Jacques Chirac made me late for Mass...

For many of you, the most surprising part of today's post title is that I was off to Catholic Mass in the first place. The President of France making me plus tard is of secondary importance.

I've been thinking back on my life and times in the past 32 years, and have decided to give Catholicism another go. After a couple of years spent bucking the church and its backwards philosophy, archaic ideals, and various other "troubles," I've realized something: there is something is lacking in my spiritual life, and I miss being a practicing Catholic. When you are raised in a certain religion, I believe it remains forever a part of who you are, whether you choose to continue with its practice or not. Sure, I don't agree with a lot of the Roman Catholic Church's politics, choices, or opinions. It pisses me off that women can only take a supporting role, and that covering up for a small corrupt percentage of church officials is still in practice. Sadly though, I am afraid it is not only the Catholic Church that is plagued by these problems.

The fact that remains with me is this: I am Catholic. At Mass, I feel at peace, and I can actually let go of the constant anxiety and worries that seem to plague me day in and day out. I feel I am giving one hour a week to bettering myself through communion with others sharing a faith. They may have different ideas about the world, and a less-openminded attitude towards others who make different choices and have different perspectives than their own. They may not. Catholics have a reputation for being narrow-minded and intolerant of those who deviate outside of what they consider to be the true and righteous path. I attend Mass with these people, and shake their hands when it comes time to say: "Peace be with you." Though there may be those who are these judgemental sort seated next to me in the pew, I don't mind. It is only through remaining part of the Catholic faith that those of us who do have a more broadminded view on the world and personal choice can enact change in those who are open to it. By being a practicing Catholic that can also live a life that is based on tolerance and open-mindedness, one can show others that just like there are different kinds of cultures all around the world, there are different kinds of Catholics as well. And as I explore making Catholicism a regular part of my life again, this is what I intend to do.

That is, of course, if Jacques Chirac and his enormous French motorcade don't stop traffic every Sunday morning as I am on my way to Mass.

His inconsiderateness was almost enough to keep me from moving to Paris for the summer.

Almost.