conversation but He decided to do even more! Walking around with Sabi I spotted a young man sitting alone and reading. Pointing him out to Sabi she encouraged me to go on my own saying that it would be too overwhelming to approach him in two. Nervously walking over to him, rehearsing my line about the Siena trip in my mind, I was prepared for a quick “no” that would send me directly back to Sabi. However, instead this young man looking me in the eye and accepted my invitation to talk about this Siena trip – which in reality I know virtually nothing about. From there we were able to go deeper as he expressed his lack of belief in the existence of God due to suffering and evil he’s seen in the world particularly in the realm of politics and civil life as his major is political science. Despite him seeming rather convinced of his own ideas, he remained open and curious to hear from this young girl with an obvious American accent attempt to explain her own experience of the existence of God in her limited Italian. In this brief conversation, I truly felt the Spirit working in keeping me calm and giving me ideas of questions to ask or examples to share to keep the conversation going. In the end, he saw the friends he had been waiting for but the thing that really surprised and impressed me was the way he motioned for me to wait as he went over to them. From the distance I could see him using the same gesture to ask them to wait as he turned and came quickly back to me. His friends looked rather agitated but waited. Back with me he continued explaining his final point and apologized for having to leave. I was really struck with the way he desired to continue the conversation when many others would have gladly used seeing their friends as an excuse to cut it short. As he turned to go away and I sent up a prayer for him and his journey, I couldn’t help but smile at the workings of our Great God who in His own perfectly humble way was certainly “showing off” in that moment.

“What would you like to hear?”

Another gift I received from the Lord recently was the opportunity to suggest a theme for the meditation for our monthly retreat. Us girls in formation have our monthly retreats on Sundays since we can’t take a day of silence during the school week. These retreats always begin with a meditation (a reflection on the Word of God or a theme on the spiritual life) by one of the sisters who already has vows. This past retreat was preached to us by Tiziana – the second of the community. I happened to find myself alone with her the evening before and she off-handedly asked me what I wanted to hear about in her meditation. My first reaction – before remembering I was talking to Tiziana whose style is very “off the cuff” – was: you haven’t prepared it yet?! But in remembering who I was talking to, I was able to think seriously about the question and the opportunity that was before me. Many different ideas came to my mind but the Lord led me to be simple and honest with what was on my heart even if it wasn’t anything extravagant or impressive. In the end I left the conversation wondering if I shouldn’t have said something different and all the usual over-analytical thinking I often fall into. However, the next day, in listening to the meditation, I found my ears welcoming all the things my heart needed to hear in this moment. It was really incredible! Even things I didn’t share with her found their way into the reflection and fit perfectly with my current experience! The whole time I couldn’t shake the feeling of the total gift I was receiving. The gift of the meditation in itself but also the gift of being able to participate in it by simply sharing with Tiziana what was on my heart.

A note about my “ordinary life”

Since I am not sure when I will have time to write again, I will leave yall with a couple of words about the daily life I am living…

School

So…I am officially a freshman all over again, but I must admit that I don’t feel at all like I am reliving college. In fact, with the culture and the subject matter, I hardly recognize any resemblance to what I already lived at A&M. In the Italian style and being a very small private university, I spend all morning in the same classroom with the same 40ish people as different professors come to us to teach their lessons. There is no concept of classes on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and classes on Tuesday, Thursday. Instead there is, what seems to me, a random organization of the classes in accord with the availability of the professors and in attempt to avoid a conflict of any two classes necessary for one student.

I am really enjoying the subject matter so far. I am currently in my first year of Philosophy. We take two years of Philosophy and three of Theology to earn a Bachelors degree in Theology. My current classes are as follows: Introduction to Theology (we already have one theology class a semester), Introduction to Philosophy, History of Ancient Philosophy, Philosophical Anthropology (perhaps my favorite!), Methodology (how to write and do citations correctly), and Logic (certainly my least favorite!).

All of the lessons are taught in Italian – a language obviously not my own so this certainly doesn’t remind me of A&M. Thankfully, however, since I studied Italian at A&M, I am not having that much difficulty with the language. I was actually expecting a greater struggle in this department but I am able to understand (aside from a few words here and there) as well as take notes all in Italian. The real test (no pun intended) will be the oral exam at the end of the semester which will count as the only test for the whole class and will be done in Italian. Y’all can start praying now please. Thanks!

“Pesce alla Cherise”

You know the desire to be known for being good at something? I have that for cooking. I like the idea of being known as…I don’t know…the girl really good at cooking meat (I am from Texas after all), or at baking or even at being creative with the same vegetables that are donated to use week after week. But never did I desire, or quite frankly expect, to hear an applause and excited squeals from the sisters I live with at the fact that I will be cooking fish for supper. How did this happen you ask? Well one day I decided to make fish and wanted to do something simple and lemony so…I merely marinated the fish (for only an hour) in lemon juice, sliced lemon, salt and pepper. Then, after the hour was up, I battered each piece in flour and pan fried it in a little oil and served it hot. This has become so loved as a recipe that I no longer have freedom when making fish. I must make it this way no question. Now, this isn’t something I mind by any means and it is objectively very delicious as a dish especially when eaten hot off the stove but completely and utterly unexpected. And it is these unexpected little joys that bring a true smile to my heart.

I pray that we all can remain upon to these small unexpected joys and ready to recognize the way that God is loving each of us today in the details!