Church Without Walls

I have thought, from the beginning, that our core members seem a bit privileged and entitled, so I have been thinking of ways we could 'give back', as we have been on the receiving end of many blessings from friends and community.  Our new mandate speaks of wider community involvement by L'Arche, so Greatfull House drove down town to an open air Mass, conducted by an Episcopal priest, Mother Beth, said for the homeless of Jacksonville every Sunday at 1:00 p.m.  

The evening before, one of our live-out assistants's mother's summer camp closed for the season, and she brought two car loads of left over food and snacks to us.  We also made and packaged brownies to give to the homeless after the service.

The core members were absolutely elated and proud to do something beyond themselves. Mass was quite informal with readings by an African American gentleman with a magnificent speaking voice and the look of James Earl Jones.  We sang and broke bread and received wine, all the while mixing with the less fortunate.  

Farewell, Amy

Friday we celebrated eight years of spiritual and physical growth our community coordinator has successfully accomplished at L'Arche Harbor House.  She is retiring to take care of her two little girls, Celeste and Grace.

We gathered in the sanctuary of Christ the King Church, next door, with song and prayer, testimonials and remembrances, and a skit to the tune of John Denver's "Garden Song". . .  'inch by inch, row by row, gonna make my garden grow".  We are Amy's garden.  That was the theme of the evening, carried out at the reception in our yard, featuring rain barrel, butterflies and bumble bees, watering cans full of flowers (you get the picture), all delightfully produced by The Rainbow Workshop, one of Amy's biggest accomplishments, where core members go each day to create, paint, sculpt in clay and share each other's company.

We ate, country style, on long tables and danced to the music of fiddle and guitar.  Food was bountiful, and as we couldn't fit leftovers in our refrigerator at Greatfull House, I took some to the community center's kitchen.  There were cases of sparkling white and red wine covering two tables, so I took a couple back with me, exclaiming, "Now we have something of real value!", only to learn that three other assistants had done the same thing.  We are well stocked!  Saturday, we held a wine and cheese 'girl's night out' with only female core members and assistants. A very loud party, indeed, for we have former assistants visiting from L'Arche communities in St. Louis and Chicago.  We sent the men next door.

Today Father Tom celebrated Mass at the Community Center, which is always a joyous experience.  He is a missionary, having just returned from Guatemala and on his way to Peru, then Kenya.  His feet are bare and the only vestment is a stole, reflecting the Gospel of Jesus sending out his apostles, two-by-two, to minister with only the clothes on their backs.  This is a Mass where the 'Kiss of Peace' is really taken seriously, and the singing right from the heart.

Farewell Retreat

The last Catholic Volunteers retreat was back in Orlando, where it all began.  We gathered, on Friday afternoon, at the home of our most generous and hospitable board member, Gerry Glynn.  After some sharing and a dance workshop, lead by the lithe and lovely Calla, swimming, grilling and eating were about all we accomplished.  But just being together was enough.  So much love and good cheer.

Saturday, we took over a room at St. Margaret Mary retreat center in Winter Park for some serious reflection.  I led Morning Prayer and song, the emphasis on 'gratitude'.  We wrote notes of encouragement to the incoming volunteers and to one another, as some go on to graduate school; others to jobs and some to another year of volunteering.  After five o'clock Mass, we were recomissioned in the Chapel, followed by dinner at the home of Alex and Cory (saying goodbye to their mission in the Dominican Republic, for careers and starting a family here, in Florida).

Sunday we adjourned again at their home for a final farewell.  We made presentations to one another; I crowned Cala Queen of the Dance; Alex presented me with an Oscar for best actress.  All tongue in cheek. We prayed and wept.   A better group of young people I will never know again.  God bless them.

The Sound of Music

I made my orchestral debut during our last Community Night.  I played second guitar to David; Jake on the cornet.  It was rather dismal.  The first song, "Simple Gifts", to the tune of "Lord of the Dance", started out all right, but David provided only the first two verses of sheet music and not the chorus, so we had to improvise. The following songs, which we were told we would be playing, the Spiritual Life Committee changed in midstream, so we didn't even try to improvise.  And wouldn't you know, nobody in the whole hall was even aware there was no musical accompaniment .  That's how powerful song from the heart is.

Last Weekend

Occasionally when writing this blog, after several hundred words, it doesn't publish and gets lost in the either.  I think previously, I spoke of last weekend's events.  On Saturday there was a picnic out in Keystone Heights.  Sharon Starling's family owns a lakefront home, and every year they host a party for the L'Arche Community.  We were not expecting it this year after Sharon's death, but her mother and siblings insisted nothing change.

The docks along the shoreline are high up on pilings, evidence that the water has been diverted to Jacksonville, and the residents of KH are, understandably, upset and concerned.  Water is a crisis throughout this country.  We had enough, however, to swim and frolic to cool off, as the City is experiencing abnormally high temperatures just now.  Every day we almost hit the 100 degree mark.

When we announced where we were headed in the early a.m., Stacy mumbled she wasn't going.  She doesn't see herself as disabled and identifies, rather, with the assistants, and this was her way of asserting her independence.  Stacy pulls this every time we plan an outing or occasion.  However, when loading the van, she reluctantly climbs aboard, then refuses to get out at our destination.

Sunday, we had tickets to the Alhambra Dinner Theatre, a Christmas gift from Pam's mother to the House.  "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" was playing, and Stacy, true to form, refused to go.  I  simply told her I was giving her ticket to Mary in Prayer House, and that did it.  Stacy always has a wonderful time wherever we go.  We just have to endure her little song and dance with patience.

Used to look forward, with enthusiasm, to sharing my thoughts and experiences here at L'Arch, but I may be burning out; my contract is up in just a little more than a month.  However, I have offered to stay on until Mariusz returns from his vacation to Poland, which will bring me to, probably, the end of August.  I pray that the Holy Spirit renew me to carry on with grace and patience.

Ode to Jasmine

Jasmine is my favorite flower; very delicate, sweet smelling blossoms are cascading on vines out at the grotto and climbing up the live oak in front of Greatfull House, but I cannot smell it or even bear to be near it, as I have developed a late-in-life allergy to it.  Furthermore, the pollen here, as elsewhere, has been devastating, and I have been very ill for three and a half weeks with respiratory problems, making me very debilitated.

I was invited out to the condo on the beach for my two days off.  I know now why all those Victorian novels had people traveling to the seaside for a cure.  Breathing in the ocean air for the first time, my lungs became temporarily, at least, uncongested.

Morning Prayer

Tuesday through Friday we hold morning prayer at the different houses.  At Nouwen House, Valson reads from one of Jean Vanier's books, and we share responses to it.  Wednesdays I lead it here, at Greatfull.  We open with a song accompanied by guitar.  I try to find a reference to something in the recent liturgy and present a brief teaching on it.  Remember our audience:  I have spoken on the role donkeys played in Scripture, lambs, sheep, and this week, I've prepared something on music.  We end with prayers of petition, another song, then hold hands for the Lord's Prayer and kiss of peace.

Thursdays is twenty minutes of silent meditation at the Community Center.  You wouldn't think such hyper-active people could sit for that long without sound, but they do and it's a lovely experience.  Friday we go over to Peace House, where the blind woman, Katrina, has recorded prayer, song and a short message. This is the part of community I love best.

A Death in the Family

While I was away in Miami and then New Jersey, our dear Sharon died.  She was given a beautiful send off, with assistants and supervisors taking turns watching vigil through the night, as her casket was laid out in our gathering room among flowers and candles.  The entire community, friends and family went in procession across to the church for the funeral mass the next day.   Sharon came to Harbor House as a very young woman.  She was a funny, funny lady, who would break out into a Donald Duck imitation at the drop of a hat.  She read very well, and was always chosen to narrate the Living Nativity and other Scripture during the course of a year.  She lived with Mary and Sister Rita in Prayer House off campus.

Each of our core members is reacting differently in their grief.  Stacy is very angry and is acting out on it. We, assistants, are trying to understand and cope with her.

Miami Retreat

CVIF is on retreat again in Coral Gables, right next door to the fabulous Viscaya on Biscayne Bay.  Our group is a little more introspective this time and not so rambunctious, as we are aware we are coming to the end of our service year, and most are discerning their futures.

Tuesday we visited Camillus House, a facility for the homeless in the Overtown section of Miami.  It has everything:  medical services, library, vegetable garden, computer/media room, chapel, even its own post office and zip code.  There are rooms for 80 residents, who are ready to make their way back into the world after detoxing, etc.  At night 100 mats are placed under a canopy for those who come in off the street.  We served lunch in three sittings, mingling with those who welcomed our interest.

Wednesday was a day of silence from wake up until 6:00 p.m. dinner.  Adjacent to the retreat property is a church and chapel, LaSalle High School and a shrine to Our Lady of Caridad, patroness of the boat people who left Cuba when Castro took control of the Island.  So there were plenty of places to pray, meditate and read.  That night we participated in 'masking'.  We made death masks (my term) of one another while Sister Florence read a mediation on the way we all wear masks in different situations in our lives (a favorite subject of Thomas Merton) and that we must unmask to become our authentic selves.

Thursday was talent night.  Our leaders were the American Idol panel, and just as funny as the performers. The acts were hilarious and touching, ranging from solo arias, modern and liturgical dance, recitation, etc. Walter was the master of ceremonies with a slew of corny jokes.  I never suspected there was so much talent among us.

Going Green

I started a movement within the Community to conserve and recycle.  We are composting, and have begun a vegetable garden with tomatoes, red onions, peppers, cucumbers, pumpkin, eggplant, strawberries and carrots.  Harvested the first tomatoes today.  I took a course on making rain barrels at the Duval Extension, and the Rainbow Workshop decorated it with butterflies and flowers.  So many people have commented on it, the Workshop may start selling them.  The only disappointment was the vericomposting; while I was away lately, all the worms died.

Before, During and After Easter

Palm Sunday:  Father Tom is back and blessed the palms before we all processed into the Community Center for Mass.  His celebrations and homilies are always the best, and we are so blessed to have such a down-to-earth, holy priest.

Holy Thursday:  We held a Seder with all the symbolic herbs, lamb shank, hard boiled eggs and salt water, while Mike, from Business Development, who was brought up in the Jewish faith, prayed and sang the Haggadah in Hebrew, each prayer followed by the lifting of our wine glasses.  Home made chicken soup with matzos was our main course, with macaroons for dessert.  The community center was decorated in blue and white.  It was a lovely experience, and we shall make it a yearly tradition.

Good Friday:  Father Tom (back from Litchfield), conducted a prayer service in Our Lady's Grotto with Scripture readings and music.

Holy Saturday:  Was marred by the announcement that one of our Core Members, Sharon, had been taken to the hospital and required major surgery.  This is a praying community, if nothing else, so she was lifted up and in good hands.

Easter Sunday:  Father Tom celebrated The Resurrection among the many good friends of L'Arch.  After which, I left for The Catholic Volunteers in Florida Spring Retreat in Miami.  Jack, an autistic man living at Peace House, accompanied me on the trip down to North Palm Beach, where his sister has a home in the same town as my son, Rob.  It was a four plus hour ride, and I was a little apprehensive, but we had a pleasant and uneventful trip

Nutrition

Our Formation this week was given by the woman who develops our menus (which is hard to follow, as our food comes, mainly, from the food bank, so we have the ability to substitute).  We learned which foods provide Vitamin A, C, Calcium and Iron.  Tony left lots of veggies, legumes, etc., which were scooped up by the other houses.  Greatfull House was left with tons of collard greens.  In a moment of inspiration, I cooked them with some pigs stomachs, we had in the freezer, and mixed with black beans and rice.  It was pretty good, but next time, I'll go out and buy bacon for more flavor.

This and That

March has been difficult.  We were already down one assistant, when Jil came down with a bad back and Mariusz dreadful allergies due to the high pollen count.  At the end of the day, I am so physically exhausted, I haven't the energy to turn on the computer.  "Better to burn out, than rust out.", somebody said.

One bright spot was the visit my brother, Dave and sister-in-law, Ginny paid during their road trip from Colorado.  They stayed overnight, sharing the evening meal and Morning Prayer.  Their observation, upon leaving, was that L'Arche Harbor House is a very happy community.

More bon mots from Kathy

After dinner each evening, we read something either from Scripture or the writings of Jean Vanier or others, then discuss.  Last night's subject was on forgiveness.  When I said Christ tells us, when hurt, to 'turn the other cheek', and what does that mean?, Kathy replied, "You slap the other cheek!".

Poetry and Music

I've neglected this blog for the entire month of February.  Just very busy, I guess, so permit me to recap:

One afternoon late in January, I performed for The Rainbow Workshop a presentation of poetry and song, accompanying myself and the audience on the guitar.  The verse is a selection of  'nonsense' poetry by Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll, followed by some serious poets, Edna St. Vincent Millay and John Masefield with subjects of trains and boats and travel (music corresponding).  Wrapping up, everybody's favorite, "Casey at the Bat".  The program was repeated, for those who don't attend the Workshop, preceding the Super Bowl broadcast, when our house hosted Peace House for the usual SB fare.  All were in bed by the second half, which turned out to be the best ever played.

Two assistants have left, so we are struggling with scheduling until new ones are found.  We will miss Amy Liz, her laughter, tremendous energy and creativity.  Saying goodbye at the Community Center, our core members and assistants formed a chorus line and sang "Once in Love With Amy".  We wish her all the best as she discerns her future.

Snuck a few days in South Florida the last week of  February, visiting my son, Robert and cousin, Pat.  That Saturday, the Carmelite Lay Order held a one-day retreat at St. Jude's in Boca Raton.  Got in a little kayaking and museum time.  Home in time to help make 700 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless, which L'Arche does several times a year.

Catholic Volunteers Winter Retreat in St. Augustine

We were together once again at Villa Flora, run by the Sisters of St Joseph. The Mother House is across the street from the guest  house/retreat center.  Both buildings were built in the early eighteen hundreds.  St. Augustine is layer upon layer of history; first settled by the French, then the Spanish, who were conquered by the English, whereas the colony was won back by the Spanish before being ceded to America.

The theme of the retreat was social justice.  Friday evening the Catholic Chaplin for Death Row prisoners in Florida's state prisons gave a very spirited talk on the conditions of most prisons (no air conditioning in summer, overcrowding, you've heard it all).  Florida has the greatest number of men on Death Row.  Only Texas has actually executed more.  More and more states are overturning their death penalty law; ironically, only those in the Bible Belt continue to hang on. 

Think of this, there is no constitutional right to not be executed if you are innocent.  Statistically, we all know that black on black murder might get you the electric chair, as well as white on white.  However, white on black murder rarely sends one to death row, but black on white murder will definitely get you there.  

The following day, we drove out to Our Lady of Hope/Communita Cenacolo, a movement started in Italy.  The young men, who live in community, have an abundance of fruit trees, grow their own vegetables and raise pigs for slaughter. They have recently begun wood working, making beautiful bowls and refinishing old furniture.  They also have an outdoor oven for making pizza. We were served lunch of pasta and garlic, home made bread and fresh squeezed orange juice.  While eating one fellow reads from his journal to the rest.  I thought it took great courage to open up his most intimate feelings before strangers. 

After detoxing, these young men come to Hope and pick up their lives without any medicines or professional support. They rely on one another and the Holy Spirit.  Mass is said every morning by a visiting priest and rosary four times a day.  They are some of the sweetest souls you'll ever meet.

One evening we had dinner with the Sisters, another time the women went out to Stogies (a beer and a cigar for $4.99), later the younger among us found live music to dance to.

A couple of us skipped the March for Life and visited the lighthouse, and crazy Chelsea went swimming in the 52 degree ocean water.  Another great retreat!

Epiphany

L'Arche celebrates the Christmas Season right through to Epiphany, when the entire community exchanges gifts in remembrance of the three wise men.  After prayer, dinner and singing, each person sat in the 'stable' to receive his/her gift from their 'secret Santa'.  We are big here, in affirmation, so the giver tells the receiver how he/she sees Jesus in them.  I had drawn Larry's name.  He lives in Sunflower House, and for a very large man, he is so very gentle (certainly God-like).  I admire Larry for his curiosity.  He is very tech savy on computer, and has an extensive selection of CD's and vinyl records, which he is always eager to share.

Profile Sketches

Thought I might introduce the lovely people I live with:

Everyone's favorite is Dino, always accommodating and willing to join in whatever is suggested.  He loves to dance, even though he is stiff kneed and loses balance easily, and at the bowling alley, he is a superstar.  Dino is very good at puzzles and his paintings are big sellers at Rainbow House, where Dino goes every workday for fun and creativity.  His answer to every situation is, "Be happy!"

Kathy will be celebrating her 70th birthday this month.  The dinner table is always hilarious with her quick whit and pithy sayings.  She is a very picky eater, but she relishes her glass of wine.  Kathy loves to sing, and sing LOUD, mostly off-key, but you have never heard anything so heartfelt.

Chris is our newest core member.  A gentle giant of a man, he brightens the room when he enters and is always full of compliments. Chris is pretty independent, and has worked at McDonald's for many years.  He is very sports savey, and keeps us up to date on what's happening in the playoffs.

Pam is non-verbal and wheelchair bound, but we make sure she is included in all our activities.  As a child, she lived in Belgium and understands French.  She also loves good music.  If she is displeased, she pinches like hell.

Stacy is our most independent core member.  She works at Publix Supermarket several days a week.  As she grew up in the area, she has many friends, with whom she socializes.  Even people she doesn't know soon become acquaintances, as Stacy is very outgoing and often initiates conversations with total strangers.  Because Stacy is so independent, she is also most problematic.

This all sounds very ideal, however, all these people have their demons, moods and problems.  It is easy to touch their hearts at times, but almost impossible to get inside their heads and know where they are coming from and what they are truly feeling.