All Saints Sunday

This morning we went to Mass at St. Peter's Church in Philadelphia. The we being me, my two sisters and friend Ann. The shrine of St. John Neumann is located at St. Peter's. In my purse were holy cards, one of St. Peregrine that was given to my by Juan. This was passed along to him by a co-worker who had cancer that went into remission. Juan just finished treatments and surgery for stomach cancer. Apparently Juan was the fourth recipient of the card. The other is a card that our friend, Mariela, Fed-X'd from Columbia. It is of the Holy Infant - whose shrine is located in her hometown. I had a St. Agatha medal around my neck; however I had left my John Neumann relic at home (I had been moving him from one pants pocket to another - he is a little big). I was pretty well armed.

Father Kevin started his sermon by noting how the crowds were anxious for more miracles, and were hesitant to commit their faith until they saw results. His sermon addressed a lot more, but I have to admit I felt somewhat hypocritical being there - having not been in a church with any regularity - and very little over the last few years. After mass, when Father Kevin gave me a blessing, I choked out my feelings (it was a very emotional moment). He assured me that God was not offended in the least by my presence and prayers for health. He commented that God is there for those who are in need and in pain.

When we left I felt less hypocritical, and have decided to focus my prayers on God (the ultimate being, energy, force, power), on all the spirits, saints, angels, energies, forces that are out there, including those that reside within me. I am starting to believe that I am worthy.

I should tell you that I started the day consulting with my personal oracle by randomly selecting Runes from a sack, and interpreting the symbols in "The Book of Runes: A Handbook for the Use of an Ancient Oracle: The Viking Runes".

"Runes are an ancient Germanic alphabet, used for writing, divination and magic. They were used throughout northern Europe, Scandinavia, the British Isles, and Iceland from about 100 B.C.E. to 1600 C.E. Runic inscriptions of great age have even been found in North America, supporting stories that the Vikings arrived in the Americas long before Columbus." (taken from http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/intro.html)

Runes are an oracle from which one seeks advice. What I learned from the Internet is that you are supposed to detail your current circumstances and then ask a specific question. Rune readings are somewhat obscure, and supposedly hint toward answers. I'll have to do a bit more research on Runes and their interpretation, but my first pull brought me the following:

Warrior Energy (looks like an arrow): Journey, Communication, Union, Reunion (Looks like and R): and a Blank - representing the beginning and the end (this one scared me a little). I am not sure what the lessons here are - but in short - they tell me to look within to delve down to the foundations of my life; that I am on a journey of self healing, change and union; and that obstacles can be gateways that lead to new beginnings.

It is now Monday afternoon and I am just finishing yesterday's blog. The day was a busy one. The church group went to breakfast and watched as a wild storm swept through the city. TD and I worked out at the gym, albeit briefly, then went to mom's for dinner. Joan made spaghetti and shrimp - it was terrific. We played a three-sided domino-type game Jean brought back from Tenerife (using the German rules), and got home later than usual.

I went for another Vitamin C infusion today. Also received a call from my oncologist who assured me the treatment was "an accepted treatment protocol" and necessary due to obstacles thrown into the fray by the insurance company. We leave in 10 minutes to have dinner at our friend Jeanne's house - where I know we'll laugh a lot as well as have a great meal!

Thanks to everyone who commented on my blog yesterday! I hope you all had an opportunity to read through them - there are some great thoughts there.

Yesterday and today were terrific days!