Mary's Faith

     Easter morning has dawned. The sadness and sorrow of Good Friday and Easter Saturday have been replaced by the joy of an empty tomb and the Risen Lord. For some, Good Friday and Easter Saturday are quiet and reflective. For others, they try not to think of what happened on those days, and look only to the promise today brings of Everlasting Life. For me, all of those thoughts combine in my mind and heart. However, during Holy Week, I also tend to reflect on Mary's faith.
     We don't know when or how her dear Joseph died. We only know that in Jesus's last moments He is concerned for his mother and asks John the Beloved to care for her. If Joseph were alive this request would not have been needed. We also know Jesus had the power to heal the sick and raise the dead. He had done so for others, many others. Why not Joseph?
     That's where Mary's faith amazes me. She knew of her son's Divine Heritage and power, yet for Joseph, --healing was not to be. Did she wonder why? Did she experience a faith crisis? Was she angry at God? I don't know for certain, but I imagine Mary grieved that the answer to her prayers was a "no." I also believe Mary trusted, loved, hoped, and remembered. She remembered who her Son was. She remained a woman of faith.
For while she was His mother. Mary knew, He was her Redeemer.


     

Purim

Hamantaschen cookies, the traditional treat of Purim

   One of my favorite things about chaplaincy in the residential treatment center setting, is helping my students celebrate the holy days and holidays of their many faith traditions. Today is Purim, the day which commemorates the Jewish people in Persia being saved from extermination. You remember the story. Esther is asked by her cousin to not fully disclose her identity--that of being Jewish. However, through a series of twists and turns in the plot, the time comes where Esther is counseled by her cousin Mordecai to no longer keep silent. ..."who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14) Esther calls for all of the Jews in Persia to fast and pray for three days and then risks her life to go unsummoned before the king. Prayers are answered. Esther is able to speak to the king, and the Jews of Persia are spared.
     Have you ever been asked to do something really hard? Have you been Divinely prompted to do that which seems next to impossible? Perhaps you like Esther have been "brought to the kingdom for such a time as this." YOU were born for a reason. Your life has purpose and YOU and I can do hard things. The same Heavenly help which was there for Esther will be there for us as we seek to understand His will. Cross my heart.

Palm Sunday and a Temple

It's an exciting time of year to be a chaplain! It's Lent. It's nearly Purim-- the holiday which celebrates the Jewish people in Persia being saved from extermination, and today is Palm Sunday. Holy Week is here!
     Palm Sunday commemorates the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem where palm fronds were waved, and clothes and palms were strewn in His path. (See Matthew 21:8 KJV) Those green palms symbolized Everlasting Life and were a sign of goodness and victory. The victory of He who IS truly good.
     I've always thought this is where the "red carpet treatment" may have had its beginnings. Today when "important people" pull up in front of a fancy place, for a grand event, the red carpet is placed in their path and people wave in excitement. In the era of the cowboy, and the taming of America, a coat or cloak would be placed along the way of a dirty or muddy path, to protect someone of esteemed importance from becoming soiled. Was it from this day known as Passion Sunday or Palm Sunday that those traditions came to be? We will probably never know for certain.
     Today a new temple of the Lord will be dedicated in Provo Utah. I love the symbolism and the timing. That this House of the Lord is being dedicated on Palm Sunday which ushers in the holiest week in Christianity, is significant. In today's temple dedication ceremonies, white handkerchiefs will be waved symbolizing the palm fronds waved during Jesus's Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, and the Hosanna Shout will be heard. Goodness and victory will be represented in this House of the Lord and all who enter will be reminded of Everlasting Life. With those handkerchief's waved and hosanna being shouted in adoration and praise, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will be welcomed to a temple built in His name. It's an awesome day to be an Interfaith Chaplain who also happens to be Mormon.
    

Chaplain Tami's Spot

      In 1989, my father, Chaplain Crozier Kimball Fitzgerald, was dying of cancer. As he became increasingly ill, he worked to find someone to take his place in the residential treatment center where he served as chaplain. The position was posted, but months went by without the facility having any applicants. One Saturday evening in May, my father called to ask if I would be willing to substitute for him should he become too weak to continue. As I had grown up attending Catholic Vacation Bible School, Protestant Youth of the Chapel, Nondenominational Services, and had been a mentor of youth from my youth, I felt comfortable and happy to help should it be needed. My dad then asked, "Can you meet me there tomorrow? I want to introduce you to the students. " I met him at the facility where I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing his warm and loving interaction with the youth. Two days later, one of the best and noblest of men died. He was only 56.
     My chaplaincy was launched that day and since then I have had the wonderful opportunity to serve as a chaplain to at-risk teens. In some way I have hoped to honor the legacy of faith left to me by my father. I didn't know it at the time, but agreeing to help my dad made me a first. Because of that day in 1989 where I said, "Sure Dad, I'll help," I became the first female chaplain in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
     In October of 2015 I found out from collector, historian, and friend,  Brent Ashworth, that my 2nd great uncle, Elias Kimball, was commissioned in 1898 as the first LDS chaplain ever. How cool is that? Apparently chaplaincy is in my blood. And to think I just thought I was Irish.