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.
Monday, April 27, 2015
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
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Nutrition
Our Formation this week was given by the woman who develops our menus (which is hard to follow, as our food comes, mainly, from the food bank, so we have the ability to substitute). We learned which foods provide Vitamin A, C, Calcium and Iron. Tony left lots of veggies, legumes, etc., which were scooped up by the other houses. Greatfull House was left with tons of collard greens. In a moment of inspiration, I cooked them with some pigs stomachs, we had in the freezer, and mixed with black beans and rice. It was pretty good, but next time, I'll go out and buy bacon for more flavor.
Our Formation this week was given by the woman who develops our menus (which is hard to follow, as our food comes, mainly, from the food bank, so we have the ability to substitute). We learned which foods provide Vitamin A, C, Calcium and Iron. Tony left lots of veggies, legumes, etc., which were scooped up by the other houses. Greatfull House was left with tons of collard greens. In a moment of inspiration, I cooked them with some pigs stomachs, we had in the freezer, and mixed with black beans and rice. It was pretty good, but next time, I'll go out and buy bacon for more flavor.
This and That
March has been difficult. We were already down one assistant, when Jil came down with a bad back and Mariusz dreadful allergies due to the high pollen count. At the end of the day, I am so physically exhausted, I haven't the energy to turn on the computer. "Better to burn out, than rust out.", somebody said.
One bright spot was the visit my brother, Dave and sister-in-law, Ginny paid during their road trip from Colorado. They stayed overnight, sharing the evening meal and Morning Prayer. Their observation, upon leaving, was that L'Arche Harbor House is a very happy community.
More bon mots from Kathy
After dinner each evening, we read something either from Scripture or the writings of Jean Vanier or others, then discuss. Last night's subject was on forgiveness. When I said Christ tells us, when hurt, to 'turn the other cheek', and what does that mean?, Kathy replied, "You slap the other cheek!".
March has been difficult. We were already down one assistant, when Jil came down with a bad back and Mariusz dreadful allergies due to the high pollen count. At the end of the day, I am so physically exhausted, I haven't the energy to turn on the computer. "Better to burn out, than rust out.", somebody said.
One bright spot was the visit my brother, Dave and sister-in-law, Ginny paid during their road trip from Colorado. They stayed overnight, sharing the evening meal and Morning Prayer. Their observation, upon leaving, was that L'Arche Harbor House is a very happy community.
More bon mots from Kathy
After dinner each evening, we read something either from Scripture or the writings of Jean Vanier or others, then discuss. Last night's subject was on forgiveness. When I said Christ tells us, when hurt, to 'turn the other cheek', and what does that mean?, Kathy replied, "You slap the other cheek!".
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Poetry and Music
I've neglected this blog for the entire month of February. Just very busy, I guess, so permit me to recap:
One afternoon late in January, I performed for The Rainbow Workshop a presentation of poetry and song, accompanying myself and the audience on the guitar. The verse is a selection of 'nonsense' poetry by Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll, followed by some serious poets, Edna St. Vincent Millay and John Masefield with subjects of trains and boats and travel (music corresponding). Wrapping up, everybody's favorite, "Casey at the Bat". The program was repeated, for those who don't attend the Workshop, preceding the Super Bowl broadcast, when our house hosted Peace House for the usual SB fare. All were in bed by the second half, which turned out to be the best ever played.
Two assistants have left, so we are struggling with scheduling until new ones are found. We will miss Amy Liz, her laughter, tremendous energy and creativity. Saying goodbye at the Community Center, our core members and assistants formed a chorus line and sang "Once in Love With Amy". We wish her all the best as she discerns her future.
Snuck a few days in South Florida the last week of February, visiting my son, Robert and cousin, Pat. That Saturday, the Carmelite Lay Order held a one-day retreat at St. Jude's in Boca Raton. Got in a little kayaking and museum time. Home in time to help make 700 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless, which L'Arche does several times a year.
I've neglected this blog for the entire month of February. Just very busy, I guess, so permit me to recap:
One afternoon late in January, I performed for The Rainbow Workshop a presentation of poetry and song, accompanying myself and the audience on the guitar. The verse is a selection of 'nonsense' poetry by Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll, followed by some serious poets, Edna St. Vincent Millay and John Masefield with subjects of trains and boats and travel (music corresponding). Wrapping up, everybody's favorite, "Casey at the Bat". The program was repeated, for those who don't attend the Workshop, preceding the Super Bowl broadcast, when our house hosted Peace House for the usual SB fare. All were in bed by the second half, which turned out to be the best ever played.
Two assistants have left, so we are struggling with scheduling until new ones are found. We will miss Amy Liz, her laughter, tremendous energy and creativity. Saying goodbye at the Community Center, our core members and assistants formed a chorus line and sang "Once in Love With Amy". We wish her all the best as she discerns her future.
Snuck a few days in South Florida the last week of February, visiting my son, Robert and cousin, Pat. That Saturday, the Carmelite Lay Order held a one-day retreat at St. Jude's in Boca Raton. Got in a little kayaking and museum time. Home in time to help make 700 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless, which L'Arche does several times a year.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Catholic Volunteers Winter Retreat in St. Augustine
We were
together once again at Villa Flora, run by the Sisters of St Joseph. The Mother
House is across the street from the guest house/retreat center.
Both buildings were built in the early eighteen hundreds. St.
Augustine is layer upon layer of history; first settled by the French, then the
Spanish, who were conquered by the English, whereas the colony was won back by
the Spanish before being ceded to America.
The theme
of the retreat was social justice. Friday evening the Catholic Chaplin
for Death Row prisoners in Florida's state prisons gave a very spirited talk on
the conditions of most prisons (no air conditioning in summer, overcrowding,
you've heard it all). Florida has the greatest number of men on Death
Row. Only Texas has actually executed more. More and more states
are overturning their death penalty law; ironically, only those in the Bible
Belt continue to hang on.
Think of
this, there is no constitutional right to not
be executed if you are
innocent. Statistically, we all know that black on black murder might get you the electric chair, as well as
white on white. However, white on black murder rarely sends one to death
row, but black on white murder will definitely get you there.
The
following day, we drove out to Our Lady of Hope/Communita Cenacolo, a movement
started in Italy. The young men, who live in community, have an abundance
of fruit trees, grow their own vegetables and raise pigs for slaughter. They
have recently begun wood working, making beautiful bowls and refinishing old
furniture. They also have an outdoor oven for making pizza. We were
served lunch of pasta and garlic, home made bread and fresh squeezed orange
juice. While eating one fellow reads from his journal to the rest.
I thought it took great courage to open up his most intimate feelings
before strangers.
After
detoxing, these young men come to Hope and pick up their lives without any
medicines or professional support. They rely on one another and the Holy
Spirit. Mass is said every morning by a visiting priest and rosary four
times a day. They are some of the sweetest souls you'll ever meet.
One
evening we had dinner with the Sisters, another time the women went out to
Stogies (a beer and a cigar for $4.99), later the younger among us found live
music to dance to.
A couple
of us skipped the March for Life and visited the lighthouse, and crazy Chelsea
went swimming in the 52 degree ocean water. Another great retreat!
Monday, January 12, 2015
Epiphany
L'Arche celebrates the Christmas Season right through to Epiphany, when the entire community exchanges gifts in remembrance of the three wise men. After prayer, dinner and singing, each person sat in the 'stable' to receive his/her gift from their 'secret Santa'. We are big here, in affirmation, so the giver tells the receiver how he/she sees Jesus in them. I had drawn Larry's name. He lives in Sunflower House, and for a very large man, he is so very gentle (certainly God-like). I admire Larry for his curiosity. He is very tech savy on computer, and has an extensive selection of CD's and vinyl records, which he is always eager to share.
L'Arche celebrates the Christmas Season right through to Epiphany, when the entire community exchanges gifts in remembrance of the three wise men. After prayer, dinner and singing, each person sat in the 'stable' to receive his/her gift from their 'secret Santa'. We are big here, in affirmation, so the giver tells the receiver how he/she sees Jesus in them. I had drawn Larry's name. He lives in Sunflower House, and for a very large man, he is so very gentle (certainly God-like). I admire Larry for his curiosity. He is very tech savy on computer, and has an extensive selection of CD's and vinyl records, which he is always eager to share.
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