Hey everyone! Wow, this is the first 7QT post I’ve managed to get out in months. One of my New Year’s resolutions for 2014 is to blog more frequently (aiming for at least once a week, with the goal of working up to at least a couple of additional posts each months), so stay tuned for actual content on this alleged blog! 
In a hopeful sign, my other principal resolution, to pray the entire Divine Office each day (I have previously only been in the habit of praying Morning and Evening Prayer), has been going very well, so I’m crossing my fingers that carries over to this resolution too!
I get to see Sister Channing in two weeks! I got an email from her sister just a couple hours ago; Sister Channing will be receiving the Holy Habit of Carmel and her new name on February 1, and there will be brief reception for friends and well-wishers! I am so, so happy that my friend is progressing onto the novitiate, and that will get to see her briefly on her special day. Praised be Jesus Christ!
Speaking of the Discalced Carmelite Order, back in December I went on a weeklong visit with the Discalced Carmelite Friars in Holy Hill, Wisconsin. It was absolutely incredible, such a profound time of prayer and peace leading up to Christmas. So blessed and grateful to have had that opportunity.
In your charity, please pray for an increase in vocations to the Discalced Carmelites. Below is a prayer card that I received while on my visit.
A friend of mine passed along this song from the new Disney movie Frozen to me and I am completely addicted.
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Tomorrow I’ll be going to see it with my family, so I’ll be sure to write next week about how it is!
I reiterated today on Twitter something regarding Pope Francis that I think is worth repeating here. I think it is quite clear that he is the man to give the Church a “clean slate” on evangelization, and to open hearts that were previously shut to the beauty of the Catholic Faith. However, I do not expect him to succeed in reforming the Roman Curia. I wish him well and pray for his success, but I just do not see that as being inside his wheelhouse. And that’s OK. To continue the baseball metaphor, Pope Francis doesn’t have to bat a perfect 1.000 to have a successful papacy.
So, pray for him, love him, stay loyal to him, and be excited about his reign, but manage your expectations about him too.
I’m late to this bandwagon, but I have become a big fan of Once Upon A Time over the past few weeks. Currently about a third of the way through Season Two. Such a good show!
About six months ago, I took on the position of Managing Editor at Pocket Full Of Liberty, a conservative/libertarian political blog. We’ve got a great stable of contributors and a diverse range of viewpoints along the spectrum of the political Right, so please stop on over and look for some of my content there too! My last Featured article with them was What Pope Francis Can Teach Conservatives.
For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!
