Editor’s note: As Colleen points out in her article, the apparitions in Medjugorje have not been approved by the Church. For more information on the Church’s teachings on Medjugorje visit this helpful resource at EWTN. LMH

There were many firsts for me this year. For starters, I got a passport. Secondly, I accepted a once-in-a-lifetime invitation from my father to travel to Split, Croatia to visit my youngest sister who plays professional volleyball overseas. It would be an eight-day trip to Europe without my husband or my four kids (that’s right – another first!). Why me? My mother was battling a bad case of vertigo and didn’t want to make the trip, so my dad invited me along.

My youngest sister was our tour guide; her fellow teammate the trusted interpreter. The only known destination on our Adriatic adventure was visiting Medjugorje, roughly a 2 ½-hour drive from Split. Honestly, I didn’t know much about this popular religious pilgrimage. It is not officially approved by the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. I had every intention of conducting research and checking in with subject-matter experts before the Lenten visit, but time slipped away and there we were…driving across the border of Croatia to Bosnia on the morning of St. Patrick’s Day.

Wearing a touch of the green, our humble travel quartet waited anxiously as the Bosnian checkpoint officer reviewed our passports. Once waved through, the first point of interest that jarred me out of my jet lag were two white industrial vans marked with words similar to “Land Mine Rescue.” This was a solemn reminder that not too long ago, this region was completely upside down in war.

Our tiny red Renault was dwarfed by the dozens of Italian tour buses as we careened into the town. Armed with absolutely no knowledge about what to do first, we spotted a throng of pilgrims each donning a colorful neckerchief to identify with their respective travel group. (My sister and I called these bandanas “prayer scarves” and joked if our cozy group of four got to have one, what color would it be?) Thinking we stumbled on the exact entrance to Medjugorje and the spiritual place where it has been revealed that six teenagers witnessed the Virgin Mary on June 24, 1981, we quickly discovered that we were crashing an Italian prayer service outside one of the bed and breakfasts. We were such tourists! Making a U-turn out of this deluge of hundreds was no easy feat, but breaking away from the crowd gained us access to a friendly shopkeeper on a corner lot who pointed us on the right path toward Apparition Hill.

It has been said that Mary chooses those who visit Medjugorje. Millions of pilgrims have traveled to this sacred hamlet, sandwiched between mountains of rugged, desert-like terrain and mild Mediterranean climate.  The trek to Apparition Hill is rather treacherous, as the rocks are so slippery from the wear and tear of so many travelers afoot – with and without shoes. At times, the jagged crevasses have you collapsed on all fours as you steady yourself along the 25-minute journey.

Once reaching the summit where a white cross of the Virgin Mary rests, it was remarkable that so many people were shoulder-to-shoulder with me, speaking in different languages. Prayer is universal and I witnessed that on March 17th. Years from now, I will forget what I was wearing that day or what we purchased from the roadside vendors, but I will always remember an Italian priest leading a group as four men gripped each corner of a miniature stretcher holding a very sick boy. The child’s face was the color of an eggplant. There was such a powerful sense of urgency with this group as they climbed upward toward the summit, praying in unison. Here I was, free from my daily grind and kid-free from the minutiae of motherhood. Instantly, my thoughts and intentions of “help me, help me, help me” transformed into “thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Later that night upon our safe return to Split, my abbreviated family of father, sister and I reminisced about our day trip to Medjugorje. We agreed that we were immersed in a community of spirit-filled citizens, many of them survivors from a devastating war some 20 years ago. Their resilience and shining goodwill were inspiring. Here we were, visiting a foreign country for the first time with no expectations and witnessing the spontaneity of faith happening along the way.

Copyright 2012 Colleen McNatt

The crowd inside The Immaculata Church, which was filled to capacity, listened to her stories; many wept and later cheered.

The author of Dead Man Walking, which inspired the film of the same name starring actress Susan Sarandon, was invited to speak at the request of the Ignatian Volunteer Corps. Following Sister Prejean’s two-hour talk, attendees leaving The Immaculata were greeted by signature-takers for the death penalty replacement initiative sponsored by Safe California.

In a private interview the day of her USD speech, Sister Prejean explained how she affirms her Catholic identity in a world where constant calls for retribution conflict with her own unequivocal opposition to the death penalty, and why airplanes and airports are her new cloister.

It was in 1981 that Sister Prejean experienced a spiritual awakening after beginning her prison ministry in the St. Thomas housing project in New Orleans. Already armed with a bachelor’s degree in English, Sister Prejean forecasted her calling as a teacher. Her favorite age group was middle-schoolers. She imagined herself growing old in the classroom, helping students with their sentence diagrams and correcting essays on favorite summer vacations.

Little did she know that she would find her own voice, a comfortable and authentic style of writing, when she started living and interacting daily with the community at St. Thomas. There, she met families who had fathers, brothers and neighbors already imprisoned.

“I learned how to write from death row,” she shared.

Since experiencing her first execution, witnessing the death of Patrick Sonnier on April 5, 1984, Sister Prejean has watched five other men die through the U.S. justice system. She keeps death row statistics nationwide on her Web site, www.prejean.org. She firmly believes that the death penalty can be overturned in states that uphold it, including California, through education and by focusing on young people.

She has partnered with the writer/director of the film “Dead Man Walking,” Tim Robbins, to further reach younger generations through the Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project. To date, no high schools or colleges in San Diego County have participated in this outreach. (For more information, visit www.dmwplay.org.)

Diminutive in stature, but dynamic in nature, Sister Prejean travels most of the year and takes respite in the winter and summer months for writing. She is currently working on the 2013 release of her autobiography, River of Fire: My Spiritual Journey. This body of work will retrace her privileged childhood in Louisiana, tell how she recognized her call to the religious life in high school, and describe the metamorphosis of a charitable life into her true vocation: to serve the poor as Jesus demonstrated.

A self-described “late bloomer,” Sister Prejean said, “It doesn’t matter when we wake up. When we do — we can act.”

She is often asked why she focuses on the death penalty when the crimes committed by the offenders are so heinous. “Everyone is worth more than the worst thing they’ve ever done,” she stated.

Her heroes are the families of victims who do not seek retribution, but rather forgiveness, despite the life-changing and violent acts that have happened to their loved ones.

At age 18, Sister Prejean joined the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille (now called the Congregation of St. Joseph). Nearly five decades later, her favorite respite is above the clouds some 30,000 to 40,000 feet in the air where she can pray, read and continue her writing in an anonymous airplane nook. From airport to airport, it’s an untethered time for this natural storyteller, who at age 73, has no plans to slow down.

“Being alive is such a great gift,” she shared.

This article ran in the December 2011 issue of The Southern Cross, reprinted here by permission. 

Copyright 2012 Colleen McNatt

Before he retired from Camp Pendleton, Aragon trained fellow Marines on driving techniques and knows the nuances of the base’s topography and shortcuts. One landmark, actually Historical Landmark No. 562, was overgrown with weeds and by all accounts neglected in spirit.

Making history again are two babies who celebrated their first baptism at the Camp Pendleton landmark on May 28, 2011.

The landmark, known as the Christianitos site, marks the spot where the first baptism in Alta California took place. It was celebrated by Padre Francisco Gomez, part of the Portola expedition, in 1769. At this early baptism ceremony, two very sick Native American girls were initiated into the Catholic faith.

Three months ago, Aragon had his Ray Kinsella moment.

“It would be so cool to have a baptism here,” Aragon shared with his inner circle of four Camp Pendleton families as he surveyed the field of foxtails, neglected paths and a natural well where Padre Gomez celebrated two baptisms more than two centuries ago.

Setting May 28 as a date, Aragon planned an event that would feature the rededication of the Christianitos site, a Mass and the baptism of two babies. To invite the Catholic community to join in the celebration, he relied on word-of-mouth, social media, namely Facebook, and making testimonials at local North County parishes.

As the day of celebration approached, Aragon kept thinking, Would anyone show up for the rededication of this sacred place? The keynote speaker, Auxiliary Bishop Neal J. Buckon of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, agreed to celebrate the Mass along with Camp Pendleton’s Father Kevin Sweeney and assisted by Deacon C.J. Donarski. The overgrown brush had been cleared, and a fresh coat of white paint gave the location a bright new smile.

Aragon’s Catholic makeover was complete. “If we build it, he will come” transformed to “If we clean it up, they will come.” And last month, right on schedule, more than 70 people attended Mass under the canopies on a cleared meadow, adjacent to the noticeable large white cross that just three months ago was a neglected landmark for more than 50 years.

Auxiliary Bishop Neal J. Buckon celebrates an outdoor baptism at the newly rededicated Christianitos site.

“I’m ecstatic,” shared Aragon as he gathered with the celebrants, families and friends under the shade trees after the rededication Mass. Dressed in recognizable green “Why Catholic?” T-shirts, Aragon and another core leader, Kelly Dempsey, took a collective deep breath as they witnessed the attendees relaxing under the shade trees at the reception.

“Why Catholic?” is a faith-based community that focuses on the four parts of the catechism: profession of faith; liturgy; Ten Commandments; and Christian prayer. Started three years ago at Camp Pendleton, it encourages small Church communities within the sprawling 125,000-acre military base.

“With this group, I can express myself and share in my Catholic faith without a filter,” Aragon said. With such spirit-filled dedication and strong work ethic, Aragon’s own field of dreams is a testament to getting things done…and right on time.

To visit the Christianitos site, take Interstate 5 and exit San Mateo Road toward the Camp Pendleton base entrance. A valid driver’s license and car registration are required and may be requested by the guards at the gate. Be prepared to explain the intent of your visit as the guards may not be familiar with the refurbished Christianitos landmark. Once inside the base, travel toward the gas station and make a left at the fork in the road. With the large white cross on the left, turn into the gravel parking lot.

To see more photos on the transformation of the Christianitos site, visit Catholics Camp Pendleton on Facebook. For resources on “Why Catholic?”, contact Deacon Donarski at (760) 725-1764, ext. 2929, or Conrad.Donarski@usmc.mil.

This article ran in the June 2011 issue of The Southern Cross, reprinted here by permission. 

Copyright 2011 Colleen McNatt

This is the month-end stare down at our house when the family budget is stretched so thin that Top Ramen is considered a luxury and even the dog knows how to make Macaroni ‘n Cheese. For those domiciled with empty cupboards and fridge shelves, take notice! There is hope out there…not in jicama or horseradish, but in honest-to-goodness “real food” where kids don’t have time to whine because their taste buds are tamed and stomachs are satisfied.

With just $32.00 and some careful planning, kids can visit the fridge each month-end with a smile, thanks to the San Diego-based Good Source Solutions and their start-up community food source, The Treasure Box.  Each month, the box always contains 21-25 pounds of high quality, frozen foods including chicken, pork, beef or seafood, in addition to vegetables, fruit, a side dish and a dessert. This initial investment, ordered mid-month in advance, can feed a family of four for a week and a senior citizen for nearly a month.

“It is quality food at a value price for the community,” said Chris Balian, who serves Southern California counties as community outreach representative at The Treasure Box. Groceries purchased in advance through The Treasure Box would cost a family $60.00 to $80.00 or more at the market, he emphasized.

Savvy shoppers, i.e. moms, know that a family meal cannot be purchased at just one store. With The Treasure Box, the meal planning and savings gets sliced in half. It’s a one-time order and one-time pick-up two weeks later.

March’s deadline has come and gone, but it’s not too late to check out April’s menu. Families can order by April 19, 2011 and pick up their treasure trove of delectables by April 30, 2011. Faith-based or community groups who might consider sponsoring a meal program in their neighborhood are also encouraged to contact the Treasure Box.  Since its inception nearly three years ago, the start-up organization has grown to 380 partners in California, Arizona and Nevada.

Copyright 2011 Colleen McNatt

“This is truly a sacred and landmark day for our young community,” said Mother Mary Augustine, “a day that we have been looking forward to ever since our founding back in 1997. We are all very happy; these years of prayer, work, challenges, joys and growth were necessary, as we know that everything happens in God’s time. And that time is now.”

Mother Mary Augustine and four women began the journey more than 13 years ago when they were founded as a public Association of the Faithful by the Rt. Rev. Eugene Joseph Hayes, O. Praem., Abbot of St. Michael’s Abbey, in Orange, Calif. The sisters’ “mother abbey” consists of about 70 priests and seminarians.

After their founding, the cloistered nuns settled in the mountaintop community of Tehachapi, some 150 miles from the “mother abbey.” Their aim is to become fully self-supporting where they operate a host of enterprises, including dairy farming, vegetable gardening and beekeeping – just to name a few. The sisters’ gift shop is filled with unique Catholic cards, rosaries and statues. Homemade jams are favorites! Their Bethany Guest House is a much overdue respite for a CatholicMom getaway and for women discerning vocations.

With an 8-hour day solely devoted to prayer, particularly liturgical prayer, the first American Norbertine Canonesses indeed have a dizzying schedule called a “horarium.” Seeing their daily routine of prayer, class and work time is simply inspiring.

A website is in the works, so visit: www.norbertinesisters.org and watch this spirit-filled and industrious community grow. You can also write the sisters at their convent: 17831 Water Canyon Road, Tehachapi, CA 93561. For more information about the first American Norbertine Sisters, you can e-mail MotherMaryA@aol.com, send prayer requests to norb_sisters@antelecom.net or leave a message at 661-823-1066.

Photography used with permission by Rick Belcher www.rickbelcherphotography.com

Copyright 2011 Colleen McNatt

My 10-year-old has said “I wish every week was Catholic Schools Week.” When you check out the line-up of her elementary school’s Catholic Schools Week celebration, you can see why. Each day is filled with get up and out-of-the-desk activities, including a Teacher Scramble, field trip to the local skating rink, classroom potluck and Grandparents Day. The finale is a jog-a-thon and barbeque at a nearby community park.  Phew!

Did you attend Catholic schools? Since my heyday in Catholic classrooms during the mid-70s and 80s, the faculty was a mix of lay and religious personnel. It is not surprising that the staffing model in today’s schools is now primarily lay teachers. In 2009, the NCEA reported that 96% of Catholic school teachers are lay personnel. Back in 1950, a very different NCEA snapshot revealed 90.1% of all Catholic schools were staffed by primarily religious teachers. With this pendulum shift from religious to lay teachers, Catholic schools are still championing their high academic standards all the while instilling a culture of intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical, and social values in the classroom. Despite the grim economic climate, 24 new schools opened during the 2009-10 school year, NCEA numbers revealed, with 174 schools closed or consolidated during the same timeframe.

Who says parents can’t celebrate too? If you are a Catholic school alumni or have children currently attending one, the NCEA offers a “Top 10” list of how parents can get involved during the weeklong celebration of Catholic schools:

1. Write a note of appreciation to your children’s teachers. Thank them for the attention and energy they give your children every day, as well as for their dedication to Catholic education.
2. Write a letter to your parish priest, thanking him for supporting the Catholic school that is preparing your children for a bright future.
3. Write a letter to your representatives in the U.S. Congress and state legislature to let them know why Catholic education is important to you and your community. Send a copy of your letter to your school principal.
4. While you’re at it, write a thank-you note to that special teacher from your own Catholic school days who had a significant impact on your life.
5. Donate books or other learning materials to the school library. If you can, ask the librarian if the school needs books on certain subjects or for particular grade levels.
6. Set aside time for family prayer for all those who contribute to the success of your children’s school, including students, teachers, staff, benefactors and volunteers. Add a prayer for vocations to continue the Catholic education tradition in your community and throughout the country.
7. Volunteer to help plan and carry out Catholic Schools Week activities. Whether you are able to contribute a little time or a lot, your effort helps make the week special for all.
8. If, through your work or volunteer activities, you learn of a need in the community that students at your children’s school can help fill, recommend a Catholic Schools Week or ongoing service project. Better yet, volunteer to organize it.
9. Join in the fun! Gather the entire family—from younger siblings to grandparents—and participate in the week’s events at your children’s school.
10. Extend a special invitation to your school’s open house and other Catholic Schools Week events to friends and neighbors who might want to learn more about the value of Catholic education.

Copyright 2011 Colleen McNatt

San Diego County’s Annual Homeless Count is Friday, Jan. 28, 2011

What does ‘homeless’ look like? In our daily travels, we may choose to see the overstocked and unwieldy shopping cart, the wearied man or woman grasping the Sharpie-scribbled cardboard sign or the tortured local who is battling mental illness. All are homeless and all need to be counted.

Starting at 4 a.m. next Friday morning, hundreds of volunteers will be canvassing San Diego County and physically counting the unsheltered homeless population in the region. Called the Point-in-Time Count, this huge undertaking is coordinated by San Diego’s Regional Task Force of the Homeless in conjunction with a federal mandate by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“We are trying to create a national picture of homelessness,” said Jennifer Litwak, manager of Projects and Development at San Diego’s Regional Task Force of the Homeless. She is charged with the number gathering for the unsheltered homeless population as well as training volunteers throughout San Diego County in preparation of the annual event.

Homeless individuals already housed in shelters also participate in the Point-in-Time Count next Friday at their respective sponsoring agency. The federal mandate began in 2005, requiring counties to report the unsheltered and sheltered homeless population every odd year. Many counties, including San Diego, elect to participate every single year. The final tally is then reported in local and county grant applications submitted to HUD each year.

Nationally, homelessness is forecasted to increase by 10 percent this year, Litwak revealed. In San Diego County, more than 10,000 individuals and families experience homelessness annually.

With the count just days away, it is not too late to help. Litwak is still accepting volunteers and providing one-hour training up until the day before the event.  The Point-in-Time Count is divided into regions, so volunteers can choose the area closest to their home or business. Volunteers are required to walk one-to-two miles unassisted, have access to a mobile phone, transportation and valid driver’s license. Teenagers ages 16 and older are encouraged to participate along with an adult and signed waiver.  (See attached PowerPoint for scope of project). The actual count ends at 8 a.m., so it is possible to still head into work after participation.

So how do you frame a picture of homelessness when you stare at that unwieldy shopping cart along the shoulder of the road? Chances are the cart’s owner may be counted next Friday, but volunteers in teams of 2 to 3 will seek out more remote areas where homeless are known to congregate, like garages and parks. These unseen faces of homelessness need to be counted, too.

“The count is only as accurate as the people counting,” Litwak added.

Point-in-Time Count, San Diego County’s Annual Homeless Count, Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 from 4 to 8 a.m. For more information on how to volunteer in San Diego County, visit: www.rtfhsd.org

Additional national resources can be found at: www.endhomelessness.org and www.usich.gov

Copyright 2011 Colleen McNatt

Just last week, my oldest kids (boy/girl twins) started 9^th grade…and at different high schools because they needed some elbow room. I appreciate that they want to be more independent from each other, but it was just so convenient that both of them were at the same educational institution. Homework, for one, was more streamlined. If one forgot a textbook or worksheet, we had a fall back because the other twin usually had it. The symbiotic relationship worked rather well.

I knew my summer was officially over when the homework pleas began. My son had an essay assignment for his Faith Survey class, titled “If I had Jesus over for dinner, what would I ask Him, and why?” My freshman was grappling with the topic because his initial focus was so technical. He felt that he had to offer religious rhetoric, complete with bibliography. The first idea that popped into my head was “How did Jesus feed so many people with the loaves and fishes?” (With a family of six, this skill would come in handy!) My son didn’t like my answer, so my second suggestion was “What sports did Jesus play?” The look on my son’s face told me that my help was nonsensical, so we dropped the topic altogether.

Days later, my son showed me what he wrote in his Religion journal. Here is an excerpt:

“I just finished my biscuit when I saw there was no more. Jesus said, “Don’t worry, everything is under control.” Then he raised his hands and said a prayer. Suddenly, all the biscuits were overflowing the bowl.”

Summer may be over and I mourn this fact every Labor Day weekend. The carefree days of popsicles for dinner are quickly replaced with getting back into the Back to School routine. September mandates control. This fall, most days my motherhood bowl is overflowing…but not with biscuits. On those overscheduled days, I have to remind myself about my son’s essay prompt and remember everything is indeed under control.

Copyright 2010 Colleen McNatt

Last week, our family spent our annual sojourn at Silver Strand State Beach, located in Coronado, CA. For commuters who blur by Highway 75 between Imperial Beach and the tony town of Coronado proper, one might glimpse a sea of RVs. What I see is a much-deserved break.

This seven-day respite from laundry, TV channel battles and schedules renews my spirit. “What day is it?” is a common question since my tribe of six is not accustomed to this much relaxation. Flip flops are the only footwear allowed. Swimsuits, sunscreen and s’mores are daily necessities.

My morning routine is simple. Wake up to the waves. Lovingly nag husband to start the Coleman coffeemaker. Exit the RV to watch a school of dolphins show off with one another in their oceanic playground.  Saunter down the shore to collect my favorite summer keepsake, the sand dollar.

Little did I know there is a whole back story of the sand dollar. This legend tells us that the markings on this unusual shell are a symbolic representation of the Birth, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. When broken, inside the fragile shell are five little birds called the Doves of Peace.  It’s been referred as  the Holy Ghost Shell. For old school Catholics, we know what that means, so let’s call it by its present-day name, the Holy Spirit Shell.

It’s fitting that my favorite seashell is associated with the Holy Spirit. Beach camping offers many perks, lots of sand and witnessing my sunburned family embracing the Spirit with each other.

I can’t wait until next year.

Copyright 2010 Colleen McNatt

“Yes, I’m aware,” I answered honestly. “And I don’t like using it.”

The defeated library clerk proceeded to check out my whopping three books and slipped the return receipt inside the front jacket. Without skipping a beat, she returned to her solitary work station. I was a trespasser in a no trespassing zone.

With production demands higher than ever before and belt-tightening to the extent that the actual belts can be found only on Supermodels, are we turning into a nation of self-serve automatons? Can you imagine if our Church became a self-serve counter? A cafeteria-style express line that caters to your individual spiritual needs?

Who needs a confession? Go to the Express Lane if you have 15 sins or less.

Need some prayer? Email your request and our Help Desk will get back to you within two business days.

Don’t get me wrong.  I enjoy technology and I don’t want to return to the ditto machine days. (The smell really wreaked havoc on my allergies.) Advancement, progress…call it what you will, innovative breakthroughs are always welcome. But as your primary care physician will tell you, everything in moderation (except chocolate and bubble baths).

My four kids get a kick out of the self-serve checkouts at the big retailer stores and our much-appreciated libraries. I, however, have not had much luck in this area. When their needling and whining finally wear me down to try one out, it seems each time I surrender myself in those self-serve kiosks, I sound an alarm and a customer service attendant has to rescue me. Either I selected the wrong DVD or tossed too many cold medicines in my cart, signaling the Eye in the Sky to swoop down on me in the middle of my transaction.

So, for now, I buck the system and enjoy the tiny comforts of old school customer service. I’m teaching my kids that service to others takes time. Sometimes it also takes patience and perseverance. When I signed up for this motherhood job, no one offered an Express Lane. My first children were twins and I didn’t get a two-for-one coupon so I could redeem it later. Now that my firstborns are heading to high school in a few weeks, I want the world to stop. I may have graduated from the diaper aisle years ago, but I remember those days like they were last week.

Copyright 2010 Colleen McNatt

Video Link

Video Link

Q: The Norbertine Sisters are approaching their 10-year anniversary in Tehachapi, CA. Are there any special celebrations planned to mark this milestone?

Although there are no special celebrations planned, each day that we have been in Tehachapi has been, in a way, a “spiritual celebration”, as we continue to give thanks to God for the blessings He has bestowed upon us since moving here in May of 2000, especially the many friends He has brought us locally, throughout California, and across the country. We will be praying for you all in a special way this May, in thanksgiving for your friendship in Christ, support and prayers over these past ten years. We also give thanks to God for the young women the Lord has called to our way of life, having grown from the first five “founding sisters” to our current number of twenty. We know that it is the prayers and support of our families, friends and benefactors like you that are helping to draw down God’s grace upon us. May God bless you all a hundred fold!

Q: Right now, the Sisters are considered an Association of the Faithful, awaiting formal recognition from Rome. Once this process is finalized, will anything change in respect to the Sisters’ daily prayer/work life?

Your question is most timely, as our Bishop John Steinbock recently informed us that Rome is currently in the process of working on the formal recognition you mentioned. Although this recognition will not change the sisters’ daily prayer and work life, it might be helpful to explain why this will be the case with a little background information.

St. Norbert, a great reformer of his time, founded the Norbertine Order in the Premontre Valley of France in 1121 as a canonical religious order, with branches of both men (canons) and women (canonesses). The Order has since flourished with houses of canons and canonesses in Europe and other parts of the world, with men’s communities being established in America as well, including that of our founding fathers at St. Michael’s Abbey (located in Silverado, CA). In the mid-1990s, several young lay women, including our founding sisters, who had been attending the Abbey and were discerning vocations or receiving spiritual direction there, were inspired by the fathers’ solemn and reverential celebration of the liturgy and their way of life. In 1997, following a period of discernment, this first American foundation of future Norbertine canonesses was erected as a public association of the faithful, which was the first of several steps over these years on our path towards becoming recognized as a religious community of Norbertine canon­esses.

We have endeavored, from the very beginnings of our foundation back in 1997, to daily live out the authentic way of life of a cloistered Norbertine canoness, which includes, first and foremost, our life of prayer, principally liturgical prayer, and also work and study, all according to the Gospel of Christ and the apostolic way of life, following the Rule of St. Augustine and the Constitutions of the Canonesses Regular of our Order. Thus, our formation and progression through the stages of religious life (i.e., admission, postulancy, novitiate, profession) follow in essence all of the directives set forth in the Constitutions. Most importantly, participation in Holy Mass and the praying of the seven canonical hours of the Divine Office in choir has been, and will always be as canonesses, the first and essential form of our apostolate of prayer and the heart of our life, as we intercede daily before our Eucharistic Lord, from midnight to midnight, for the needs of the world. (See our horarium or schedule attached below.) With this background, we hope that it might be easier to see why our schedule now will be essentially the same when we are fully integrated into the Order and the Church as canonesses.

There will be some differences, however, as might be expected. For example, our sisters who have progressed through the various stages of formation and made their temporary profession (we currently renew our vows every three years) will be able to make their perpetual vows, i.e., their Solemn Profession, and in so doing, we will become full-fledged canonesses for the first time in our community’s young history. As such, being firmly connected to and planted within the Order and the Church, like branches solidly grafted onto the vine, we will be official but hidden vessels for the Lord, instruments and channels of the grace He pours out upon souls and the entire world through His Mystical Body, the Church. We pray that we will always strive to respond with generous and humble hearts, seeking only to do His holy will, all for His honor and glory, and the salvation of souls.

Q: The aim of the Norbertine Sisters is to become fully self-supporting. This is evident in your many endeavors including the hospitality of The Bethany House, your homemade anise-almond biscotti, jams and the soothing apothecary items, among others. Have any projects proven too difficult due to your location and inclement weather? Are there any new projects that the Sisters are excited to be working on?

Yes, one of the very important aims of our foundation (which is a requirement of all Norbertine communities) is to be self-supporting. Our efforts continue in the areas you mentioned, as well as others, including sewing priest vestments, our annual Christmas wreath sales, and our little gift shop, where you can find not only our popular home-made biscotti, jams, and apothe­cary items, but also our hand-made rosaries, aprons and baby blankets, greeting and photo cards, sisters’ art cards, and a variety of religious/spiritual books and other religious items, e.g., statues, plaques, crucifixes, holy cards, medals, icons, etc. As this is a Catholic Moms’ website, many of your readers and viewers might be especially interested in our Bethany Guest House, which is available for overnight stays not only for family and friends visiting from afar, but also for young women discerning vocations, and all those seeking a time of more intense silence, solitude and prayer with the Lord, or to experience a bit of our Norbertine monastic life of prayer.

With regard to our location and inclement weather, it is true that here in the mountains of Tehachapi (5,450 feet) we often have a few months of cold winter weather and snow. Thankfully, however, this has not prevented us from growing seasonal crops for our livestock, having a very productive vegetable and herb garden, and expanding our lavender gardens. In addition, God provides in marvelous ways: Through the kindness of benefactors, we were able to erect a large greenhouse last year, which allows us to grow vegetables, herbs, miniature lemon trees, etc., year-round, a significant help to our internal efforts towards self-sufficiency.

Finally, one of our newest projects, about which the Sisters are very excited, has been slowly growing over the past few years: our artisan cheese making and dairy operations! Using milk from our own cows and goats, we have to date experimented with making over 20 varieties of hard, semi-hard, fresh and semi-ripened cheeses, and, besides our own milk, we also make for our own use butter and dairy products such as cream, kefir, yogurt, etc. We have had excellent feedback on our cheese, and we hope one day to have a suitable building, as well as the necessary licenses and permits in order to sell it, which we believe has the potential to contribute greatly to our efforts to become self-supporting.

Q: Your newsletter, “FirstFruits” offers readers an insider look into our Catholic history, coupled with spirit-filled reminders about your prayer life and service. Since you are the first American community of the Norbertine Sisters, are there any other “firsts” that we should know about?

We hope that our family, friends and benefactors enjoy our “FirstFruits”, which we try to send approximately three times each year. Our most recent edition (Lent 2010) was just mailed, and although we do not yet have a website, this latest newsletter and some of our past “FirstFruits” can be viewed at our server’s internet website: www.antelecom.net/techsrv

We really can’t think of any more “firsts”, but we thought your readers and viewers might be interested in knowing the five identifying characteristics of ourOrder. Spurred on by his profound conversion, St. Norbert wished to combine the duties of the canonical life with the rigors of monastic observance in accord with the Gospel of Christ and a community life vowed to the apostolic way of life found in the Rule of St. Augustine. At Christmas in 1121, the Norbertine Order was born. The five marks of Norbertine Spirituality are:

1.      A special devotion to the Holy Eucharist, which holds the first place in the hearts       of  Norbertines

2.      A special devotion to the blessed Virgin Mary, particularly to her Immaculate       Conception

3.      The Divine Office in choir

4.      Zeal for the salvation of souls

5.      The spirit of habitual penance

The first and second are devotions of the Norbertine Order bequeathed by St. Norbert himself. The third and fourth characteristics arise from the nature of a canonical order. The fifth is taken from monastic orders. (Cf. “Premonstratensian Canons” in the Catholic Encyclopedia, 1911)

Q: On any given day, your prayer schedule encompasses eight (8) hours a day. For us lay people, that’s already a full-time job! How do the Sisters maintain this rigorous prayer schedule including time for study, meals, work and sleep?

As St. Therese of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church and Patroness of our Fresno Diocese and Doctor, has said: “All is grace!” While our life is indeed full and some might say “intense”, the gift of our horarium is that it balances our total dedication to God, through our apostolate of prayer, with time each day for work and study, as well as rest, recreation and sleep—a balance that finds its roots and model in the centuries-tested monastic and Norbertine canonical traditions. It may seem that we accomplish much, but in reality we know that it is all God’s work: as we strive to follow and be obedient to our horarium, performing every duty and action out of love for the Lord Jesus, we pray that He may pour out His grace upon us. We view our cloistered contemplative Norbertine canonical vocation as truly a gift from God—providing the opportunity to show our spouse, Jesus Christ, just how much we love Him by giving our lives totally to Him, for His honor and glory and the salvation of souls. In a sense, it boils down to love, true love: giving all for Him and our neighbor without counting the cost. It is the call, in a sense, of every true Christian, to love as He loved us, whatever our state of life is, be it married, single or consecrated: to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him. In a world that confuses emotions with true love, that focuses ever more increasingly on indulging rather than forgetting self (vanity rather than humility, “it’s all about me“), and that seeks to avoid every pain and suffering rather than accepting and offering them to Christ, to suffer with Him, we hope that every prayer and sacrifice, every act of self-denial, is being used by Him to help others, drawing down His grace and loving mercy. Every mother knows what it means to give of self, to suffer, to truly love: you do it daily for your children and your families—getting up in the middle of night, putting your children and their needs before your own, etc. Just as you find your strength and perseverance in Christ, so do we. And the gift is that He has given us His Mystical Body, the Church, in which we are intimately connected as His members, intercon­nected and interdependent, not independent, able to count on and rely upon each other; and He has also given us His Mother. Let us remain united in prayer, always going to Jesus through Mary, for there is our lifeblood, our strength. May God bless and keep you all.

Our Horarium (or Schedule)

11:45 p.m.            Rise

12:00 a.m.            Office of Readings – Midnight prayer (Matins)

5:20 a.m.            Rise and breakfast

6:00 a.m.            Morning prayer (Lauds), Morning Offering & Angelus

6:30 a.m.            Martyrology & Chapter

7:15 a.m.            Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & Mid-morning prayer (Terce)

8:15 a.m.            Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament

8:30 a.m.            The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (except Fridays, Sundays)*

10:00 a.m.            Class/Study/Work

11:45 a.m.            Mid-day prayer (Sext), Angelus & Rosary

12:30 p.m.            Dinner

1:00 p.m.            Mid-afternoon prayer (None)

1:30 p.m.            Grand Silence (a time for additional prayer, rest, exercise, etc.)

2:30 p.m.            Class/Study/Work

5:15 p.m.            Evening prayer (Vespers) & Angelus

5:45 p.m.            Lectio Divina (prayerful meditation with Scripture)

6:30 p.m.            Supper followed by recreation

8:00 p.m.            Night prayer (Compline); Grand Silence until Terce

9:00 p.m. “Lights out”

*Holy Mass on Fridays is at 5:15pm, preceded by Vespers at 4:30pm. On Sundays, there is no public celebration of the Mass. Our gift shop hours are 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily, or by appointment.

E-mail prayer requests are always welcome by the Sisters at pray­_req@cybersurfers.net or by calling the convent at 661-823-1066 (please do not hesitate to leave a message on their machine as the sisters are often unable to answer given their schedule), or writing the sisters at their convent: 17831 Water Canyon Road, Tehachapi, CA 93561. For more information about the Norbertine Sisters, you may also e-mail them at norb_sisters@antelecom.net or MotherMaryA@aolcom, or write, visit or call them at the above address and telephone number.

Music “Ave Maria” ©2010 Norbertine Sisters of the Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph, Tehachapi, CA

Copyright 2010 Colleen McNatt

I caved. I bribed my son with a new skateboard. It was one of those weak mommy moments when discussion and reasoning failed. My 13-year-old is participating in the Ad Altare Dei program, and one Monday afternoon before his scheduled class, he decided to quit. Just like that – cold turkey. Luckily, it was just the two of us at home so the competing voices of my three other children were a non-issue. Just before his AAD meeting, we needed to shop for new soccer cleats at the sporting goods store. My strategy to undo his knee jerk resignation was to talk some sense in him. There was ample opportunity for some one-on-one time to objectively discuss his decision and hopefully, talk him right back into going to class.

Undoing a teenage decision can be tricky. I am masterful at redirecting questions with my kids, so my lineup was ready. “You have worked so hard,” I pleaded, followed by “what a terrible waste to quit now,” and after a handful of other attempts, I gazed at the rack of skateboards near the treadmills and elliptical equipment. I was rationalizing with the irrational. I was throwing reasons against the wall, like pasta, and hoping one would stick. Well, the skateboard stuck.

“If you earn the religious medal, I will buy you a skateboard,” I blurted to my only son. There in the aisle, I extended my arm, pointing to the showcase of boards, trucks and wheels. I had turned into a spokesmodel for The Price is Right, but without the tight-fitting gowns and big hair. I know what you’re saying right now. You are not supposed to bribe your children. You are the boss, the adult – the Mom! I know this all too well. Years ago, I used to work as an editor at a parenting magazine and book publishers would overwhelm my inbox with the latest missives from the subject-matter experts. Bribing kids and giving them choices was a big “no no” back in the day. It probably still is, but like I said, I caved.

In my exhaustion, seeing that towering rack of skateboards was an epiphany of sorts. It was my Hail Mary pass. My son’s mood transformed from defeat to delight once I dangled this pricey carrot in front of him. With renewed enthusiasm for the AAD program, my son started borrowing my Bible for the weekly meetings and homework. I now catch him reading it in his bedroom when I blur down the hallway. Just last week, he mentioned that my Bible is almost 30 years old. It’s a bit wrinkled on its edges (like me) but has a solid spine (me again) and has been a steady companion through the years in my faith journey. Inside the front jacket, my Mom had inscribed “Go with God.”

Three decades later, I am still trying to follow my Mom’s maternal motivation. And when all else fails, I will go with the skateboard, too.

Copyright 2010 Colleen McNatt

Maybe there will be too many gifts that it will take two trips?

I hope nobody buys me a Barbie. That was soooooooo first-grade.

Maybe we should take two cars to bring the gifts home? You know, just in case.

I’m thankful that my four children have Fall and Summer birthdays. Their celebrations are independent of any federal, state or religious holiday. As for me, my birthday always falls in Lent. From age 8 to 18, I attended Catholic schools and my birthday celebration was interrupted by many friends who would refuse the cupcakes, cookies or other treats I would innocently bring in to honor my special day.

“I gave up sweets for Lent,” my Catholic comrades would declare as I offered them the plate of chocolate-frosted cupcakes sprinkled with M&Ms. I remember one classmate announcing that she gave up candy, so I witnessed this dutiful Catholic strip the M&Ms off the cupcake one-by-one, only to devour the scalped baked good in its ransacked state.

Growing up, my Lenten birthday almost felt like a Charlie Brown Christmas. At one of my roller skating parties, I remember staring at the cake that, in my young girl’s eyes, nobody would eat due to their Lenten promises. To a child, you don’t rationalize the altruistic efforts being made here by the Catholic faithful when a friend refuses a cupcake…all you see (and feel) is rejection. For a kid with a Lenten birthday, when there is so much giving up around you, there is also so much taken away from the celebrant when friends and family gather.

I will celebrate my 44th Lenten birthday next month and I can already hear my mom’s annual refrain, “You get a special dispensation” when you eat that cupcake, brownie, cookie, etc. I researched ‘special dispensation’ and it doesn’t apply to Lenten sacrifice. In fact, the very nature of doing without something is considered a salutary gesture, meaning this whole business of giving things up is to promote a healthy or beneficial cause. It is not mandatory and most importantly, not a sin if you “fall off the wagon” during this 40-day observance. In her loving way, my mom’s disclosure of ‘special dispensation’ was her nurturing attempt at mitigating rejected cupcakes. My mom was cushioning the blows I would ultimately feel as I attempted to commemorate yet another Lenten birthday.

If you have the opportunity to celebrate in this Lenten season, remember me. I’m still that young girl who wants to have a birthday without the cloud of Lenten sacrifice hanging over her head. I want to enjoy my milestone with friends and family. So, shut up and eat the entire cupcake!

Copyright 2010 Colleen McNatt

“You are already Catholic,” snarled my 13-year-old daughter.

This little girl, my fourth and final baby, was so prideful and her words demonstrated such intention. This was my first-grader’s “aha” moment.

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Luke 2:40

That morning on the Church steps, I saw grace in my daughter’s green eyes. As she opened the Church door and skipped to the Holy Water font, I recognized that grace…the special twinkle in a child’s demeanor that makes all the whining, tantrums and grocery store heists of orange Tic-Tacs melt from the mommy memory.

My daughter woke up Catholic that day. Each morning, after several cycles of the snooze alarm and the whirring (and intoxicating) melody of the coffee pot, do I wake up Catholic? I’m afraid I do not.

Sure, my religious trademark is Catholic, but on most mornings when I wake up, I’m not thinking about how to be present and prayerful. My first order of business is to win the battle of morning mayhem with four children… the sandwich making, the manic permission slip signing and the spelunking for that matching navy blue knee sock. There really is no time to breathe in and broadcast my intentions, like my daughter did so effortlessly last month.

Do you wake up Catholic? It can’t be found in the coffee beans or inside a cereal box. It’s present in the nanoseconds of your crazed day and don’t worry…if you recognize that moment, please know you’re not dreaming.
Copyright 2010 Colleen McNatt

My grade school wish was ahead of its time. The Vatican started permitting female altar servers in March 1994. (http://www.ewtn.com/library/curia/cdwcomm.htm) That was the same year I got married and embarked on having four babies over the next decade. Now 16 years later, I have become manager to three altar servers (two of them females) and at two parishes no less! My boy/girl twins, age 13, are veteran altar servers and another daughter, age 9, is just getting her feet wet. In the 21st century, the material rewards remain pretty much the same as they were in the 70s, with the occasional gratuity and year-end trip. The spiritual rewards are intangible.

If I grew up in a later era, I probably would have washed out as an altar girl. Desired skills are focus, reverence and fluency, where the altar server blends in with the activity on the Altar. From my vantage point, there is really no opportunity to daydream as an altar server, which I do on occasion. It is also discouraged for altar servers to leave their kneeler and go to the restroom in the middle of Mass – something I also do on occasion.

While my kids are altar serving, there is always a sleep-deprived woman in the congregation with the biggest smile on her face. That would be me. And when I’m not smiling, I find myself obsessing about their every misstep. Will anyone notice that my 13-year-old daughter is preening her split ends during the Homily? How about the time my son crossed the Altar in front of the priest and another altar server, just so he could get to his designated spot quicker? If my kids are assigned the 7:30 am Mass, I can guarantee at least three or more yawns per child. My older daughter, now 5’10, is self-conscious about her height, so I have come to expect some posture malfunctions on her part. At Children’s Mass recently, while holding the Large Sacramentary in front of her, my daughter performed a move that cannot be found in any altar server manual. Since many of the priests are the same height or shorter, she slumps both shoulders and extends one leg forward. I call it the ‘flamingo.’ From a teenage perspective, my daughter is becoming diminutive and blending in.

Maybe I was right. There just might be ‘altar girl’ superhero powers after all. If only they could work on me. This Mom needs to surrender during Mass, yawns and all.

Copyright 2010 Colleen McNatt

So, when is the last time you really had the chance to sit down to a meal with your neighbor? Earlier this fall, I had two opportunities to see social justice in action with my fellow neighbors in San Diego. I didn’t know their names. They won’t be taking vacation anytime soon, so I don’t anticipate caring for their plants or pets. You see, my neighbors at Father Joe’s Villages in downtown San Diego are homeless. Over 900 families and single men and women live in this “one-stop” campus where the children can go to school, and adults can learn new job skills and attend to the barriers that impacted their independence and self-sufficiency.

On my recent visits to Father Joe’s Villages, I served lunch together with my oldest children, their classmates, teacher and other parents. It was part of their eighth-grade Religion requirement, offering community service. The lunch shift is the busiest meal as it is open to the public, the Village residents and its employees. Depending on the category you fall in, each lunch “customer” has a different colored ID tag. It was an orderly process from my vantage point. The line formed outside and people waited at the perimeter of the dining room entrance, some patiently, others not so. (Just like any other eatery during the busy lunch hour). As the crowd entered the cafeteria queue, each individual would prepare for their meal and wash their hands with hand sanitizer. After this step, they would offer their ID tag to the cashier, who would swipe the card into the database. Thereafter, a lunch tray would be offered to them. I heard heartier “thank you’s” than expected. I witnessed more broken spirits than anticipated.

On my first visit to Father Joe’s Villages, we served close to 1,300 meals between 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. That’s about 14 meals delivered every minute. I was in charge of the mixed vegetables. I have never scooped so many side dishes like I did that day. I observed many lunchtime customers return in line more than once. They can have seconds (or thirds) as long as they follow the rules. Pregnant women and small children were allowed a luxury, a small carton of milk, upon request. As the kitchen crew busily worked in a precision-like fashion, getting the main dish and sides placed in a paint-by-numbers order on the red cafeteria tray, I witnessed the Fourth Beatitude in action.

“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

We are all hungry and thirsty, for different reasons. After my second visit to Father Joe’s Villages, our school group stayed after our shift (989 meals served that day) and enjoyed lunch together with our neighbors. I plan to have lunch again with them next month. I can’t wait to see what’s on the menu.

For more information about Father Joe’s Villages, visit: http://www.fatherjoesvillages.org/

Copyright 2010 Colleen McNatt

Though you scour it with soap,
and use much lye,
The stain of your guilt is still before me,
says the Lord.

Jeremiah 2:22

OK, I’ll come clean…no pun intended. I detest (can I say hate?) doing laundry. My products of choice include industrial-sized detergent from Costco or Wal-Mart, and an assortment of bottles of fabric softener, chlorine-free bleach and the real deal. Then there’s the bucket of dryer sheets. The laundry accoutrements are an investment in keeping my family’s wardrobe clean. It should be viewed as a noble thing, the taking care of family. Funny, I don’t have the same disdain for making lunches or signing permission slips. Why should throwing on a few (or four or five) loads of laundry cause me such grief?

As a mother of four children, including 13-year-old boy/girl twins and two younger daughters, ages 9 and 6, the laundry cycle never ends. If I’m not looking for that errant soccer sock on a Saturday morning before game time, I’m mining through piles of clean laundry each weekday for requested wardrobe choices that weren’t thought of the night before. I’m thankful that all four of my children attend Catholic school and with that comes the daily uniform. But even with limited choices, there is always a morning costume change with my six-year-old, unzipping her plaid jumper in favor of a skort and playing eeny meeny miney mo with a white-collared blouse and red polo shirt. During her dressing debacle, she has often forgotten her knee socks on the kitchen table. Lucky for me, the school secretary always keeps a pair of socks handy along with her heady sense of humor.

Years ago, before my sister-in-law became a mother of her own; I vividly recall a phone conversation that continues to define the bane of my existence. When she asked me what I was doing, I admitted I was wading through the bog of hampers, casting out articles of clothing like a fly fisherman. “You are always doing laundry,” she quipped. Ouch, that stung. But she was right. I am always doing laundry. And when I’m not doing laundry, I’m procrastinating about the volcanic piles that are erupting throughout the house that will eventually require me to sort, stain stick or set aside for forensic testing before tossing into the washer for its showdown of suds.

Laundry is the cross I have to carry. I shoulder this one basket at a time. Why do I have this internal struggle? It’s laundry guilt. I have created my very own Soap Opera. But in my daytime drama, there is no evil twin, no amnesia and the only cliff hanger (actually plastic hangers) are awaiting my call to action. I should regard washing clothes as a simple turn in time management. Once the load is going full steam ahead in the washer, my time is unleashed for other more worthwhile pursuits, like finally attending that yoga class or starting my own book club. (Hey, who says I can’t daydream a little while doing laundry?)

I know what you’re saying right now. This angst over laundry has a solution. I can see the thought bubble over your head. Try listening to music while folding clothes. Create a beautiful space in your laundry nook where you feel invigorated as you toil over whites, colors and delicates. Organize your weekly schedule to allow certain days for laundry duty. (Hello, laundry is just as unpredictable as children).

Let’s face it. I have laundry guilt. I’m a Catholic, so it’s a burden I bear right along with a box of Borax.

Copyright 2009 Colleen McNatt