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.