Are You There God? It’s Me Karen

Yup. After a few days of talking about one of the subjects considered taboo for mixed company I’m tackling another. I won’t hit that third topic, sex, unless I’m divinely inspired. I promise.

I was born a lapsed Catholic. My parents were both raised in Catholic families. My father’s was quite devout. He had three aunts who were nuns, sisters on his father’s side. I think by the time I came along in the 60’s they were distracted by other things and had a bit of bad taste after being forced into church. My grandmother always asked my father if he’d done his duty. Sure doesn’t sound welcoming and joyful to me if it’s a duty. I participated in the sacraments, attended CCD and even did a few years of Catholic school. My early years were the time when the church went from masses in Latin to singing folk music hymns. When I was in high school I attended church regularly with a friend whose mother required that he go. We weren’t angels at that age but we knew church wasn’t the place for shenanigans. I’ll never forget the impossibility hot Sunday noon mass when the priest started bellowing because people were walking out the doors after communion and the mass was not over. I’m proud to say I was kneeling in the pew at the time.

About this same time my father had a conversation with a Catholic monk who he knew through friends. They talked about things my father didn’t like about the church. Confession was a big one. The Brother told my father that just because you don’t agree with parts of the church doesn’t mean you have to have no relationship with God.

I’m not someone who says the Our Father and Hail Mary everyday. I don’t pray the rosary. I do have conversations with God. I think of it like the movie Bruce Almighty where Bruce is hearing everyone’s prayers at once. I thank God for all the good in my life. When I’m overwhelmed I’ll ask him to carry one or two of my worries for a while. Often this is enough to help me calm down and work towards a solution. Right now I’m asking God to show me the light. My people, the entire world if you consider the pandemic, governments posturing in the Middle East, power going out in Pakistan and the strict Covid lockdowns in Quebec, are in trouble. I’m asking God to provide peace to those who are troubled, wisdom to those in power and grace to those that need it. For you reading this I hope you will feel calm as all around you is crazy. Would you join me in sending positive thoughts into the world. If you pray please do so. If don’t can you send good vibes and caring thoughts. Thank you.