Catherine's Cafe Vocation Blog

This year our parish decided to put on a Christmas pageant.  Children ages four to twelve volunteered to be in this pageant.  The youngest children were the sheep, but a few were elevated to shepherd status.  A legally blind little girl was the Angel Gabriel.  Joseph was shorter than Mary, and the readers read too fast.  It was over in fifteen minutes--all of the work that went into this production--making costumes, learning lines, and coming to rehearsals. Was it worth it? The girl chosen to be Mary looked carefully through her doll collection to choose just the right doll to be the baby Jesus.  A four year old was on his best behavior so he could be a sheep.  No matter what part they had each child was excited to be part of this pageant and put their whole hearts into it.  Cameras flashed constantly to capture moments that will be long remembered.  Oh, yes, it was worth it. What ...

"What is this crying in Jordan?"  This Advent line resonates with our nation's broken heartedness.  As the Miserable Offenders' song, Keeping the Baby Awake , says " Who then shall stir in this darkness, prepare for joy in the winter night?" Yesterday in church I sat behind two little girls with darling outfits and cute braids. They kept smiling up at their mom.   I couldn't help but cry as I thought how precious and fragile they are. The children at International Community School flood my heart as I reflect on the tragedy of this past week.  I hold their tender shoots with the prayer that they will bloom .  As you view there photos, please hold them in your heart. ICS facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ICSGeorgia  Image their blooming and the blossoming of the many children who are in your lives. Our God is born into our lives.... Patty Caraher, OP Atlanta, Georgia