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.
Monday, August 3, 2015
Sunday, July 12, 2015
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
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 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.
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.
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