So, yesterday started a new journey in our home :) For the first time in YEARS we have made the decision to be home all summer with the exception of a couple of our favorite things, but other than that, we are just going to enjoy each other and what we have around us without spending major amounts of money. I had the idea that maybe we would do some day trips and visit Catholic churches in Birmingham and the greater area and create a kind of scavenger hunt to make it fun for the kids, but mostly Eli, cause he gets into stuff like this. When I went online to make a map, I was SHOCKED! I have lived here my whole life, attended MANY Catholic Churches in the area, but NEVER realized how many there were, that some even existed! So I got a little exited :) Im all about PLANNING!! The older I get, the more interested I get in the history of this great little city that we live in, and more so, Church history. When I mentioned the idea to our priest, he gave me a GREAT book entitled History of the Diocese of Birmingham. It is a lovely coffee table book that I could NOT put down last night. We used the book for our first day trip, yesterday, by reading about each church before we went in to pray and then when we got home, we used it to plan our next adventure! Although Eli was to the point, go ahead mom, you can do it ;)...I appreciate the time in little bits!! LOL! It explains the history of how Catholicism came into Alabama and then it lists the churches of the diocese by the year they were established with history on each parish. It is TRULY very interesting. A story of hard work and dedication so the immigrants could continue their Catholic faith. Strong Irish and Italian roots here makes this girl pretty proud :) Eli chose to lead us in prayer as we went to each parish. When I shared this with Fr. Vu, he had a GREAT suggestion. If any of you have ANY prayer requests that you would like for us to take on our #venerationvacation (HEHE) please send them to me via private chat and I will add them to our journal. No details necessary, just if you have a special prayer intention. I dont know how strong my prayers are, but I can tell you the prayers of a child are innocent and pure! We have decided to take our journey as far as we can in Alabama with no pressure. On the way to the beach the whole bunch will have to go...that should be interesting...LOL! And then of course to Huntsville where I hope we can visit friends!! If anyone wants to tag along, wed like that too, but we are keeping the day all about learning our roots, learning our faith and in prayer for the world we live in, with lots of laughter, fun and experiences! Today begins the we section of the Acts of the Apostles. When Paul and his companions were prevented from going to Asia and Bithynia, Luke, the author of Acts, uses the pronoun they (Acts 16:6, 7). Then they came down to Troas (Acts 16:8). The missionaries were encountering closed doors and were seemingly wandering about aimlessly. At Troas, Paul had a vision (Acts 16:9). There the team found the open door, leading to Macedonia. In Troas, they suddenly received vision, discernment, and direction (Acts 16:10). In Troas, Luke joined the missionary team. Notice that the pronoun we is used beginning in Acts 16:10 and continuing throughout a good portion of the rest of Acts. Before Luke arrived, the mission was floundering. After Luke arrived, the door was opened to bring the gospel to Europe for the first time (OBOB) As they traveled from city to city, they handed on to the people for observance the decisions reached by the Apostles and presbyters in Jerusalem. Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith and increased in number. (ACTS 16:1-10) Remembering our Apostles today, the early Church and the religious men and women, called to Birmingham, Al back in the early 1800s. Remembering what all they had to go through to be able to establish a firm foundation in the diocese of Birmingham. Facing anti-Catholicism and sometimes physical abuse, they stayed strong, persistent and resilient in their faith. Are WE CHRISTIANS prepared to stay strong in our faith of Jesus? Father, thank You for preparing a life of good deeds for me in advance (Eph 2:10). May I joyfully complete all of them. (TWAU)
Posted on: Sat, 24 May 2014 11:25:05 +0000