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Cathy replied to the topic Controversial Topics in the forum Themes 4 years, 10 months ago
@obrian-of-the-surface-world
@irishcelticredflowercrownThanks so much but I um can’t really watch videos with my Internet, if I watch anything over ten minutes in a month it crashes the Internet…sorry. I’m hoping when I can drive and have a laptop of my own I can go to those wifi hotspots to work among other things but that’ll probably still be a while…
Really? Wow, I’m very privileged to be the first Catholic writer you interacted with here. I have always wanted to meet a fellow Catholic author and now that’s come true. Yay! May I ask, and I hope you don’t mind answering this but, are you looking at any particular publishers or agents? Because I know for sure that ones that are friendly towards Catholics and Christians are in a very small number. Apart from JRR Tolkien, I have not come across many mainstream Catholic authors, let alone publishers. So what are your plans? Are you considering self-publishing at all?I 100% plan to self publish, even if it weren’t for the lack of Catholic publishing companies. My dad and my grandfather both started their own businesses when they were pretty young and I plan to follow suit there (my great granddad was an active fighter against segregation in his day and so’s my grandfather and he learned how to fly before he could drive 🙂 )
But I’ve been lowkey studying self-publishing since I finished my first draft when I was fourteen and fairly soon I plan to start a newsletter if everything works out and my parents are cool with it. It’ll give me a chance to have personal interaction with my audience and establish something solid plus plenty of freedom to keep my writing a passion and a growing tool and an outreach and a prayer.Soo my patron saints are St Augustine of Hippo and St Clare of Assisi. They’re so cool, I aspire to be just like them I love how St Augustine started off as someone addicted to sex and pleasure, and became one of the greatest Catholic theologians and writers in the world! And I also adore St Maria Goretti, St Cecilia, St Lucis of Syracuse and St Dymphna. You can google them yourself, they’re not hard to find, but yeah I’m a big fan of the saints XD And what about you? Who are your favourites?My patron saint is St Therese of Lisieux and I love St Catherine of Siena she was so spunky and St Francis of Assisi he was so simple and he loved animals! Oh it’s Maria Goretti’s day today! I remember Cecilia but I don’t think I’ve heard much about St Lucis and St Dymphna I’ll have to look them up! I also love Mother Angelica who’s on the way to being sainted, and Chesterton (can’t wait to be able to quote a saint in saying “don’t be so openminded your brains fall out”!)
I was like fifteen or sixteen when I was confirmed. Lol when the bishop was coming my parish priests were like “everyone relax you’re fine you got this by the way sometimes the bishop quizzes confirmees on the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. But you guys got this just relax” (pure panic on the priests’ faces. First time I’d ever seen Father Alex nervous like that). And then my mom and my grandmother couldn’t agree on how I should wear my shawl and they’re both very strong-willed people so that was a game of jeopardy. Humans are such a strange species 😛
I’m very lucky to be a in a parish very alive with the faith and my mom’s a lay Carmelite so like give up being intimidated by anything after that lol jk. But it’s been great being a part of a very faithful parish and being around so many people alive with Christ’s Love.He challenged me on my views and opinions (I’m embarrassed to say that I was almost indoctrinated by the feminist movement yikes) and he pushed me to go on youth retreats and pilgrimages. We climbed Croagh Patrick as a group, it was honestly the most stressful thing I ever endured. I literally crawled up and down the mountain on my bum, everyone was laughing at me haha XD. But honestly he’s just the greatest gift I ever received from God. My friend was a self-professed atheist and now she is super Catholic. He changed my life in so many ways, and I don’t know where I would be if God had not used him to bring me back to the faith!Eh I almost slipped into New Age philosophy so I mean I guess everybody’s got that thing… XD
It’s amazing you’ve found spiritual directors and I’m glad for your friend!Did you not know Dean Koontz is Catholic? In fact, his novel in the Odd Thomas series called “Brother Odd” takes place entirely in a Catholic monastery. Raymond Arroyo is also a Catholic author, besides being a journalist, and has written a YA adventure (Will Wilder) series on Catholic relics.I don’t think I’ve read any Dean Koontz books before but my brother loves the Will Wilder series it’s like a Catholic kiddy Indian Jones!
Oh, can I ask, do you believe in purgatory? I’ve heard most non-Catholic Christians don’t but maybe that’s just another misconception? XDI don’t know if images still work in these forms, but I thought you both might enjoy a photo of the inside of the Basílica de la La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain. My wife and I visited it in 2017 during an international trademark convention. One side of the Cathedral stain glass reflects only the red spectrum side of the sunrise light, and the other reflects the blue spectrum of the sunset light.Oooooh I love stain glass churches that’s so beautiful!! It looks GORGEOUS!!!
I can send a picture of the unique outside of it, if you wish. We were able to climb the circular stair in one of the towers as well. The organic Gothic architecture was done by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926).Oh yes please please please! That must’ve been spectacular to see up in person!!!
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Hi Cathy,
It is perhaps more of a blessing not to be able to watch all of the videos out on the Internet.
Referencing your reply: “…can’t really watch videos with my Internet, if I watch anything over ten minutes in a month it crashes the Internet.”
Most of it is trash and the Internet is becoming a more hostile place, now that “Big Tech” is weaponizing it against people of faith. While it may not seem to be a blessing at the moment, it does prove to be one in the longer view. Phillipians 4:8 is easier to follow without that distraction.
There are islands of good in this tumultuous sea, but even on those islands you will find struggling and battle-weary people, trying to make sense of their mission under the mantle of their faith-calling. I see my imperfections daily, and the mirror of The Word calls my attention to what God wants me to work on with Him supplying the strength. Each day is a walk into further dependence on Him. I do not have all the answers, but I know where my answers lie and Who is The Ultimate Answer to my every need.
I pray you have a very blessed day today. It has been a joy getting “to know” you all a little bit more with each interaction. May our Lord Jesus Christ take the primary spot in all things for you! Seek Him first, and all your ways will gain clarity. Always speak the truth in love, seeking to uplift the hearer. Be yourself, for God loves the individual He created you to be, and does not need a copy of someone else. You are the puzzle piece that fits where and when He has you. Only you.
Hi Brian!
Yeah, I imagine it really is a blessing I can’t spend too much time on the Internet. By the time I can I’ll probably be more discriminating about what I watch and disciplined to not get as lost in clicks and blogs and videos then I would be if it were something I could take for granted all the time. I have enough for right now and God will provide when I truly need more.
It’s been great getting to know you too! I’m always so happy when I find a grownup who hasn’t been beaten down into routine and life so much that “experience” replaces purpose and “idealism”. Er…um…I meant that as a compliment but my mouth isn’t cooperating 😂…
But you’re authentic and sincere and it means a lot to me that you take the time to talk to me as a person instead of just a kid.
Wait…that didn’t come out right either. (I hate English) *bangs head on desk* Thank you and God bless! <3
Cathy,
You are doing just great. You do not come across as uncomplimentary or ever rude. You have a kindness that extends from you, and you are very interesting to talk to. Don’t second-guess yourself. I really do care what you think and I learn from you too. Remember you ONLY have to look to Him, and He will love others through you as a result. Be authentically you. Leave the rest in God’s Hands. We cannot please everyone and those who wish us ill resent us because of The One we represent, and that we will not compromise our faith just to make them comfortable in their own sin. (John 15:18)
We communicate sometimes with tough love, because truth can be hard to hear. We love the truth so much that we cannot be silent when someone we care for winds themselves in deception that will harm them in the end. Time will prove the kindness of our concern, even if our message is rejected in the moment it is given. Feelings are fickle and ever-changing. But truth is fixed and certain and reliable. Be patient with others in their learning, though. Offer them the grace God has given to you. A good seed planted does not sprout overnight.
Peace and blessings!
That…was really profound and kind…*ok I nearly cried when I read that…* I needed that, thanks <3.
I wish more people were aware of/could experience authentic love like that. I never really felt so loved or valued until I found a community here on StoryEmbers and so many people never feel that kindness. Honestly this plague has been more a blessing that a curse in a lot of ways; it’s forced us all to face a need for connection and self-care. It’s really amazing how God blesses us with an apparent evil and turns evil and sin around.