First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage. At least that's how I learned the song. We spent a lot of time this year talking about love, what it is, how to recognize it, how to live it. As always, students were required to look in Scripture and the Catechism to aid in understanding. The secular messages that they are inundated with are sung to a very different tune, and I happen to know they are confused. "Love is a decision." One day I put this on the board as bellwork. I had planned... Continue reading

Highlights from our Emmaus Walks: We read the Scripture together and talked about the story. "Isn't it funny?" I asked the class, "Just imagine the men telling Jesus about what had just happened to Him--as if He didn't have any idea! Who knew Scripture was funny?" I could tell they hadn't considered it. (I am convinced that God has an amazing sense of humor, and furthermore, that it is a requirement of being Christian.) Then I explained that we were going to go for a walk and look for God. "You're not going to believe this Mrs, Welch!" the kindegarten... Continue reading

I love the Scripture story about the two men walking to Emmaus. It's so easy to imagine, to place youself there. Consumed by dramatic recent events, the men are stunned when they encounter a stranger who appears not to know what has happened. Everybody is talking about it, how could he be unaware?! I love the irony of it, of two men telling Jesus about what happened to him. How often we do that--talk to God as if He doesn't have any idea what we're talking about?! Taking an Emmaus Walk is always a great idea. And what's not to... Continue reading

I've been singing it for several days now, the Divine Mercy Chaplet. I first heard it several years ago and it is a song that never really leaves you. It is simple and hauntingly beautiful. Recently, I've been singing it while walking the dog. Spiritually, I imagine scattering mystical rose petals as Gracie and I walk past the jail, past the contruction site, past the people driving the opposite direction. In prayer I ask Jesus to visit them, to touch them with special graces, "For the sake of his sorrowful passion have mercy on us and on the whole world."... Continue reading

Catholic Teaching on Sex? In a word: misunderstood. Thank you, Fr. Barron for helping us to understand! Encore?... The church proposes, it does not impose. Pope John Paul II Mrs. Welch Student Continue reading

It happened again, with uncanny similarities... They drove past, across the invisible line that separates "us" from "them." I waved as they went by. It is a simple but important gesture, a greeting that announces our intentions: We are friendly, peaceful, approachable... We were praying the rosary when they parked their vehicle. "Two men..." someone said, verbalizing the concern that had already broken our focus. Two men going to Planned Parenthood? No... they were there for us. "They were here before," someone said nervously, acknowledging the impending confrontation. I glanced over my shoulder and saw one of them getting something... Continue reading

We have a Pope! Isn't it exciting?! I'm so optimistic. What a great opportunity for the world to see my mother Church in all her beauty; thousands of years of history and tradition paraded before us. The successor to Peter has been named. And what a name!! Who doesn't know --and love-- Francis of Assisi? Wasn't it cool how the seagull landed on the chimney right before the white smoke came flowing out to announce that a Papam (Papa) had been chosen; a Pope whose first decision would be to pick the name of a man who is known for... Continue reading

"While all the runners in the stadium take part in the race, the award goes to one man. In that case, run so as to win! Athletes deny themselves all sorts of things. They do this to win a crown of leaves that withers, but we a crown that is imperishable. I do not run like a man who loses sight of the finish line. I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. What I do is discipline my own body and master it, for fear that after having preached to others I myself should be rejected." 1 Corinthians... Continue reading

Approximately once a month we meet with our Lower School Prayer Buddies. The Upper School students ask daily when the next get together is scheduled. They can't wait. It really is neat watching them interact with the little ones. They rise to the occasion. It isn't unusual to see the cool kid put his guard down and reveal a softer side. Speaking of "guard" - I had an inspiration for an activity to do for our next get together. Here's how it works: PREP WORK STEP 1 - Create a Christian Soldier Option 1: Have the students trace and cut... Continue reading

All is Grace. It's how I sign my school email. "All is grace, Allison Welch." Everything is an undeserved gift from God. Everything. I remember actually resenting God's claim on my life, on everything in it. I mean, I've worked hard for what I've got. I've earned it. Who says it belongs to Him? Who says I owe Him everthing I have? (Hope you don't get an electric shock from the keyboard! ;-) I still regularly resist the notion that everything I have belongs to God, but I rarely resent it. How's that for progress? ;-) "Reliquishing" it is still... Continue reading

So recently, when someone was being critical of the Catholic Church for the "exclusive club" approach to Communion "because that's what Jesus would have done" (eye-roll), this is how I wish it had gone: Me: (in response to critic and to lighten the mood), "Hey, that's my mother you're talking about!..." (Head rotates in circular fashion and the room laughs.) Me: "OK, let's say I offer you a car..." (Pulling keys out of my pocket and dangling them in front of the student.) The room erupts, students shout: "Give him the keys, Mrs. Welch!"; "Have you seen him drive, Mrs.... Continue reading

With the new semester we're starting a new curriculum - Church History. I've done this activity the last couple of years but this year's students did exceptionally well. Here's how it works: We start at the beginning -- with Jesus telling Simon-Peter that he is the rock upon which Jesus will build his church. Then we introduce Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, and we discuss the tensions between the two as they work to grow the church. Peter argued that only Jews should be allowed to join, that Gentiles should convert (be circumsized!) before being initiated. Ironically it was... Continue reading

A few memories from the March for Life 2013 - the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade: It was cold. ;-) So cold that I didn't want to go. You know how sometimes the anticipation of something is worse than the reality? And then, sometimes... it's worse. It was the kind of cold where your nose hairs feel like needles. Towards the end of the March I thought my toes might start snapping off like icicles with each step. I have a crush on Matt Maher. I first fell in love with him here. (Watch it at your own risk.... Continue reading

And now...back to reality. Consider this a counter-post to the ethereal experience of "self" expressed in Reflections of a Church Mouse. So, first thing in the morning I looked at my reflection in the mirror and saw a work of art. Which is not to say that it was pretty. What I witnessed was a Picasso - you know, one of those cubist paintings where the eyes are all askew and sharp lines carve up the canvas. I really need to give up sleeping on my stomach! Those early morning lines on my face used to be amusing when they... Continue reading

Looking for some fun activities to celebrate Catholic Schools Week? These are a few of my favorite things (dare you to say that without singing it.): HAVE A SCAVENGER HUNT Teaching a class on Sacraments has really helped me appreciate symbols. (Traveling to Spain and experiencing the amazing art and architecture didn't hurt either.) Once upon a time, when the majority of people couldn't read words, they read pictures and paintings. It seems now we've become symbolically illiterate. What do all of these images mean? Have students research Catholic/Christian Symbols, then take a field trip to a local church (the... Continue reading

Grace. An unearned gift. I collected it like the worship aids left scattered in the pews after Mass. In fact, that's what I was doing --cleaning up after Mass -- when it occurred to me. Alone in the stunning century old church, standing in the sacred space in front of the altar, I had a thought. Maybe not a thought so much as a vision. Not that I saw it... more like I experienced it. A small orb of light. In an instant I knew It as a soul (my own?), created by God, created good. Pure light. Complete, whole...... Continue reading

Okay, I know it's the 26th of December, but remember - The Christmas season is twelve days long and it just started yesterday. So I dare ya to wish everyone a Merry Christmas for the next ten days! What a great way to evangelize. Most people think the season starts the day after Thanksgiving and ends right after Christmas day. We--Christians--are meant to look and act different. Embrace it. The truth is we don't even know what year Jesus was born let alone what month or day, so who knows, maybe His birthday really is today! ;-) Personally, I think... Continue reading

This was My First Year teaching during an election. I'm glad it's over. At the height of the madness, one of my students came to me troubled by conflicting points of view occupying her mind and invading her spirit. The Tweetle Beetle Battle was tap dancing on her brain. She wanted the Truth. She wanted peace. The Religious Right, Liberal Left, Pro-Life, Pro-Choice. Democrat, Republican -- In a world inundated with information, how do you know what to believe? It's a good question... It was the parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant that settled her soul. It's a... Continue reading

All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Edmund Burke. I started it much like I do each new school year, with effervescent enthusiasm and the grandest of plans. I attended the kick-off meeting, heard inspiring speakers and pledged to attend once a week... Brace yourself as my idealism collides with reality: Scrrreeech! The 40 Days for Life campaign ends today and I went... once. Which doesn't mean I didn't pray. In some ways I prayed more than I have in the past. I put one of the posters in front of the... Continue reading

"So you may ask yourself, how did I get here..." It's hard to believe that it's been four years since I started teaching. Looking back it's incredible to see the doors that God has opened as I've moved from a long-term substitute position to a part-time position to being a full-time teacher. At first glance it's come so easy: a job I wasn't looking for landing in my lap during an economic recession an income I never anticipated, allowing for the realization of lifelong dreams the opportunity to obtain a Masters Degree opening before me like a motion sensitive door... Continue reading

If you weren't standing next to her you wouldn't have heard it. The tiniest of gasps and the faintest, high pitched moan. It happened at daily Mass during the Liturgy of the Eucharist and just as the priest broke the Consecrated Host. The woman standing next to me was focusing intently on the Mass when she made the sounds and I wondered what I had missed. In my 8th grade Sacraments class we're studying symbols and rituals, how they draw us into the sacred, reminding us of the unseen spiritual world that surrounds us. It's a new curriculum for me... Continue reading

A friend is in the process of church hopping. After years of attending a non-denominational church far from where they live, they're looking for something closer to home and they're trying it all - Baptist, Methodist, other non-denominationals. She was doing a lot of research into what the different religions believe and I knew that a class was starting at the Catholic Church near their house, a class that would explain our beliefs. I casually mentioned they should try it. It's one of those looks you don't soon forget. She turned to face me more fully, raised her eyebrows in... Continue reading

"There are not a hundred people in America who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions of people who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church — which is, of course, quite a different thing." Rev Fulton Sheen There is so much bad information out there. People perpetuate, often unknowingly, wrong teachings about the Catholic Church. God forgive me, I've been guilty. It is something I now pray regularly about - Lord guard my mouth with angels that I might not misrepresent your beloved bride. This is why I'm so grateful that the Church created a single... Continue reading

Like a good Catholic I attended my weekly obligation even though we were in the middle of camping with friends. Truly intrigued by what would coax me away from such a peaceful place of fellowship, one of my friends asked me what the "take home" was as soon as we returned to the campsite. It's a good question. "Is there one thing, one message you come away from the service with? What was today's message?..." Pause. Panic. Mumble. Mutter. Please know that this is the moment I live for. Someone, someone I care deeply about, is curious about the most... Continue reading

Oh, how I love teaching! It's the best way to learn... It was while preparing a worksheet on the Order of Mass that the Gloria opened before me like a fragrant rose in full bloom. Passionate that my students understand what we do as Catholics, where it comes from in Scripture and tradition, and why we do it, I prepared a lesson on the Introductory Rites. I was astounded at how long it took to teach it, how much Scripture and tradition is present before the priest even formally begins the Liturgy with the Sign of the Cross. First, there... Continue reading