Novermber Daybook: A Snapshot into My Life

Outside My Window…Fall foliage is fully present in my neighborhood. Fall is my favorite season and I am always amazed at the beauty of the colors. This photo was taken at the end of my street. Just gorgeous! I am thankful…For the road trip we took with our Pastor and a few families from our parish this past weekend to the Catholic Underground in NYC.  The Catholic Underground is an apostolate of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. The Underground is a Eucharistic Holy Hour accompanied by the melodic chanting of the friars. During the Holy Hour, the lights of the church are shut off and the Monstrance is illuminated by spotlight and candles. It was such a powerful night of prayer and worship of our Lord Jesus. Truly a glimpse of heaven. The congregation was comprised primarily of young adults – what a witness and a joy to see a church packed to capacity on a Saturday night in the middle of NYC! Here’s a picture of the sanctuary of the church immediately prior to the Holy Hour.I am thinking…Of ideas to celebrate Advent with my family. The past few years I have missed the boat during Advent and have gotten swept up in the Christmas shopping/cooking/party frenzy. I have woken up on Christmas morning feeling unprepared, spiritually, for this great celebration, and burnt out from all the busyness of the month of December. Each year, I have resolved to do better the following year, but so far that has not happened. This year, I am once again determined to fully enter into the Advent season and am on the lookout for ways that my family can grow together during this holy season of waiting and preparation.I am reading…Everyday Meditations by Blessed John Henry Newman. Honestly, I am blown away