This is the first week of Advent. This lit candle, typically purple to signify royalty and penitence, symbolizes Christ’s coming, reminding us that the hope of salvation is the birth of our Lord.

Bethlehem

When we travel to Israel we always make sure to visit Bethlehem. Visiting Bethlehem has changed since the early 2000’s, when the wall that separates the West Bank was erected.  Many tourists do not cross the border due to  security issues. Believe it or not, some tourists visit Bethlehem because of the graffiti artwork on the wall. There are plenty of political messages because this wall, which is still under construction, is over 400 miles long.  

The most profound graffiti messages are found in larger cities like Bethlehem. The Walled Off  Hotel is now a popular tourist site. Its popularity is due to its location in front of the graffiti artwork of Banksy, an artist and political activist who also happens to own the hotel.

The Wall

Depending upon who you ask, the wall is either a hindrance or a blessing. I know for a fact that it has hurt the economy of the Palestinians and separated families. To the Jews it has almost completely stopped the suicide bombings. It’s a paradoxical situation, yet still no peace.

 

The Security

At the security checkpoint, if our tour guide is Jewish, he/she can only bring us to the border. A Christian Palestinian guide must take over the tour in a different bus. Before we cross the border, we must  have our passports in hand because several Israeli soldiers with really huge rifles get on the bus to make sure we are who we say we are.

The Israeli Army

There is no shortage of the visible Israeli soldiers; they are at almost every point. Most of them are in their early twenties. Men serve for three years and young women are required to serve their country for two years. You will not see any Israeli police or Israeli army personnel in Bethlehem (unless it’s a raid), and as many times as I have been there, I have never witnessed any Jewish authorities in this area.

 

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The Little Town

We visit Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, because the Church of the Nativity is the home of the “Original Nativity.” This church was built over the cave that tradition marks as the birthplace of Jesus. The Church of the Nativity is one the oldest functioning Christian churches in the world. It is by far one of the most interesting sites, and a must see while visiting the Holy Land.

As you pass through the small opening to the main church, even I have to crouch to enter into this passage. This doorway was made small in order to prevent large animals from entering the church.

The Passage

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There is always a long wait to go down the narrow marble steps to reach the star where Jesus was born. Usually you encounter rude foreigners who push their way through to get there sooner. I sometimes fall into this category  because one of my biggest pet peeves is someone cutting ahead of the  line. I stand by this principle; the only exception I make occurs when a person cutting ahead suffers from unbearable body odor.

The Church Of The Nativity

As a pilgrim, I experience the Church of the Nativity not only as holy, but with great reverence. Though we are only permitted to stay and pray a short period, we cherish these few minutes.  If you are blessed, there is an area where you can sit and pray to the left of the Star, but it is rarely available. The last time I visited, I sat on the only bench and prayed until we were asked to leave. 

The Exodus

 In 1950, Bethlehem, along with the surrounding villages, was 86% Christian. Now the population across the West Bank, Christians represent less than 12%. (According to an article from the National Catholic Register December 19, 2016)

 

Saint Francis

St. Francis of Assisi was the first to introduce the Nativity scene to the world.

St. Francis had a special devotion to the Child Jesus. He was  inspired after visiting the Holy Land  and seeing the humble stable, a Bethlehem cave. On Christmas Eve in the year 1223, with permission from Pope Honorius III, St. Francis set up a manger in the village of Grecio, Italy, with hay and two live  animals. There St. Francis preached about “the Babe of Bethlehem.” St. Francis was so overwhelmed with emotion that he could not say “Jesus.” So the first Nativity did not have Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, or wise men either, just an ox and an ass.

My Nativities

I love all Nativities, and in our home they are everywhere. I have some from Mexico City, Guadalajara, Spain, Bethlehem, and, of course, Costco.

As we gaze upon the Nativity let us be mindful of Christmas, so that we can draw closer to the real gifts God has set aside for us. We all have special gifts because we serve a benevolent Father. This Christmas, ask Him for your special gift.

My Prayer

May this Advent fill our hearts with great joy and anticipation in welcoming You. Lord, You are the Master of us all, bring us good tidings and peace. Lord, comfort the broken hearted and fill their hearts with hope. Amen.  

My flight was delayed for over an hour, so I missed the connecting flight to New Orleans.

 

Adoration

Sometimes, by the providence of God, He allows these things to occur. Torie was on his way from his long commute into town. The timing was perfect,  so he picked me up at the airport. An important part of the plan was for us to attend Adoration. We arrived a few minutes before Adoration started, but the beauty of this evening was that most of Jo’s family attended the service. Unity before God always sets the stage for a great visit. The hour-long service went by quickly. It was time for dinner. I pray the the world know You through Adoration.

Dinner

In her usual hospitable manner, Jo had cooked up a feast: potato soup, crawfish étouffée over white rice, and for dessert a homemade apple pie. Around Jo’s small kitchen we savored  the flavors of southern cooking and reminisced.

Years ago we were more accustomed to eating out at famous high-end restaurants, but not anymore. Nothing satisfies the palate more that a good-home cooked meal. We frequented restaurants in the French Quarters  like K-Paul’s, Nola’s, Commander’s Palace, but Jo no longer feels safe taking her guests across the river.

I was not going to leave town without my shrimp po’ boys. We had to cross the Mississippi for that, and the Parkside Po’ Boys did not disappoint. As we were eating our po’ boys guess who graced us with her unpleasant appearance? Non other than LaToya Cantrell, the outgoing mayor of New Orleans. To many locals LaToya is affectionately known as “LaToya, the Destroyer.”

Breakfast Burritos

The following morning we drove to Belle Chase for the best burritos in town, and, may I add and, the most expensive! As soon as we were done Jo’s CRV Honda died on us. Torie charged it enough for us to get to a place where Jo could purchase a new battery.

The Rental Property

My sister not only owns and runs a business but she is also renovating an old home that she inherited. She wanted me to see the progress when, much to our surprise, there was a big red notification from the city to stop all work immediately! We are riding on the same boat: having to comply with city permits and finding out that a secondary home has stricter laws. One day we will both breathe a breath of fresh air when our projects are complete.

 

Rocky and Angela

Rocky and Angela invited us over for a steak dinner with delicious squash and smash potatoes (courtesy of me). I love their quaint home, within walking distance of local businesses and their church. The Christmas decorations on their street are going to be spectacular!

North Shore

After all these years of visiting my family, it never occurred to me that Nick and his family lived in Mandeville, not Metairie! Crossing over the longest bridge in the world,  this bridge is 24 miles long. As Jo drove over the placid waters of Lake Ponchartrain, for miles all you saw was water on both sides; it took over 35 minutes for us to finally make it to dry land.

Mandeville

Our nephew Nick and his family live  in Mandeville. Although their home is located on a quiet country road, they are surrounded by a beautiful wooded area that is only about a mile from town. Mandeville is a charming city with beautiful old southern homes facing Lake Ponchartrain. These homes have massive yards with views that go on for miles. I was so busy taking in the beauty that I forgot to take photos. I will definitely make my way back to Mandeville.

Nick mentioned that Mandeville had a wonderful Christmas store and I needed to pick up some special gifts for my friends. This store was so well stocked with Christmas items that it was difficult for me to decide what to purchase. The prices were  less expensive than those we pay for here in California. I love kitchen towels that actually say “Merry Christmas,” so I was elated with the prices and the find.

Bible Study

As Jo and I drove back I was planning a Bible study. Since Jo moved into her new home she has downsized and could not find her Bibles because they were still in storage. I was not going to be denied the Bible study, so we used Nick’s daughter Sophie’s cell phone as I read from Ephesians. It was a powerful message that we all grew from. St. Paul’s writings are some of the most prolific, and the fact that we can still use his message today reveals the amazing grace of God.

We were a total of seven siblings. Jo is the fifth in our birth order. Our phone conversations are frequent; calling her on the way to Mass has become a routine for us. We catch up on our daily activities and share personal stories. We encourage each other and pray for one another.

Sons

Jo has four sons; all are grown and married. After her divorce she made sure that her sons attended Catholic schools all the way through high school. She is the link to the stability of her family. When things do not go as expected, she calls on God. Jo, like the rest of us, wants peace in the family. But the way she oversees any conflict is to remain quiet and wait on God.

When we are not in agreement with our loved ones, some parents will intervene by taking sides or by giving strong personal opinions. Jo is an example of steadfast love; she keeps her head by never taking sides. She has taught me how to navigate troublesome family matters by staying silent.

Cats

Jo is the Jane Goodall of cats. She has four cats living with her in her two-bedroom home. Along with that she feeds nine feral cats at her business. These lucky felines get both dry and wet food. Although the feral cats suffer from social awkwardness, they love my sister. Two of these cats developed a trust for Jo; they both come into her office while she completes her paperwork.

My Prayer

Lord, I thank You for my siblings: George, Mike, Jo and Norma. May You continually guide them and give them good health. Protect our spouses and our children.  May we never draw apart from one another. Lord, teach us to love as You love. Amen.

 

 

The last thing in the world that I wanted to do was to volunteer for another Confirmation class.

Patty

I met this beautiful young lady about two years ago. She was the assistant to the Confirmation and Youth Ministry head. When we learned that the leader of the group was moving on to a new career, Patty took on the position as head of that department. Patty is gifted in so many areas of her life, but her calling now is to lead the youth closer to Christ.  When she called me to ask if I was willing to take on another Confirmation class I told her that I would pray about it.

Answering the Call

Two weeks passed before I finally received an answer from the Lord. My “yes” brought much relief to both Patty and me. When you answer “yes” to doing God’s work, He gives you special graces to accomplish the task. Now I am joyfully teaching three classes. And since our diocese requires two years for both Holy Communion and Confirmation, I’m locked in for two more years.

We are now well into two months of the program and, finally, I am getting to know all 17 of the  students by name. There are three sets of siblings who always sit together. I have students from four different high schools so at first it was a challenge for me to get them to participate in the group discussions.

Ice Breakers

We use ice breakers as a attempt to get the students familiar with each other. Unlike others, the retreat ice breakers required physical contact. Knowing well that some students do not like to have physical contact with people they are not familiar with was a big step for them to take. This ice breaker required them to sit on the ground and lock arms while attempting to get up. Finally, a breakthrough for one of  my introverted students. He was having fun with a genuine smile on his face. And when he answered questions the entire class supported him by clapping in approval. Truly it was a beautiful sight.

The Testimonials

Eddie, who teaches Confirmation Two, gave a wonderful testimonial. He was a tagger who ran the streets of East Los Angeles with a local gang. He never joined the gang, but his parents were not pleased with the direction he was going. Thank the good Lord that his parents made the sacrifice to send Eddie to a Catholic high school.

Two other precious young ladies gave their testimonials. One, in particular, spoke of something deep and personal that she experienced as a child. The beauty of this story is that it has a happy ending; she is on the road to recovery and is learning to trust God in a deeper way.

Adoration

Catholics practice Eucharistic Adoration to draw closer to Jesus. Where Jesus is, Mary is also there. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, but our Lord received his flesh from Mary. Because He was born of Mary His outward appearance resembled hers. Mary was immaculately conceived; she could not have any stain of original sin because she was divinely chosen to be the Mother of God. She has been compared to the Ark of the Covenant, carrying Jesus in her womb because God was within her.

Eucharistic Adoration draws you closer to Jesus. The Lord is doing something through this nonverbal communication: He is reaching out to us. The fruit of Eucharistic Adoration gives you peace; you become more like Jesus.

To me  Adoration is one of the highest forms of worship. To spend time with God in this manner is experience a deeper level of holiness. Before COVID La Purisima Catholic Church, had exposition of the Holy Eucharist on a daily basis. I spent many hours in silence unable to move because I did not want to disturb the emotions I was experiencing.

Preparing For Adoration

The session before Adoration was to prepare them by guiding them with different scenarios of what to expect. For instance, they were told to be still before the Eucharist. I told them to speak to the Lord and ask Him any question they wanted.

The praise music brought us all to our knees as we worshipped before the Blessed Sacrament.

In the end some of the students definitely had a holy experience. Personally, I believe the fact that the students were there was so pleasing to the Lord.

The Rainbow

As we were leaving to attend the next session, a beautiful, full rainbow appeared. Some of the students were upset because they did not have their phones to capture the rainbow, but they understood it was a good sign from God.

In this session the girls were separated from the boys. Young ladies need to know their value in the Kingdom of God, and young men need to respect themselves in order to respect girls. My motto is: “If you want to be treated like a queen, then you must treat your significant other like a king.” God made us different for a reason. When God removed the rib from Adam, He did not create from her many different sexes. No, He created a man and a woman. Although the world gets this twisted, we who serve God know the truth.

Mass

We ended with a beautiful Mass. Though the reading were a bit heavy (Luke 21:5-19), Father Eliardo gave a wonderful homily explaining that since we do not know when the Lord is going to take us home, we should always be prepared.

My Prayer

Dear Lord, I pray for all the students who attended this retreat. May they continue to ask questions about Your holy existence. Lord, guide them in the right direction and may they always seek truth. Amen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ULLIE!