Given how often I reflect on my blog about what's happening in my life, I feel like I'm in my element now that it's New Year's Eve and the time has once again arrived to conclude one calendar year and enter a new year.
Many, including news outlets, are reflecting on the year that is ending.
In accordance with a Spanish custom, I reflect on 2024 in the spirit of the 12 grapes consumed at the changing of the year, in the style of something that in past years, my Grandma led my family in doing.
I delight in reflecting on 2024 as I recall many travel opportunities, times when I connected with family and friends, times when I connected with significant moments in my personal past, beholding the wonders of the heavens and the earth, seeing the sights of the USA (like on Labor Day weekend), and beholding God's manifestations in His Church. It all happened in a year with an extra day to behold God's wonders.
Throughout the year, I was touched by moments that truly lifted my spirits. One was when I discovered Emma Kok's performance of "Dancing on the Stars". Despite having a rare stomach condition that makes her unable to eat and relying on tubes for her nourishment, she sings so wonderfully, especially this song. There's great power in how she sings, "It's good to be alive." (I highly recommend spending 8 minutes watching the video that I've linked when you have a chance.)
Indeed, this year has provided many reasons why it's good to be alive.
2. For the first time in my life, I went on a mini-vacation for my birthday, doing it California-style as I celebrated Pat Nixon's birthday on the same day at the Nixon Presidential Museum. I also had a great time with my college friends Tyler and Roy.
3. My wait to fulfill my eager desire to experience the totality of a Solar Eclipse finally was fulfilled on April 8 when I stood in the shadow cast by the moon in Greenup, IL, on what was quite an exciting day for people all over North America.
4. I had the wonderful opportunity to return to middle school when I was a presenter at Career Day at Julian Middle School.
5. Once again, I experienced so much great sightseeing and family time on our annual Washington, D.C., area trip in June.
6. I had so many ways to be present with family, like visiting with my parents in Tennnessee, seeing my Grandpa Martin's hometown of Ottumwa, celebrating the sacraments for my uncle's sponsee, celebrating my cousin Cindy Marie's 25-year birthday, and returning to Washington, D.C., in December to see A Candlelight Christmas, the annual December concert of The Washington Chorus. (Please keep tuned to my blog in the coming weeks when I write a post about that trip.)
7. I made a significant advance in my participation in Knights of Columbus when I obtained my 4th Degree at an exemplification ceremony in June, right after my return from Washington, D.C., and right before our Independence Day holiday.
8. I had a fantastic time of sightseeing during Open House Chicago 2024 weekend and appreciating what's in Chicago.
9. At some point in the first part of 2024, I realized St. Teresa's in Valparaiso would mark its 50th anniversary this year. And with great joy, I was back in Valparaiso to attend its 50th Anniversary Mass in August under a tent celebrated by Bishop McClory with a picnic lunch afterwards.
10. It was so special to celebrate Holy Name Cathedral's 175th Anniversary at a special Mass celebrated by Cardinal Cupich on Christ the King Sunday, November 24. This anniversary was also in close proximity to his 10th Anniversary of installation as Archbishop of Chicago. Earlier in the year, he turned 75.
11. It was an extraordinary blessing to participate in the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in mid-July. Those days were filled with so many graces, as we were together as Church encountering our God. Before the Congress, four pilgrimage routes crossed the country, and I attended two different Masses held along the Marian route. And we were sent forth on mission, which gave me inspiration to speak about my experience at a Village Board meeting just days later.
12. While I was at the NEC, I thought of so much I could share about the experience, especially once September came and I started another year of Religious Education, in the spirit of living out my mission. There have been so many other great Kairos moments in connecting with my students and leading them to encounters with God. Some highlights included Confirmation Mass with Cardinal Cupich, showing the documentary God is Alive, packing meals at Feed My Starving Children at a table with all current Julian students, teaching about Theology of the Body, and sharing videos to illustrate the power of the Eucharist.
As I take stock of this whole year, I return to the National Eucharistic Congress, when we had adoration each day. Adoration often ends with a song that seems so appropriate as we conclude a year of chronos time and marvel the Kairos moments in which God has made Himself known: "Holy God, we praise Thy Name..."
Farewell 2024! Blessed be God!
 |
| Above and below, I'm at the Basilica of the Naitonal Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in photos taken by fellow visitors. Below, I'm standing next to a mural in the Chapel for La Señora de Guadalupe. We are processing from one year to another with the opportunity to encounter God. |
No comments:
Post a Comment