Thursday, January 4, 2007

A starting place

This blog has been in the back of my mind for over a year. I aptly named it for something Mother Angelica once spoke. She said "I question what kind of Catholic you are if you aren't a thorn in someone's side". I consider myself a thorn in a pew. I live in a diocese where finding a "place" has become difficult. I feel I am in limbo waiting for something to happen. As a mother of 2 autistic boys and a princess(which can be considered a disability in and of itself), finding a spiritual home for our family has been difficult. I, as most mothers, feel totally responsible for the spiritual welfare of my family. I also find it hard to relate to the average mom at our parish because of my special needs children and because I am a re-vert.
I speak of being from the "Glory and Praise" generation in the Catholic Church in this country and we share a burden that is unique. Being in elementary school during the 70's, I look back on the experience like someone just had an amazing celebration with tons of guests, amazing food, spectacular surroundings and then I came in the day after when it was all over. They got out the guitars, removed the beauty, hugged and held hands....and I grew up with a void. I am now a truth-seeker and on a journey to find and go after that which I wasn't exposed to as a child. It is difficult but important to me. I have read so many wonderful Catholic blogs and admire those who can put it out there and not be afraid of bringing truth to light.

5 comments:

FloridaWife said...

Hey, thanks for visiting my blog. I'm adding you to my sidebar.

I'm sorry that you have the extra challenges that come with autistic children. I have never personally met an autistic person (or if I had I wasn't aware).

Hey, are you a princess of a country? Are you royalty? I'm just curious, you don't have to be specific if you don't want to.

a thorn in the pew said...

I apologize for the princess comment. A misunderstanding. My daughter is "high maintenence" so we often refer to her as the princess just because at times she can be more of a handful than the boys. We live near Cincinnati and are just your normal family with issues. I have kept you in my prayers and you inspired me to visit a RE. I will continue to pray for you.

FloridaWife said...

Oh, okay!! I read that all wrong. Sorry!

I will pray for you too. I hope things go well with you.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to see your blog, and I'll be visiting often. It looks like we're about the same age -- I could have written the part about the Glory & Praise stuff, unfortunately.

That's funny - that Mother Angelica quote has always stood out to me, too. It has given me strength in times of tempted despair.

May God bless you as you strive to do his will w.r.t. fertility issues.

a thorn in the pew said...

Thank you guadalupe. While the church of the 70's was horrid, it is nice to know others braved it through. I sometimes think it amazing anyone in our generation still goes to Mass.