Taking out my Wisdom..

Teeth that is... on Thursday morning!

Say some prayers for me for a speedy recovery.  Especially because Matt and I leave for Germany on January 10th!

Thank you!
 

Merry Christmas!

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!  Hope everyone enjoys this joyous season with child-like wonder and excitement. 

Jack's excitement when we turn on the Christmas tree lights!

God bless you all!

Visiting Santa

My employer has an annual Christmas party for the children including pictures with Santa!  Sure beats standing in a crowded line in a mall in my opinion.  Here are the picture's what we got when we took Jack this year:

This was my attempt to get a picture of him giving Santa a high-five... I thought that was a good sign, right?

Matt and me to Jack: "Okay, you don't have to sit on Santa's lap, but will you stand next to him?"
Jack's face and stance (running man?) say it all...

Headcovering in the Catholic Church

I honestly don't know how this got on my radar screen... probably reading a blog on another (Catholic) topic and stumbled across another post.  I don't remember where it was though so I can't credit that person with the inspiration for my intrigue... (so to anyone out who there has written a post on this topic, thank you!)

The mantilla, or lace veil, or other head covering worn by most Catholic women and girls was previously required under Canon law from 1917.  When Canon law was revised in 1983, the topic was left out and since 1983 law essentially repealed the 1917 law the requirement no longer exists.  You can find an excellent summary of this topic on the EWTN website.  To sum up their summary, it basically points out that the requirement for women to cover their head while in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament was left out, not that it is no longer appropriate.

This is an interesting topic to me, because to wear a head covering in Church these days is usually pretty rare... at least in my diocese and the parishes at which I've attended Mass.  Head covering is still a sign of modesty in most cultures around the world and I don't think the US is that different.  If you were to see a Muslim woman walking down the street wearing her hijab, most people are aware that it is an outward sign of modesty, this belief in being modest comes from their faith.  If you see an Amish family (common in my area), the women and girls are wearing a head covering over their hair pulled into a bun.  It is said to be tradition that when a woman has a meeting with the Pope, she is to wear black with a head covering (except if she is a reigning Catholic monarch).  To clarify, the Vatican does not require women to cover their head.

The Catholic faith has never stopped teaching modesty, but in the US and most of Europe it has been, in my experience, less prominent of topics.  Some might argue that there are "bigger issues" plaguing our culture (i.e. culture of death, etc.) or that covering your head is demeaning to women.  I believe that if people start treating themselves with more respect physically, mentally and emotionally then it will translate directly into respect for all life.  For example, the more I learned about my body through NFP, the more respect I gained for it and all which it is capable.

Others say that head covering in general is demeaning to women, and I honestly am not sure why this assumption could be.  I think, there has to be some requirement by another person or organization for a woman to wear a head covering (or do anything) against her will, now that is demeaning.  But for a woman to cover her head because she chooses it to be an outward sign of modesty, can not be demeaning as it is her choice to do so.

As a Catholic woman, I try to be modest in the way that I dress out of respect to myself and to my husband, not because I am subservient to him, but because I respect our marriage.  (Who am I trying to impress?  Ha ha!)  For me, that doesn't mean floor length skirts and long sleeves.  For one, I can not wear dresses or skirts to work for safety concerns (loose clothing is a no-no in a lab).  One reason I love winter time is because fashion and weather makes it very easy to not show too much skin.  Honestly, I don't know what I think about head covering during Mass.  On one hand, I find it a beautiful way to show respect for ourselves in the presence of Jesus Christ.  On the other hand, I could see these things being distracting to others in Mass (not that I expect it, but it could be an unintended side effect).  

What are your thoughts or experiences with head covering in either the Catholic Church or any other situation?

ACS Local Section

Well, its official!  I'm the chair-elect for the Columbus section of the American Chemical Society.  The election results were announced earlier this week... now before you think this is such a huge feat, understand that I was coerced into running because they had no one else.  They tried to say it'll be good for the section, and I really hope that I will benefit the section, but let's be honest... they are running out of people.

I'm really hoping that I can help do some different things for the section, but we shall see... chemists and scientists are notoriously stuck in their ways, creatures of habit if you will!  I was elected to chair-elect, which basically means I'm "in training" this coming year (2011) and actually chair of the section the following year (2012).

If you'd like to check out the Columbus local section website, please do so here.  We are a section that is very active in the community (compared to others, from what I hear) and I have had many good experiences from being a member.

Busy bee!

Well, things have been crazy for me at work!  I even worked today...

I will update later this weekend because I simply want to go to bed!