I think Holy Saturday is my favorite day of the liturgical year. I sit in the confession line today, in the only Roman Catholic church I’ve ever known to offer confessions on Holy Saturday at their normal Saturday noon time. I found this out last year, when I sat in this same pew on Holy Saturday, also waiting to confess my sins. I’m certainly consistent, at least. As I sit here, texting my long-suffering roommate who has kindly... Read more
https://www.flickr.com/photos/budellison/16995635816 It’s been an odd Lent, and a strange Holy Week. I’ve skipped Mass the past two Sundays. I didn’t have a good reason, or even a mediocre reason. I’m not sure I had a reason at all. I’m angry at God. He feels dead to me this week. Especially today. I guess that’s appropriate, though. In about four hours, he will be. I used to hate Lent. I think I still do. I especially... Read more
This is part three of our series “Why millennials are leaving the Church—and why we aren’t.” You can find parts one and two here: Why millennials are leaving the Church—and why we aren’t Spite. And a cat. (Why millennials are leaving the Church—and why we aren’t: Part 2) I’ve been deeply humbled, saddened, and grateful to my friends for their raw honesty as their responses to my question—“Why did you decide to leave the Church, or why did you... Read more
Life is weird these days. Weird to realize that I’m healthier now than ever before, when I’ve become an open book about my depression, trauma, anxiety, PTSD. That I come from a domestic violence home. That I go to counseling weekly, that I take depression meds. Weird that the first time I was asked whether I’d been abused I was 13, weeping in a confessional on a girls’ retreat with my favorite nuns. Weird that I sat there,... Read more
I was at Sunday Mass a few weeks back. Mass began today with the celebrant’s heartfelt lament for the current shortage of priestly vocations as he introduced the parish’s “Prayer for an Increase in Vocations” before the opening procession. He explained that this year, eight priests will be retiring in our diocese, but only one seminarian will be ordained to the priesthood. Along with his sadness, as always, was a hint of accusation, the suggestion that his congregation is... Read more
This is part 2 in our “Why millennials are leaving the Church—and why we aren’t” series. Check out part one and three. Cali the Obstinate Cat I am Catholic. Technically, I have been Catholic all my life. I don’t think I ever really stopped going to church. But good at being Catholic—no, not really. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs with my relationship with the church. And I have a more turbulent relationship with a lot of the Catholics... Read more
Oh good, another millennial who doesn’t know who they are or why they’re here. *click* Okay, now that those people are gone… Let me explain. Well. I have recently come to a myriad of revelations, some more welcome than others. And this phrase suddenly materialized within my consciousness. It haunts me, disturbs my (relatively peaceful) days—why and when did I squash my inherent curiosity? As per usual, there is no simple answer. But the best answer... Read more
I wasn’t planning to write today, but then I stumbled upon Rebecca Bratten Weiss’s article “Consent is Necessary. It’s Also Ambiguous.” Katy Perry Kissed an Unwilling 19-year-old Man https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=80&v=7iQn-toQp6A Source: American Idol on Youtube Bratten Weiss’s article is about this occurrence on American Idol this week. As always, she articulated a clear and logical analysis of how this situation fits into the issue of consent following the #metoo movement. If you’re looking for a clear, logical analysis... Read more
Recently a friend sent an article my way. She suggested it might be a good topic for my friends and me to discuss. In this article, “Why are young people leaving the Catholic Church? This helps explain it,” Deacon Greg Kandra discusses a study that came out recently: “Going, Going, Gone: The Dynamics of Disaffiliation in Young Catholics.” The study analyzes the many reasons a number of people in my generation—the dreaded millennials—have chosen to leave the Catholic Church. My... Read more
I’ve found a new way to pray. On Sunday, I skipped Mass. It’s only the second time in my life I’ve done so without a “good reason” (sickness, emergency). I woke up, and was angry—angry about all the things that were drilled into me all through my childhood and adolescence, which no longer make sense – things which I honestly don’t know if I believe anymore. Sin—what the fuck is sin? Why does God get offended and bent out... Read more
The Shoeless Banshee: Meanderings Beyond the Pale
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