Unbelievably so, I find that I’ve now been in Aspen for a
year and two months working as Secretary and Catechist for St Mary
Parish. Thinking over this past
year is still a bit of a whirlwind, but overall I can say that I am extremely
blessed to be where I am and am so grateful for the gifts that everyday brings.
The beauty of the Aspen trees is at its peak this week, so
I’ve been doing a lot of hiking.
One of the greatest gifts of being here is that the mountains are my
playground and there is such a joy in finding myself at the top of a peak
looking out over the beauty that is creation. Just as in everything though, many times the journey is the
best part. I love the challenge of
climbing and find that the physical challenge of climbing usually also applies
to the spiritual journeys of my heart where there is the ever present push to
become more fully who we are meant to be.
The parish activities keep me very busy; activities Sunday,
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights, with Women’s Group on Thursday
afternoons. Despite the busyness,
I am very fortunate that my “work” is also what I love and a safe place to give
myself away in love to those I serve.
I’ve recently moved to an apartment about ten minutes away
from the parish. While I miss my
“holy timeshare” (as some came to call it), my new apartment has a guest room
for any of you who’d like to visit : )
It isn’t nearly as modern or furnished, but there are many new blessings
that come with it, including a beautiful brisk walk in the mornings and
more opportunities to run into people.
I look forward to sharing the gifts of my everyday life and
hope that this is a fruitful endeavor!
With great joy,
~ Mónica Marie
“By its own weight, a body inclines towards its own place.
Weight does not always tend towards the lowest place, but towards its own
place. A stone falls, but fire rises. They move according to their own weights,
they seek their own places. Oil poured into water rises to the surface; water
poured on oil sinks below the oil. They act according to their own weights,
they seek their own places. Things out of place are restless. They find their
own places, and then they rest.
My love is my weight. Whithersoever I am moved, I am moved
there by love. By thy gift, O Lord, we are set on fire, and are borne aloft: we
burn, and we are on the way. We climb the ascents that are in the heart.” -
Confessions of St Augustine
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