Patty Thorsen's Page

Religion / Faith

Catholic and Universalist

I have attended the Parliament of Religions:

Never

Local Religious Community / Interfaith Affiliation:

St. Frances Cabrini Church

Website:

http://cabrinimn.org/

I have come to PeaceNext looking for:

intrareligious reflection

I am inspired by:

Individuals with a deep commitment to how language--written, and spoken--is used inspire me. Language as a conveyor of sensitivity to other human beings. Language as a vehicle to advocate for beliefs, and convictions.
As an individual disabled by cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and osteoarthritis, I am deeply inspired by individuals, who understand the true meaning of inspiration. Inspiration, in its deepest sense, is an invitation from God to take action in their own lives, rather than hiding behind the mask of lobbing pity on another human being. I am inspired by individuals, who act upon insights they have been given through their own life experiences.
Individuals who are willing to embrace action, rather than hide behind pitying people with disabilities.

My favorite spiritual places:

The swimming pool is a very spiritual place to me. Swimming is a source of strengthening parts of my body, which have been affected by cerebral palsy, and arthritis. The physical buoyancy of the water buoys my spirits. The views of the fjords in Norway are spiritual places. The North Shore of Lake Superior [bordering Minnesota] takes my breath away, and feeds my spirit. The small, vibrant community, Grand Marais, Minnesota, which is set on Lake Superior, inspires my creativity.

Interreligious causes I care about:

Pacifism, and ecumenism are interreligious passions

Changes I am working toward in my community:

I advocate for the awareness of individuals using wheelchairs in my community; most recently, pedestrian crosswalk safety http://kstp.com/news/stories/s2317400.shtml; I am supporting work in Minnesota to create a Catholic Church, which embraces a broad diversity of views among Catholics.http://www.cccrmn.org/v2/index.php; I do not speak FOR the group, I work WITH them. Such nuances are vital to my spirituality.

About Me:

Raised as a Universalist, today I am a practicing Catholic, and I try to live as a Christian. Raised to believe that there is good to be found in all faith traditions, I continue to embrace that belief today. I am a part of a faith community, which challenges me to be my best--to celebrate life, death, and all of the joys, and sorrows in between with passion. My spirituality is rooted in my lifetime experiences with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and now arthritis. My disabilities have imbued in me the conviction that each individual has a disability of some form. Put another way, each of us has needs we are called to reach out to have met. Each of us has gifts that we are called to offer to those who need them.
I am beginning to explore what people, and organizations are advocating progressive church reform. I prefer reflection, and writing to assert my convictions, and advocate for causes. I no longer work due to my disabilities. I volunteer doing research at my local children's museum doing prospective donor research. I write several blogs. Patty's Ponderings reflects on daily living, and world events that heighten the need for civility, peace, and understanding. Patty's Epilepsy Chronicles shares the insights I have gained from living with cerebral palsy, epileypsy, and arthritis. In addition, I address my experiences with brain damage, as the underlying cause of my cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. I want to open a dialogue among those with epilepsy, treat individuals with epilepsy, and individuals who observe seizures.