It's the most wonderful time of the year...

ADVENT!

Most people refer to this time of year as Christmas or "The Holidays". Advent is more accurate for Christians as Christmas begins on December 25th (Christmas Day?!), the period of preparation leading up to this is known as Advent. Christians are supposed to prepare for the coming of the Lord. How? Prayer, going to Mass, the doing of good deeds, etc...

I'll talk now about the term "Happy Holidays". Firstly, it is important to know where the word "holiday" comes from. Simply put; Holy and Day - Holiday. In days past, when the Earth was cooling, the only time you had not working was a Holy Day set by the Church (Roman or otherwise). As we progressed, and became lazier, the words were joined to form "Holiday".

Now, you may not expect to hear this from me. I like the term Happy Holidays in some circumstances. Take where I live for example; the cultural and religious melting-pot that is the U S of A. It may sound shocking but: NOT EVERYONE CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS. We do all, however, have time off work. So, not that I think the words Merry and Christmas are offensive, we use the term Holidays to encompass all of the celebrations of whatever religions have Holy Days or Celebrations at this time of year.

I think of this because at the Parish I work for (St Cecilia, San Francisco) we encourage Parishioners and the school to adopt Advent for what it is. Preparation for Christmas. This can be tough to convince young people to do, so it's been in my mind a lot recently.

For me however, this is the time of the year I call Happy Times. I'm going home, fair reader. I have been lax in my blogging but I have a tradition of writing one whilst waiting for my flight. It's happy because I will see my family and friends, have fun, and celebrate Christmas. I have missed my family SO MUCH that I am practically giddy.

So, as I sit here with my litre of Stella Artois, I am smiling. I am looking forward to the next month of fun, smiles, and hugs! See you soon San Francisco. Get ready Nottingham!

Wishing you all a Happy and Holy Advent, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...Happy Holidays, everyone!

Halloween...

I love this time of year. It's when I get all of these people asking me whether I celebrate this holiday, whether I boycott it, whether I (as an employee of the Roman Catholic Church) think we should guard against desensitisation and "The Great Deceiver".

You probably think this is going to be a huge post, an article of some description.

You're wrong.

Halloween is fun. The "evil" images are not images of real evil. They are fairy tales. We're not desensitising our kids. If anything, they're the one's who judge evil best. We are allowing them to dress up as fictitious characters and have some fun getting "candy" from trick or treating.

Lighten up people, it's just a party! The Eve of All Hallows (Halloween).  A Christian Holiday on the same day as a Pagan Festival? Yup. Just like Christmas.

Think about it...and now smile. :D

Thoughts

I have had so many since my last post!

Don't worry though, I will not list them all, that would be impossible. I want to share some of the feelings and thoughts I've had this past week.

Wednesday October 12th 2011 was the day my Grannie died. Being in the US I found out via a Skype chat with my Old Man. Well, actually I found out through a WhatsApp message from him. It said: Call me. That was it. My Pops doesn't talk much ESPECIALLY through text. When I saw this I knew my Grannie had gone.

My world felt like it was crashing. Made worse by the fact I knew I couldn't be there for the funeral. I had to say goodbye from 5000 miles away. Not an easy thing to do by any stretch of the imagination.

I am blessed enough to have some amazing friends here in SF. They really rallied round and actually knew exactly what I would have wanted from them and needed them to do for me (generally give me words of support and keep certain people away from me!). That was Wednesday. A flood of emails, texts, phone calls, facebook messages. It actually surprised me, I loved it.

Thursday saw my hungover self rise at 6.30am to prepare for my 4 day retreat with our 8th Grade. Again, this was something I am glad for. A distraction? A chance to be on retreat myself? A getaway? YES! I had a hard weekend that helped me more than I could have known. My boss, the High School team, the 8th Graders themselves; they all helped me through it. I got to talk about my Grannie, I had space to think, I had things to distract me, and I had reconciliation with the guilt I felt. Literally. I went to reconciliation with my boss and gave my guilt for not being at the funeral to God. I felt a weight lifted.

At the end of the retreat I was honoured to have Mass said for my Grannie. She would have loved that, an incredibly devout and loving woman. I confess I nearly cried and I choked up, as they say. But I had reassuring smiles from the seniors, and strong 'proper' hugs.

My life is one I often marvel at. It seems no matter what is thrown at me, my situation, my job, my friends seem to help more than they probably know themselves.

For that I am thankful.

These are my thoughts. Thank you for reading them.

Count Blessings...

It's interesting to think of life's ups and downs. We all have them in varying degrees and some have them at the worst possible moment. At times like this we are usually told by someone: "You'll be fine. Eventually"
These can be fairly hollow words to the person receiving the; 'How do you know I'll be fine, it'll get easier?' 'You are not going through this. I am.' 'Don't assume to understand what I'm going through.'

I hope to be the kind of person that people feel they can talk to and not someone who will simply spout the usual lines people think are reassuring. I hope to be the person who listens and gives (if possible) a specific response to any issue or feeling. With that in mind we come to the title of this entry.

Count Blessings

When the chips are down, no matter what the situation is, how dire it seems, search your life and your heart. Count your blessings. If you are struggling to see any good in your life cast a thought over to the people who don't have what you have. Blessings, in whatever form, can be taken for granted. When we are at our worst, we will struggle with the good. Fight for the good. Notice what and who surrounds you.

You are blessed more than you realise. Spare a thought for those not as blessed. This does not diminish what you're going through but maybe looking at the good will make it easier to deal with. Even just for a second.

Homeward bound...

So I'm sat at San Francsico International Airport in the depature lounge with a pint of Stella and I thought; I haven't blogged in a while...well here it is!

I figure I'll tell yu why I've been so quiet on here recently. Well...I've been kinda busy! Work has been hectic and below are some of the things I've been doing this past few months that's kept me with my nose to the grindstone!

1. Confirmation - I had the privilege of "Presenting" the 69 candidates from our parish to the Bishop. I don't know why but this meant a lot to me. I've spent the last year preparing these young people to stand up and proffess their faith. After the ceremony the bishop said to me: "Sean, you should be very proud. These were the most prepared and focussed candidates I've ever confirmed and that's thanks to them having a great Youth Minister." Yikes!
2. Easter! That was a busy time for different reasons; I was helping with the churches environment and the Internet streaming. On the Easter Vigil none of my streamers turned up and myself and 7th grader did the whole thing (3 cameras and the control room) on our own! I was shattered!
3.Graduation! I was very happy with graduation this year. I felt like I really KNEW this class and I was so proud of them.

So that's 3 of a great many things which include preparing and planning ALL things we are doing next year...at least I don have to worry about any of it over the summer!

Let's go England, gonna be epic to be home!

Easter Traditions

Its EASTER! This is going to be one of those periods of time in the year that I am incredibly grateful that I work for the Catholic Church. The reason is simple and, as my constant readers will attest, the most important to me in my life. My Family.

They will 5286 miles away in Nottingham. They'll all be in the same house I would wager, and I'm here. On Easter Sunday I shall be working...In fact I'm working everyday, in part, of the Sacred Triduum. This is good because the distraction will keep me from feeling lonely...well TOO lonely at least.

Only 49 days to go...

So, instead of this being a self-indulgent "I miss my family" BLOG; I'd like to talk about Easter.

As you will know, if you read my St Valentine entry, I find it amusing (if not a little annoying) that most people in this World, religious or not, celebrate ALL the Christian Holy Days.
It might amuse some of you to know that the word we use to describe going abroad for some R&R (not you Americans - hey you got one thing right!) is derived from HOLY and DAY - HOLIDAY. Basically, the only time you were allowed to not be at work was when you were granted a HOLY DAY to be at Church, listen to the Word of God, got to Communion, and celebrate the life of someone who gave theirs for us (or in Saints for their Faith).

The biggest, most important week in the Christian (and Jewish) calendar is upon us. We are about to celebrate the Passover. The Last Supper in Christian lingo. I love this celebration because it unites us with our roots. Judaism. Doesn't it make you laugh when you ask some people what Religion Jesus was and they say: "Uh, Christian?!" - as if YOU'RE the dumb-ass!

As the New Testement states (and we hear in every mass we attend): The night before he died, he took bread... Jesus celebrated the Passover with his Disciples in remembrance of the Israelites journey from bondage in Egypt. They had no time to bake bread and wait for it to ris so they baked bread with no yeast (un-leavened) which obviously doesn't rise. They also have such things as salt water (tears) and bitter herbs to commemorate the suffering of their ancestors before they were delivered into the "Promised Land".

I love these traditions that we share. Our Mass is based on this, and this weekend we remember more clearly than ever the suffering of the Israelites and the suffering of Jesus.

I hope that, if you didn't know these small facts before, you learned something. I just like to write this stuff down every now and then...not necessarily to educate but to just have it out there. Also, if there is inaccuracies; I ask your pardon and request education in the form of a comment.

Have a happy and Holy Easter.

1 year down...

So, it's happened. I was intending to write this on the very day of my year anniversary of being "Stateside" but I was busy!

So, what has changed in the year since I've been here? Well, I like baseball (which I was expressly forbidden to do by my brothers), I've found a great circle of friends who I know I can rely on, I've settled into my job and been through some tough times with my Parish...I like Country Music! Haha.

There's too much to say what has changed. I'd like to tell you about 3 things that haven't changed, and I'm sure they never will:

1. I miss my family every day. This is the hardest and most rewarding thing I've ever had to do. Sometimes it feels like I've given up my family and I don't like that feeling. I'm missing out on all the things they get to do together and that makes me sad. The flip side is when I get to talk to them on Skype or when I get to go home - it's awesome...even if there's not much to say! Just to see them and hear them is great. 58 days until I head home!

2. My accent. I'm incredibly happy that I still have my accent. This is for a number of reasons really. Mainly it's that I'm still quite novel for people. It starts the most amount of conversations (some start like this: What part of IRELAND are you from?! To which I reply: NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND!!). It's also fun when I go into the lower grades in the school. If I say "Charlie bit my finger!" or "Give it back Malfoy, or I'll knock you off your broom!" it sends them into hysterics!

3. I still have strong links with my friends back home. It speaks for itself really.

So, America has affected my life, it's given me an opportunity I would never have had at home. It's taken me away from people I love most in the world...but it hasn't removed them. I'm thankful for the ties I have that keep me strongly attached to my roots.

Now, I have a question. Do I get a new Facebook page for my family and friends? It's getting difficult to post things with all the Youth Group on the other one! Answers on a comment!

Well then...

It's been a while! I think it's due to me being busy at work, happy at play, and never really having a free minute! I like that though. Being busy is always good as it makes time go quicker than it usually does - I know that's not possible but I'm sure you all know what I mean.

There's not really a lot to report I'm afraid. No poignant thought, no glimmer of inspiration for writing in my darling on-line diary. I do have a plan for what I shall write on Friday however so I hope you have a glance back then. You'll understand why when/if you read it!

I'll leave you with one thing. Cherish your friendships no matter how far, simply because you never know when another side of a person will come out and completely change everything you thought of them.

St Valentine

OK then. It's Valentine's Day. I never really bought into the whole tradition of buying the one you love sweets, flowers, jewellery, etc... (although I have, of course, done it previously). But I'm troubled about these "feasts" becoming increasingly commercialised by big companies wanting to capitalise on the masses! Valentine's, Christmas, Easter, St Patrick's Day and so on. I bet there are people who have Trees, Eggs, Roses, and...well...Guinness I suppose, who know nothing of the origins of these days.


I'd like to rectify this a little.

St Valentine was a holy priest who lived and ministered in Rome. His mission was to provide support to young Christians condemned to die under Emperor Claudius II.
When Claudius heard of this he had Valentine (Valentinus) brought to him. Valentine's mistake was he then tried to convert the Emperor to Christianity! Caludius had him arrested and sent to the Prefect of Rome. The Prefect saw that Valentine was not going to renounce his Faith and thus condemned him to death.
Whilst in Jail Valentine is said to have converted no less than 300 Roman guards and cured the blindness of his jailer's daughter.
On the eve of his death he wrote to the girl whose eyes he had opened and is said to have signed the letter "from your Valentinus"
The next day (February 14, 269ce) St Valentine was beaten with bats and stoned. However this did not kill him. He was eventually beheaded and became a Martyr of the Christian Faith.


He is the Patron Saint of affianced couples, bee keepers, engaged couples, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travellers, young people. He is represented in pictures with birds and roses.


So, the reasoning seems to be that due to him being the Patron Saint of Affianced or Engaged couples, lovers, and Happy marriages we celebrate our love for another. Maybe it would be worth while raising money for Epilepsy research too?


Just a thought.


Thanks for taking the time, dear reader.

The times they are a-changin'

This blog has no purpose. At least, not in my head as I begin.

I was just sitting at my desk and thinking about my situation and the wonderful position I find myself in. I want for nothing essentially. Yes, I have debt. Yes, I miss home. But if you think about what others are going through it makes one think about how much of an arse we can be.

I was asked to be involved in something called "The Relay for Life". I am to be on the organizational committee. I will help plan 24 hours of non-stop walking which will (hopefully) raise money for Cancer Research. This makes me happy. To be able to do something for people who are affected by this merciless disease. There's me sitting looking at my wonderful computer, my new iPhone, and wondering about getting a car! There are people who have their lives stripped away from them and I'm in a material world right now. This Relay has jolted me into action, even if it's only in planning and preparation.

I wonder what else I could be doing. There are infinite other causes, there is much much more I can do personally. So, I am looking for something else now. Something to direct my energy to while I wait to hear about my visa, status etc...

Maybe this blog was to get my thoughts in order. Maybe it was to provoke a reaction in you, dear reader to do something where you are.

Eyes front...

It's very easy to dwell on things that have been. To worry. Focus on the bad things that have happened. Allow them to consume us.
Last year was a very strange year for me. A lot happened to friends of mine, a lot happened to the parish I work in. My whole life was altered! Here I am going to speak of the things that have happened. This is the last time they shall be mentioned here as I embark on a new year at work.

Move to San Francisco (April 8th 2010) - I hopped on a plane leaving my very emotional Mother in the care of my Father on the 3 hour trip home from the Airport. It was a very strange day for me. I was nervous, I was upset to be leaving my wonderful family and friends behind, and I was apprehensive about what I may find in the US of A! I needn't have worried!
San Bruno Explosion (September 9th 2010) - This tragic accident claimed the lives of a Mother and Daughter (Jacki and Janessa) of our Parish. It touched the lives of countless people. The line of cars from front to back in the procession to the graveyard last 25 minutes.
Our parish and school was united in grief. I have never seen anything like it. It instilled in me a renewal of my Faith as I saw a community grieve together. This is what and why we believe. To help us through hard times.
Leukemia Diagnosis - A good friend of mine was diagnosed with Leukemia. This was a few days after the above and it tipped me over the edge. When I was telling my boss why I wouldn't be at work on the Sunday I couldn't SAY why. I had to write it down. I haven't cried like that in years. Sam is an inspirational person. She greeted this with determination and often a smile. I felt useless. In fact it was her who helped ME. Isn't that backwards?!
Another 8th Grade tragedy - Another tragedy befalls the 8th Grade of our School. One of their number lost his Father unexpectedly. The students struggle to understand why in 1 year they have lost a class-mate, and 2 parents. I honestly have no idea what to say to them at this point. But I am encouraged to see the strength they lend each other and the bond they share, support from within.

I could go on for a while with this but that's not what this blog is about. MUCH more happened to me, my friends, and people I work with last year. It was a hard year.
So far I have spoken of the inspiration I have felt due to these events. I was inspired to write this particular blog by a very good friend of mine who is entering this year with his chin-up and a positive attitude towards what is to come, forgetting what has happened in the past.

So, to the title of this entry: Eyes front... Father Paul Newman (my old boss and one of my closest friends) once said to a group of year 9 pupils in Reconciliation: "Now you are forgiven bear this in mind; God put your eyes in the front of your head, not the back. So look to the future and don't dwell on what has been."
What I say is: Raise a Glass to what Life throws...


Here's to 2011! Enjoy, and good luck!