The Pope's in Rome and all is well.

Today, we have a new Pope, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

What an interesting time we live in...

Favorite moments of the day:

Mama calling on the phone: "We have a Pope! We have a Pope!"

Me: "Who?"

Mama: "I don't know yet, I'll call you back."

Sean's phone message: "There's white smoke and bells. We have a Pope, Sarah! We have a Pope! "

Later in the day, talking to Sean: "I'm hanging my Vatican flag out the window right now! Just a second!" Seriously, he has a Vatican flag - how cool is that?


on a secular (almost) note- Sean on New Orleans, "It's easy to be Catholic by day but really hard by night." :

Me: "So, you had fun in the den of sin?"

Sean: "Oh, yeah, I mean Bourbon Street's the doorway to Hell, but I still had a good time."

This message has been edited for space...just remember that Best Buy has horrible customer service, and I don't like them anymore. Thanks.

I'm in a New York state of mind...

8 minute dating

It was better than trying to meet someone in a crowded bar (not that I go in those places, but it's the best example I have), because there was no loud music or time spent yelling into someone's ear, and no one was getting particularly drunk, always a good thing. The only guy I'm seriously considering looks like Ryan Seacrest (but with dark hair) and is a total player, but he's not like a lech or a skeezy guy. I can't believe I'm even considering this. I've said it outloud and said, "Yeah, but it might be fun to play with him," but when I see it in writing, I just know it's wrong. Can you imagine? Me? Intentionally going out with a player? Seems wrong, right? Or maybe just have some fun? Okay, so I already know what I'll decide, but it's fun to pretend I'm a character on Sex & The City for just a moment, instead of nice little Catholic girl who believes that it's best to "treat every date as a future mate" (corny enough for you?).

I do have to say, for the record, that it was actually very nice to be flirted with, for people to tell me I'm full of energy and have a great smile...to be the one across the room that a guy is watching. It was nice to feel beautiful for once!

So, there's the run down, now go laugh amongst yourselves.

I am angry that the San Francisco Chronicle was full of bad things to say about the Holy Father.

I got chills seeing the flag at half mast.

I am shocked that the major news networks have given up covering all other news and are on Pope Coverage 24/7.

I miss the Pope.

I worry for the future of the Church.

Did I mention I miss the Pope? How am I supposed to just accept someone new in a few weeks? He's all I've ever known!! He was an amazing moving force in Catholicism:

* He apologized to the Jews for the Church's inaction during WWII
* He traveled the world
* He grew up in Poland - that country loved him so much.
* He made sure that the Blessed Virgin Mary remained one of the centerpieces of Church doctrine.
* He loved us all.

Someone on the news said today that Catholics have been orphaned. We have lost our earthly father. What happens next?

I miss the Pope, but he looks so peaceful lying in state. He is at rest in the arms of the Mother of us all.

I miss the Pope.

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help or sought your intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother;
to you do I come,
before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, our beloved Pope, our wonderous, generous, marvelous Pope, passed into Heaven and into the arms of Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary at 9:37 p.m. today in Vatican City.