About Me

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Douglas, Alaska, United States
I have lived in Alaska since 1978, having come to Juneau as a Jesuit Volunteer. I fell in love with Alaska and now live on Douglas Island with my husband and two dogs.

Friday, April 5, 2013

3 Reasons I Love Catholicism


The Institution of the Eucharist

{1}
The Eucharist

There is nothing more spiritually amazing, fulfilling, satisfying, refreshing, intimate, healing, grace-giving, emotional or blessing-laden than receiving Christ in His Body and His Blood.  Even gazing at the Blessed Sacrament in adoration can give me these benefits, but to actually consume Him in the Eucharist, to become one with Him and, in turn with my brothers and sisters who also do so is beyond description.

Jesus and St. Menas, 6th Century Egyptian Icon
{2}
The Music, Art and Architecture

The music that has been written for the Church throughout history, from Palestrina to Mozart to the Missa Luba, to Bob Hurd's stunning liturgical music, is a gift from God.  To be able to use my voice to sing His praises and lead my faith community in song, as I did for many years, was an privilege.

There is so much beautiful art that has been created for the Church.  Mosaics, illuminated manuscripts, icons, and cathedrals.  They are beautiful works that are gifts to the world.

Dorothy Day
Dorothy Day
Mother of the Poor
Mother Teresa
{3}
The Church's Preferential Option For The Poor

The poor, the Anawim, the forgotten, the marginalized: as St. Lawrence said, these are the treasures of the Church.
Christ Has No Body
Christ has no body but yours,

No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks with compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world.

Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are His body.
Christ has no body now but yours, 
no hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks with compassion on this world.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
                                                                        Teresa of Avila

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4 comments:

  1. Hi Paula, just wanted to say that I received the prayer shrine! Thankyou so much, it is beautiful!
    I love that poem by Teresa of Avila, I have read it many times and never fail to be challenged by it!

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  2. These took my breath away. I love them too, but you put each of them so beautifully. The poor! God loves the smallest of the small, right? Aren't we lucky to be a part of this Church?

    Thanks for linking up, and I hope to see you back next month. :)

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