Saturday

[vonjunzt]

Oscar is preparing to make his first reconciliation or, as they used to call it (and many still do) confession or penance. I have mixed feelings about it. I love the Church, and this is the tradition that has been passed on in my family since time immemorial. But the older I get, the harder I find it is to believe in anything, and I'm not good

Comments

[night_lair]

[vonjunzt]

Thanks! Yes, I am concerned at the gap that exists between people and their environment now. I can't help but think that many of the health problems we have now, including mental and emotional health, have a lot to do with that, even if we can't easily follow the causality. Maybe in decades we'll learn the cause between microplastics and climate change and some of the problems we're seeing in modern society.

[night_lair]

[cosmic_reverie]

Perhaps because I'm a convert, I never got used to Confession. It's nice to talk to a priest sometimes, but my Protestant-raised self usually just talks to God directly.

Is First Reconciliation usually so young? I wasn't raised in it so I don't know the timelines. My kids are on their own timelines so I don't always know what their same-aged peers are doing.

That sounds like something Josephine would do (and has done) - jumping into a stream suddenly. Always an adventure with kids!

[vonjunzt]

According to the Church, the age of reason is about seven years old. After that age most people know right from wrong and therefore can sin. I think in most places the Church times reconciliation and communion based on that

[vonjunzt]

I started rambling and got away from what I wanted to say. One thing I learned during this process is that apparently there are a few churches in the area that have people who handle special needs kids. When Anastasia's time comes she will probably be referred to one of these churches.

[cosmic_reverie]

I'm so sorry you had such a hard time with that other church! It's so frustrating when others don't understand. And super weird that racism seemed to be involved. I'm glad you're at a more welcoming church now.

Cookie and doughnut - very important words. So far, our eldest four kids are nonspeaking or (in Lia's case) minimally speaking. Interestingly, those four have all been early crawlers and walkers and are fairly athletic. Each kid's challenges are so different. I have no idea if any of the Catholic churches around here have anything special for kids with disabilities (I don't believe our parish does) but it's great that you found one that does!

[fauxklore]

When I lived in Los Angeles, I used to go to Long Beach Storytellers and the El Forado Nature Center was one of out favorite venues. I liked getting there early and walking around to see the wildlife. I remember it being particularly good for herons.

[vonjunzt]

I saw a sign for the Storytellers while I was there! We will probably attend one of their events. While we were there I think there were too many people about for much wildlife -- we saw turtles, a lizard or two, and some very aggressive squirrels. And we did see a heron!

[fauxklore]

I think it's less crowded at night.

I know Long Beach Storytellers is doing Telabration on Novemer 11th at the El Dorado Nature Center. You can find out about other events they have coming up at www.longbeachstorytelling.com