Monday, June 22, 2015
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.
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.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
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.
Monday, May 11, 2015
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.
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.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
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.
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.
Monday, April 27, 2015
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.
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
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
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