3 Reasons Vol. 2 plus 4QT

Micaela of California to Korea (and back to California) hosts a link up which requires a little more thought than my usual "look around the house and think of "something someone said, read, or ate" to write about."

3 Reasons I Love Catholicism

1.  Mary All Year Long

Mary's Month and my month are one and the same.

I first realized this in kindergarten, when the girls with May birthdays were selected to be in the May Crowning procession.  All these years later, I still remember that day and how special it was.

May is THE most Gorgeous Month.  October is a close second, and September is pretty spectacular in Chicago.  Luckily, Mary has a day in Every Month.  Most months, she gets a few, but I've listed the big ones here.

January 1:  Solemnity of Mary
February 11:  Our Lady of Lourdes
March  25:  The Annunciation
April 26:  Our Lady of Good Counsel
May:  The Whole Month plus Mother's Day plus May 13:  Our Lady of Fatima
June 27:  Our Lady of Perpetual Help
July 2:  The Feast of the Visitation
August 15:  The Assumption
August 22:  The Immaculate Heart of Mary
September 8:  Mary's Birthday
October 7:  Our Lady of the Rosary
November 21:  Presentation of Our Lady in the Temple
December 12:  Our Lady of Guadalupe

2.  Mary's Words

How can this be since I am yet a virgin?

Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.  Be it done unto me according to thy word.

My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me--holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers. 

Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.  

They have no wine.

Do whatever He asks of you.

3.  Beautiful Spaces

Different spaces, different places, different styles, same Jesus.  

Now, my four quick takes:

4.  If you're not reading Sr. Helena's blog Hell Burns, you're missing some really interesting movie reviews from a Catholic perspective.  Susan and I are cooking up a plan to see the newest version of The Great Gatsby based on Sister's review.

5.  Lucy competed in the Suburban Parochial League Championship track meet last Saturday.

With 21 schools competing, Lucy placed third in 75m hurdles.  That's her in the red.  

There are some really generous people who go to these things and take pictures of other people's kids and email the photos to them.  Thanks to someone like that for capturing this image and sharing it with us.

6.  Then on Wednesday,  Lucy had her 8th grade luncheon where she won some awards and my third labor of love was on display.

No, not the child, the poster.  Every 8th grader mom gets the dubious honor/chore of making a tribute poster of the child.  The silhouette is provided.  But the silhouettes are made by their fellow students and they are terrible.  Seriously bad.  This year, Lucy's silhouette was spot on for a middle aged man with a mustache, so I learned long ago to keep some extra large black construction paper in stock for when we have to re-create the silhouette.

Not apparent in this photo is the underlayment of every ribbon she ever won on Field Days, Cross County meets, Track meets, and Science Fairs.  Then, plastering that are photos documenting her life story.  Christmas concerts, First Communion, Confirmation, missing teeth, starring roles, volleyball, Girl Scouts, toddler chub, new baby sister, and on and on.

A labor of love, that takes years in the making.  

7.  And then last night, she graduated to high school.  

She read the second reading.

She got her diploma.

And posed for us.

As the Chef said, "Onward to high school melodrama, exciting academic pursuits, and even greater tuition."

Linking up with Micaela's 3 Reasons and Jen's 7 Quick Takes.