(Did we mention this is a virtual CAT café?)
Read more: Neurodivergent Hospitality is Not a Contradiction
Welcome to Saint Thorlak's Virtual Café: a place to pause, rest, and refresh. Neurodivergent life is challenging enough by itself, and we want you to know that we're on the journey with you.
Maybe you just need a moment to sit in silence and enjoy a brief respite from the demands of the day. Maybe there is a situation on your mind that could benefit from our praying together, or maybe we have an insight or bit of direction which might be helpful. Funny story? Special interest? Popcorn thoughts? All welcome here! Type your thoughts into the form alongside the barista banter to muse, blurt out, unburden or just be who you are. You can even "bring" your own pets to visit by emailing a barista their photos. All species coexist safely here!
Think of this as a small way we can offer hospitality within our means as autistic individuals who thrive on both interacting with our community and the extra processing space allowed by typewritten communication. We believe it is possible to experience meaningful connection even in non-traditional ways, and this "café" page is our way of demonstrating that.
Enjoy your time here!
Barista Banter
This space is up for grabs*! Comments? Musings?
Special interests? Start the conversation!
* Visitor submissions are moderated and may be summarized or condensed at baristas' discretion.
Lent remains a topic of much interest. A recent visitor shared:
Good golly, Lent is the worst time of year for me as a neurodivergent Catholic! But I'm realizing it's not because I'm bad at Lent... it's because Lent has never been presented to me in a way that works with my brain!
Okay. First off: Executive functioning. SO MUCH PLANNING. I can barely plan a day in advance. You say 'forty days’ and you may as well mean ten thousand years. It feels like forever and it feels impossible to comprehend.
Then: Fluctuating capacity. Some days I am well-rested, not in too much pain, and don't have a hundred other things tugging at my attention. Those days, I do great with fasting, prayer, and charitable works. But the next day, I might be exhausted, in pain, and my brain is fogged in. I'm lucky if I remember to eat on days like that. Fasting? Like, planning NOT to eat, when I can barely plan TO eat? Ugh. Prayer? If I'm able. Charitable works? Ditto.
Then: POTS. Kneeling. Standing. Getting dizzy. Needing to eat and drink more so I don't get a wicked headache.
Please, God, where is the Lent guide for AuDHD people? These 40 Day Challenges are too much! Where can I find a guide for Lent One Hour At A Time If I'm Up To It? I really, really, really want to pray, fast, and do charitable works. I do. But my body doesn't cooperate.
My Lent is by the minute.
Please pray for me.
