Musings of a Catholic Convert

Here's hoping for a short week.  Normally, Mondays are the days in which most of my work get's piled on, or when I sort through the pile of work given to me on Friday.  Needless to say, I hate Mondays.  

Had a great time this weekend, spending good time with friends.  The kids and I even had a decent Saturday while the wife was out on business.  Father Parham had a TOTALLY AWESOME homily on Sunday, which made Sunday's Mass that much more amazing.  Small group was excellent, and I'm not just saying that because we grilled burgers.  Things are really clicking along there and I'm glad for it.

But today is not small group.  Today is Monday.  The good news is that it's also payday.  Maybe I'll buy a CD today?  There are a couple that I have my eye on.  One is new and the other is not.  How's that for a vague hint.  Ha!  

Almost time to start work for the day.  Hope you all have a great week, and I hope you all get Friday off!

No, not really.  Although, I would not be opposed to making a movie about myself.  That would probably be a lot of fun to do.  I think I would make a cameo as Officer #4 or something like that.  Yeah, and who would play me?  Mr. T?  Christopher Walken?  A puppet from Industrial Light and Magic?  Endless possibilities, my friend. 

As much fun as it is to think about sinking millions of dollars into a film project, I actually am working on something productive.  I'm finally finishing my book.  What I do once it's done, I have no idea. I guess I'll start sending manuscripts to various publishers.  This is actually the first of several manuscripts I have going.  I just cannot do all of them at once.  The same goes with the CDs.  Pray that I don't run out of steam and that the ideas don't get lost (or stolen).

If anybody does want to make a movie, I'm up for it. 

You may remember way back in the day when I posted an article about Catholic Ninjas.  You know, the people who are in and out of Mass before they are noticed?  The past two weeks in Mass I have noticed a decrease in Catholic Ninja activity.  Normally, I know that we have been Ninjafied when I at Mass.  There are always two significant occurances.

1.  During Father's collect prayer after the Penitential Rite, my eyes are closed.  When I open my eyes, where there were empty seats I now see people standing.  It's like magic!  No, you fool, it's Catholic Ninjas.  Abra Cababra and all that jazz.  The only thing missing was a puff of smoke, but maybe that happened when my eyes were closed as well.

2.  After Communion, I kneel to pray with my family.  When we finish praying, sometimes the Blessed Sacrament has not yet been reposed in the Tabernacle.  As I look toward the altar again, I notice that many previously occupied spaces in the pews are now vacant.  Where did those people go?  They were not people.  They were Catholic Ninjas.  You have been Ninjafied!  Again, no smoke bomb or flash powder, just disappearance.  It would be a really awesome trick if it weren't so sinful.  

I haven't seen as much Catholic Ninja activity the past two weeks.  People are still appearing after the penetential rite but I'm not seeing the vanishing act after communion.  Now, to be frank with everyone, I'm sure that there are still Catholic Ninjas practicing their dark arts.  However, it does appear that either they are appearing in another section of the Church or they are decreasing their activity.  I'm hoping for the latter.

If Catholics knew the significance of the Mass, and especially of the Eucharist, we would not see Catholic Ninja activity.  We would not see people chewing gum, or parents feeding their kids sandwiches during Mass.  We would not see people yawning or looking at their watch.  We would see and hear people participating in the Mass.  We would see people concerned about proper gestures (bowing during the recitation of the Incarnation in the Creed) and not concerned with improper gestures (holding hands during the Our Father) during Mass.  We would see people  concerned with the state of their heart and not the status of their cell phones.  We would see lives changed.  We would see an increase in holiness.  We would see an increase in vocations to the consecrated life and to Holy Orders. 

I had a great time on EWTN as a guest on The Journey Home with Marcus Grodi.  I've always enjoyed public speaking, and having the opportunity to work with Marcus was a treat for me.  Hanging out at EWTN was a lot of fun too.  This was the first time I had been able to speak with Fr. Mitch Pacwa also.  Let me tell you all something.  Mother Angelica has top notch people working with her in ministry with EWTN.  Amazing men and women all over that place.  

Thanks to everybody for the prayers and well wishes.  I think everything went well and I had the opportunity to talk with members of the studio audience after the program.  I had a lot of fun, and I'd be happy to do it again anytime. 

I was thinking about the number of Catholic convert websites I've seen over the past 10 years.  Most Catholic convert sites have come and gone, leaving the roaming web visitor with a dead site that hasn't been updated in years.  Or worse, instead of a Catholic convert story, they find a 404 error page.  

Even my original blog space is no longer updated.  I migrated Musings of a Catholic Convert as soon as this Catholic Social Network went live.  I wanted to be one of the first.  I was the 3rd Catholic blog to be added (after the Admin/HomePage and our King of Catholic Media).  Now I have to hope that my readers from "the old days" of Musings of a Catholic Convert will venture over via the links I left to my new Musings of a Catholic Convert blog here at CatholicDestination.com.  

I'm looking forward to seeing more Catholic converts join this community and hearing their conversion stories.  It is always so encouraging to hear, or read, in someone's own words how God brought them into the Catholic Church.  I know what it is like to be investigating the claims of the Catholic Church or to ask "How do I join the Catholic Church?" & "How does somebody become Catholic?"  Other people want to know about Catholic apologetics or how to defend the Catholic Faith.  It's good to know that the people at CatholicDestination.com are dedicated to bringing as many resources as possible under one roof so that seekers and "cradle Catholics" alike can find information and spiritual help.  

You know, while I'm thinking about it, I want to encourage other Catholic converts to consider posting their story by creating a free Catholic blog here in our Catholic social network and blog community.  Your testimony of God's work in your life WILL make a difference in someone's life.  There's no doubt about it. 

Back from vacation and, as expected, I'm swamped with work.  The workday hasn't even started yet and I already feel the weight of what is about to fall on me.  Oh well.  I had a good vacation and I enjoyed seeing my grandmother.  I'm even a bit relaxed.  

NOW ARE YOU READY?

Dudes, we are in EASTER!  I would love to hear about your parish's Easter Vigil celebrations, especially from those of you who have recently been brought into the Church.  DETAILS PLEASE. I would love to hear from any "Catholic convert" out there.  What is your story?  Seriously, people, join this Catholic blog community and share your story with us.  If you know people who have just come into the Church, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ask them to consider creating a free Catholic blog on this site.  Not only will it be encouraging for us to read their conversion stories, but it will be great for us to be able to minister to their families through our prayers and encouragement.

This is going to be fun!