Last Quick Takes of 2011

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Soo, that Advent wreath photo project was not as prolific as I had hoped. This year for some reason I am more timid about whipping out my camera to document a church after Mass. Still,  I did take some fun touristy field trips - here are installments 1, 2, and 3.

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Last weekend I got to hear The Beau sing in his parish's Advent Lessons and Carols. It definitely got me in the Yuletide spirit. Advent carols should always have timpani accompaniment.

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It looks like the fresh, cheap British takeaway chain Pret A Manger has made the leap across the pond! There's one in Manhattan, and lately I've seen two in DC. I just had to stop at the one in Union Station on my way to catch my train to The Beau's Lesson and Carols in New Jersey.
Me: "OMG how long have ya'll been here?!?!?!"
Bemused cashier in reindeer headband: "Since Tuesday. I know, people keep freaking out and saying they recognize us from London. Honestly, this time of year Pret is the last thing on my mind."

Via IamDCDG

Seriously, though, you should check them out. They win my allegiance for listing allergen information and for personally responding to customer emails. Pret got me though my two week frigid museum death march/London trip of a lifetime.

--- 4 ---

My sister and I were victorious in our bridesmaid dress mission for Brother #1's June wedding. This was our  inspiration

but this is what I ended up choosing. The best part? The dress has POCKETS. Thank you, fashion designers, for allowing me to carry Lactaid pills and tissues.

--- 5 ---

Speaking of blue, that is also the color scheme for our family portrait today. I'm excited to actually be in it this time. The last parish directory photo was great, except for the fact that I was out of town....

--- 6 ---

Reasons #467 - 469 why I love my job: The VP of Finance made festive earrings for all the ladies in the office, there was gluten free pizza for lunch, and my new Russian boss is teaching us the Cyrillic alphabet one letter a day.

--- 7 ---

I might schedule some posts for the Christmas Octave, but otherwise this is my last big installment until after I return from ringing in the new year in New Orleans with The Beau's family, Have a blessed, joyous Yuletide everyone!

The Christmas wreath at St. Mark, the parish where I grew up

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Advent Wreaths Take 3

Last weekend The Beau and I took a field trip to the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ. It was worth the 45 minute drive. The fifth largest basilica in the United States, it was by far one of the most magnificent churches I've seen in this country. I haven't been this bowled over since I spent a year exploring the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

Planned in 1859, the cathedral was the brainchild of Newark's first bishop, Rev. James Roosevelt Bayley. He was a nephew of St. Elizabeth Seton and a Roosevelt on his mother's side. Like his aunt, he converted from the Episcopal and was subsequently cut out of his parents' will. Bayley grew the fledgling Newark diocese into a flourishing Catholic community, introducing religious orders and encouraging education. He was also history buff who organized church archives and wrote some histories of early American Catholicism. My kind of guy.

Construction began in 1899, and the French Gothic style cathedral hosted its first mass in 1928. It wasn't until the 1950s that the final interior decorations of stained glass windows and carved oak screens appeared.

In 1995 Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral and elevated it to a minor basilica. While he was in town he presided over evening prayer, with President Clinton in attendance.

It's the attention to detail that makes this cathedral so incredible. Every time I turned around I found something new to marvel at. Why yes, that is Judith holding the head of Holofernes in the center of that pediment over a side door.

The myriads of stained glass windows depict more saints than you can count, giving the impression that you are surrounded by the "great cloud of witnesses." I was excited to find one of my patrons in an apse side chapel.

So if you ever find yourself flying into the Newark airport, see if you can make your way to this American Gothic gem. It's not in the greatest neighborhood, but that makes its splendor all the more astonishing. The product of generations of hard work, it stands as a testament to the Communion of Saints we all hope to join in eternity.

Unicorns in Our Midst: 21st Century Virgins

"Being a Virgin in this day and age is something to be proud of; you're like a unicorn."  - Shirley to Annie in Season 1 of Community

This week the Bright Maidens blogging group is reviewing TLC's new series "The Virgin Diaries." I have only two positive things to say about the show.

First, the historian in me is pleased TLC has documented so many subculture groups, religious and not, for posterity. In a century or so, someone will give a conference paper about how agnostic post-modernity liked to gawk at Mormon polygamists, Muslims in Michigan, homeschooling Arkansas residents with 20 kids, and those rare 5-10% of American adults who have never had sex. Did these Millenial viewers lump such fringe groups in with little people, toddler beauty queens, and wedding dress consultants?

Second, watching the trailers for this show made me very grateful for Theology of the Body. Normally I resist the Catholic cliches chastity explanations that are basically OMGJP2TOB!!1!11! But when I got nauseous seeing that newlywed couple awkwardly chewing each other's faces off, I couldn't help but think they needed to read some Love and Responsibility.

Our lips, our hands, our bodies, and our sexuality are part of our God-given human dignity. They are not dangerous, uncontrollable temptations to keep at a ten-foot distance so we can brag about how careful our courtships are. Marriage is more than just a license for intercourse, just as chastity is more than keeping one's legs crossed until vows permit unbridled release of all that pent-up tension.

So yeah, I was a little annoyed at TLC's editing that found drama in every facial expression and double entendres in playground equipment. But mostly I was angry at the yahoos who decided to broadcast their most personal lives on television, making a mockery of something that is precious, and sadly, rare.

I'm 26, and I am part of that virgin 5-10%. You might not realize when we unicorns (or mermaids) walk among you, because most us don't act like maladjusted circus freaks. Neither do we walk around wagging disapproving fingers at our peers who haven't made the same life choice. We have social lives, creative interests, and affectionate dating relationships. The only thing that makes us different is our commitment to a difficult spiritual and physical goal that challenges who we are at our very core.

Chastity is something I have to choose every day. I don't choose it because I am afraid of sex, or of getting pregnant or an STD. I don't choose it just because it's honorable, or how my parents raised me, or because I've been told it's a sin. I don't choose it just so my wedding night (a few brief hours of my life) will be special. As Bing Crosby says in White Christmas, "That's not good, but it's a reason."

Ultimately, I have to make this choice for myself, because I believe it will make me a happier, holier person in the long run. It has a to be a lived acknowledgement of the divine transformation I believe happens in the Sacrament of Marriage. It has to be an integral part of my relationship with God, who loves me first and most.


As  agnostic-turned-Jew-turned Episcopalian-turned-chastity enthusiast Lauren Winner described it,

"Remember that God desires your person, your body, more than any man or woman ever will."

Advent Wreaths Take 2

Here's a peek at the family dinner table advent wreath, complete with Gaudete joy and hypo-allergenic LED candles.

I've been avoiding the 24/7 Christmas music radio stations with their round-the-clock emotional manipulation. Instead, I like to find Yuletide references in unusual places. Lately I've been hooked on the Goo Goo Dolls' (I know, I know) 2005 song "Better Days". This isn't your usual pop mash-up of "Presents/Christmas/Yeah Yeah/Snow, baby snow/Saaanta/Presents/Yeah Yeah" Or yet another skanky cover of the date-rape special "Baby It's Cold Outside."

Instead, the lyrics make oblique yet authentic references to what Christmas is all about: sin, redemption, and the possibility that the world can improve.

'Cause I don't need boxes wrapped in strings

And designer love and empty things

Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days....

So take these words and sing out loud

'cause everyone is forgiven now

'cause tonight's the night the world begins again

Blogiversary Quick Takes

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Today marks the two-year anniversary of this blog! I am so grateful for all of my readers and for the community I've found among fellow bloggers.Thank you for stopping by to my little corner of the internets.

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Reason # 795 why I love my temp job: yesterday on the spur of the moment I went to Mass for the Holy Day with our CEO and VP of finance. Then we went out for Mexican food. Praise the Lord.

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Tonight I got to meet up with some folks from my graduate program at The Tombs in Georgetown. It made me so nostalgic that I promptly called the remaining 6 of my classmates to leave well-wishing voicemails. I don't miss writing end-of-semester papers, but I do miss all those museum field trips.

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I'm currently reading the novel True Grit by Charles Porter, and of course it is even more fun than the movies. The written format allows readers to learn more about adult Mattie Ross as she narrates her adventures. Her deadpan humor makes her feel like a female, more responsible Huck Finn. One my favorite of her comments was about a ruthless judge who converted to Catholicism on his deathbed.

"If you had sentenced one hundred and sixty men to death, and seen around eighty of them swing, then maybe at the last minute you would feel the need of some stronger medicine than the Methodists could make."

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Burruss Hall at Virginia Tech

Please keep the Virginia Tech community in your prayers as they recover from yesterday's shooting incident. Brother #1 was a freshman Hokie on that infamous April 16, and the death of two people on campus brings back many painful memories. It's good no students were harmed, but the slain police officer left behind 5 children and stepchildren.

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I continued my recent novena addiction by praying the Immaculate Conception novena these past nine days.  One night I even made it to the Mass and Holy Hour my parish was hosting every night. There's something about going to a candlelit church at night, especially in the middle of the week, that feels, for lack of a better word, magical.
I also took the plunge and started the infamous "Hail and Blessed" novena that runs from St. Andrew's feast to Christmas. So far I have mostly remembered to say my prayers 15 times a day. Any other St. Andrew novena fans out there?

--- 7 ---

Every Advent I get hooked on the short song "Adam Lay Ybounden." The lyrics echo the Exultet's cry of "oh happy fault!" I always reach for the repeat button when the cheery melody ends.

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Immaculately Ahead of Schedule

Happy feast of the Immaculate Conception, and happy patron feast day, United States of America. Somehow it's wryly fitting that in a nation where Catholics have been so often misunderstood, and where we sometimes don't even understand ourselves, the patroness is one of the the most frequently confused theological concepts. Just to be clear, we're talking about the beginning of Mary's life here.

 It's also fitting that in the land that celebrates self-made success, today we remember how no one can redeem themselves - we need God's grace and redemption. God chose to redeem Mary ahead of schedule, before her Son had even been incarnate. Only one other person got this privilege. Tradition states that John was cleaned of original sin in utero, when he danced for joy at the approach of his infant savior cousin.

Visitation scene from "The Nativity Story" Via Groucho Reviews

Mary is the "first fruits" of Christ's redemption, the morning star before the sunrise, the coming attraction trailers that signal the start of the feature film. Her sinlessness is a glimmer of hope representing what Christ can do for us and what we can become.

Advent Wreaths Take 1

I'm continuing the tradition I started last year of photographing Advent wreaths at different parishes. My first wreath of the season was at the Cathedral of St. Matthew near Dupont Circle.

St. Matthew's building on Rhode Island Avenue was completed in 1911. It has hosted President John F. Kennedy's funeral as well as many other services with political connections.

The last time I visited St. Matthew's was before the March For Life in 2002 or so. Back then the church was in the middle of a restoration project, and the murals were covered in scaffolding. On my visit last weekend, the beautiful early 20th Century paintings were in full view. 

Still Grateful

Our annual Thanksgiving table decorations

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had fewer dinner guests this year, but the weekend was still full of family and food. Today I am thankful for

• Four-day weekends
• Leftovers for lunch
• Having all 5 siblings + 3 significant others under one roof for a moment
• Dinner out with old friends
• An excursion to DC that involved areas beyond the Mall
• The glorious experience that is homemade gluten-free stuffing made of bread you baked yourself
• Backgammon tournaments
• Baked acorn squash with hazelnut butter
• The fun challenge of bridesmaid dress shopping
• College friends who stay in touch
• A Sunday movie matinee where we were the youngest couple by 25 years
• Warm weather that permitted walks under the stars
• A new Mass translation that feels like an early Christmas present

Occupy These 7 Quick Takes, Vol. 14

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I have been blown away by the thoughtful comments on my Mormonpalooza post about the shiny, happy evangelization of Mormon housewife blogs. You ladies had some great insights, and showed me I didn't have it all figured out. Keep it coming!

--- 2 ---

All my late-night Mormonpalooza writing has made me realize that I am in academic writing withdrawal. Compared to my scattershot short posts this time last year, I am practically an essayist here. I never thought this day would come, but I actually miss collecting footnotes and outlining dozens of pages.

--- 3 ---

True confession: I have seen all the Twilight movies on opening night, but I don't really care that I wont see Breaking Dawn. The protagonists are so insufferable that at this point I'm Team Charlie, Bella's bewildered dad.

--- 4 ---

Last weekend my family survived the epic matchup of Oldsmobile vs. Bambi. On the way to an engineering open house at Virginia Tech, Brother #2 and my Dad got a lesson in the physics of collisions. Now we have a totaled car and a teenage concussion, but the deer is missing a leg. I'd call that even. Also, the iPhone flashlight app is very useful in times like this.

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In happier news, The Beau passed his dissertation defense with flying colors! Now comes the fun part of writing several hundred pages on representations of martyrdom in late 17th century England.

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When I look at coverage of Occupy Wall Street, I see 19th century revolutionary protests. He sees the late Stuart period. I love when we have nerdy conversations like this one:
 Him: "I should just take the train up [to NYC] and get myself arrested. I'm studying 50 feet from the station."
Me: "I don't know if I would have enough money to bail you out...But I would publish a pamphlet with woodcut illustrations about your ordeal!"
Him:"I am intrigued by this account of the protestors pointing at blood on the ground saying 'That's our blood!' Did they dip cloth in it and keep it [like a 17th century person would]?"  

--- 7 ---

The soundtrack of The Mission makes for epic invoicing background music. The only thing better than Jeremy Irons' voice is Jeremy Irons as a Jesuit priest.

Via BritishCinemaGreats.com

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

Mormonpalooza Part 2: Housewife Blogs and Evangelization Envy

The past few years have seen the rise of the hip Mormon mommy/housewife blog phenomenon. There seems to be an endless network of them, and good gravy are they popular. Thousands of followers, dozens of sponsors, weekly giveaways popular. Personally, I am hooked on The Daybook, Nat the Fat Rat (Happiness Curator! Lover of Anne of Green Gables!), Rockstar Diaries, and Mormon in Manhattan to name a few.

The stinkin' cute Sydney and Tyson of The Daybook. 

In Salon this January, highly educated journalist Emily Matchar asked the question on many young women's minds (including mine): “Why can’t I stop reading Mormon housewife blogs?” She concluded that, unlike the uber-intense mommy blogosphere, these ladies make marriage and motherhood look like fun adventures.  At VirtuousPla.Net, Julie Rodrigues recently observed that these blogs "give beauty slowly," countering the modern obsession with instant gratification. Jen Fulweiler chimed in that it’s the inherent female nurturing, giving instinct that makes PhD candidates pore over posts about recipes and decorating.

I agree with all these women, and very much identify with Matchar and her friends. Reading cookbooks and stalking other people’s domestic bliss were my main coping techniques while thesis writing. It was a world so comforting, and yet slightly exotic compared to the library stacks.

There's been some discussion in the Catholic blogsphere about what an effective evangelization force these Mormon bloggers are. Such artsy diaries make show that we church-going folk are happy, creative, and normal.  These women blend modernity with faith seemingly effortlessly. They are in the world but not quite of it, often more subtly than we Catholics seem to be. But before we go running out to create knock-off hipster Catholic blogs, there are some key points to consider.

Mormon housewife blogs are up-to-the-minute trendy. 
These women use Instagram, sell handmade accessories on Etsy and dish about makeup trends.  Their trendiness seems authentic, not self-consciously commercial. When readers ask, "What makes Mormons so cool?, they reply that they just look for beauty in everything, and that includes Forever 21.

These blogs are written for a wide general audience – lifestyle first, LDS a distant second.
 “Just frolicking in the city, pushing this stroller in my hipster glasses and red lipstick. Have you tried that new burger place across town? Oh and I’m excited about General Conference and hosting some missionaries for dinner on Sunday.”

via ClothedMuch.com

Similarly, clothing discussions are about fashion, not just modesty. 
You'll never see these stylish girls in tank tops or short skirts, but they don't feel the need to tell you that constantly. Their posts are all "Hey, look at these cute blouses! I found the sweetest necklace on sale!"

I once told my parish priest that he should give up his pipe dreams of a modest clothing line, because the Mormons have that locked down. Three words: Shabby Apple dresses.

By far the expert Mormon fashion blogger is LA-dweller Elaine Hearn at Clothed Much. Her blogroll of Mormon fashion bloggers is comprehensive, and her use of items from both department and thrift stores is brilliant. With nary an ankle length jumper in sight.

They offer artistic quality and positivity, not preaching to the choir
Mormon bloggers' layouts are uncluttered and their photos use natural light, not garish flash. They write about what is good in life, instead of just clutching their pearls about THE CULTURE.

There is a time and place for hashing out the minutiae of theology and liturgy, and then there are times to be more approachable. Endless debates about NFP and homeschooling get tiresome, as does the millionth mediocre rehash of Theology of the Body. This is where Mormon bloggers enchant and inspire me in a way Catholic mommy blogs often do not. It's refreshing to see something practical and beautiful, not just hand-wringing about immorality on TV.

Who cares what horrendous things the kids on Jersey Shore are wearing; what would be a good outfit for work tomorrow? How could I still unleash my creative side once I am chasing after little ones? How do I relate to my secular colleagues? More importantly, how could Catholic life be relevant to them? Women like Sydney and Elaine give me hope that I can participate in modern society but also stay true to my beliefs.

Via The Rockstar Diaries

This is where I as a Catholic blogger/cultural historian do some serious pondering. 
Do we blog to evangelize or to talk amongst ourselves? Should Catholic young women write with our theology more "undercover"? Personally, I love the like-minded community of spiritual support I have found through blogging. Should I put my money where my mouth is and switch to posting recipes and daily outfit photos? Or would that be watering down my faith?

Do any Catholic lifestyle blogs with a large secular following already exist?  Do you think Catholic women should embrace a new online evangelization strategy? What do you think?