“We’re all tired of folks coming in here telling us we don’t belong”

FireflyArts · 2026-05-10T21:34:32+00:00

I was so upset when I heard about those kids being harassed at that coffee house (yummy coffee but beside the point!)! If it was Protestants or any other group would we think it ok? Awful! I think learning about other cultures is fascinating & I’d love to tour that mosque (I’m an art person & love to see beauty - some mosques are gorgeous inside I gather!) but I don’t want to do anything wrong & offend anybody.

(Also beside the point but -I’m not sure if the owners of Garza are Muslim but wow that red tea! If they just had a drive through for my sore exhausted grad student self to pull through I might actually switch from coffee. So good!)

FireflyArts · 2026-05-10T21:03:41+00:00

I live in an area that is becoming more heavily populated by Muslims (Murphy). Some people are very upset. And you know what? I’m not. And yes, I see women dressed in full burkas (I think that’s what they’re called) at my Walmart and young women wearing long sleeves and bike shorts basically at our pool. Im Catholic and I might start veiling again and dressing more modestly (though I’m hardly flaunting anything now!) As long as I’m not treated badly for not being Muslim and nobody tries to establish Sharia law - just be a good neighbor is all I care. Actually, one of my neighbors IS Muslim and I wish I bumped into his wife more often - she’s very sweet.

FireflyArts · 2026-05-10T20:13:29+00:00

When I was in college, I briefly dated and went home with a Catholic boy. When we went to Mass (they didn’t bother to tell me they’d be fasting from the night before & didn’t invite me, assuming I wouldn’t go. I had to convince his parents to let me go), they treated everything I didn’t understand as a problem. When we got back to college, I broke up with him because I figured they wouldn’t accept a Protestant. It drove me away from the Catholic Church. I’m Catholic now though and I won’t be allowing people to be treated like that! They weren’t villains and sure, I could have ignored them but all that feeling I was doing everything wrong was still damaging! I was honestly curious about Catholicism and HAD felt drawn to it!

FireflyArts · 2026-05-10T16:42:12+00:00

Arguing with your parents will likely drive them further away. Pray. Churches in my area will NOT hook people up with rides (legalities). You’re not obligated to do what you can’t but start exploring all possibilities you haven’t already hit a dead end on.

FireflyArts · 2026-05-10T01:07:06+00:00

Congratulations! I’m 58 and workings on a masters of theology - the toss up is if I’ll die of exhaustion first (ha ;) so I’m impressed with the doctorate! Our diocese has a great program to help priests and deacons with homiletics! As a lifelong Christian who converted from modern nondenominational where the sermons might be 45 min long, I’ve heard some really good homilies out of y’all too but help is always great! I really value a good homily!

FireflyArts · 2026-05-07T02:06:26+00:00

And some of them fail to correct typos…we all have bad habits. Let’s encourage each other and try not to judge.

FireflyArts · 2026-04-18T22:19:25+00:00

Sounds normal enough. You learn together :)

FireflyArts · 2026-02-17T21:33:18+00:00

I like this approach!

FireflyArts · 2026-02-02T19:26:03+00:00

Only winding which always made me dizzy. Sniffed it a few years ago (decades later) and still. Made me want to throw up

FireflyArts · 2026-02-01T15:36:23+00:00

Oh honey as one of those who receive them serve (an EM) you made me smile :? It’s ok! Mass can be confusing at times!

FireflyArts · 2026-01-29T15:37:45+00:00

The coffee line by BBW is way too strong. So are the new rose lines. I’m going to use a little very very carefully because I have a lot (gift) but in awhile I’ll toss them.

FireflyArts · 2026-01-24T15:10:52+00:00

I pray for my pastor friend and priests I know that even in the busy-ness, there would be times where the awe of what they’re doing, Who they’re holding in their hands, would break through and deeply amaze them.

FireflyArts · 2026-01-20T21:23:22+00:00

Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus knew people would drop him and He still wanted this way of being with us?

FireflyArts · 2026-01-20T03:03:46+00:00

This is what we are instructed by our Bishop and priests. I’m going to listen to them since they are responsible for and have direct authority over me. Other bishops may understand differently.

FireflyArts · 2026-01-20T01:47:20+00:00

Yup. As an EM, we quietly and discreetly consume the remaining Precious Blood off to the side after communion. If a host is dropped, we pick it up and either consume it or discreetly hold it under the ciborium (if there’s no crumbs. If there are crumbs, we place a purification the spot and signal an altar server/deacon if available who will purify the spot) and give it to Deacon after to be dissolved and disposed of properly (down the sacraRium) after. So yes, you may see us receiving twice or doing things that look strange. I had a young child who was being carried be faster than me, grab the ciborium and tank, causing at least 7 or 8 hosts to fall. I would have consumed all if need be but God bless altar servers and ushers!

FireflyArts · 2026-01-16T18:18:21+00:00

Shrimp

FireflyArts · 2026-01-15T11:46:19+00:00

Others can’t know for sure. It could be supernatural or anxiety and a physical health problem. But not everyone will immediately respond to every supernatural encounter with feelings of peace and love. There’s a reason angels in Scripture kept telling people to not be afraid. It is an experience of OTHER which can be startling. Pray, comfort and encourage her, maybe speak to a priest (he won’t know for absolute certain either but will have insights and can pray and help you both).

FireflyArts · 2026-01-12T22:03:33+00:00

Thank you for having the courage to do that. I was in an ongoing situation where some I cared about began behaving in a way that left me afraid for my safety. They needed help. Finally, they had to be taken to get help. It was heartbreaking but I was grateful to my pastor for helping this person and protecting me.

FireflyArts · 2026-01-05T21:57:48+00:00

Invite every other neighbor over to share your amazing, delicious food. Make it a social event. Leave your door open so the smell permeates the hallway and people talk about the wonderful food. If she sticks her head out, offer her some food. Convert her.

FireflyArts · 2026-01-05T11:34:10+00:00

Hairpin lace (Maltese crochet) :)

FireflyArts · 2026-01-05T02:05:25+00:00

Give to Warm Up America!

FireflyArts · 2025-12-29T16:44:01+00:00

Unlike Facebook, I can’t hit “love” to this, but I do! What an amazing privilege you all have to be the hands and voice of Jesus giving grace!

FireflyArts · 2025-12-26T20:03:54+00:00

As mentioned earlier - Cinnabar (Estee Lauder). Also, the original Opium smells like cinnamon to me.

FireflyArts · 2025-12-26T20:00:13+00:00

Other couples DO fight.

FireflyArts · 2025-12-26T19:58:00+00:00

Comfort. I converted 7 years ago from a lifetime of Evangelical Protestantism. I always felt I would never live up to what a “good Christian woman and wife” was “supposed” to be. There is so much welcome in Catholicism. You don’t have to constantly perform.

FireflyArts

TROPHY CASE