Just an Update.
And 2 promises: a more thoughtful reflection on Jordan & a project announcement coming soon
Well, the last time I wrote a newsletter, it was also a month that began with A, which means it was too long ago. I know I have many new subscribers who signed up last week through Virtual Catholic Conference. I had the joy of doing a live Q&A with VCC about a talk I gave for them several months ago, Loving the Unloveable Church. Welcome!
Many of you signed up to be among the first to hear about my new Scripture study project. I’ll be announcing that in the next few weeks, so stay tuned.
Five years ago today, I was walking through the Canyon of the Crescent Moon to find the Holy Grail… Just kidding. Well, kind of.
It was the first time I had ever been to Jordan, although I’ve been blessed to return again since. I don’t think I have ever written about my time in Jordan, which I believe rather than indicating how little it impacted me, actually indicates the opposite.
I had very little desire to see the country, partly because I had no idea what I would find there. The Holy Land had long been on my bucket list, but I was naive to what that actually meant. The Holy Lands, actually…
We began our pilgrimage with four days in Jordan, visiting places like Petra (aka the Canyon of the Crescent Moon…) and the Wadi Rum desert, but also Mount Nebo, where Moses died, and the baptismal site of Jesus (if you’ve been to Israel, you think you’ve been there, but… you haven’t!). My ignorance of biblical geography failed to prepare me to see things like where Elijah was taken into heaven, where John the Baptist was beheaded, and where the Jews wandered in the desert.
I was not prepared to be immersed into an Old Testament experience in the days prior to entering the Promised Land. I was not prepared to celebrate Mass for the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) in a literal tent. I was not prepared when our guide welcomed us across the border later that day, with this reflection:
Moses was not able to enter the Promised Land until Jesus brought him here, at the Transfiguration. On this feast day, you too enter this land, brought here by the Messiah…
Did I mention I cried every day of that trip?
There are many more memories, stories, and reflections from that first trip, just waiting to be shared. More thoughts soon. Suffice to say, if you ever have the chance to go, please do. (But only with a trusted Catholic pilgrimage leader like The Catholic Traveler. Believe me, it’s possible to mess up a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and I've heard plenty of stories from people who spent lots of money on the wrong one…)
Women’s Retreat: The Richness of Femininity
Need to get away? There are a few spots left on a women’s retreat I’m giving August 26-28 at Bethany Retreat House in Dickson, Tennessee. I’ll be looking at what it means to be a disciple, a helpmate, and a daughter.
Sign up here.
The next month is busy with travels to the West Coast. I’ll be in Portland, Oregon for the first time and fully expect it to be just like the show. I’ll also be in San Francisco later in the month. Please pray for safe travels and for open hearts. Both events are with Sophia Institute for Teachers, a fantastic apostolate that provides professional development for teachers, curriculums for schools and parishes, textbooks, and tons of lesson plans and aids. If you are a teacher or know someone who is, check out Sophia’s work.
What I love best about traveling around the country speaking is meeting all the people who are laboring in the vineyard–whether that means teaching in a classroom at a school or a parish, raising kids, or preaching the Gospel in the workplace through virtuous living. Whether it’s at a parish mission, a retreat, or an inservice, I hope I can meet you in person soon and hear your story.
I can’t believe it, but I’m currently booking dates for next year! I’m particularly looking for dioceses, parishes, and apostolates who want to give their staff and volunteers a much-needed retreat. If you’re a bishop, priest, or administrator and your staff hasn’t told you yet, I’m here to tell you: your people are on the verge of burning out. They need a retreat. Even if they haven’t told you, it’s also highly likely that they are struggling working for the Church, even though they love the Church.
My day or weekend retreat I Am With You Always can be customized for what the diocese, parish, or apostolate staff needs. If this sounds like something you or someone you know needs, reach out. I’d love to help.
That’s it for now. Stay tuned: I have been working on an exciting project, and I can’t wait to share it with you!
In Christ,
Joan
I’m looking forward to hearing what God has in store for you. You are a blessing.
So grateful for the update!!
1. I also have/had zero interest in going to Jordan, for the same reasons you mention. That lack of interest was solidified when a friend I made on my trip to the Holy Land took the Jordan extension, and it was terrible. Also for the reasons you mentioned! The Catholic leader of the Holy Land portion did not continue on the Jordan portion, and it was just a tour. When I heard you and Mountain discuss your trips to Jordan on his podcast, that got me a little more interested (although not convinced, due to the description of careening through sand dunes), and now this blog post has me really thinking! But I think I will only go led by Mountain!
2. And when I got to the end of the post, and read, "...your people are on the verge....need a retreat...struggling...." I began to cry. THIS IS TRUE!!! Things are getting worse at my school, and I am feeling a little heartsick and fearful about the coming school year. I sent a message to our new principal (who is our old vice-principal, after the principal was fired!!!) pointing out that the faculty retreats were for all intents and purposes done away with three years ago, after about six years of chipping away at them, and that some colleagues and I wanted to express how much we need a retreat to start the year. I offered you! And I and another colleague offered to lead the retreat as well (this used to be my job!). I was told, "We have a very busy day planned for the beginning of the school year, but I will let you know if we need your help."
But back to a hopeful note....I will imagine your descriptions of Jordan during my lectio divina tomorrow on the feast of the Transfiguration!