Catholic At Last!

As of last Saturday, March 22nd, around 9:00 pm, I was officially baptized and welcomed into the Catholic faith! I am so thrilled! A week ago, I was baptized, confirmed and received my first communion during the Easter Vigil at Holy Name Church in Toronto. I was shocked at how many guests attended! I invited practically everyone, and was shocked that most showed up (my Mom, Dad, Dad's girlfriend and boyfriend!)



It was such a magical moment - like going back in time and watching yourself be born. It was wonderful. As soon as the water touched me, I couldn't stop smiling! It was such a wonderful moment in my life, and I am so happy that I was not baptized as a baby - this way, I was present for the moment...something that I can carry with me for the rest of my life! It's funny - ever since that day, I cannot get the phrase "Walk always as children of the light" out of my head. It was said to me while I was receiving my baptismal candle, and it keeps playing over and over. Hmmm....I'll have to cross-stitch that phrase into a sampler so I never forget it!



Last Wednesday, during the final few meetings of my RCIA group, I was asked what the high point of the evening was. After much thought, I'd have to say that it is a tie between my baptism and my first communion. Usually, the RCIA group is asked to leave the church before the Eucharist is served. (We mosey on into the chapel for a bible study/lesson!) But for the first time, not only was I allowed to witness the Eucharist being broken and spread amongst the parishioners, I actually got to participate! Waiting in line to receive my first Holy Communion was so exciting! Every step I took towards the Bread and Wine, I could feel my excitement growing!



Lots of people asked me if I feel any different. And you know, I do! I've noticed that I am more mindful of my thoughts and actions - I think about them more and how they will affect me or reflect on me as a new Catholic. I really want to participate in other groups - after my RCIA group is finished (which should be in late May!). I'm I'm the mood for a parish bake sale! Or maybe, I could become an RCIA sponsor!! I could relate to the person I'm sponsoring, having been through the process myself, and I could ask Anne-Marie (my sponsor!) for pointers on connecting with people! I would really enjoy that!



Well, it's time to move on! If you're wondering if this Blog will continue, well, of course it will! This started out as my RCIA blog, but, like my faith, has morphed in to so much more. I will continue to be an active member in my parish, and I promise I'll post often with lots to talk about!!! God Bless you all - you support has been greatly appreciated and has been put to good cause! I couldn't have become the Catholic I am if it weren't for you!!

Yours in Christ,
Jade A. Dunlop
A.K.A.
Radiopie

Holy Thursday, Batman!

Happy Holy Week, Everyone!!!

I am so psyched about our soup supper tonight at the church! (Ugh, did I just say "Psyched"?!?! I am SO 90's!!!) It just so happens that I am the QUEEN OF SOUP!! I have had my boullion cubes and oregano all lined up for months, just waiting for this occasion! It's funny - I cannot cook for beans (no pun intended), but I can make a good soup. I can bake like the dickens, so I guess I'm not useless in the kitchen! So, I get to bring a pot of soup to church tonight. They said "small pot," but I went all out and broke out the industrial size vat - just in case some parishioners are extra hungry. What I can't understand is if we are all supposed to bring the same soup or not? Is it supposed to be a soup buffet, with different kinds of soup, or are we mixing all our soups in a big pot? If they're all different types, I don't think that would taste that good!

Just 2 days until my "Big Day"!!! I've invited almost everyone I know, Catholic or not! My Mom and Stepdad aren't Catholic (and my grandma Rita keeps questioning my decision to go Catholic, even thought there's "a perfectly good Baptist church just down the street...."), but I want them to come and stay for the Mass anyway - so they'll get a good sense of what I do on Sunday! And, I've decided - we do all the baptism/confirmation stuff at the same time, and I am going to be confirmed in the name of St. Therese of Lisieux. Her patience and love of the missions is an inspiration to me (and I love the idea that she kept a list of everyone who made her angry...!)

Well, I must attend the pot in the kitchen! Just in case you were interested, here's what I'm making:

Lentil Soup

Ground Chicken 225g

Chopped Onion 125ml

Canola Oil 10 ml

Water 1.25L

Diced Tomatoes 796ml

Sliced Celery 250ml

Diced Carrot 250ml

Bay Leaves 2

Vegtable Bouillon 10ml

Worcerstershire 2ml

Thyme Leaves 2ml

Green Lentils 175ml

Saute chicken and onions in canola oil in a big pot (uncovered) until brown. Drain. Add remaining ingredients to chicken, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and partially uncover. Simmer for 45 mins to an hour, until the lentils and vegtables are tender and juicy!

The Blind Man

Yesterday was our 2nd scrutiny - which went much smoother than last week now that we knew the routine. It was also the day the Altar Servers got their crosses - which was quite a cute moment if you ask me. But, something important happened yesterday....

We read of the blind man who was healed by Christ.

Blind at birth, he was able to see only with the help of the Lord. In the Gospel, Jesus proclaimed that "He was born blind so that God's works might be revealed in him." (John 9:3) I mentioned to our bible study group that I had always interpreted that phrase to be more along the line of "God's works revealed THROUGH him" than "Of him" - That his blindness shouldn't be seen as punishment for sin, but as an opportunity for others (including the pharasees) to learn of the glory of God. In the long run, his disability was NOT a disability - just a DIFFERENT ability.

Yesterday was also the day I learned of the death of famed Toronto guitar player and friend of the family Jeff Healey. Not only was he an excellent musician and wonderful person, he was also blind...something that gave a certain special meaning to today's gospel. He lost his sight at a very young age due to a rare form of cancer (the same cancer that claimed his life 41 years later), but he did not let his "different ability" stop him from reaching his goals. He was an inspirition to all musicians and blind people alike.

But, he's gone now. He died Sunday afternoon in St. Joseph's hospital here in Toronto - only hours after millions of people worldwide read of the blind man who was given the gift of sight through Christ. Men could not cure Mr. Healey's blindness here on earth, but I'm sure he sees clearly now that he dwells in the house of our Lord.

May the Lord bless his soul.
Jeff Healey
1966-2008