Monday, February 12, 2007

Our Lady Of Lourdes




In 1858, in the grotto of Massabielle, near Lourdes in southern France, Our Lady appeared 18 times to Bernadette Soubirous, a young peasant girl.

She revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception, asked that a chapel be built on the site of the vision, and told the girl to drink from a fountain in the grotto. No fountain was to be seen, but when Bernadette dug at a spot designated by the apparition, a spring began to flow. The water from this still flowing spring has shown remarkable healing power, though it contains no curative property that science can identify.


(I wanted to post this yesterday, but unfortunately I couldn't log in!!)

I've had a nice weekend. On Sunday I went to a beautiful Mass. You know when there are just some services where you walk out feeling really fulfilled? This weeks Mass was that for me. I was early for once (I'm not usually late, but I normally sit just before Mass begins -- but this week I was almost 25 minutes early) so I had plenty of time for reflection and prayer. Afterwards I met a nice man who introduced himself. We got talking briefly and decided we'd talk more soon. He is a former Jehovah's Witness who is eager to learn more about Catholicism, attend Mass and maybe go through the RCIA program.

After Mass, a lady from my congregation wondered if I could help her learn to use Email and the internet since she is 78 and was having some problems remembering what to do. Despite the fact that I had a lot to do, I figured it would be nice for us both to get together and so I opted to drive over after Mass and help her out. I intended on staying for just an hour or so, but I didn't end up getting home until almost 5:30pm. I didn't really mind at all, she's very sweet and very typically old. She is the second person that I met from my church congregation and has really gone out of her way to help me in every way that she can, so I really felt like it would do me no harm to extend some help.

After I showed her as best as I could how to send emails, she wanted to show me photographs and magazines and things and relayed stories of her Pilgramages through Europe and it was very interesting actually. She showed me a couple of recent brochures about Pilgramage trips and how they work and it left me with a huge, "hmmm" feeling. It might be something I could consider in the future. So many beautiful places to visit.

I kind of punked out on asking my Dad for some financial help because... I hate asking for starters, and secondly, I know my Dad isn't in the best financial position at the moment. I basically just need help paying for my text books, but thankfully, my friend gave me some data entry work that will make me some money ASAP and I have that aforementioned web design job coming up. I am really all over the place financially at the moment, but I'll pray for something to come my way.

Also, gosh, although I'm very organised, I am so bad with time management. Like, chronically bad. I find it so easy to procrastinate even the simplest things. I have had so much to do this weekend like I said. I needed to do some reading of the textbook that I did manage to buy and I needed to clean and do laundry, and start some of this data entry. I needed to update a website that I haven't really spent a lot of time on for a bit. I also really wanted to make some time to do some of my own leisure reading -- and I got the majority of it finished late this afternoon, but there's still the reading, and the data entry that needs to be done.

I need to find the kind of peace where I can't be distracted. And you know, I'm not at all the busiest person at all, I just know how to waste time very, very well. Does anyone have any tips for me as to how to get around being so distracted and procrastinating?? It will be the end of me as I know it! haha.

P.S The Guy Sebastian concert at Crown Casino last weekend was absolutely amazing! I had the greatest time all weekend.

Until later,
God Bless!

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