Katelyn Rose

Speaking of roses, here is the newest addition to the Wise family. Katelyn Rose was born to my sister (Sarah) and brother-in-law (Kevin) on March 20th at 4:19 pm. Sarah and Kevin kept the family in suspense overnight as to what her name was. She joins a happy older sister (Kyra) and the family dog, Rudy.

"God gives us beautiful roses"

We have reached la Semana Santa (Holy Week). Last night I had the privilege of attending a reconciliation service at my church, St. Charles of Borromeo. Catholics are strongly encouraged to participate in the sacrament of confession during the Lenten and Advent seasons. But instead of doing this individually, some churches hold parish-wide opportunities for confession. St. Charles had 10 priests there for this very purpose.

It's a powerful thing to see your fellow Christians lined up, waiting to confess their sins, waiting for the relief of God's mercy and forgiveness. It reminded me of those in the Bible that flocked to Jesus for physical and spiritual healing, waiting in lines and crowds just to catch a glimpse of him. I went to Fr. Dominic, a visiting (and studying) priest from Africa. Lately I've opted for face-to-face confession (instead of behind the screen), and it was such a beautiful and humbling experience to talk to him. I don't know if all African priests are this way, but he was extremely gentle and tender in his listening and guidance, making me feel like I wasn't just #3 in line. "God gives us beautiful roses," he said, "but these roses have thorns. We cannot clutch them tightly or they will hurt us. We have to be careful and patient in holding them." He was speaking of the people in our lives and how we can come to love them through lifting them up and by patiently understanding them, and by asking God for wisdom and strength when we feel tempted to sin in our communicating. And he spoke about offering up frustration and discouragement in prayer as a weapon against sinning. For the struggles I was experiencing, his words were very refreshing.

Sometimes I'm not very creative when it comes to prayer. I remember to pray before meals and at bedtime, and often during the day for those who are sick or hurting. But prayer is not what I turn to first in times of weakness or anger. And "pray for those who persecute you" doesn't come easily.

This Saturday I will be confirmed in the Easter Vigil along with my fellow candidates and catechumens. I have chosen 2 saints I admire for my confirmation name (though I will only be using one officially): St. Francis de Sales and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. St. Charles has its initiates participating in Holy Week services every night of this week, so it is busy. But it is a joy, especially since the preparations I've been making for this event for the past 2 years (as a future Catholic) and earlier (the faith handed down to me by my parents) will be made complete. And I am grateful for the waiting, excitement, uncertainty, and struggle I've been through to arrive here, and for all the encouragement and support I've had along the way.