It's Sunday Again
The sister of one of our core members owns a condo on the beach in Jacksonville Beach. When it's not rented out, she invites the assistants to use it on our days off. Yesterday I began my own silent, solo retreat, leaving behind computer, I-Pod books and guitar (and of course, I couldn't figure out how to work the TV, anyway). I decided the occasion called for a vegan diet, since we don't get very much in the way of fresh, green veggies at Greatfull House except for salad mixings.
I walked at least four miles on the beach on a perfectly beautiful day. Stopping to pick up some pretty shells, a 'salty dog' asked me if I had found any 'pieces of eight'. He explained they were small, pie shaped pieces of real silver, having been buried on the ocean floor since the time of the Armada. The casks have now rotted away and the silver pieces are washing ashore. Most people spying them just think they're aluminum junk. (Don 't know if he was pulling my leg or what.)
Afterwards I swam several laps in the pool. Because of all the activity, I thought some yoga poses would be a good idea to keep from stiffening up.
At eventide I just sat on the balcony looking out at the horizon thirty miles away (did you know the horizon is always thirty miles from wherever you are? A little piece of trivia I picked up as a sailor.) The rhythm of the waves provided musical accompaniment to my thoughts of The Creation. Yes, it's easy to find God in nature; it's hard to find Him in the hospital, nursing home and the homeless shelter.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Theology of the Body
Thursday evening, St. Paul By-the-Sea, presented a segment of Pope John Paul II's 'Theology' lectures. The adaptation was geared, specifically, for families and care givers of people with disability.
In answer to the idea that we are all souls, trapped in a human body, he says, "The physical human body has a specific meaning and is capable of revealing answers regarding fundamental questions about us and our lives." And again, “It is typical of rationalism to make a radical contrast in man between spirit and body, between body and spirit. But man is a person in the unity of his body and his spirit. The body can never be reduced to mere matter.":
We think of the people we care for as 'broken', and have a tendency to try to 'fix' them. After attempting such, a young mother in the audience, tearfully, shared her experience with two autistic children, saying that they were 'perfect' just as they are. AMEN!
Thursday evening, St. Paul By-the-Sea, presented a segment of Pope John Paul II's 'Theology' lectures. The adaptation was geared, specifically, for families and care givers of people with disability.
In answer to the idea that we are all souls, trapped in a human body, he says, "The physical human body has a specific meaning and is capable of revealing answers regarding fundamental questions about us and our lives." And again, “It is typical of rationalism to make a radical contrast in man between spirit and body, between body and spirit. But man is a person in the unity of his body and his spirit. The body can never be reduced to mere matter.":
We think of the people we care for as 'broken', and have a tendency to try to 'fix' them. After attempting such, a young mother in the audience, tearfully, shared her experience with two autistic children, saying that they were 'perfect' just as they are. AMEN!
How Did I Get Here?
During the application process of Catholic Volunteers in Florida, we were given a list priorities from which to choose: serving the homeless, the elderly, hospice, victims of domestic abuse, foster children, ex-offenders, etc. I skipped it, as I felt The Lord would lead me wherever I was most needed. (As a matter of fact, living with developmentally disabled adults was probably the last ministry I would have chosen, the challenge being too great, I thought.) Well, Wisdom, which is God, sent me to L'Arche. I think we're a perfect match. Every moment of every day I feel rewarded, and I think I am making a modest contribution to the welfare of these lovely souls.
During the application process of Catholic Volunteers in Florida, we were given a list priorities from which to choose: serving the homeless, the elderly, hospice, victims of domestic abuse, foster children, ex-offenders, etc. I skipped it, as I felt The Lord would lead me wherever I was most needed. (As a matter of fact, living with developmentally disabled adults was probably the last ministry I would have chosen, the challenge being too great, I thought.) Well, Wisdom, which is God, sent me to L'Arche. I think we're a perfect match. Every moment of every day I feel rewarded, and I think I am making a modest contribution to the welfare of these lovely souls.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Sunday at L'Arche
Arlington is a pretty shabby section of the city. So as today is my day off, I went looking for a nice park to enjoy the good weather and 'chill out'. There weren't any in the vicinity, but I found a lovely cemetery with lots of live oak and a pond. A young couple and their kids were fishing, whether for sunnies or alligators, I couldn't tell, for every time a line was cast, the gator could be seen following it in to shore.
There were some really nice markers and even some fanciful headstones, and except for the tacky, plastic flowers adorning some graves, it was restful to the eye and soul. I sat in the shade and read an entire book - George Sand's "The Black City".
My room is tiny, the size of a monk's cell, on the second floor of Greatfull House, tucked away from all the activity, with three windows providing lots of light. Outside my door is the fire exit, a deck across a flat roof leading to iron stairs. When I got back, I put a lawn chair on the roof, facing southwest to catch the sunset. From there I could hear singing coming from the Vietnamese Cultural Center behind the property. With a glass of wine and some cheese and fruit, it was the end of a perfect day.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Italian Night
Last night was our annual fundraiser, held at Christ The King Church next door. The main meal was catered by Olive Garden, but each house contributed a course. Greatfull House made a very elegant and colorful antipasto. There were many good sports who wore togas and laurel wreaths. The wine was good. The grand prize was a fully paid trip for two to Italy.
Every Saturday, we try to find interesting things to do or places to go. It was raining, so Amy and I took Pam and Dino to "Tea and Symphony" at the Episcopal Prep School. The concert by students, supplemented by cello, viola and violin from the Jacksonville Symphony, was first rate. The conductor, himself, is a soloist with the Symphony; the program rich and varied. If you closed your eyes, you would never think you were listening to amateurs. The arts center, in which the music was played is superior what you might find at most colleges.
I have brought my Bose into the living room to share music with our household. To quote Yehudi Menuhin, "I can only think of music as something inherent in every human being - a birthright. Music coordinates mind, body and spirit." For people with developmental disabilities, who are usually hyperactive, it is very therapeutic. They will sit and listen, attentively, for an hour at a time to Mozart, Bach and Cat Stevens. I was also surprised that the same holds true for meditation, which we do on Thursday mornings for fifteen minutes. There is no restlessness or fidgeting, just sweet silence.
Last night was our annual fundraiser, held at Christ The King Church next door. The main meal was catered by Olive Garden, but each house contributed a course. Greatfull House made a very elegant and colorful antipasto. There were many good sports who wore togas and laurel wreaths. The wine was good. The grand prize was a fully paid trip for two to Italy.
Every Saturday, we try to find interesting things to do or places to go. It was raining, so Amy and I took Pam and Dino to "Tea and Symphony" at the Episcopal Prep School. The concert by students, supplemented by cello, viola and violin from the Jacksonville Symphony, was first rate. The conductor, himself, is a soloist with the Symphony; the program rich and varied. If you closed your eyes, you would never think you were listening to amateurs. The arts center, in which the music was played is superior what you might find at most colleges.
I have brought my Bose into the living room to share music with our household. To quote Yehudi Menuhin, "I can only think of music as something inherent in every human being - a birthright. Music coordinates mind, body and spirit." For people with developmental disabilities, who are usually hyperactive, it is very therapeutic. They will sit and listen, attentively, for an hour at a time to Mozart, Bach and Cat Stevens. I was also surprised that the same holds true for meditation, which we do on Thursday mornings for fifteen minutes. There is no restlessness or fidgeting, just sweet silence.
Our People
Even though the
culture and charism of L'Arche is predominately Catholic, the population
is Ecumenical. There are assistants of other faiths from Peru,
Germany, Morocco, The Philippines, India and some mid-eastern nations. It
makes for a very interesting mix.
I continue
gardening. Our charming grotto has been neglected for months. In
Florida, it doesn't take long for the jungle to take back its claim on the
land. More weeding, mulching and planting, culminating in bleaching Our
Lady's statue and the wooden benches surrounding her, so I can apply wood
preservative. It's a lovely spot with Spanish Moss hanging from the live oaks
overhead. As soon as the weather breaks, we are going to meet out there
to pray the Rosary on Monday afternoons.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Peace Concert
On the eve of 9/11/14, I took Stacy to hear the combined choruses of The University of North Florida, the Douglas Anderson Chorale and The Atlantic Coast Honor Chorus at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral. The program was a mix of traditional hymns and spirituals, music exquisitely sung, in an exquisite setting, by students, who had only had, in some cases, only two rehearsals, this semester having just begun.
We have another new assistant, Jill from Germany, so last Saturday she and Amy and I took Kathy to the Cummer Art Museum. For a relatively small museum, the Cummer has a very impressive permanent collection from Egyptian to Pre-Columbian to Impressionist, to Abstract painting and sculpture. The English and Italian gardens, overlooking the St. Johns River, are every bride's dream of a reception venue. There is also a newly added outdoor cafe.
On the eve of 9/11/14, I took Stacy to hear the combined choruses of The University of North Florida, the Douglas Anderson Chorale and The Atlantic Coast Honor Chorus at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral. The program was a mix of traditional hymns and spirituals, music exquisitely sung, in an exquisite setting, by students, who had only had, in some cases, only two rehearsals, this semester having just begun.
We have another new assistant, Jill from Germany, so last Saturday she and Amy and I took Kathy to the Cummer Art Museum. For a relatively small museum, the Cummer has a very impressive permanent collection from Egyptian to Pre-Columbian to Impressionist, to Abstract painting and sculpture. The English and Italian gardens, overlooking the St. Johns River, are every bride's dream of a reception venue. There is also a newly added outdoor cafe.
L'Arche Identity Statement
"We are people with and without learning disabilities sharing life in communities of faith. Mututal relationships and trust in God are at the heart of our life together. We seek to build a world that recognizes the unique value of every person and our need for one another."
Whenever my focus becomes about me and my service, I must stand back and be reminded that it is ALL about our core members, who will be here long after I have left. It's their energy, joy, enthusiasm, pain and suffering that is at the center of our environment. Another important lesson is the change from that of 'wanting to do things for' to that of 'listening to'', and a readiness and openness to be transformed by the experience. In The Heart of L'Arche, Jean Vanier speaks about the developmentally disabled having awakened a part of his being that had been under-developed, dormant. Through them, a new world began to open up for him, not the world of efficiency, competition, success and power, but the world of the heart, of vulnerability and communion leading toward healing and wholeness.
"We are people with and without learning disabilities sharing life in communities of faith. Mututal relationships and trust in God are at the heart of our life together. We seek to build a world that recognizes the unique value of every person and our need for one another."
Whenever my focus becomes about me and my service, I must stand back and be reminded that it is ALL about our core members, who will be here long after I have left. It's their energy, joy, enthusiasm, pain and suffering that is at the center of our environment. Another important lesson is the change from that of 'wanting to do things for' to that of 'listening to'', and a readiness and openness to be transformed by the experience. In The Heart of L'Arche, Jean Vanier speaks about the developmentally disabled having awakened a part of his being that had been under-developed, dormant. Through them, a new world began to open up for him, not the world of efficiency, competition, success and power, but the world of the heart, of vulnerability and communion leading toward healing and wholeness.
Friday, September 5, 2014
Jubilee Year
This year L'Arche, around the world, celebrates the 50th year of its founding by Jean Vanier, in France in 1964. Last night the entire community, plus board members, friends and family gathered together for a joyful celebration with prayer, song and a skit by the core members, enacting the parable of the Wedding Feast, when the king prepared a lavish banquet for friends and neighbors, who all rejected his invitation with various excuses. Then he sent his servants out to bring to table the sick, the poor and the lame. It was a very touching dramatization.
Afterwards, all members and guests visited three of our homes for dinner. The night before, we had taken several pounds of, what looked like chicken, out of the freezer. When defrosted, we discovered it was white fish. I agonized over how to make such an uninteresting prospect palatable. Then the Lord sent Lisette, from Prayer House. She formerly owned a restaurant, and is a born cook. She went to work chopping garlic, onions, tomatoes and whipping up a spicy sauce, which transformed those creatures from the sea into a gourmet meal.
This year L'Arche, around the world, celebrates the 50th year of its founding by Jean Vanier, in France in 1964. Last night the entire community, plus board members, friends and family gathered together for a joyful celebration with prayer, song and a skit by the core members, enacting the parable of the Wedding Feast, when the king prepared a lavish banquet for friends and neighbors, who all rejected his invitation with various excuses. Then he sent his servants out to bring to table the sick, the poor and the lame. It was a very touching dramatization.
Afterwards, all members and guests visited three of our homes for dinner. The night before, we had taken several pounds of, what looked like chicken, out of the freezer. When defrosted, we discovered it was white fish. I agonized over how to make such an uninteresting prospect palatable. Then the Lord sent Lisette, from Prayer House. She formerly owned a restaurant, and is a born cook. She went to work chopping garlic, onions, tomatoes and whipping up a spicy sauce, which transformed those creatures from the sea into a gourmet meal.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Monday, September 1, 2014
"Once in Love With Amy"
For the generations unfamiliar with Maurice Chavalier, that was his signature song. We have been blessed with Amy Liz, a graduate in musicology and new assistant, who has decided to spend a year serving the developmentally disabled. This is a 'piece of cake' for her, as she comes from experience in a half way house for ex-offenders, who had to be at times, restrained. She has taken over the supervision of a severely handicapped core member, who has to be lifted from bed to wheelchair, to dinner table, to shower - well you get the idea. Anyway, I was in despair as I do not have the strength nor leverage to move Pam, so the Lord sent Amy just in time. WELCOME!
Saturday we took three residents to the farmer's market, where there is always good entertainment, as well as good food. Afterwards I drove everyone around my old neighborhood in Avondale to see the old homes and historic district, so different from where L'Arche is located.
Each assistant has been given responsibility for an area of attention around the compound. I have been assigned maintenance of the landscaping, which I am loving, as I am a a frustrated gardiner, and love plunging my hands into the dirt. I've set up bird feeders, weeded, mulched and planted roses and other perennials in beds.
For the generations unfamiliar with Maurice Chavalier, that was his signature song. We have been blessed with Amy Liz, a graduate in musicology and new assistant, who has decided to spend a year serving the developmentally disabled. This is a 'piece of cake' for her, as she comes from experience in a half way house for ex-offenders, who had to be at times, restrained. She has taken over the supervision of a severely handicapped core member, who has to be lifted from bed to wheelchair, to dinner table, to shower - well you get the idea. Anyway, I was in despair as I do not have the strength nor leverage to move Pam, so the Lord sent Amy just in time. WELCOME!
Saturday we took three residents to the farmer's market, where there is always good entertainment, as well as good food. Afterwards I drove everyone around my old neighborhood in Avondale to see the old homes and historic district, so different from where L'Arche is located.
Each assistant has been given responsibility for an area of attention around the compound. I have been assigned maintenance of the landscaping, which I am loving, as I am a a frustrated gardiner, and love plunging my hands into the dirt. I've set up bird feeders, weeded, mulched and planted roses and other perennials in beds.
Sunday's my day off so I hiked the Timucuan Preserve for about seven miles. The Seminoles survived to open casinos in Ft. Lauderdale, but the Timucuan were decimated by European infectious disease and colonists from England.
Florida hiking does not have the allure of scenic overlooks
found in the West and Northeast
, being relatively flat and uninteresting. Mostly salt marsh and an occasional creek among the flora and fauna of tropical scrub. Some inclines, which in 97 degree heat and humidity, at 1:00 p.m., can be formidable. And just when you think there's nothing more to experience, viola! . . . La Caroline. . . a reconstruction of a 1500's fortress built by French Huguenots.
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