MARCH 2015 BEGINS

The last fling of winter is over ...  The earth, the soil itself, has a dreaming quality about it.  It is warm now to the touch; it has come alive; it hides secrets that in a moment, in a little while, it will tell.”
-  Donald Culross Peattie 

Early in February, Bob and John met with a number of folks involved with volunteer programs at Duchense House.  Sr. Anne Byrne, RSCJ and the Religious of the Sacred Heart hosted the meeting.  The House of Charity, representatives of the St. Bernard Project and the Notre Dame Americorps Volunteers and others gathered to get to know each other and to see the scope of their plans.  We will meet again in April to update each other.  We are particularly interested in folks who are open to life in community while giving service.

An article by Peter Finney in the Archdiocesan newspaper, The Clarion Herald, centered on Charles Avendano and his ministry.  http://clarionherald.org/clarion/index.php/parks-home/4162-even-at-89-a-christian-brother-finds-a-way-to-serve

During the second week of February, John visited Pope John Paul II High School for the Discovery Walk Program.

Bacchus Sunday, the last weekend of Mardi Gras parades, saw a goodly sized group, ladders and children in tow, arrive for the usual Bacchus Sunday Open House, now held at the Blessed Pauline Center.  Allison Maraldo visited us over that weekend; Molly Sherry brought ‘Hunter” along for a visit on Monday.

On the 21^st of February Archbishop Aymond and a large group of religious women, and a few men, celebrated the Year of Consecrated Life with a Mass at the recently restored shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. This was followed by a delicious buffet and time to preview a brief video on religious life.  Both Br. Charles and John can be seen on the video!

While we have had unseasonably cool weather, it is quite relative when one sees how the rest of the nation is fairing.

Sr. Mary Lou explains a fine point to John--as usual he is amazed.

On February 28^th we hosted a gathering of religious called the “Newcomers.”  We are folks who have come to NOLA since Hurricane Katrina and we meet to pray and share experiences and then have a meal together.  This session we welcomed several Daughters of Charity of advanced years whose convents recently closed and who are now assigned to New Orleans. 
 Sr. Mary Lou Specha, PBVM, a long standing friend of the Brothers’ community shared with us news about a new venture, Hotel Hope which will provide transitional housing for homeless single mothers with children.  They are converting a convent in the Broadmoor area with the support of the parish, Pastor and a host of donors as well as FEMA funding.

Sr. Claire Regan, SC with Brs. Charles and Sean

Br. Sean Moffett, who is on our Province Leadership Team, was able to join in the day.  He is here on visitation, an annual occurrence with the Brothers.  Sean and our Province Leadership Team have been discussing a renewed vision for the Volunteer Program here in New Orleans; change is in the air.

Br. Sean Moffett and Sr. Claire and some of our 'Newcomers'

The energy of March

 
“With vision there is no room to be frightened, no reason for intimidation. It's time to march forward! Let's be confident and positive!” 
-  Charles R. Swindoll 

[The energy of the month of march may be related to a second meaning of 'march' as in walking, long trek, walking in a military campaign, marching in a coordinated manner in a group.]

REFLECTION

“God plays upon the harp of the Spirit.

Sounding the strings strongest in love:

And to this mystical music

Humanity is beckoned to sing.”

Mechtild of Hefta [13^th century] quoted in A LENTEN SOURCEBOOK from Liturgy Training Publications

BLOG 03.01.15