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