Moon Memories and Musings
Exciting News about the Moon
The moon captured the attention of most people lately because of the historic journey to it four astronauts made. Like me, as the Artemis 11 capsule surrounded by flames sped 24,000 mph at 5000 degrees for an ocean landing, you probably held your breath. Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen are our newest heroes.
The astronauts spoke some poignant words when they were safe at home. In case you missed them…
Reid said, “It’s a special thing to be human—and a special thing to be on planet Earth.”
Victor said, “I wanted to thank God in public, and I want to thank God again.”
Christina described a crew and then said, “Planet Earth, you are a crew.”
Jeremy spoke of gratitude, the joy train, and love.
The crew had some firsts: They traveled 250,000 miles from Earth. They saw the dark side of the moon as well as a solar eclipse as the moon passed between them and the sun.
The whole experience of the journey around our closest neighbor in the solar system and its stunning sights lifts our hearts to the Creator!
Our Natural Satellite and Us
The moon has always fascinated people. It represents beauty and calm. A site on YouTube lists 62 best moon songs. For decades a national dream has been to go to the moon. Then finally the Apollo 11 crew landed on it. I remember watching it.
Do you recall the excitement generated by the solar eclipse of April 8, 2024? Wearing special glasses, we had our eyes glued to the sky.
I love to see a full moon, especially a huge orange one on the horizon. The full moon of each month from January to December has a name: Wolf, Snow, Worm, Pink, Pink Flower, Strawberry, Buck, Sturgeon, Harvest, Hunting, Beaver, and Cold.
The moon influences us. Its gravity creates tides and influences migration and mating rituals. Some people think it affects our emotions too. There is moon gazing therapy, but no proof that it works. Luna was the Roman goddess of the moon, the basis of words like lunar and lunatic. The Greek name was Selene, who pulled the moon across the sky in her chariot.
Our Partner in Space in Our Language
“Moonwalk dance” “Moon pie” “Love you to the moon and back.” “I’m over the moon.” “He’s mooning over her.” “Many moons ago” “to moon someone” “Honeymoon.”
Facts about Our Moon
Our solar system has more than 200 moons. Ours is fifth in size.
The moon doesn’t make its own light but reflects sunlight. That is why it is a symbol for Mary, who reflects the light of God.
The lunar surface is pocked with craters made by asteroids and comets. Besides craters, there are about 18 mountain ranges on it.
The cycle of the moon’s phases takes more than 29 days. The 13th full moon can be seen every 2 ½ years and called a blue moon. The next one is in May.
Formerly it was thought that the moon was a chunk of Earth broken off by an asteroid, but the two bodies don’t have the same basic materials.
The dark spots on the moon, some of which we discern as the Man in the Moon and the Japanese see a rabbit, are caused by the impact of comets. The dark spots are called marias, Latin for seas. A thin layer of dust surrounds the moon, kicked up by comets.
The moon’s gravity is about 1/6 of Earth’s. It also has a very thin atmosphere.
In 2018 water ice was discovered in craters on the unlit side. In 2020 water was found on the sunlit side.
The moon spins slowly and follows an elliptical path, so sometimes it appears closer.
For Thought
Just before the 40-minute communications blackout on the far side of the moon, Victor Glover said, “As we continue to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos, I would like to remind you of one of the most important mysteries there on Earth. And that’s love.”
• What is your favorite moon song?
• Where were you for the solar eclipse in 2024?
Here is a rendition of my favorite moon song. The video is overlaid with tidbits of information about how this song came to be. Enjoy!
Wit and Wisdom, a Wise Easter Gift
Wise sayings flood the Internet. Every day I post a cartoon on Facebook. For this holy, happy Easter Week, I am sharing one I posted that is not a picture, but a list of sayings that might make you smile or scratch your head. Humor adds joy to life. Enjoy these:
Still trying to get my head around the fact that ‘Take Out’ can mean food, dating, or murder.
Dear paranoid people who check behind their shower curtains for murderers: If you do find one, what’s your plan?
The older I get, the more I understand why roosters scream to start their day.
Being popular on Facebook is like sitting at the ‘cool table’ in the cafeteria of a mental hospital.
You know you’re over 50 when you have ‘upstairs ibuprofen’ and ‘downstairs ibuprofen.’
How did doctors come to the conclusion that exercise prolongs life, when…the rabbit is always jumping but only lives for around two years, and…the turtle that doesn’t exercise at all lives over 200 years. So, rest, chill, eat, drink, and enjoy life!
I too was once a male trapped in a female body…but then my mother gave birth.
If only vegetables smelled as good as bacon.
When I lost the fingers on my right hand in a freak accident, I asked the doctor if I would still be able to write with it. He said, “Possibly, but I wouldn’t count on it.”
I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise. But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.
Anyone who says their wedding was the best day of their life has clearly never had two candy bars fall down at once from a vending machine.
We live in a time where intelligent people are silenced so that stupid people won’t be offended.
The biggest joke on mankind is that computers have begun asking humans to prove they aren’t a robot.
When a kid says “Daddy, I want mommy” that’s the kid version of “I’d like to speak to your supervisor.”
It’s weird being the same age as old people.
Just once, I want a username and password prompt to respond “CLOSE ENOUGH.”
Last night the internet stopped working so I spent a few hours with my family. They seem like good people.
If Adam and Eve were Cajuns they would have eaten the snake instead of the apple and saved us all a lot of trouble.
We celebrated last night with a couple of adult beverages …… Metamucil and Ensure.
You know you are getting old when friends with benefits means knowing someone who can drive at night.
Weight loss goal: To be able to clip my toenails and breathe at the same time.
After watching how some people wore their masks, I understand why contraception fails.
Some of my friends exercise every day. Meanwhile I am watching a show I don’t like because the remote fell on the floor.
For those of you that don’t want Alexa or Siri listening in on your conversation, they are making a male version; it doesn’t listen to anything.
I just got a present labeled, ‘From Mom and Dad,’ and I know darn well that Dad has no idea what’s inside.
Now that Covid has everyone washing their hands correctly…next week…Turn Signals.
The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The realist adjusts his sails.
There’s a fine line between a numerator and a denominator. Only a fraction of people will find this funny.
Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.
I have many hidden talents. I just wish I could remember where I hid them.
My idea of a Super Bowl is a toilet that cleans itself.
Exercise helps you with decision-making. It’s true. I went for a run this morning and decided I’m never going again.
Which of these sayings do you identify with?
Which one do you like best?
Comedians like late night hosts make a living by making clever, funny statements. Who is your favorite?
Here is a brief overview of the life of one of America’s wittiest authors:
Self-Care and Mental Health: Why It Matters and How to Start
As we approach Easter Sunday, the celebration of new life, I thought it fitting to post a guest blog by Patricia Sarmiento. She offers practical, tried ways to renew our life on earth. I needed this. May you find it helpful too!
Self-Care Defined
Self-care refers to actions people take to support their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. When practiced consistently, self-care can reduce stress, improve mood, strengthen resilience, and support overall mental health.
Modern Catholic life often pulls attention outward—work, family, parish activities, social justice projects, notifications, deadlines. Without deliberate recovery time, stress accumulates. Chronic stress is associated with anxiety, burnout, irritability, sleep problems, and difficulty concentrating. Self-care interrupts that cycle.
A Quick Overview
- Self-care lowers stress and helps regulate emotions.
- Consistent routines (sleep, movement, connection) improve mental stability.
- Small daily habits are more effective than occasional “big resets.”
- Preventive care supports long-term resilience, not just short-term relief.
Self-care is not indulgence. It is maintenance for your nervous system.
Why Self-Care Supports Mental Health
1. It Regulates Stress Physiology
When you’re stressed, your body activates the sympathetic nervous system—your fight-or-flight response. Gentle, restorative activities (like deep breathing, stretching, or time in nature) activate the parasympathetic system, which calms the body. Over time, this improves emotional balance and reduces reactivity.
2. It Builds Emotional Awareness
Practices such as journaling, therapy, or quiet reflection increase emotional literacy—the ability to recognize and name what you’re feeling. Research in psychology consistently shows that labeling emotions reduces their intensity and improves regulation.
3. It Strengthens Resilience
Resilience is not about avoiding hardship. It’s about recovering effectively. Regular sleep, supportive relationships, and restorative habits increase your capacity to handle stressors.
4. It Improves Mood Through Behavior
Behavioral activation—a therapy principle used in treating depression—shows that purposeful activity can improve mood. Movement, sunlight exposure, creative work, or social connection can gradually elevate emotional state.
What Self-Care Can Look Like
Self-care is personal. There is no universal checklist. However, common categories include:
- Physical care: Sleep, balanced nutrition, movement, hydration
- Emotional care: Therapy, journaling, setting boundaries
- Social care: Meaningful conversations, supportive communities
- Mental care: Reading, learning, limiting media overload
- Spiritual care: Meditation, prayer, time in nature
You do not need to do all of these. Start small.
A Practical Self-Care Reset Checklist
If you feel overwhelmed, try this short reset routine:
- Drink a glass of water.
- Step outside or sit near a window for five minutes.
- Take 10 slow, controlled breaths.
- Write down one worry and one actionable next step.
- Reach out to one supportive person (texting counts).
This five-step reset can reduce acute stress and improve clarity in under 15 minutes.
Stress Reduction Modalities to Consider
There are many evidence-informed ways to lower stress safely. Four alternatives people explore include:
- Mindfulness meditation
- Gentle yoga or breathwork
- Rhodiola rosea
- THCa
Mindfulness and yoga help regulate stress hormones and improve emotional awareness. Rhodiola rosea, an herbal adaptogen, has been studied for fatigue and stress support. Some individuals also explore cannabinoids such as THCa; if researching this option, you may want to consider this resource to better understand available forms and sourcing. As with any supplement, consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.
Mental Health Gains Over Time
Self-care does not always create instant transformation. Instead, it works cumulatively.
| Self-Care Practice | Short-Term Effect | Long-Term Mental Health Benefit |
| Regular sleep schedule | Improved focus next day | Lower anxiety and mood stability |
| Exercise (3–4x weekly) | Mood lift after session | Reduced risk of depression |
| Social connection | Immediate emotional support | Increased resilience |
| Daily journaling | Emotional clarity | Better stress processing |
Consistency is the mechanism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is self-care the same as therapy?
No. Therapy is a structured mental health intervention led by a licensed professional. Self-care complements therapy but does not replace it.
What if I don’t have time?
Self-care does not require hours. Five to fifteen minutes daily can meaningfully affect stress levels.
Can self-care help with anxiety or depression?
It can support symptom management, especially when combined with professional care. However, moderate to severe symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
How do I know what works for me?
Track how you feel before and after activities for two weeks. Patterns will emerge.
A Helpful Mental Health Resource
If you’re looking for structured, credible mental health information, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) provides free, research-based guides on stress, anxiety, depression, and coping strategies. This resource offers educational materials without replacing personalized medical care.
The Problem → Solution → Result Pattern
Problem: Chronic stress and emotional overload weaken mental clarity and resilience.
Solution: Consistent, structured self-care practices tailored to your lifestyle.
Result: Improved emotional regulation, stronger coping capacity, and more stable mental health.
Conclusion
Self-care supports mental health by regulating stress, strengthening resilience, and improving emotional awareness. Small, consistent actions matter more than dramatic changes. Whether you begin with better sleep, short daily resets, or mindful movement, progress builds gradually. Your mental health benefits from steady maintenance, not perfection.
• What have you found helpful in dealing with stress?
Here is one of the many videos that help you relax and soothe you into sleep.
Precious Gift of Life
For three weeks in a row we are celebrating the funeral of a Sister, and some Sisters are under Hospice care, the vestibule to the next world. This is making me more conscious that my life too has an expiration date. It has also heightened my awareness of how precious my life is.
Each morning I wake up to find that my heart is still beating and my lungs are still breathing. I’m alive! I can say with St. Charles de Foucauld, “Lord, one more day to love you!”
Living on Earth
You’ve probably seen photos from the Hubble telescope that show the galaxy Andromeda, the one closest to us. It makes you dizzy. There are billions of stars in it. Beyond that there are zillions of other galaxies. And here we are on tiny planet Earth, just a blue and green speck in the enormous universe, but Earth contains life. It’s a miracle.
Because you are alive, the world is your playground. You are free to explore earth and gaze at wonders like the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and star-studded night skies. You can be astonished by exquisite flowers and enjoy animals like your cat or the giraffe at the zoo.
Your Precious Life
From all eternity God planned to create you. Then at a certain time and place, almighty God loved you into being. A certain woman and a certain man met and came together and gave you a set of genes unlike any other person’s. You are unique. And you are marvelous. Your eyes keep blinking to keep them lubricated. Right now your stomach is digesting your last meal. Put your hand over your heart. It beats more than 100,000 times a day, sending oxygen to cells to keep you alive. And all these things go on without your even thinking about them.
Because you have life, you can thrill to Chopin’s Preludes, run (or walk) with wind blowing through your hair, play pickleball, dance, swim, eat pizza, play the guitar, and read others’ thoughts in books or on Kindles. Because you have life, you can know the satisfaction of mastering algebra and French (well maybe) and learning how to cook and to build a house. You can create things: a new recipe, a song, a computer program, or art. You can imagine, remember, solve problems, and make decisions.
You also have spiritual life and the divine life we call grace. This makes you godlike. You are God’s child with a destiny of living forever completely happy.
Be Loved and Love
What is life’s greatest blessing? Love—the whole spectrum of it. You can know the incredible love of almighty God who not only made you but saved you. You also might experience the love of parents, children, family, and friends. You can also experience the intoxicating joy of being loved by a certain someone. In addition, you are able to love others in return.
How to Use Life
Incredibly God gave us tremendous power over these wonderful lives of ours. We can live them fully. St. Irenaeus pointed out that the glory of God is a human being fully alive. This means using all of our talents and all of our days to the utmost. We can re-gift our lives by turning them into a present to God. As Saint Mother Teresa urged, “Make your lives something beautiful for God.”
On the other hand, we also have power to waste our lives, ruin them, and even destroy them. Doing this is like laughing in our Creator’s face.
Promoting Life
Our Lord Jesus Christ said he came that we might have life and have it abundantly. He passed his baton to his followers, us. If you are baptized, you are called to carry on the mission of Jesus, to bring others life, abundant life. You are called to see that people’s lives are not snuffed out before they leave the womb, that refugees have a safe place to live, that the homeless find food and shelter, that the imprisoned are humanely treated, that the elderly are respected and cared for, and that all people, no matter what their race, religion, or sex, are treated equally.
“Live” spelled backwards spells “evil.” When we do not promote life, our own and others’ lives, we promote evil. If we are not life bringers, then we are death dealers. We spoil God’s creation that he made very good. Promoting life is a form of loving. Isn’t that Jesus’s commandment? “Love one another as I have loved you.” Protecting and nurturing life, loving, is being holy, being like God, because God is love.
Nurturing Life
- First, in order to live fully learn something new. Tap a hidden talent: take up crocheting, learn how to play the tuba, teach yourself Chinese.
- Second, foster life in others in some way. Help in a soup kitchen, participate in a protest march, or just smile at someone.
- Third, plug into the source of all life, God, through prayer. Increase your prayer time by at least five minutes a day. Let God speak to you through his word in Scripture, pray a set prayer like a decade of the Rosary, or just rest in God’s presence.
Your life is in your hands. So what will you do with your one wild and precious life? The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, the counselor dwelling within you, will help you make the right decisions.
What three things do you cherish about your life?
Here is the song “Circle of Life” from the movie “The Lion King.” Put the captions on so you can better reflect on the words:
Listening to God
Listening to God is essential for cultivating the spiritual life. During Lent a frequent refrain is “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts.” God speaks to us through multiple channels. It is dangerous and dumb to put his voice on mute.
Listen to Scripture
The Bible is God’s Word. Sometimes it can strike us like lightning. Our novice directress told us that the readings of the Mass on our birthday might hold a gift from God for us. My heart sank. My birthday was July 29, feast of St. Martha. Jesus chided her for being too busy about many things. So I assumed every year I would be scolded for being a workaholic. But one year I paid attention to the alternate first reading. It was from Jeremiah: “When I found your words, I devoured them. They became my happiness and the joy of my heart.” (Jeremiah 15:16) My adult life has centered on proclaiming and teaching God’s Word.
Even more pointed: During my first year in the convent, I wondered if I should leave as many Sisters were doing back then. In our college chapel, I asked the Lord for advice. Since I was alone, I walked up to the open Bible in front of the chapel and my eyes fell on the passage where Peter asks what they will get for following him. Jesus says to him (and me), “Everyone who has left houses or brother or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my name’s sake will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29) I stayed.
St. Augustine turned his life around and became a bishop after reading, “Let us lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day , not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness…” (Romans 13:12-13)
Listen to Nature
God gave Noah the rainbow as a reminder of his promise. Jesus showed how birds and flowers teach about God’s providence. The buds bursting forth now and the light green haze coloring the forest trees tell us that life follows death. Features in nature speak of their Creator’s qualities: mountains, his majesty and power; daisies, his gentleness; ants, his ingenuity; and platypuses, his sense of humor.
Listen to Other People
God sometimes speaks through others: authority figures, priests, and friends. The other day I was trying to decide if I should give a retreat in Africa. Listening to a Sister’s video about being our next provincial, I heard, “Remember, St. Julie Billiart said, ‘Our hearts must be as wide as the world.” Bingo! I knew what I had to do.
Our Blessed Mother at Fatima told us to pray a rosary daily for peace. What if we all did that?
Listen to Your Heart
God told the prophet Elijah he would reveal himself on a mountain. There was a great wind, an earthquake and a fire. God wasn’t in any of these but in a gentle whisper.
Sometimes a thought flashes through your mind, for example a good deed you could do. Don’t dismiss it. The thought could be a grace, a divine nudge. God might say things like, “Go visit that sick person. Bake cookies for a neighbor. Exercise for ten minutes.” He might even say, “I love you.”
Each evening you might scan the day to pinpoint God’s interior words to you. Consider how you reacted to them.
Messages in Prayer and Hymns
Probably God will not send Angel Gabriel to you as he did for Mary. Chances are he won’t attract you by a supernatural phenomenon like Moses’s burning bush. But in quiet times of prayer, you might hear God convey something to you. Maybe as you sing or listen to a hymn, a certain line will grab your attention.
Lessons in Experiences
Ponder your experiences. Is God telling you something by them? Does a failure mean you are too ambitious? Will the joy you experience after helping a person let you know you should do similar acts of charity more often? Does a friend’s betrayal teach you to be more cautious in choosing those who share your life?
One day I dialed a phone number and a man answered. I identified myself as Sister Kathleen. The man said I had the wrong number. Then he explained he was just sitting there wondering if God really existed. He wished he had a sign. Then I called.
Listen to Dreams
God spoke to Old Testament Joseph and to St. Joseph in dreams. Maybe God revealed something to you in a dream—at least once!
When has God spoken to you through Scripture?
What creature in nature communicates something about God to you?
What good advice are you happy you took?
When have you been glad you listened to the Voice within you?
A Special Video for Lent
I recommended the daily emails from Christian Art that present artwork related to the day’s Gospel along with a reflection by Fr. Patrick van der Vorst. This week he sent a link to the Stations of the Cross he and company produced that is a series of living tableaux. You might find it moving and inspiring:
