Going 41 West

Posted on November 13, 2007
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Tonight we have a house meeting…..now for all of you a house meeting means take you info and walk into the living room or whatever room but for us here in the Upper Peninsula a house meeting means grab your info get in the car and go somewhere.  Well, todays meeting is in Republic.  So that most of you can get an idea of what that means it would be the same as you going from Manitowoc to Green Bay for a house meeting.  For me I don’t mind cuz I have a few errands to do in Ishpeming and besides supper is included in our meeting.  Going home tonight should take half the time cuz we have a very strong tail wind.  January we will be at St. Christopher’s but than Republic has to do the traveling.  Have meeting will travel.

Cherrios and world hunger

Posted on November 10, 2007
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During the Mass which I was celebrating as Founders Day and the rest as St. John Lateran in Rome a little tike about the age of 21 months was in front of me and all during Mass she was enjoying her bag of Cherrios.  My thoughts immediately wondered to the third world countries and thought wouldn`t it be wonderful if Kellogg and other cereal companies would send loads of Cherrios to these countries for the children but than even if they sent it to the inner cities of our own country would really be a step forward.  How many hungry children come to school each morning with no breakfast and it isn`t by choice?

Lake Effect

Posted on November 7, 2007
Filed Under Franciscanized World | 3 Comments

Traveling back from our meeting in Manitowoc we experienced snow flakes, sunshine, rain and as we turned north on 41 at Rapid River the trees started to take on the most beautiful sight of our winters.  At Trenary there were snow laden trees heavy with our winter gift but as we got closer to Marquette the amount of snow lessened.  One could see that what did come down was heavy and slushy.  Dropped Pat Morin off and one could see that some thoughtful person shoveled her side walk and she did have at least 3 inches.  I drove six blocks east toward the lake to 1310 High and not a flake of snow anywhere.  Now according to the map I am three blocks from the lake and this is what they called “lake effect”  Called Republic and they got 14 inches of so called “lake effect” and they are 30 miles away from the lake.  I guess one would say I need a lesson on lake effect

The Trio

Posted on November 3, 2007
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This posting is going to date me but most of you will remember that on November 2, Poor Souls Day, we would go to church and say 6 Our Fathers, 6 Hail Marys, and 6 Glory Bes, leave church and go back in and do it all over again and know that with each trio we would release a soul from purgatory.  Well, thankfully that is no longer the case but last night at St. Michael`s I attended the Mass of Remembrance.  In preparation for this Mass every family that lost a loved one during the past year got an invitation by mail to come and join the church community for this special Mass.

As you entered church one would see a large table draped in white with vigil lights on it for any mementoes you brought remembering those who have died. (pictures, prayer cards, anything that you wanted to bring)

During the intercessions all the names of loved ones are mentioned and as your loved one is mentioned you go up and light a candle as a family.  Than, if there is any friend, family member etc that you wish to pray for you mention it outloud but softly and everyone is doing this at the same time and now everyone in church is invited to light a candle. There is truly silent tears all over the church. 

After Mass Father Jed thanked everyone for coming and invited to a social after.

My thoughts go back to growing up and now and there is no comparison.

Room at the Inn

Posted on November 2, 2007
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As I wrote yesterday I would be attending the meeting for organizing a Homeless Shelter.  I idea for this shelter came about when a homeless person came into St. Vinnie`s asking for only a kettle to boil water.  No hat, gloves, or warm coat.  Helen at the desk at the time was so sick about this situation that she couldn`t sleep for days and cried every time she told the story.  This was last Feb. when we were having such cold weather.  Helen talked about it so much to everyone she saw and now starting Sunday the first church will house 10 homeless people (that is all the mats we have so far).  This is truly a Faith Based Initiative.  Seven churches have come on board and will host the homeless for one week.  After that week the mats will be moved to another church.  Our main purpose is to give them a warm clean mat and a hot meal.  We are not set up for job interviews or counseling.  Helen has dotted every eye and crossed every T so now we wait to see.  We realize that there will be problems we haven`t addressed but all will be addressed as they arise.  The weather is turning cold so it is perfect timing.  The shelter is set up for cold months only so from November to April.  There will be 12 hour supervision with 3 person 3 shifts.  I`m an early to bed so hot meals and clean laundry is my specialty.  Wish us luck

If not now, when?

Posted on November 2, 2007
Filed Under Image of the Month | 5 Comments

Your time will come, he stated endearingly. I smiled, even though he could not see it, and thought, No… my time is now.

 I`ve been living in New York almost a month now, and it seems unbelievable that the time has passed so quickly. Already the experience has been an adventure and highly beneficial: I have met many incredible, extraordinary people and heard their amazing stories; I have made new friends and gotten in touch with old ones; I have proven to myself that I can figure out a solution to the most challenging situations– namely, how to move 3000 miles away from home, on my own, and figure out where the heck to go from there; and, last but certainly not least, I have brightened the day of a number of strangers by doing the one thing that I simply cannot keep from doing– smiling. =)

“Keep smilin` all day, baby, you`re beautiful…”

“You`ve got a beautiful smile. In fact, I was sad until you smiled at me. So thank you…”

Although the majority of my days on Long Island are spent in solitude, it has been refreshing and quite enjoyable; I love spending time with me, as we`ve become very good friends over the past 20 years. I have learned to take each moment as it comes, to make the most of it– whether I`m alone in a house on Long Island or exploring the streets of Manhattan– because each moment is unique and just as exquisitely beautiful as the last.

I know that my life is a little bit more than ordinary. I have many amazing accomplishments and stories under my belt, and I am headed toward countless more… I know that my time is now; I do not feel that days spent idle are days wasted, because this psychological vacation has done me well to get back in touch with my Self– and these days are never truly idle. I have had more time to write, to think, to draw, to read, to explore, to live, than had I jumped right into a full time job and full time classes.

I am able to enjoy winter sunshine through the large windows of our home, to appreciate the beautiful intricacies of life lived day-to-day… no, moment-to-moment. I am able to spend time with my family, my cousins and their three amazing, adorable children– to play with them, help dress them for outings, help them with their homework, listen to them talk about their day, put them to bed and read them their stories… A large part of the reason I jumped onto that one-way, eastbound plane was so that I could be a larger part of these kids lives as they grow up. And I must say that, although it has been rewarding being independent and figuring life out for myself as I go along, the most rewarding part of this particular adventure has been getting to know my family so much better.

Switching pace now; Throughout my life, I have travelled far, lived many places, and pined for change. I found that I have the ability to fit in anywhere, with any group, in any situation– and for some reason, this managed to make me feel even more alone, even less like I belonged anywhere. But now, somehow, I can feel like I belong. And I don`t mean to sound clichéd, I am not saying that I`ve finally found my home and now I can be happy– although perhaps I have, who knows– I am saying simply that I have come to the realization that my home truly is wherever my love resides. In which case, I have so many homes spread out through so many states and countries…I have a home in southern California, with my parents and brother at an adorable, cozy little house in a sunny little town… and a home a little more north of that, with my oldest brother and my beautiful niece… I have a home in Arizona, with my uncle and his wife, in their beautiful house in that glamorous desert city… I have a home or two in Colorado, with my sisters who, even when we don`t talk for years, are still my sisters… I have a home in Oklahoma with two of the most amazing, wonderful grandparents that I could have ever been blessed with… I have a home or five in Tennessee, with friends and family who have been nothing but supportive and enthusiastic… I have a home with my best friend and surrogate sister, on a gorgeous ranch in the Virginia countryside… I have a home in Pennsylvania, with my step-grandparents who are just as great as could be… I have a home in Germany, with my dear friends and host-family, who have extended me a permanent offer to return… I have a home in a little British village, with my English friend and his adorable family… I have a home upstate NY, with my cousin and his amazing wife and kids, in a beautiful, residential community… I have a home with my new, close friend and role model in Queens, whom I love and look up to like a sister (and hopefully soon, we will have a place together)…I have my new permanent home here on Long Island, with my cousin and his wife– who are both my heroes– and their three incredible, intelligent, beautiful kids… and soon, I will have another home in New York City, with my new sister and our comfortable, pretty little two-bedroom apartment…

Now, when I look at it like that, it`s pretty difficult to feel alone. How can I feel like I do not belong anywhere, when I have so many people who love me, and so many places that I can call home? It`s an amazing feeling, and although I know that [realistically] I will struggle to keep this frame of mind, it is a comfort to know that I can retreat to any one of these homes, should I ever feel the need to.

I`m so incredibly fortunate to have so many people in my life who love and care for me… And I hope you all know how much I appreciate your support and encouragement.

Only Then Will Your House Be Blessed

Posted on November 2, 2007
Filed Under Song of the Month | 3 Comments

“Only Then” is a song that speaks about taking personal responsibility for the world you live in, If you have your `house` together, then that`s all that needs to be done. Then and only then can you offer anything to another.”

Marquette Ministries/The Day in the Life

Posted on November 1, 2007
Filed Under Franciscanized World | 3 Comments

Sister Julie Ann called and ask if I would write for the Blog and I truly thought this is a Halloween Joke cuz I know nothing about a Blog and much less write in one…..well she doesn`t give up so here I am just giving an idea of what this day November 1st will be like for me so far.

Mass of course for the holy day but than back to church for Liturgy of the Word for one of the first people I contacted when I arrived here in Marquette in January of 1992.  Theresa was a total joy, with a sense of humor, artistic ability, and added to that a life of suffering.  Divorce, car accident and unable to pay utility bills and through it all she added more to my day than I could add to her`s

After that I will head to the Catholic Campus Ministry and unload the Van of shoe boxes for the College Students to fill for the homeless.  After these boxes are filled with hygiene items they will be wrapped and than given to Sister Sara in Chicago to give out to the people she meets on the streets.  Different organizations of the college community either Adopt-A-Family or fill Shoe boxes for people at Christmas.  We try to match the organization`s size to the family size.  Times are tough for everyone so we don`t want to burden anyone who is trying to help.

Come home, walk the dog, not mine the neighbor`s and than return calls before heading to the “Palace”, my storage, and put boxes together for Christmas families.

Manage to get home for some supper and than out to Christ Church for a session on the Room at the Inn, a new homeless shelter being organized during the cold winter months of the U.P.  I volunteered for meals and laundry.  Night duty is not my cup of tea.

More on that as the month goes on.  See ya

Our Life of Grace

Posted on November 1, 2007
Filed Under Vocations / Discernment | Leave a Comment

Our bodies are made to grow as our inner life desires to grow in relationship with the Lord God.

At Baptism, our life as a child of God begins. This life of grace matures through Eucharist, Confirmation, Penance, prayer and doing good.

Relationship with the Lord changes and develops.  Notice. What change has happened in your life personal interests, plans, shadows, desires, virtues?

How important to you are family, education, travel, successes, failures, friends, personal growth?

We know the Lord is with us and active in our hearts.  As you examine personal change, see how this reflects the Lord’s presence and will within you. 

     Is God calling you to something more?

     Does the Lord desire you to be His own in a unique way?

     To what is He calling you?

Examine the change in your life:

     What is really important to you?

     In what are you really interested?

     Can God be asking you to focus more on His desires for you?

     What does the Lord want of you?

Helps for you may include:

     Journaling.

     Speaking to a person you trust who has insight on call or vocation.

     Reading  about people who take God seriously.

     Praying. Placing your heart before the Lord.

     Love Him!

“This is what I want, this is what I was seeking.

From this day forth I shall set myself with all my strength to put it into practice.”

                                           St. Francis

                                                                                    (Sabatier p. 44)

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