Paula Hummel and I grew up less than a hundred miles apart in the Upper Midwest. (Me about ten years before her, but does that really matter? Not to me!) We have some other similarities in our backgrounds, but it’s the way Paula lives her faith today that inspires me. She’s a devoted wife and mother. In her part-time job at Catholic Charities, she works to get donations for St. Margaret of Cortona Family Transitional Housing, which helps homeless families get back to independence after emergency shelters.Paula and I are among the organizers for this month’s Future with Hope Catholic Women’s Conference, and I have gained a great appreciation for her unflappability in situations that seem like crises to me. Paula reminds me to trust in the Lord and not myself when things don’t go as I anticipate.
Which of your friends inspires yout?
Hi Melanie!
So excited to hear through this email that Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity is going to be canonized this month! She was our 2014 Catholic Women’s Conference Patron Saint . . . the same year you were one of our speakers! I love how there are always connections.
The friend who has inspired me greatly this month is my c0-CWC Committee member, Laura Garza. Laura provides all the music for our conferences the past 3 years and has a beautiful voice. She has been asked this year to step on the coordinating side of the music instead of the performing side. This is a huge disappointment for her and it pains her greatly, yet she said yes because she said, “Firstly, I am a servant of God and it is all about what He asks of me.” She has inspired me to take a deeper look at what exactly God is asking of me and not what I think or want Him to ask of me. Because of her, I was also able to make a very painful choice that calls me to put myself last. I am grateful to God for so great a friend He has blessed me with. Thank you!
Nan, I thought the same thing when I heard about Elizabeth of the Trinity! AND–a new friend of mine from our diocesan office is actually going to be at the canonization!!! Can’t wait to hear about it when she returns.
I am there with you on the putting ourselves last. I have been reflecting on how considering myself inadequate and a failure is a false pride and as displeasing as the times I think I’m all that. What a blessing our friends are in the way we see our Lord through them!