On every Friday of my 25+ years of teaching high school, we would do a modified “Lord’s Day” in anticipation of the coming Sunday (borrowed from my college household life at Franciscan University). Everyone sits in a circle, sometimes indoors and sometimes outside, we pass around baguettes, and everyone shares a “rose” (high), a “thorn” (low), and a gratitude of the week. It’s so simple.
Yes, sometimes it got really silly (how can we even talk so much about Harry Styles?), but most often it was personal and even profound. Family struggles, breakups, discernment angst, deep disappointments, fears, spiritual dryness—we talked about it. We also talked about sweet things their friends did; how much they love when their parents wait with a hot meal for them after a late practice, or how they stay up helping them with a project; the small joys of a good grade or weekend plans or buying a new cute outfit. I learned the most about my students from our weekly Lord’s Day, by far.
I’m still a little amazed how something truly so simple and basic can go so far in relationship and ministry. So I invite you to try doing the same every Friday with your family*—maybe tonight at dinner, maybe on a walk or in the car (always an ideal setting for fostering conversation). And don’t forget the baguettes.**
*Family = family, friends, colleagues, boyfriend, girlfriend, siblings, whoever
**Baguettes = bread, coffee, wine, brownies, cigars, whatever
Here are my roses and thorns for this week:
Rose: I am in Paris and Lyon this week! Are you kidding me? I’ve been able to visit my favorite cafes, walk my favorite neighborhoods, and pray in deeply personal holy places. I even managed to arrive on the first day of the Nouveau Beaujolais (new wine). What a gift! I’m here researching for Thy Ship, our brand-new travel and pilgrimage apostolate. And best of all, the totally random timing of this trip allowed me to help a dear friend with her family’s special pilgrimage and have some meetings about youth ministry in the Archdiocese of Paris. Geaux Holy Spirit!
Thorn: It’s freeeezing in Paris right now! And windy. You’ll generally hear and read that Paris never gets super cold, but I am a Louisiana girl and it’s been 35-ish degrees: like I said, freezing. And honestly the (kind of embarrassing) thorn is not the cold per se, because my annual D.C. down coat definitely keeps me toasty, but that all my cute Paris outfits are swaddled up and hidden. Le sigh. (November is still a fantastic and underrated time to visit Paris.)
Gratitude: Always, for Colin, our children, and my dog. Specifically this week, I am so grateful for Confession. I received the sacrament last weekend on our family retreat and the words of absolution just knock me out every time: “God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son has reconciled the world to himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Gah. Get to confession if it’s been a while. Or if it’s been a week. Pardon and peace!
And here are a few more photos from Freezing Pareezing:
Freezing? That’s no reason to stop sitting outside at cafés. Just throw a sheepskin on your chair.
Saint Sulpice is one of the most dramatic churches in France. It almost looks an old black and white photo in real life!
I love Notre Dame at night.
If you’re dreading figuring out what to make for dinner tonight, make a mushroom omelette with salad and green beans and baguette on the side. And wine. This is never not an amazing meal (here, at my favorite Paris restaurant, Robert et Louise).
A bientot!