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Our first apartment was in Fargo, North Dakota ; in the square mile south of Main Avenue and between I-29 and 25th Street South . I don't know how Fargo zoned that land. From what was there, my guess is that the designation would translate into 'meh, whatever'. Our apartment was on the top floor, and had a nice floor plan. Bedrooms were on either side of a living area. A kitchen and bath shared a wall with that floor's corridor. That's the good news. Something was wrong with the place.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Learning an important part of holding a baby that is not in in parenting guides . Recognizing and accepting the vocation my oldest child chose.)

Most of the neighborhood I grew up in is now a parking lot. But Prairie Home Cemetery, a block west of the house I grew up in, is still there. I mostly remember it as being next to the sledding hill. My father and I went by, or maybe through, the cemetery on our way to the 'hill'. The sledding hill wasn't, technically, a hill. It was part of a coulee going through the southwest corner of Prairie Home Cemetery. Or, rather, it was part of what had been a coulee.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Remembering good times in winters long past; what was, and was not, important when raising my kids. Flexible Flyer sleds, family, and faith that makes sense.)

Yesterday's visit continues. Granddaughter and I have enjoyed watching cartoons. I'm looking forward to reading her a book from my childhood, plus another from my father's and mine. Our granddaughter's parents are her 'real' parents in practical terms. And they adopted her.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

I found a few resources for my next "Dr. Faustus" post this morning and afternoon, and got some writing done. Then it was time for my hour at the Eucharistic Adoration chapel. That was, I think, an hour well-spent. But I'd been on a roll with the writing, and I don't think that will happen again in the time I've got before supper. I'd been reading about stewardship during my 'chapel' hour, so that's more or less what I'll write about here. But mostly about vocations. My vocation, specifically. And I don't mean a job or career.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

It has never been easy to discern a vocation, but it is especially difficult for people in the current milieu because modern society is complex and messy. Yet it’s precisely in the complexity and messiness where some of the most important answers in life are found. The good news is no matter how confused we feel, our own unique purpose in life lies deep within our own soul: Discovering vocation does not mean scrambling toward some prize just beyond my reach but accepting the treasure of true self I already possess. Vocation does not come from a voice ‘out there’ calling me to be something I am not. It comes from a voice ‘in here’ calling me to be the person I was born to be, to fulfill the original selfhood given me at birth by God.  ( Fr. Thomas Merton, O.C.S.O ) continue 

November 1-7, 2015 is National Vocation Awareness Week. I'm not sure local bakeries are stocking up on vocation-themed pastries, but that won't stop us from praying! The USCCB has a page dedicated to National Vocation Awareness Week , complete with a news release, homily helps, and prayers from several dozen dioceses to get us going. This is how the USCCB describes the vocation-awareness phenomenon: “National Vocation Awareness Week (NVAW) is an annual week-long celebration of the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life through prayer and education, and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these particular vocations.” But is the USCCB leaving something OUT? Join me at Praying with Grace !

©mocoo/Getty Images Only the best for God I spent most of high school and college assuming I would never marry or have children. God had set me on fire with faith, and I wanted to give him my absolute best. In Catholic terms, as far as I knew, that meant entering religious life. For a couple of years I attended campus ministry meetings for wanna-be nuns and priests, and my weekends were often scheduled with "come and see" retreats at various religious communities. And then I met a guy. . . . This guy, David, was different from others I had dated. He loved life, he loved God, and he knew God wanted him to be a father. Please join me for the rest at Praying with Grace .

The Social Media Coordinator of Ascension Press wondered if I would share a video entitled "I Will Follow" to get young men excited about the priesthood. It is part of their larger Mass education program called "Altaration" which they have designed specifically for teens. Ascension has already attracted over 100k views on Facebook for their videos. I loved it. + When I agreed to post it, I was delighted with their Social Media Coordinator's response.I will end this short post with his words ringing in your mind, heart and prayers. Awesome! If we get even one vocation from this project we will consider it a success. Watch  their short film calling young men to consider the priesthood. See why it has already received over 95k views. Learn more about the project at  WillYouFollow.com.