Daily Graces

Book Review: Pope Francis Takes the Bus: And Other Unexpected Stories

Published on September 9, 2016September 7, 2016 by KateLeave a comment

Book Review: Pope Francis Takes the Bus. Daily Graces at kktaliaferro.wordpress.com Pope Francis has taken the Church and the world by storm, but a storm that has lead to new growth, new ideas and new methods while maintaining strong roots to tradition, ritual and Church teaching. What is it about Pope Francis that is so revolutionary and at the same time so familiar? That is what Rosario Carello’s Pope Francis Takes the Bus is all about.

Pope Francis Takes the Bus contains 80 stories (don’t be intimidated by the number, most are less than 2 pages) about Jorge Bergoglio, or as we know him today, Pope Francis. These stories range from his boyhood connection to his grandmother’s faith, his discernment of the priesthood, cooking Sunday dinners for the students at Maximo College, to his visits to the Villas Miserias, the worst shantytown in Buenos Aires through today as pope. Carello has spoken to many who knew Bergoglio throughout his life, using their stories to paint a fuller portrait of Pope Francis than simply the pope from Argentina.

The life of Pope Francis to date has been eventful, full of stories that made me smile as well as cry. The people he has served love him. The people he has stood up for embrace him as their own. The witness to the Gospel he has set throughout his priesthood has been uncompromising. When Bergoglio was made Archbishop of Buenos Aires he chose to remain living in a small home in the city rather than move into the traditional palace reserved for the archbishop. Sound familiar?

The things we may see as “revolutionary” or “novel” are actually a continuation of a long life of “revolutionary” or “novel” actions. Pope Francis’ witness to the Gospel is as uncompromising today as it was when, as archbishop, he insisted on riding the bus to get to an appointment rather than be driven by parishioners. After getting on the bus to be on his way the parish priest and deacon offer these explanations to the crowd gathered:

“He goes as he came, on public transport.”

The deacon adds: “Fr. Bergoglio is like that; he speaks by giving example.”

This, my friends, is a book that is perfect for anytime and anyplace. The stories are short, simple and thought provoking, and let’s face it, the cover is awesome! They are perfect to read one or two over your morning coffee, during a quick break at work or before bed. If you have older children, they would be an excellent way to spark conversation around the dinner table about topics like humility, living simply, poverty, confession and joy. Every family can use this book over and over again. For myself, don’t be surprised if more than one person receives this as a Christmas present this year.

Announcements, Changes and Updates

Published on September 6, 2016October 3, 2016 by Kate3 Comments

Hello dear readers,

You may have noticed that there has been a bit of a lag in posts as of late. I had intended to write up a quick post about the transitions our family is in the midst of, but even that proved beyond my capacity. Now that we are settling into our new “normal” I found myself with an afternoon of USA Women’s soccer, a steaming cup of tea and absolutely no children about, the perfect time to sit back and reflect on what has happened the past few weeks (and then I got way too in the weeds with this story and decided not to edit anything for a few more weeks, so now the Olympics are over, my tea is long cold, but I’ve finally gotten around to finishing what I started).

I may have mentioned, though perhaps not since I am trying to be both honest and open, yet still mindful of the potential dangers the internet offers to those who share too much information, that we are moving!

For the past year or so we have been hoping and praying for our next assignment in the Air Force. There are some many things to consider – location, career progression for Ben, proximity to family, opportunities for the kids, etc. Taking all things into consideration and with lots of prayer we decided to ask for an assignment to pilot training in Texas. Our prayers were answered when Ben returned from his last deployment in April when he was told that yes, we would be moving at the end of the summer to Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, TX, which is about 2-3 hours west of San Antonio. Ben will be teaching brand new Air Force 2nd Lieutenants (the first rank for officers) on their first aircraft, the T-6 Texan II.

We asked for some extra time off between the assignments, so in early August we packed up our trailer and started a long trek to Illinois. We drove for 5 days with our minivan loaded with rooftop carrier, bikes, and 3 kids, plus our Durango hauling the trailer and the dog. We are so blessed to have wonderful families who are generous with their vacation time. My dad and one of my brothers flew out to California and helped us drive back to Chicago. We were able to spend 3 weeks with my parents and are presently in the middle of 3 weeks with Ben’s family in Ohio. What a blessing for our family, especially our kids. They have never been to the Midwest in the summertime!

This will be a bit of a unique move because it is actually 2 moves in 1. Before Ben can go teach new pilots how to fly the T-6, he has to re-learn it himself as well as receive training on how to be an instructor and trainer. We will be in San Antonio until early March when we will move again to Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, TX. We will only be 2.5-3 hours from some of Ben’s family in San Antonio which is incredible and we are so excited to be close to them.

On the topic of incredible, God’s timing couldn’t be more perfect. Even though we are moving twice in less than 9 months, we are also happy to share that we are expecting our 4th “gift from God” as John says. Yes, we are pregnant! But God is so good. Remember that big drive to Illinois – probably not the greatest, most fun idea to do when you’re pregnant. But God timed it just right – I was through with morning sickness completely, didn’t get carsick once, and was still only 15 weeks and wasn’t feeling overly large or awkward. Plus, and maybe even better, we are due at the end of January so we will have the baby while still solidly in San Antonio, surrounded by family and well before we will be moving. It truly is a miracle. I’m craving McDonald’s cheeseburgers and asiago bagels (oh I just got super hungry!) and no, we aren’t finding out who this little miracle is until they are born. The kids are having lots of fun trying to decided if they think “Peanut” is a boy or a girl.

So that’s pretty much where we are right now. Lots of transition, lots of new places, lots of please oh please just take a nap (but not too long of one so you go to sleep tonight in another new place).

We appreciate your prayers as we continue with this move. I hope that you all are having a good wind-down to your summer months and are ready to dive into the school year. Next on my list of things to do are a few book reviews I’ve been sitting on and work on putting together a better “teacher’s binder” for our homeschool year. We won’t be starting until we are settled in San Antonio so I’ve got some time yet.

Here are some pictures from our travels so far =)

photo_2016-09-06_10-44-52_am — Some OH pictures. We celebrated Rosie’s 4th birthday, got to play with Uncle Peter’s new dog, try out stilts and go to a neighbor’s pool. Copyright Kate Taliaferro 2016

0906161127 — Enjoying some train time in OH. Copyright Kate Taliaferro 2016

0826161903 — Snuggles in Nana and Papa’s bed in IL. Copyright Kate Taliaferro 2016

photo_2016-09-06_10-48-54_am — Some IL pictures. Going fishing, helping Grandma J water, planting, boat rides with Clare’s Godmother Auntie Rita and carousel at the zoo. Copyright Kate Taliaferro 2016

To be Who You are Called to Be

Published on September 3, 2016October 18, 2016 by KateLeave a comment

I was talking with my father-in-law the other night about tomorrow’s canonization of Mother Teresa. This is a huge event for so many people, Catholic or otherwise. Mother Teresa’s example of love, service solidarity, charity, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, faith, persistence, resolve, (need I go on?) will resound throughout the centuries as generations to come will continue to learn from her and her incredible witness. My father-in-law made a comment I’ve heard many times said by many people in similar words: “Look at her, how can we possibly hope to compare?”

At first I was inclined to agree. Indeed, Mother Teresa is a woman who stands out among women. She dedicated her life to God and actively sought His direction. She followed where God called her, even when it meant giving up comforts and familiar faces. She continued her obedience even when she walked through her dark night of the soul, her belief never wavering even in the midst of an arid spiritual desert.

It is true, Mother Teresa did things that few human beings have done. She was willing to sacrifice what the world holds dear so that she could fully embrace those the world has rejected. It is without question that she is someone to be admired, to be looked up to and to be challenged by.

But, I challenge the sentiment that we need to compare ourselves to her. She can challenge us to live better lives, she can encourage us to detach from the things that keep us from following God and she certainly can call us to improve in areas we fall short of compassion and generosity. However, I am not called to be Mother Teresa. You are not called to be Mother Teresa. I am called to be Kate Taliaferro. You are called to be [say name here]. We each have a unique mission given to us by God to fulfill for the betterment of one another.

What makes Mother Teresa so magnetic, what makes her smiling wrinkled face and worn hands so inspiring, is that she truly became who God had called her to be. When God called, she was listening. When God moved, she responded. When God challenged, she continued to empty herself into His hands so that He could work in and through them.

Mother was always encouraging those she encountered to continue growing in who they are as children of God. A simple Google search offers a plethora of quotes, all which can be applied not to becoming more like Mother, but to growing in holiness on our own paths that God has laid out for us.

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.

There are no great things, only small things with great love. Happy are those.

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

Peace begins with a smile..

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.

I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.

If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.

Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.

We are not all called to Calcutta, but we are called to love each person we encounter in our day. We are not all called to work with the sick or dying, but we all know someone who is weak in spirit, harboring sadness or despair, or struggling through life who is in need of our kindness. We are not all called to walk through the streets feeding the hungry, but we all probably know of a corner where a person in need is waiting for someone to look them in the eyes, acknowledging our common humanity, and offer them a meal. We may not be called to give up everything, but we are all definitely called to sacrifice something that is keeping us from a deeper relationship with Christ.

So I challenge you, like I challenge myself, be who you are called to be. Be inspired by Mother Teresa’s holiness, her faith and her obedience, not intimidated. Be encouraged by her joy, her compassion and her generosity, not disheartened. May her smile be a pathway to the you you are called to be.