13 Comments
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Deb Romano's avatar

Thank you! Thank you! There’s so much “meat” in this essay.

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Kristin Haakenson's avatar

You're so kind, Deb! I'm delighted to hear you enjoyed this...I really love wrestling through these feasts and learn so much as I sit with them and celebrate them. Thanks for your kindness!

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A Catholic Pilgrim's avatar

Lovely, thanks. My garlic is also up and today I noticed the hazel catkins on the branches, all ready for spring.

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Kristin Haakenson's avatar

I love that we're garlic twins across the pond! :) Now I need to go peek at our hazels as well...honestly, I had never noticed these midwinter buds until St. Andrew sent me a-lookin'.

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Catherine Nunan's avatar

How interesting it is to learn all these new things, let alone about an Apostle whom we hear little of. Yet it seems that the liturgical year starts with his holy day. Seeing your photos and the various texts that inform your post, it really is impossible to see how we can make sense of these feasts in the Southern Hemisphere. They simply do not relate at all. This is a sorrow that I’ve been feeling more deeply this year. Not a criticism or anything in that light but an honest acknowledgment that it’s a difficulty. Thank you for your posts, as always.

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Kristin Haakenson's avatar

It really amazes me how little we know about such important figures in our faith history - and honestly, it's only been since immersing myself in the Church calendar that I feel like I've really "known" this people when I meet them in Scripture!

And oh my friend, I feel this dissonance of seasonality SO keenly for you - obviously I can't relate to this experientially, since Southern Hemisphere living is just outside of my actual experience...but, as I ponder and write about these seasonal connections, that dynamic is always on my mind. I'm going to hop over to Notes with some more thoughts!

Thank you for your kind words as always, dear kindred!

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Catherine Nunan's avatar

They are important figures in our church and faith history and I can understand that you would be learning prodigious amounts about these key details…as well as the ordinary, everyday life.

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Carolyn MK's avatar

I was wondering what to do with all the garlic cloves I overbought for Thanksgiving…

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Kristin Haakenson's avatar

St. Andrew to the rescue!!

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Jill Warner's avatar

Beautiful, just what I needed this evening!

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Kristin Haakenson's avatar

Aw, thank you Jill! I'm so glad it hit at the right time. :)

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Mairi Bontorno's avatar

Thank you for this - the scriptures and poems, beautifully relating Andrew's story and connection to Advent.

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Kristin Haakenson's avatar

I'm so glad you enjoyed, Mairi...there's such an incredible wealth of poetry for feast days out there!

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