Photo from Fatima Retreat House, Indianapolis

Last summer as I continued to explore my new found interest in Catholicism, I decided that I wanted to take a quiet 1-day retreat to get away from technology, which I am always connected to due to the nature of my work, and spend quiet time reading, reflecting and trying to discern what God would have me do.

My husband and I had attended our Pre-Cana Catholic marital retreat 13 years ago at a lovely retreat house in Indianapolis and I knew that’s where I wanted to go. I had fond memories of our time there, especially the quiet and calm, something I’ve rarely, if ever, been able to replicate. No TVs, no music, no technology. Only yourself and God.

The Fatima Retreat House offers days of silence for a very small fee where you can spend a day on their grounds, which are lovely, and facilities, using their library, walking the labyrinth, wandering the woods, praying in the chapel  and sitting in stillness. You can also choose to spend one night for a nominal fee, as well, which I decided to do.

The retreat was incredibly refreshing for me. I tried to keep talking to a minimum and observe true silence, checking my phone only to see if I’d had any emergency calls. I spent my time reading, walking, praying and meditating. Browsing their library, I found a book that interested me on monasteries, which helped set further my interest in St. Benedict and his rule for monasteries.

I prayed that God would give me some direction in my life for how I could make it more righteous and spiritual. While sitting in the woods in silence, the idea for this blog was given to me.

It’s amazing how simply being quiet allows you to hear God and how hard that can be for some of us. God’s help doesn’t necessarily come right away or when you expect it, but if you wait with an open mind and heart, you just might get some guidance.

With kids and pets at home and work beckoning, it’s much more challenging for me to find, or even take, some quiet time to myself. I feel the stress of what I need to get done at home, but sitting at the retreat, everyone knew I was “off duty” and I could really focus on the spiritual.

I have not gone back for another retreat yet, but I definitely want to go again soon for another refreshment of spirit and time spent with God. Have you taken a religious or spiritual retreat? Tell me about your experience. I’d love to hear more perspectives!

Tonight I attended an Advent study group to better understand this season, which I am really experiencing for the first time in the ways of Catholicism. I had no idea all the meaning behind it!

At any rate, quickly I wanted to share this little nugget I got tonight. Advent is all about waiting for Jesus to come and there are so many times in our lives when are forced to wait — for medical news, for news of our children, for a job offering, for the birth of a child. Here is a simple prayer our group leader shared that can be comforting in times of stress or waiting: “Amen. Come Lord Jesus.”

This simple prayer is so easy to bring to mind and automatically shifts your thoughts away from the present and onto the greater good and our ultimate destiny. It also invites Jesus into that moment with you to help you through whatever you are experiencing.

It comes from Revelation and also can refer to our longing for Jesus’ Second Coming.

I love simple prayers and this is a gem in my book. The next time I have run out of motherly patience, get into an argument or am disappointed at some news, I’m going to remember “Amen. Come Lord Jesus.” I actually like to add another “come” at the end, which is what we say in mass after prayer intentions during Advent — “Amen. Come Lord Jesus, Come.”

Do you have any short simple prayers you bring to mind in times of stress? Please share!

As I entered into motherhood coupled with running my own business nearly 10 years ago, stress definitely became a part of my life! I’ve tried all sorts of ways to relieve stress: more time to myself, massages, trips, delegating, you name it… but the best stress reliever of all surprised me: Catholicism!

I’ve noticed that since I’ve attended Mass regularly beginning in January and slowly made spirituality more of a focus and priority in my life, my ability to weather stress has greatly increased. As soon as the priest offers the first blessing “in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” a wave of calm and utter peaces washes over me. I thirst for that moment and it’s one of the reasons I’ve been attending daily Mass whenever I can.
While this has not been the most stressful year of my life, I’ve certainly endured plenty of hair-pulling events involving my work and my family and through it all I’ve never felt so free of stress.And what do you know? It seems that “peaceful, easy feeling” (to quote the Eagles J) carries with you outside of Mass too!

I’m able to tolerate those who previously got under my skin with the attitude of finding Christ within them, I can lay my work up to God and know that what he is taking away is for a reason and something better serving him will replace it.

When I do find moments of stress and anxiety sneaking in, I remember the Biblical words “Be not afraid” and “Do not be anxious about tomorrow.” It’s in His hands and those are pretty good hands to be in.

Also, even just bringing to mind or gazing on the face of Mary is enough to bring about a great sense of peace. I find her to be a most comforting presence and I pray the Hail Mary during great distress.

I almost feel no longer afraid of what’s to come even if it’s difficult because I know now it’s all for the greater good. And I’ve been willing to accept without (or at least with much fewer!) tears the changes He has wrought in my life.

So if you’re stressed out and looking for a way to find inner peace, I’m here to tell you where to find it. Try giving Mass a chance. Be open, listen to the words, smile at those around you and pay attention to how you feel.

Have you found less stress in your life since finding Catholicism?

As a Catholic Newbie, I thought I’d share with you some of my most favorite Catholic prayers I have come across since embarking on this journey toward becoming Catholic.

I started with my husband’s Missal book from when he was a child to learn the basics. I already knew the Lord’s prayer from attending a Disciples of Christ church some when growing up, but was most excited at first to learn the “Hail Mary.” The Hail Mary is wonderful to pray during times of need, fear or just anytime you need comfort. Mary is a comforting presence.

I followed that with the “Glory Be” and then the prayers of the Rosary, including the Apostle’s Creed; Hail, Holy Queen; and Fatima Prayer.

After I got the basics down, Matthew Kelly’s “Rediscovering Catholicism” book (head over to my Catholic Resources page for more books) inspired me with some additional daily prayers:

• I love this one in the face of temptation: “God, I know what is good and true, but I am still attracted to what is self-destructive. Give me strength, be my strength.” I repeat that last sentence a lot when tempted to sin or other non-productive behaviors.
• To see what God wants from you today: “Lord open my eyes so that I may see.” And “What are you calling me to do and calling me to be?” Great prayers upon waking or before work.
• When you sin: “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.”
• When in doubt: “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.”
• When you’re not sure what to pray: “Lord, teach us to pray.”
• In fear: “Be not afraid.” (This is repeated MANY times in the Bible; we need not fear if we are following “the way”)
• During fasting: “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”

Some others I’ve come upon through reading, Mass and more:

• In service to others: “Lord, send someone today whom I can serve.”
• To your Guardian Angel: “Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide.” A nice prayer for children.
• One from the Benedictine tradition upon waking: “Lord open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.”

To keep myself focused on what is most important (ie NOT work), I pray the Liturgy of the Hours, a set of prayers said at specific times throughout the day, as much as I can daily. Almost always upon waking and upon going to bed, as well as 9 a.m. and noon and rarely 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. vespers (the witching hours of motherhood J). I LOVE the Liturgy of the Hours and am so glad I found my way to them. They are full of the Psalms, which are incredibly poetic, beautiful and comforting and they remind you of our greater purpose continually throughout the day.

Do you have favorite prayers that you’ve found along your journey? Please share!