week 29/25

Celebrating Mary Magdalene

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Today is the Feast Day of Mary Magdalene.

I am not going to talk about her “reputation” which is based in sexism and misogyny, but I’d like to remind people that she is now called the Apostle to the Apostles. She was the first to announce the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and she deserves to be called out for her willingness to tell the Good News to the men (and others) in hiding. (Parenthetically, I am not suggesting that there was no danger to his male disciples; of course, there was, but dismissing her for so long has really bothered me (and many others).)

This was one of my very first Tiny Saints. It was important for me to have that visual and tactile representation of St. Mary Magdalene.

I treasure her independence, her leadership, her bravery. I appreciate how she stepped out of her comfort zone, and can still, after all these years influence us in all the good ways that she was influencing Jesus and all the people surrounding Him.

Think of the ways and the people who have influenced you in the Gospel, the Good News, and how you can use Mary Magdalene’s example of independence, leadership, and bravery. What other ways can you meditate on these values and bring ourselves forward in our best and brave way?

Mary Magdalene, Pray for Us.

Inspired, and More

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The last few weeks have been nothing short of active, and I hope I’ve gotten through it with less scathing than would be normal for this kind of busyness. This post will be part mental health check-in, part inspired, part goal-setting.

Mental Health Check-in for Week 3 of July

I went back to my original post to see what the goals were that I thought I needed to focus on, and this was less than helpful. Goals and goalposts are constantly being adjusted. Looking at the biggest priorities, it’s still been iffy. Although to be fair to myself, I’ve been busy and not wasting time and opportunities, so while it’s been slow-going, it has still been going.

This is very much a positive.

Where are we this week?

  1. I was working on my presentation until about 7pm the night before. I realized there comes a point when it just needs to be done. I laid everything out on index cards, and did my thing. It was fantastic. I think everyone liked it and learned something new about St. Kateri Tekakwitha. I was able to constructively see things that I would change. I did a little improvisation and even though I finished later than planned, I was able to end on a decent note, and skipped a few slides at the end, and no one was the wiser. All in all, a good experience. I’m willing to do another powerpoint, although I’m hoping someone else presents it.
  2. Work. July 8th, I began working full-time. I haven’t worked full-time (outside the house) since my now-twenty-eight year old was two. It is a big adjustment for everyone, but my family is being supportive and picking up some tasks, and my co-workers and colleagues are amazing.
  3. Cursillo needs attention.
  4. I mentioned that I was going to avoid snoozing my alarms. I’ve still snoozed, but not as much and it’s made me more aware of what I need to do in the mornings to get out the door more efficiently.
  5. I’m disappointed in how our government is being run. I’m disgusted and repulsed by the Republican party, their hypocrisy, and their hatred. I don’t know how we come back from this precipice or how we survive.

Mental health check-in = EH.

And now for some inspiration!

I’m looking forward to taking my presentation and using it to push my book in the right direction. Below the cut are some of my inspiring and inspired photos from St. Kateri Tekakwitha’s feast day weekend.

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