MID-APRIL 2013: Community Weekend and a Birthday

Unseasonably cool weather and some rainy days were welcome during the third week of April.  Br. Bob, in addition to his duties at St. Joe’s on Tulane, replaced all the ceiling tiles in the “Map Room” and he installed new lighting which dramatically highlights the map.  He also removed non-functioning fluorescent ceiling lights and repaired another—it no longer blinks and winks at the inhabitants of the place.  Not bad for 70--or for 25 as a matter of fact.  He has been up and down the ladder many, many times.  

John Petrullo works with the Sisters, the volunteers and the guests at Lantern Light, and Matt Beben completed a period of time working with a lot of volunteers at United Saints; recently he has been working on projects at the headquarters. Travis Wain has been on the West Bank and East Bank doing a variety of building tasks with volunteers from France, and with formerly incarcerated folks doing work projects.  Br. Charles goes into Lantern Light every weekday and gets in his daily walk at Audubon Park whatever the weather.  John has been doing Discovery Walks, school coaching and some Province educational administrative tasks.

Bustling downtown Abita Springs

The weekend of the 20^th the six of us had an overnight community weekend.   After Morning Prayer on Saturday, we headed out.  Travis drove the van, John Petrullo and Matt Beben shouted vague directions guided by the ‘apps’ on their I-phones and the elders enjoyed the scenery!  We traveled the 28 miles of the causeway over Lake Pontchartrain and made our way to Abita Springs where we had lunch in that tiny country town and visited the local industry that uses the springs for creation of its product: the Abita Springs Brewery.  The tour consists of tastings of various beers, two brief educational videos, and then a 15 minute viewing of the facility,  and then more tasting.  Thankfully for Br. Charles and Br. John they also make root beer.  Br. Bob managed to attract attention when he was the only one who could manage getting the ring on the string to land on the neck of the beer bottle.  You had to be there.  We splurged on overnight hotel accommodations [our donor begs to remain anonymous] with the volunteers sharing a suite and the Brothers in their own rooms.  We met from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for a conversation around our community life:  where we have been, where we are now and where we want to go in the next three months.  It was a rich and encouraging discussion in which all participated equally.  We concluded with a dinner nearby at a place called Zea’s which John Petrullo favors, and which, to Br. John’s relief serves gin and tonics.  

View of the abbey from above the main altar

   On Sunday we went to the 11:00 AM Sung Mass at St. Joseph’s Benedictine Abbey and Seminary in Covington, returning home about 3:00 PM.

On Monday evening we went to the Irish House on St. Charles Avenue to celebrate Travis Wain’s 23^rd Birthday.  Matt, Travis and Br. Bob swallowed raw oysters [ugh], and everyone ordered salmon except John Petrullo who had a burger and Br. John who ordered shrimp risotto.  Due to the birthday we forced ourselves to have dessert.  The sticky toffee pudding is wonderful if calorically deadly.

Sadly, as we return to New Orleans, the news continues to offer grim statistics--the city has a murder rate ten times that of others of its size and just yesterday, two men were shot to death and a child of 8 sent to the hospital with gunshot wounds from the same shooting.

A THOUGHT:

On discipleship:  How do we in religious community, define ourselves?  Is it by ministry [our work] or by our identification and relationship with our teacher [motivation for our work]? 

As disciples we move away from our own freedom and decision making to do it in the context of our religious community.  We are with each other, for each other.  In the process of discernment our community is established. Then in dying to self-centeredness, one can respond to the Reign of God, allowing the Beloved to turn one's life upside down.

[This is a paraphrase of remarks delivered by Dianne Bergant in Cornwall, Ontario to a meeting of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers several years ago.]

BOSTON BOMBING AND ALUMNAE VOLUNTEERS

Allison Maraldo on the left and Molly Sherry on the right, 2010-11 volunteers

A cousin of Molly Sherry’s [2010-11] and his wife were severely injured in the Boston Marathon bombings on Monday, April 15^th.  We only have preliminary details, but the first word is that both had to have a leg amputated due to the injuries.  Caitlyn De Castro [2008-09], Cat Drennan [2009-10] and Molly are all alumnae of St. Anselm’s in New Hampshire, were friends and now live in Boston and continue to keep in close contact.  It was Cat who first let us know the news about Molly’s cousin and his wife.  It is horrible to think of all those killed and injured by the evil that stalks the earth in different guises; but courage is to confront that with greater good—and to risk celebrating and creating the goodness that continues to enliven us and our world. 

We got the news Monday evening as we returned from a 70^th birthday dinner for Br. Bob at Superior Seafood, a newly opened restaurant at the corner of Napoleon and St. Charles.  We’d had to detour on our way home to stop off at Sucre, a gelato shop that Caitlyn De Castro introduced us to some years ago.

On Sunday, April 14^th, Brs. Charles, Bob and John and the volunteers, Matt, John and Travis went to an Open House at the House of Charity on Cambronne Street.  An initiative of several Charity Orders, it is a new purpose built house for a community of sisters who host groups for a week at a time.  The groups go out to do all sorts of volunteer work during the day, and come back in the evening for meals, prayer and reflection with the Sisters.  Their groups are up to 15 people who are associated with the Charity communities [Sisters and Daughters].  Like us, the Sisters also pursue other ministries.  The big difference is that their groups are larger, and there for a shorter time.  Our group of three volunteers makes a year-long commitment.  The House of Charity is beautiful; marked by simplicity, serenity and the spirit of the sponsoring religious communities. 

From April 11 to 15 we hosted James Sabato, a friend of Matt Beben’s from high school days.  They took in the French Quarter Fest, as well as visiting the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Sculpture Garden and Botanical Garden in City Park and the World War II Museum.  John and Travis joined them for visits to the French Quarter Fest, the largest free festival in the South.

John Petrullo invited Connie Bishop, with whom he worked at Café Reconcile, for dinner on Wednesday evening, the 10^th.  She was a delightful dinner companion, but very discreet!  We got only good stories from her!

Tuesday night, the 9^th, Br. John hosted a meeting for members of the Steering Committee for the Burning Bush Initiative.  Initiated by the Sisters of Holy Faith, the group seeks to engage religious in the struggle against violence in New Orleans.  Srs. Maura O’Donovan,  Kathleen  Nealon, and Claire Regan as well as John were elected as a steering committee and are working to present some possible initiatives for the group to pursue.  During the week John also did a Discovery Walk at one of the schools he works with.

Charles and John Petrullo noted a decline in numbers of the homeless coming for lunch during French Quarter Fest—and were sent home one day during the week due to high winds and fierce rains.  Bob is busy both at St. Joe’s parish doing the books, and on a massive task of replacing all the ceiling tiles in the Map Room, front and side hallways.  Travis and Matt continue with their work rebuilding New Orleans and keeping their vehicles clean [they now call it ‘detailing’] and in repair—jump starts, flat tires, etc. have been absorbing time and cash in the past week or so for these intrepid men.

REFLECTION:

“To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.

To reach for another is to risk involvement.

To expose your feelings is to risk exposing your true self.

To place your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk their loss.

To love is to risk not being loved in return.

To live is to risk dying.

To believe is to risk despair.

To try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

The person who risks nothing does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.

People may avoid suffering and sorrow, but they cannot learn, feel, 

       change, grow, love, live.

Chained by certitudes they are slaves; they have forfeited their freedom.

Only a person who risks is free.

William A. Ward 

BLOG 04.16.13

EASTER WEEK 2013: Tragedy and Blessing

TRAGEDY:

Joseph Massenburg

On Monday April 1, an 18 year old Americorps volunteer, Joseph Massenburg, was shot to death while while walking down a street, talking on his phone.  A recent high school graduate, he had just come to New Orleans to work at Green Light New Orleans, which installs energy efficient lighting at no charge for homeowners in need.  His is the first recorded death for an Americorps worker in the nation; but sadly the 44^th murder in the city of New Orleans this year.  He was active in his hometown church community and his family spoke with great compassion in their grief.

Our Americorps volunteers are sponsored by a different organization, but one with similar goals, to give service to those in need.  As we Christian Brothers focus on the values of “Liberation, compassion and presence” in our efforts at renewal, young men like Joseph model those values for us—working for liberation with compassion by being present to those in need. 

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2013/04/candlelit_vigil_held_in_honor.html

BLESSING:

Even as we reflected on Joseph’s death, we celebrated life among us.  Travis Wain’s mother, Vicky, his aunt Helen and his sister returned late in the day from Lafayette, La. on Monday of Easter Week and John Petrullo’s Mother and Dad were here for dinner, so there was a chance for a get-together of the two families!  Both families left on Tuesday and all here returned to regular ministries.  Travis was in New Orleans working on a house; Matt traveled for his work while John and Br. Charles were back at Lantern Light; Bob was at St. Joe’s on Tulane and doing volunteer recruitment.  John worked from home finishing some reports for his work with the School Leadership Center.  Workmen were in during the week finishing installation of air conditioning systems in one part of the house and Bob replaced all the ceiling tiles in the side hall outside the Map Room.  It is very dirty work since generations of dust, and crumbled plaster and unmentionables have collected up there, but the results are very satisfying.  The parish has noted his work and is willing to raise money to pay for any ceiling tile replacement he can do!

On Saturday morning, April 6th, the Sisters of Holy Faith, Nancy Hale and Pauline O’Reilly, hosted an Associates meeting for about 15 associates and sponsors in the Blessed Pauline Room from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM; at 2:30 PM the ‘Friends of St. Henry’, former parishioners, arrived with food and wine in tow, to set up for a Golden Jubliee celebration for Sr. Marilita Roy, a Sister of the Living Word who grew up in this parish and once lived here as a Sister of Christian Charity.  About 75 people attended a 4 PM Mass celebrated by Msgr. Henry Engelbrecht, the former Pastor.  They came over afterward, and celebrated on the first floor and in two tents erected on the front lawn.  The roses were in bloom around the statue of the Blessed Mother and were appreciated by many of the former parishioners!

Walking on the levee, Vacherie, Louisiana

On Sunday, Br. John, Matt, John and Travis went off to visit St. Joseph Plantation—John Petrullo got a great deal on “Groupon” [?] and we drove to Vacherie, about an hour drive to the West Bank of the Mississippi near Laura and Oak Alley Plantations.  

 

The plantation has been owned by the same family since the 1870’s and one is welcomed and given tours by members of the extended family.  It is less ‘dressed up’ but felt much more real than many such experiences.  We headed off to Oak Alley for lunch!  They have a good restaurant—the only one for many miles since the area is quite rural.  

Matt, Travis, Br. John, John

Sunday evening John Petrullo made dinner and we discussed upcoming visitors this week.  Besides our work during the day, we will be having guests for dinner and for longer stays in the days ahead.

[But for the picture of Joseph Massenburg, and our ‘group’ shot, the photos were taken by Matt Beben.]

FOR EASTER:

"Can we go home now?"  "Nooo, we just got here."

“Know the benediction of the Lord in these days!

In all your comings and goings, know He is there.

In all your joys and triumphs, know he upholds you.

In all your worries and heartaches, know that he cares.

And in all your worship, celebrating, dancing and laughing—

   wherever you are—know that He is pleased.”

                                               Anonymous

EASTER 2013 - No Fooling

I know--it's already April and there has been no post since February 11.  Well, here goes--with pictures of our Easter brunch courtesy of Matt Beben.

Ursuline Sisters Donna, Carolyn, Regina Marie with Br. Bob and the pancakes!

 

Twenty two people sat down to our Easter Brunch this year. Once again, Bob Koppes’ blueberry pancakes were a hit—you can’t eat just one!  Bellinis [OJ, sparkling wine and peach schnapps], fresh fruit cup, sausages, muffins and pastries rounded out the menu.  Matt Beben was assistant chef, and photographer!  John and Charles set tables, with Charles purchasing lilies and ‘Peeps’ for our décor!

John Petrullo’s parents were here, as were our neighbors, Glenn and Randy.  Glenn Lirette is a not only a good neighbor, he is also a benefactor, and our landscaping and architectural consultant.  Jenn Inberg and Don Baker who work with Matt Beben at United Saints joined us also. [She’s Matt’s barber!  Shhh!] 

Holy Faith Sisters Nancy and Pauline, John Petrullo and his parents and Br. Charles

As you will see in the pictures, guests included Sisters of the Holy Family [they volunteer at Lantern Light as do John P. and Br. Charles], Ursulines, and a Sister and a Daughter of Charity.

Srs. Monica, SC, Carla. OSU, Maura CHF, Carolyn, OSU, Ginger, OSU and Br. John

 

A later view--that's Glenn Lirette where Sr. Monica Gundler was!

 Travis Wains mother, Vicky and Aunt Helen were here for dinner on Wednesday of Holy Week; they traveled to Lafayette, Louisiana to visit members of his family for Easter.

Sr. Donna Hyndman, OSU and Don Baker,  on the balcony, with a "Peep"

You’ll note that one of the pictures is of guests sitting on the balcony.  During March, the parish embarked on a major reconstruction of the front balcony which included newly fashioned pillars, new structural beams, and new ceilings and flooring.  It has returned the balcony to new condition while remaining faithful to the architecture and materials of the original.  Great thanks are owed to our Pastor,  Msgr. Nalty,  Dianne Caverly, the facilities manager [her husband graduated from Br. Rice, Michigan], and the construction crew led by David Garcia.

During Holy Week,  Serutine Air Conditioning completed the installation of new duct work and mechanicals for the system that heats and cools the first floor of the original building.  The rooms used by the Kinghts of Columbus, the bar area, ‘Map Room’ and kitchen are now more liveable!  Br. Bob has done much work replacing ceiling tiles, and repairing the results of years of neglect in this area.  During Lent the parish moved its fish fry here and folks were amazed at the work he did or spearheaded.

There's a reason it is called the 'Map Room"

Matt Beben was here--note laptop  and footwear!

 Looking ahead, we celebrate Bob’s 70^th birthday on April 15, and Travis’ 23^rd on April 22.  On April 28^th the Archdiocese of New Orleans celebrates religious men and women who are Jubilarians; Br. Charles and the community will be there celebrating Charles’ 70^th year in religious life.

We plan a reception at the Blessed Pauline Center on May 18^th to celebrate Charles and Bob.