"The Scandal of Service"

. . . is the title of one of Jean Vanier's books about the charism of the L'Arche Community.  "Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not count equality with God, a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant. . ."  (Philippians 2:6)

Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, seeming to some an ordinary gesture; to others it is something shocking and challenging.  The washing of feet is an important and highly significant act for us.  During our retreat last week, we washed each other's feet as an act of love and humility.  Some, new to the community, were a bit reluctant and puzzled, but once they let their hearts take over, they said they immediately became comfortable and were filled with joy.

I remember, when I was serving at a soup kitchen in Riviera Beach last year, every Friday a husband and wife team came to wash the feet of the homeless and give them new white socks, for the homeless do a lot of walking and wearing out of shoes and feet.  I thought, at the time and still do, that it was the most extraordinary and worthwhile ministry I've every witnessed.

Retreat and Pilgrimage

This was a very active week for us at L'Arche Harbor House.  Tuesday we went on retreat at Shepard of the Woods, a beautiful venue surrounding a lake, owned by the Lutheran Church.  On Thursday we drove to St. Augustine on pilgrimage, beginning the day in the chapel of the Mother House of the Sisters of St. Joseph.  We welcomed our newest core member, Jack.  We prayed for him and wished him happiness and peace in his new home at Peace House.

Previously, Jack, who is non-verbal and autistic, lived in an atmosphere of intimidation and abuse.  His family wished to send him to L'Arche, but at the time, we had no accommodations and had to say "no".  However, in the spirit of Jean Vanier, who started the Movement with nothing but a small house with no plumbing nor electricity, "no" was not the answer God had in mind.  So accommodations were made by moving people around and dividing rooms, and doing anything necessary so that Jack could be safe.

Next we walked the grounds of Mission Nombre de Dios and the Chapel of Nuestra Señora de la Leche y Buen Parto – Our Lady of the Milk and Happy Delivery.  On September 8, 1565, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés landed and proclaimed this site for Spain and the Church. This is where western culture and Christian faith took root in our country. From there, we boarded a river cruise to the inlet and up the Matanzas River, where the porpoises came out to play just for us.

Poured Out and Emptied

"For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand."  2 Timothy 4:6

Dino and I often visit the garden crucifix next door at Christ the King Church.  The depiction of a larger-than-life Christ, in real agony, is excruciating.  So many 'crucified Christs' above altars rarely move me, for they are so sterile and unrealistic.  However, this one is visceral.  He 'poured out everything for us.  Later the same day, we prayed the rosary in our grotto.  Brenda did not feel like participating, but she did something much more meaningful, she sat and consoled Robbie, who was mourning the very recent death of his father. The image of Christ on the cross was transformed, for me, into the image of Brenda.

Very often when we come to the end of a long, long day and feel we have nothing more to give, someone comes along and needs to talk, or has a headache and wants an aspirin, or needs his sheets straightened. Then, by the grace of God, we are able to make that one last effort in pouring out and emptying ourselves for love.

The Slow Food Movement

We are blessed to have a priest of the Order of St. Louis de Monfort staying with us for one month.  Father Tom has recently returned from Guatemala, where he served a poor village as pastor, educator and keeper of 50 head of cattle for five years.

Last week, while preparing a fabulous lunch of pasta, made with fresh vegetables, he gave a talk on 'slow food'; taking the time to fix nutritious meals to share with family and friends.  The Movement endorses a comprehensive agenda, including educating consumers about the risks of fast food; lobbying against government funding of genetic engineering; preserving family farms, teaching gardening skills to students and prisoners and many more worthwhile objectives.

Catholic Volunteers in Florida Retreat

Our Fall Retreat was held at the United Methodist Camp in Fruitland Park, under the direction of our new Retreat Director, Julie McElmurry.  The exuberance of friends coming together from their various service sites was infectious.

Friday began with chair yoga, then a presentation on "The Spirituality of Conflict" by Heidi Peckham, who always gives a lively discourse on interesting and timely subjects.  We had plenty of free time, and I played my first volley ball game that afternoon.  Chelsea starred in college, so you can imagine the caliber of the competition.

Another presentation on the 'Examen' of St. Ignatius of Loyal was given by the Orlando Director of Communications, Teresa Peterson.  She encouraged spiritual journaling using the Daily Examen to explore God's presence in our lives.  Each evening Julia and Calla provided inspirational material for prayer and reflection.  There is a cross on the lake that is illuminated at night, and a heron and an alligator show up, faithfully, at sundown, I guess to glorify God and thank Him for another day.

Saturday I led a yoga routine and the Morning Prayer with Taize music, Psalm, Scripture and Intercessory prayer. Then THE FUN! -  a Ropes Course in the woods to continue to build team spirit.  We were led through various routines, to test cooperation and support, culminating in very difficult rope and rock climbing, which only the stout-hearted were able to complete.  I climbed the tower to the zip line, my knees shaking, stepped on that flimsy platform and wondered what kind of fool was I?  Then jumped!  OMG, I can now cross that off my 'bucket list'.

Later that evening, we carved pumpkins to take back to our service sites and lit a bonfire to toast sommores (or however you spell it).  I recited "The Cremation of Sam McGee", and we sang and honored those who birthdays had passed or about to be celebrated.  Again, the stout-hearted stayed after midnight to watch the flames go out.

Sunday several of us attended Mass at St. Paul's before saying goodbye until January, where we will gather again in St. Augustine.

Catching Up

These 14 hour days have made it difficult to blog consistently.  So I'll try to remember last week. Seems it was full of glitches.  Last Thursday, Greatfull House was schedule to have a group portrait taken.  We all dressed in our finest, but for the first time in memory, two core members were late getting home from work and workshop, so we had to reschedule.

Saturday we celebrated Octoberfest with a picnic on the back deck.  With all the sausage we get from the Food Bank, we made chicken sausage, Kielbasa, pork sausage, sausage with artichoke and garlic etc., etc.
I cooked most of the day.  The occasion was to be in honor of our neighbor, Tommy, living next door at Nouwen House, but an old friend came along and took him out for the afternoon.  Now Tommy wants to know when we're going to have another picnic for him.

Sunday we all attended the Gracias Christmas Cantata at The University of North Florida, performed by a company of Korean youth.  They are world renowned, and the show was quite spectacular.  However, between the second and third acts, I realized why it was free. . . we had to listen to a twenty minute sermon by the Reverend Park on sin and salvation.  So during the intermission, Stacy and I went into the lobby.  She is very friendly and will engage any stranger in conversation.  Some are gracious, but most do not know how to react, or are embarrassed, or embarrassed for her.  Such people begin to annoy me, but then I think it's really their problem.  When we attempted to get back into the auditorium, the doors were locked, so we never heard the finale.

Last night was Bible Study night at St. Matthews Lutheran Church.  The parishioners prepare a nice supper for L'Arche Harbor House.  It was Greatfull House's turn to put on a skit to illustrate the evening's teaching from Scripture, (Jesus' journey to Jerusalem).  Getting our core members to rehearse was like pulling teeth, but finally we were (somewhat) ready to perform.  Just as the cast was making its entrance, Stacy and Kathy (The Disciples) had a little misunderstanding, and Kathy refused to go on.  We grabbed Larry from the audience to replace her, then Stacy balked and had to be cajoled into cooperating.  That's show biz!

Noah's Arc

Thursday was Community Night again, where visitors spend the evening with L'Arche.  The core members donned animal masks they had made at the Rainbow Workshop and filed, two by two, into the 'virtual' arc while Sharon, one of the earliest residents of Harbor House, read from Genesis.  We all sang, "A la la la la Leluia, shake another hand next to ya". The Spiritual Life Committee, made up of core members and coordinators, have come up with some very creative skits for these evenings.

Afterwards thirty or so members and guests came back to Greatfull House for supper.  Because Mariusz, our renowned house chef, was off to Chicago, I was left to prepare the menu once again:  baked rigatoni, garlic break and salad.  We had some good wine, also.