HP ... it is finished

Ok, this is a bit delayed, but a few words on HP 7.2.  I’ve been partially delayed because I didn’t want to include any spoilers, but that’s too hard.  So, if you don’t want to know anything about the latest HP movie, you might want to skip this post.

Pause …. 

Ok … are you still here?  Ready for the massive spoilers?

Pause …

Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, I can go ahead.  First of all, loved the movie.  It wasn’t too long, didn’t drag or dawdle, didn’t have much gratuitous violence or unnecessary cuteness.  It starts out right where the last one left off, and goes on running up until the moment of truth (and the epilogue).

My favorite moments:

-Professor McGonagall: “I’ve always wanted to use that spell” … with a mischievous look in her eye

-Neville:  need I say more?

-Snape’s tears … and his memories.  Again, they stuck with what was necessary and didn’t dawdle or get sentimental.  This is also when all the 20-something boys packed into the theater behind me started sniffling.  Loudly.

But really, what I loved most was the moment when Harry was in the forbidden forest, ready to meet his end.  Ready to give his life for his friends.  Ready to make the ultimate sacrifice so that good could prevail.  It’s really his Christ moment, and I mean that in the very best way.  Alone at last, he looks around and says simply, “I am ready to die.”

And in true Christological fashion he discovers that the one who gives his life will save it.  It is in our moments of sacrificial love that we are most human.  It is when we turn our backs on power—as Harry does in a snapping motion on the bridge near the end—that we find our true power.  Love.  To paraphrase Dumbledore, the real death is not death, the real death is living without love.  So Harry chooses love--and lives.

How wonderful to have this truly counter-cultural message encapsulated in a pop culture icon.  Not a unique message, but one that we need to hear again and again. So nice to have it done so well, and who knows the impact this message might have on those with ears to hear.

And finally … it is finished.

HP, Discernment and Me

For those who haven’t quite caught on yet to this fact about yours truly, I am a bit of a geek.  Church geek … check.  Star Wars geek … check.  Harry Potter geek … guilty, and happily so!  In fact, tomorrow night after work I’m driving 3 ½ hours to Portland to stand in line with some of my very best (and also somewhat geeky) friends to watch the last Harry Potter film together at midnight!

Regular readers of the blog might have picked up on various Harry Potter references from time to time.  I was in my late 20s when I started reading Harry Potter, so I haven’t exactly grown up with them like lots of my fellow HP geeks … did you know people actually play Quidditch?

Anyhoo, as I said I didn’t grow up with HP.  But it has been a friendly companion on my vocation discernment journey.  For example.

The Sorting Hat:  When I was first starting to pay attention to the crazy yet wonderful idea that maybe, perhaps, I should become a Sister, the big question was what kind!  Imagine if all the kids at Hogwarts had to choose which house they belonged to, it would be chaos.  But no, there’s the Sorting Hat to be relied upon. Not so I religious life … a fact which I often lamented during my early “which community is my community” phase of discernment.

The Knight Bus:  There have been times on this journey, when giant obstacles to following Jesus into religious life (such as my gigantic credit card debt) just JUMPED out of the way.  There were other times where the journey was so slow, and other times where it just seemed to speed up of its own accord. Like the Knight Bus.

Patronus:  In HP, one needs to center oneself in one's happiest memory in order to make one's patronus and dispel bogarts and dementors.  The same is true in life and yes, even in religious life.  I have one particular memory from this discernment journey--that takes place in a bathroom in City Hall no less--that I have drawn upon at moments when things as scary and disheartening as dementors have made an appearance.

Grand Inquisitor:   A certain experience last year also brought to mind Dolores Umbridge and her visitation of Hogwarts.  My experience seems to have turned out much better than in the books, however.

Then there have just been HP moments.  Like the day towards the end of my canonical year when the last Harry Potter book was released in hardback.  I lamented that I wasn’t able to go out that night to purchase a book when it was released.  But I did manage to stop by the bookstore the next morning on my way home from Spiritual Direction.  And managed to hide away in my room for most of the next day, voraciously reading about the Deathly Hallows. Chero – one of the other novices – told me later she was afraid to bother me that day because I was so absorbed in my reading!

When I was living in London during my apostolic year, I spent my hour long commutes to and from the homeless shelter listening to HP 7 on CD, sitting on the top of a double decker London Bus.  That was just a cool experience.  And I was also able to visit Kings Cross, where I took this picture of the trolley cart at Platform 9 and ¾.

There are some folks, I know, who are troubled by a book about a school that trains witches and wizards.  I however see the book as a grand exploration of good and evil, of the triumph of the human spirit, as a champion of justice (even for Elves … S.P.E.W. anyone?), and just plain fun.  Which is what I’ll be having tomorrow night around midnight … watching the last chapters of the story unfold on the big screen.

PS - From a review in the Vatican Newspaper:  

[Harry Potter teaches that] 'it's possible to change the world.  It is Harry, with his inseparable friends, who demonstrates that it is possible to vanquish evil and establish peace.  Power, success and an easy life do not bring the truest and deepest joys.  For that we need friendship, self-giving, sacrifice and attachment to a truth that is not formed in man's image..."

Amen.  Sounds an awful lot like religious life!

Vacation Missive #1

Off to see HP 6 this morning on the big screen, which the Vatican now apparently approves of according to CathNewsUSA.

The Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano gave the new Harry Potter movie four stars for promoting "friendship, altruism, loyalty and self-giving", a break from the Holy See officials' previous reservation that the books promote witchcraft. ...

"Certainly, Rowling's vision lacks a reference to transcendence, to a providential design in which people live their personal histories and history itself takes shape," the paper said in its July 14 edition.

But, it said, the new film and the books make clear "the line of demarcation between one who does good and one who does evil, and it is not difficult for the reader or the viewer to identify with the first."

"This is particularly true in the latest film," the review said. "They know that doing good is the right thing to do. And they also understand that sometimes this involves hard work and sacrifice."

When the book is finished or the film credits roll, what is remembered are "the values of friendship, altruism, loyalty and self-giving" rather than the magic tricks, the newspaper said.

By the way, I took this picture of the "real" Platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station when I was living in London.

On Vacation

Headed south to the Bay Area to hang out with my friend Kathy for a few days. Nothing on the agenda, except checking out HP6 on the big screen. Not sure what the blogging situation will be.

Enjoy your summer!

Forest of Dean

Those of you who have read HP 7 will understand why I was excited by this bit on BBC 2's Autumnwatch this evening: "tracking down an elusive animal in the Forest of Dean."

Yes ... the Forest of Dean! (Don't click this hyperlink if you for some reason care about HP and haven't yet read HP7 - it will spoil the fun).

They had beautiful shots of said forest as well as of the wild boar that have apparently returned there after being extinct for hundreds of years.

Life's simple pleasures ... it brought a smile to my face to think of Harry & Hermione having to not only look out for you know who's followers, but wild boar to boot. Not that I wish them any harm mind you, but it just made (what is admittedly an entirely fictional) "it" more real.

hello

Still here. Feeling a bit under the weather with a cold that won't go away - I think it's the combined effect of being in a new country with all new germs, working with homeless folks who are out in the elements and as such often coughing & sneezing, and being busier than I'd been the previous year. The end result is some coughing & sneezing myself. I also seem to be losing my voice! I did manage to make my way to see a doctor today - I need to be careful with my asthma - and am on medication and taking it easy.

Other than that little snafu, all is well! Autumn is here. The weather is cooler and the trees are changing color and/or dropping leaves. It's also a bit wet and dreary here like Portland, so I'm actually feeling quite at home.

On the TV front, I watched "Strictly Come Dancing" - the original BBC version of our "Dancing with the Stars." I missed my NJ housemates who I always watched that show with. I also caught a bit of Michael Palin's (of Monty Python fame) New Europe - a great show where he travels around countries that were once behind the Iron Curtain. I don't usually watch much tv, but figured it's part of the rest regimen!

Hope all is well in your respective necks of the woods. For me, it's back to my comfy bed and Harry Potter 7 on CD!

graduation

I graduated today ... from buttering toast to serving eggs, bacon and sausage at the day center. (By the way, british bacon is an entirely different creature although it comes from the same creature surely).

After breakfast I had my orientation to the education center, and then helped one client look for a job online and helped two others set up e-mail accounts. I'm happy for the opportunity to interact more one-on-one with the clients and share my computer experience.

I also listened to Disc One of Harry Potter 7 (a gift from my friend Jackie) on the bus today. A double decker bus mind you, where I like to sit in the front seat! :) I found myself thinking I must get to Kings Cross and look for what else but Platform 9 and 3/4.

I then came home to an e-mail from a friend asking me: "How long before we have a photo posted of you at Kings Cross waiting for the Hogwarts Express?". What is they say about Great Minds??? Or rather, silly ones?!

I get up well before the crack of down in order to be in Central London by breakfast, so I must cut this post short and head to bed.

HP Revalblogpal Friday Five

This week's Revalblogpal Friday Five is a Choose Your Own Adventure ... Harry Potter or not. I of course choose Harry Potter, especially as I'm planning to use my free day tomorrow (Saturday) to visit the local multi-plex and see the new movie for myself. Not to mention next Saturday when I can pick up my reserved copy of HP7 at the bookstore! But for now, the Friday Five:

1. Which Harry Potter book is your favorite and why? How to choose, how to choose. I think Book 3 when Harry learns that Sirius is his Godfather is my favorite. Harry changes when he realizes that he's not alone in this world after all. I think it frees him up to live up to who he is meant to be. That said, Book 5 is probably a close second.

2. Which character do you most resemble? Which character would you most like to get to know? I have certain undeniable know-it-all Hermione tendencies. I'm a klutz like Neville. And I'm a little goofy like Luna. But I would love to get to know the Weasley Twins. My life would certainly be more interesting. Professor Lupin would be good for a long talk over a pint of butterbear.

3. How careful are you about spoilers?
a) bring 'em on--even if I know the destination, the journey's still good
b) eh, I'd rather not know what happens, but I'm not going to commit Avada Kedavra if someone makes a slip
c) I will sequester myself in a geodesic dome to avoid finding anything out

Option B seems the wisest course.

4. Make one prediction/share one hope about book 7.
I hope that Hogwarts stays open, although I'd be ok if Harry/Ron/or Hermione took a leave of absence. Not that I could imagine Hermione not going to school!

5. Rowling has said she's not planning any prequels or sequels, but are there characters or storylines (past or future) that you would like to see pursued?
I'd like to at least know what career path they follow. And of course which couples end up together.

and the sorting hat says ...

The sorting hat says that I belong in Gryffindor!

Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those with brave deeds to their name."

Students of Gryffindor are typically brave, daring, and chivalrous.
Famous members include Harry, Ron, Hermione, Albus Dumbledore (head of Hogwarts), and Minerva McGonagall (head of Gryffindor).

Take the most scientific Harry Potter
Quiz ever created.

Get Sorted Now!

Not too long before the new movie & book come out. And yes, I am a dork. But I'm a brave dork. :)

unexpected joy

Today's Revgalblogpal Advent Reflection by Revmom/Cheesehead touches on joy.

Joy is a word we hear a lot this time of year. But joy is not the same as happiness. We are often finding things to be happy or unhappy about. Joy is another animal all together. It is so deep and abiding. And as Revmom/Cheesehead says in her reflection, unexpected: "But joy sneaks up on you when you least expect it; joy owns you, often in a way you don’t anticipate."

There comes a point in Harry Potter when the Harry needs to remember a moment when he was truly happy in order to fend off some foul creatures that want to eat his soul. His first memories weren't strong enough - they were the run of the mill happy. In the end he needed to find a truly joyous moment.

This all got me thinking about a moment when I was very unexpectedly filled with joy. It was back when I was first beginning to stop actively ignoring this tug I was feeling in my heart. I'd starting talking to my pastor about the direction my life was going and where God was calling me. I'd been dancing around the realization that all signs were pointing to religious life. As I think I've written here before, I wasn't too terribly excited about the idea intellectually. But then the joy hit me. In the bathroom at work of all places. I remember looking in the mirror, washing my hands, filled with joy at the wondrous possibility that I could become a Sister. I could use my gifts to serve God and help transform the world. I was literally bursting with joy. I wanted to tell the whole world. Instead I was a good bureaucrat and went back to my desk to what seemed even more like drudgery in comparison to the joyous possibilities that lay ahead for me to explore.

I've got the last part of my groovy sister application coming up on Wednesday - the dreaded psychological evaluation. It'll be fine I know but I am of course somewhat nervous. But, like Harry, I'm planning to hold on to the memory of this joyous moment in the bathroom to see me through.

justice for elves

I have to point out Jesuit Mark Mossa's post on S.P.E.W. for the social justice/Harry Potter fans out there.

my hp ministry profile

Revgalblogpals has a post on a post from Rebel Without A Pew.

To catch up for you non-HP fans out there, in Harry Potter each incoming student is sorted into a school house by a sorting hat. I've always thought this would be helpful when discerning religious communities as well! Anyway, eons ago I took an online sorting quiz and was sorted into Gryffindor.

Well, Rebel Without a Pew has developed ministry profiles based on the 4 HP houses. I must say, the Gryffindor profiles is spot on for this groovy sister to be.

Gryffindor: You are attracted to the ministry because it offers a context for your need to be involved in a heroic quest: Defending the Truth, Working for Justice, Spreading the Gospel; Building God's Kingdom. You are willing to take a stand, be part of an embattled minority, sacrifice everything for The Cause. Your ministry is inspiring. As a charismatic leader you can motivate your people to great undertakings. However, you are easily dillusioned with the petty realities that inevitably crop up in congregational and denominational life. The day-to-day routine of running a church can make you tired and frustrated. You have absolutely no patience with church politics or polity and can become enraged when you run smack into it while on your quest for Truth and Justice. Alternate careers: missionary, non-profit founder, social work.

PS - I got my revgalblog pal t-shirt in the mail yesterday!!

just tell me how it ends

You might remember about a month ago I wrote about two friends from church who had brain tumors. One had a miraculous recovery and is back in full force. The other passed away last week, and I’ve just returned from her funeral mass.

Funerals are tricky business for me since my mom’s in October 2003. Since then I’ve been to three funerals. One for my friend’s one year old baby who died in a tragic accident. One for the father of a friend of mine. One for a lovely lady from church named Margaret. And now Irene’s.

They were all Catholic funerals. We Catholics do funerals well. Other traditions do to in their own way, I’m sure. I’m more familiar with the Catholic way and we know how to do rituals. The incense, the songs, celebrating the Eucharist, remembering Christ as we remember our loved one. Funerals are for the living. They are cathartic. They help us to remember the one who has passed on, and to realize that they will continue to be present to us in the communion of saints.

I was shocked to learn that Irene was 83!!!! I would have though she was 73 at most. She had a smile that was ever-present. She had grown up in the parish but continued to grow with the parish. She welcomed everyone. The church was packed ... which as her nephew noted in the eulogy said something about Irene. For a single woman with no children to have a packed house at her funeral says something about the impact she had on the world.

My favorite bit of the eulogy. Irene was diagnosed in June with terminal brain cancer and chose to die naturally without further treatment. Towards the end her family was with her, reading scripture. After a few lines, she asked them to stop and read her the new Harry Potter instead. After 3 chapters, she said, “Just tell me how it ends.” She died a few days later. ... I love that she asked that question, and died knowing what happened.

headed to hq

I’m headed up to groovy sister headquarters on the lake for the weekend. Hoping to get in some quality prayer time at my spot on the lake – should be perfect this time of year!

It’s been over a month since my last visit and I’m looking forward to the community fix. The main purpose of this visit is to bond with the two other groovy-sisters-to-be. Normally when I’m up for a visit there’s so much going on. I thought it would be good to just hang out.
I’m also meeting with my contact person and the formation director to talk specifics about the next step (candidacy) and turning in my application which is about 80% done!

I still sometimes feel like I’m on Harry Potter’s Knight Bus (where things speed up and obstacles jump out of the way). This time last year I was just starting to contact womens’ religious communities, mostly just to get a feel for what they’re like. I’ll admit the plan was to rule the possibility out. How did I know that I’d feel so at home and sense the potential that I sense? God’s tricky that way!!!

I’ll check back in Sunday evening. In the mean time, have a great weekend everyone!

Blessings of peace,
Susan (Rose is my middle name in case you were wondering)

a sister, a captain, chaucer and harry potter

Sister Susan (an actual "groovy sister", not to be confused with "Sr. Susan-to-be" – namely me some day we hope & pray!) commented on my Harry Potter post over the weekend that Sister Thomas, an 87 year old member of the community I’m discerning with (the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace) was quite the Harry Potter fan. I’d had no idea about this facet of her personality, but had just lit a candle and said a prayer for her a short while before when I’d heard that she’d passed away.

Today I received via e-mail the homilies from Sister Thomas’ vigil and funeral masses as well as her obituary. This might sound a wee bit strange, but I LOVED reading about her. Yes I wish I’d had a chance to get to know her better, but in a weird way I feel as if I did know her. In my few interactions with her over the past few months I saw a twinkle in her eye and could sense in her a kindred spirit. As Susan said in her comment, Sister Thomas was a "wild, witty, opinionated, and totally unconventional nun." Of course, part of what I love about the "groovy sisters" is the fact they the are a collection of unconventional nuns who seem to fit together somehow into the amazing whole.

I learned in my reading today that Sister Thomas was a Captain in the Army during WWII before entering the Sisters of St Joseph in 1950! She was very well educated and wrote her doctorate dissertation on Chaucer. She taught grade school, high school, college and seminary classes. And she loved Harry Potter. How cool is that, an 87 year old sister who loved Harry Potter? I wonder who her favorite characters were?

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about this Sister Captain and vociferous reader. I’m going to end this post with a bit of Chaucer that was included towards the end of Sister Thomas’ obituary, in her honor. Enjoy!

But you that hold this tale a foolery,
As but about a fox, a cock, a hen,
Yet do not miss the moral, my good friend.
For Saint Paul says that all that’s written well
Is written down some useful truth to tell.
Then take the wheat and let the chaff lie still.
and now, good God, and if it be Thy will,
As says the Lord Christ, so make us all good men
and bring us into His high bliss. Amen.
Geoffrey Chaucer, the Nun’s Priest’s
Tale

how is this possible?

I finally finished listening to Harry Potter 5 during my cleaning frenzy. I am now prepared to devour book six when it comes out next weekend. Yes, I'll admit it, I love HP. So I was bored and took this online quiz. Very excited to be the wise Albus Dumbeldore. 90% Dumbeldore is a good thing. I get my own pensive. I get to make crazy speeches. Outwit the dark lord. .... But then my next two are a tie between Draco Malfoy and Remus Lupin? Malfoy???? How can that be? Lupin is cool, except for the werewolf thing but I have no desire to be a whiny, sad, death eater in training. Next come Hermione and Ginny. I love Ginny. She picked up some coolness from her brothers and is able to ignore their dorkiness. I can relate!

For those of you who have NO IDEA what I'm talking about ... read the books. Don't see the movies. The books are where it's at and yes, they are worth the hype.

I'm headed out of town to a wedding this weekend. I'll probably check in Sunday night.
Peace out,
Susan
******************************************************************
Your Harry Potter Alter Ego Is…?
You scored as Albus Dumbledore. Strong and powerful you admirably defend your world and your charges against those who would seek to harm them. However sometimes you can fail to do what you must because you care too much to cause suffering.

Albus Dumbeldore 90%
Draco Malfoy 80%
Remus Lupin 80%
Hermione Granger 75%
Ginny Weasley 70%
Harry Potter 65%
Severus Snape 65%
Ron Weasley 60%
Sirius Black 50%
Lord Voldemort 5%

Your Harry Potter Alter Ego Is...? created with QuizFarm.com

Where's the Sorting hat when you need it?

Probably some sort of blasphemy or sacrilegious thought, but the idea came to me today that wouldn't it be great if there was some sort of Sorting Hat for religious life like the one that helps the students at Hogwarts discern which school house is for them? That's a Harry Potter reference for those not in the know.

Wishful thinking I know. Guess I'll just have to rely on time and the Holy Spirit..... And work own ability to be attentive and patient.

The Weekend was restful and rejuvinating. Whether or not this particular community is for me (or the other one I'm considering for that matter), each visit with Sisters further confirms my suspicions that I'll make more sense in religious life. I feel at home staying in a simple room, sharing meals and prayer. And I'm always impressed with the vibrancy, spirit and committment to doing God's work and serving God's people. I'm more and more convinced that this is the life I'm programmed for. Now I "just" need to find the community for me, with the help of prayer rather than a sorting hat I suppose.

Can't believe it's almost Christmas. Talk about a whirlwind Advent. And I haven't even decorated or bought presents this year! Glad I decided to simplify, not sure how I would have fit that in!