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It’s Game Day here at the Catholic Carnival. There are a few of you who might not be very surprised, given my *ahem* obsession with *ahem* a certain college team. (And my husband’s modest fanaticism with all things pigskin.) I got to go and bask in Game Day festivities a few weeks ago, and even with my manatee discomfort and the scalp sunburn, it was worth every minute.

It’s not just about my team (though my pictures all come from a library that seems to, well, have a certain bias to it). It’s about the Game, about the people all crammed in there, about the tradition. It’s about something bigger than any one of us, about going together to the same place (or joining in spirit if we can’t be there), about who we are. This week, let’s come to the Catholic Carnival and think about our faith, about Who we serve, about just what we can give. In the process of wandering around during Game Day, I think you’ll find yourself growing and finding more than a few kindred souls. I think you’ll find the posts in this week’s Carnival a Game Day worthy of a national championship!

Before we start with the Game Day, though, we need to pause for a moment, as we raise the flag. It’s a day to remember today, and we don’t want to forget to offer our prayers for the victims and the families of September 11.

If you find, after enjoying the fun here, that you’re inspired to learn more about the Catholic Carnival, you’ll find all the information here. There’s a submission form that’s easy to use, and let me just put a plug in for hosting (don’t say you can’t do it until you try it, OK?).

Now, let’s toss the coin and get going!

Touchdown

These are the posts that made me hold up my arms vertically and shout “TOUCHDOWN!” and jump up and down wildly as I hugged anyone within reach. You don’t get much more Catholic Carnival than these posts. They’re so Catholic Carnival they just about bleed scarlet and gray (or whatever our colors are, though I’m pretty sure they’re scarlet and gray, aren’t they?).

“The Adventure of the Creed” at Deep Furrows: A Chesterton quote and a Credo from the Coronation Mass. Really. Go now and see for yourself!

“Christ is Present in the Storm” at Domestic Vocation: Worries and storms and too much to carry, oh my! Christine closes her eyes and grabs the hem of His robe and takes us all on a journey of wisdom. TOUCHDOWN, indeed!

“Make Your Day Rosy – Leaving a Positive Touch on the Lives of Others” at My Domestic Church: Remembering a friend, Elena shares a snapshot of life that is an example for each of us to follow.

“To Whom Shall We Go?” at Et Tu?: Jen reflects on the dry spell she experienced in the years she was converting to Catholicism.

“If God Loves Me, Why Do I Hurt So Much?” at Streams of Mercy: It’s one of the great ironies of the human condition, that the amount of time spent pondering a decision is seldom proportionate to its long-term significance. The special dress you spent weeks finding, altering, and accessorizing is but a page in some dusty scrapbook. One impulsive passionate interlude, on the other hand, can have life-long repercussions. And with that, you begin a story that will take you on a journey that might just make you stop and think. And then think some more. And when you’re done thinking, maybe you’ll say a little prayer like I did.

TBDBITL (The Best Darn Band in the Land)

Full of brass and bright reflection of sunlight, TBDBITL is my favorite part of football games. I see those crisp uniforms and that sharp formation and the shiny instruments winking on the field and I just long to wear spats myself, even though I don’t play an instrument. My hands start clapping of their own accord, and I’m singing-screaming the songs off-key and bouncing up and down and pretty much scaring anyone who knows me. (And he still married me!) These posts are the kind that you’ll love, and the variety that should just be read. Period. Go. Read. You’ll see why.

“Remembering Generous, Invisible Moms” at Mommy Monsters, Inc.: Spending three days in the hospital gave Heidi a new appreciation for the importance her invisibility plays for her family. But it also gave her a chance to appreciate just how open and generous and invisible all women can be, even those who don’t have large families or, perhaps, any children. A lovely piece that will give you the chills just like the up-and-down of the brass on the field does.

“My Story: An Appalling Lack of Humility” at Postscripts from the Catholic Spitfire Grill: So many people from the Catholic Spitfire Grill* asked for Red Neck Woman’s conversion story that, well, she wrote it. And YOU should read it…not just because you’ll nod along and relate, but because it’s beautifully written and, like so many things RNW writes, just fun to read. (Sorry, RNW. I guess a story that you preface by calling “pathetic” shouldn’t seem fun to read, should it?) *linked because I joined not so long ago, and have been meaning to share it – and why not share it here, when I have your attention?

“Mother Teresa Roundup” at CatholicLand!: Nuff said. Enough linking to keep me busy for…oh, the rest of the night.

The Wave

Who starts the wave anyway? Oh yeah, the student section. Gotta love those students. Is there anything they won’t do? Sha! There’s a LOT. The student section of the Catholic Carnival is the spirit of what it’s all about. These are the folks who are on fire, and who are out there starting waves in the stadium. Pay attention. There are big things going on, and these posts are right on top of them.

“OBL Opportunity” at Kicking Over My Traces: Lest you (or anyone you know) think Osama is making sense, cehwiedel sets you straight, point by point. It’s apologetics, with chocolate on top.

“Creighton U’s Unfortunate History of Dissent” at AmericanPapist: There’s a track record at Creighton University, and AmericanPapist has rolled it all out, along with the developing controversy and the unfortunate facts. Reading this – and paying attention to a Catholic university in my area that has a habit of putting practicing Catholics up in arms at least yearly with their choice of speakers – I have to wonder, yet again…what were they THINKING?!?

“Observe Mary’s Birthday as a Family” at Living Catholicism: What is a bigger thing than one of the two birthdays that the Church calendar observes? (Hey, I didn’t know that before I read this post! See why you should read this post?)

“Dirty Little Secret” at PhatCatholic Apologetics: Nick is right on top of the latest craze (Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret) and how that latest craze is out of line with orthodox Catholic teaching.

“The Passion of Christopher” at Catholic Fire: Just what do all these people have against Mother Teresa? Ah, yes, well…didn’t Jesus warn us about this? Jean shares a guest author’s rebuttal to that stinkin’ Newsweek article about Mother, and then she lists enough links to burn off another one of my free hours. (Thanks, Jean!)

“A ‘Must-Read’ Article by a Prominent Notre Dame Professor” at Ana Braga-Heneby’s Journal: Worried about the faculty at Catholic universities? Here’s a glimpse of something real happening at Notre Dame.

Scoreboard Antics

Some people can watch the field and know what’s going on. Others (not that I know anyone like this) watch the scoreboard for the neat graphics, replays, and integrated marketing techniques. (Do you know how much money went into that thing? It’s unbelievable!) These posts are like the scoreboard…they’re interesting and addictive and, if you’re not careful, they’ll convince you to add the blogger to your blogroll and read back posts.

“What Blessed Mother Teresa Can Teach a Suburban Housewife” at cause of our joy: Leticia was asked to serve. She said yes. Little did she know how changed she would become as a result of love.

“Richard P. Fitzsimons – A Hero and Victim of 9-11” at The World…IMHO: Christine shares her memories of Richard and writes a moving tribute that reminds us all to pray and pray and pray.

“Faith and Wisdom” at HMS Blog: Using Sunday’s Mass readings as a starting point, Kevin reminds us that reason alone isn’t enough for our wisdom.

“2nd Anniversary” at Book Reviews and More: Two years online, two years off work, two years recovering from an injury. Steve has a lot to reflect on and a lot of wisdom to share.

“Kids Out of the Nest…It Doesn’t Feel Right” at Embracing Motherhood: Whether you’re tackling a two-year-old terrorist or struggling with the nest adjustments that come from the ducklings flying off, whether you’re longing for the blessing of little lives or reflecting on how very brief they are, there’s something in this post for you.

The Stadium

Knowing that the stadium has been around so long – even if it is newly renovated and freshly changed – makes every game a coming-home experience. Students and alum share the bond of the place, no matter what the game itself is. It reminds me somewhat of how I feel when I walk into a Catholic church, even a new one…there’s a continuity there that extends behind me and far past me. I am just a point on the continuum, and the continuum is so much bigger and better than me. These posts reflect that timelessness, that tradition, that beauty.

“A Feast Just Like Heaven’s” at www.joysoriano.com: Here’s a thought: maybe Heaven will be a feast that is hosted by children who, in the end, are honored by the honor they pay to the Host. Joice presents a picture of the Feast that’s worth savoring.

“Workplace Spirituality: 400 Years Later and Still Searching” at HerbEly: You don’t have to work for a parish to consider the “theology of work” something worth knowing more about. What? You haven’t thought about that? Well, you SHOULD. So get on over and read what Herb has to say, or rather quote, from Frances de Sales and other great authors. The search is on for a theology of work that’s relevant to us, here, now, and Herb’s on top of it.

“Our Lady of America” at causa nostrae laetitiae: The best way to commemorate 9/11? Let’s try a prayer for the intercession of Our Lady of America, but not before we read Leticia’s short but powerful post telling us why this apparition is so relevant to us now.

“Booming Away at Mass” at A Third Way: Sometimes, we don’t appreciate that devout grandfather until he’s gone. Melissa reflects on how her late grandfather continues to inspire her (and in the process, she’ll inspire you).

“A Word about Mother Teresa” at A Catholic Mom Climbing the Pillars: Are you feeling like you just can’t get away from Mother Teresa this week? And are you enjoying it as much as I am? :) Here’s a great reflection on silence (and the beauty of impulse purchasing at a large bookstore), by none other than Mother Teresa.