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  Overcoming Fear   What did the Apostles do after Jesus was crucified? They holed themselves up in a locked room, fearful as mice hiding in a secluded corner.   When they heard that Jesus had risen, they slowly began to understand what He had said about rising on the third day.   Still fearful, they inched open the door and found the women who had discovered the empty tomb. Dumbstruck, Peter and John hastened to see if it were true.   The apostles felt shame at deserting Jesus and letting him die alone, except for Mary and John and the other faithful women.   The twelve knew they had been chosen to carry on Jesus’ mission, but they were uneducated and simple, and a little hesitant to step forward.   Maybe the women, his mother, Mary Magdalen, Mary Salome, and others showed them how to begin their work. Women seemed to know how to touch and heal, and are bold enough to spread the good news: “Jesus is alive!”   Barbar
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  Inspired by Scholastica   Success or Failure? I’m reading an interesting novel titled Patchwork Quilt by Anne Tyler. She is one of my favorite authors because of her unusual characters. The main character, Barnaby, works for a small company called Rent a Back. It caters to elderly people who need help doing small jobs that they can no longer do. His family considers him a failure since he didn’t go to college, lives in a tiny apartment, and drives a run-down old truck. His parents are wealthy, and his brother works in his father’s trust company. Barnaby had been married and has a nine-year-old daughter that he tries to visit once a month, but his former wife is not very welcoming. The people he helps think he is kind and trustworthy. Instead of having set hours, he adjusts his work hours to his clients’ wishes. He doesn’t seem to have any friends except the people he works with. He seems happy with his life and has no desire to change. Is he a failure for his lifestyle a
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  Inspired by Scholastica   Angels Watching Angels are watching over me etched in stained glass windows in our choir chapel.   The angel straight across from me has majestic silver wings and a long simple staff.   When the sun comes through I am thrilled by the beauty of the colors shimmering above the wooden choir stalls, shining on all the pray-ers.   I like having angels around me ready to protect me from danger, to lift my spirits when I am sad, to give me courage when I hesitate.   Angels radiate God’s glory remind me that I am cared for. They keep me from stumbling or straying or forgetting that I have been chosen to bring that radiance to those who may need a reminder that angels are always there-- Do not be afraid.   Barbara Mayer            
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  A Listening Church This October, representatives from all over the world will meet again in Rome to discuss the issues they have been studying for the final phase of the synod. While some may dismiss the event as inconsequential, Pope Francis sees the synod as reflecting his vision for dialogue and decision-making in the church. This sounds like a monumental task considering there are so many different cultures, languages, experiences, and needs of the worldwide church. Pope Francis took a great risk in calling this world-wide synod in 2021. He realizes he cannot know what is happening in every corner of the world and decide how to respond to its needs and issues. He must remain true to the Gospel and the commandments yet realize this is a very different world from the world at the time of Christ. Adaptation seems to be very essential at this time in our history. For example, in some countries there are not enough priests to care for the people. Often married men are appointed
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  A Woman of Courage To climb a mountain, the highest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest, is a challenge beyond my comprehension. Yet Lhakpa Sherpa, a poor, uneducated woman from Nepal, climbed to the top of Mt. Everest ten times. No other woman has ever accomplished this feat. In 2022, her last climb, at age 48, was celebrated by family and fellow Nepalese along with journalists and many admirers. She is an inspiration to Nepalese women and women around the world. Lhakpa worked doing dishes and cleaning houses to earn money for the equipment to make the climb as well as to raise her two children. She walked a lot but did not have any training in climbing mountains.   She overcame an abusive husband and other setbacks, but she achieved her dream.  “Never give up,” she writes on her website. “Keep going and follow your dreams no matter what. We make our own world. Don’t try to do everything but do what you love. And someday you might climb your Everest.” That’s great advice: “Do what yo
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  Inspired by Scholastica Psalm 16 (adapted) Watch over me, Lord, place your protective cloak over my weak, frail body. Help me in my need. You are my savior You lift me up.   I used to honor false gods, wealth, fame, security, things that are useless. Now I put them aside and honor your name.   Lord, you are my God, You lead me and guide me, You lift me up when I fall. Take away my broken spirit to live with you forever.   God teaches me and all those who long for life what we must do. He is here with us, we can stand firm.   I rejoice in my God who dwells in me and steadies my steps. I walk secure.     
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  Inspired by Scholastica Nurdles in the Oceans In recent years, I have become more conscientious about care of our environment. I recycle paper, pop cans, plastic, peelings and clothing. Our community practices composting and has eliminated the use of pesticides. I know this is only a tiny contribution to a cleaner, safer environment, but it’s a beginning. Then I learned about nurdles, tiny plastic pellets used as building blocks for most plastic products. Scientists estimate that 10 trillion of them enter our oceans every year. Even though that number is staggering, the companies responsible are seldom penalized. Often fish, birds, and turtles eat these pellets that they think are food. They then think they are full but get no nutrients and often starve to death. Most people have never heard of nurdles, but they are dangerous polluters of our environment. When companies dump them down the drain, they become contaminated with dirt and dust. From the moment nurdles are created,
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