Chapter 1

It was Christmas Eve at the Mcoy house and Diana felt another argument coming on from her mother and her sister was away unable to support Diana with the opposing viewpoint.

" I just don't understand how the Church would do such a thing, I just don't know if I can go to Mass tonight or ever again."

"Then don't Mom", declared Diana.

"But will I burn in Hell then,or is the Church in the wrong and I, the right? I have trouble thinking they could be right, I hope they are wrong."

Religion and politics had become a polarizing topic in the Mcoy household,especially since the Catholic Church had made some changes that were seen as modernizing, some of the theological stances were not known to many in the pews, but the change of the Mass from Latin to the local language was something seen by Mass goers across the world, as well as the direction the priest faced during the Mass. That among other changes made Rita Mcoy furious and questioning if she could stay Catholic. Diana's dad didn't see any harm in the changes, after all if the Pope and church officials from all around the world had come to this consensus, it couldn't be that bad, right? Diana welcomed the changes as a breath of fresh air, and was very excited by what the priest and students at her faith community at Kent State called the spirit of Vatican II (another name for the Second Vatican Council that had transpired.)

"Mother, change is something that happens. It's not a horrid curse. I don't think Jesus cares if the priest faces a different direction, if the Mass is in English or if I don't want to wear a chapel veil or that I prefer to receive communion in the hand. I don't think ecumenicism is a bad thing,but I know you do disagree with these changes. Whatever you do, I beg you don't leave the Church,especially not tonight Mother. Jesus must want us to celebrate his birth in peace tonight."

"Very well put Diana, now let's go to Mass." Her father, Walter was good at defusing tension.

After receiving Jesus in the Eucharist that night Diana prayed for peace in her family on what was supposed to be a holiday of peace and love.

The next day her sister,Anne who was a candidate, the first step in becoming a religious Sister with an order of Franciscans in Wisconsin,came home. She was also attending the college they ran and staffed.

"Oh, Anne,I'm so glad you are here. Mom is being so terribly divisive,it's horrible."

"I've been praying for you all. It's difficult when tension has to come at this time of year. How's school for you,are you happy?"

"Oh very, falling in love with William, literature, music and the Newman Center is splendid. I'm song leader at the evening Folk Mass. Have you heard of Ray Repp or the Medical Mission Sisters,such splendid music, especially when working with the children of Grad students, former students and faculty members. I love it when my roommate leads the singing at the Children's Mass. Children are adorable, especially when they are someone else's. Come, help me keep the peace while we open gifts."

Diana was hoping her mother's ideology would stay away in gift giving. Anne had to smile and resist her urge to roll her eyes, when she saw her Mom gave her a copy of the book A Nun's Story.

"Mother, that's very nice, but religious life has changed so much since then so has mental health treatment."

"How would you know,aren't you in a nursing order with a normal hospital?"

"Mother, many are but more of us are broadening our scope as what we do as an order. Instead of being assigned a job,we've begun to discern where God is calling us with the head of our order's approval and lots of prayer.."

"There won't be any nurses left then!"

"Others are perfectly capable, Mother. I wasn't finished. After lots of prayerful discernment I have decided to study psychology and perhaps psychiatry if I feel working with medications appeals to me."

"Good heavens Anne, that's not very respectable, if I were to tell people you worked with crazy people.."

"Rita have some compassion, after all your own Mother is.."

"Walter, how dare you bring my mother into this, she is in a better place."

"Mother, for goodness sakes, she's not dead, just in a psychiatric hospital." Exclaimed Anne.

Diana could not stand it any longer and the student with plans to double major in vocal performance and English literature sang a piercing high C.

"Enough everyone, is this what Christmas is supposed to be like? The holy family is probably shaking their heads at us right now. Let's move on to the next gift."

Little did they know that the next gift would bring more division.

"I've decided to get one for each of you. I hope you see these words as prophetic." Rita gave everyone a heavy square package they assumed was a book.

Walter was the first to speak in an almost scolding tone, when he saw what it was writings of a self proclaimed seer of her supposed messages from the Virgin Mary.

"Didn't the bishop say there isn't any proof this happened."

"What does he know, he likes that Second Vatican Council. I believe they happened and probably Mary said every word in these books. You must tell everyone these messages. Or even move and join her followers."

"Oh Mom, the current bishop and doctors had her hospitalized and didn't see the wounds she claimed that appeared on Good Friday of our Lord's suffering on the cross. She was diagnosed with.."

"Is that what those Sisters are teaching you. That's she's a fake,Anne."

"Rita please, it's Christmas."

"Mom, I don't think I like what this lady has to say,but one of the things I have learned at college is to use critical thinking skills and listen to the views of others, so I'll read it" said Diana.

"Me to,Mom."

" I guess I will too,Rita. Diana and Anne have a good idea" decided Walter.

Anne spent the whole week home before going back to the motherhouse of her order. The young ladies were intrigued by the supposed messages of the Virgin Mary they read.

"It's like a religious version of Senator Mcarthy's Red Scare. Thousands of priests are communist spies? Such hate for the new Mass and Second Vatican Council." Anne wondered if the woman was mentally ill.

"And talk of the end times. I just read that a spaceship lead by an Angel named Alex will take the followers to middle earth when the word ends." Diana said trying not to laugh loud in case her Mom heard.

"My word, Alex? Middle Earth? But she couldn't read Tolkien,because this writing is.."

"Like someone who never went beyond Jr. High."

"Exactly Diana, she and mother need our prayers and Grandma Como too, I think I'll visit her before returning to La Crosse."

"How very brave, she's never met you."

"Schizophrenia or not, she is family."

"If I ever get it will you be there for me?"

"Of course, Diana. I've had that same fear,but on a happier note Tolkien has lots of Catholic symbolism for you to analyze."

"Really, I usually don't like anything from this century, but I'll check it out after I read Margery Kempe. Do you promise what you said about..?"

"Yes, I do. I won't leave and not visit you in 30 years, like Mom did with Grandma."

" Merry Christmas, Anne, sweet dreams."

"You too Anne."

It was a bittersweet Christmas, but they knew they had each other and were very blessed.