Nairobi Here I Come

The leadership of our religious community, the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers, has invited 35 or so Brothers and associates to a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.  It is part of a process  of planning called: "A Way into the Future."  It is held in Nairobi which is central for our brethren in India, Australia, Africa and Europe.  The delegates from North and South America have to travel a bit.  Since I hate sitting on airplanes, [I really do], I was asked to go.  It is a very long trip.

You want me to fly where?  And that will take how long? 

I leave from New Orleans on Friday, the 30th of September and fly via Miami and London to arrive 23 hours later at 8:55 PM Nairobi time, October 1.  The meetings begin on October 2!  One hopes it all begins gently.  We are assigned groups: Community, Finance & Fundraising, Leadership & Governance, A Learning Organization, and Mission.  I am, happily, assigned to the Mission group with 5 or 6 others.  The members of the Mission group include Brothers from India, Africa, Oceania, Europe and me!

We are together for the week to be oriented and make initial plans with the chair who has been appointed.  After that we will communicate by Skype and other forms of communication.  No more travel, D. G.   We end our sessions on Saturday and I will fly out on Sunday evening the 9th, and stop in London, returning to NOLA [via Chicago] on the 13th.  It will break the trip and I will visit the Ursuline Sister who has led our August visitors these last two years.

I will probably not have access to a computer until I get back in mid-October, so the Monday morning posts will skip two weeks or so.  Do say a prayer for God's blessings on the meetings--and for volunteers to come and join our community in New Orleans this year.  We are still asking folks to consider it.

I'm Just Saying: Casey on Coaches!

Some time ago, I had a discussion with Peter Finney, Jr., the editor of our Archdiocesan newspaper, The Clarion Herald, about Catholic identity in our schools.  He recently had reason to recall my comments about the important role of coaches and moderators in Catholic formation of the young people with whom they work.  I had said that, in an NCEA publication, "CHS 2000"  about Catholic secondary schools, research is quoted that demonstrates that young people are most likely to pray in: huddles, at games, and when invited to during activities and athletic events. I told him that my experience in schools confirmed that. A recent spate of publicity about the intemperate language of a major university football coach prompted him to give me a call.  I went to drop off a copy of the "CHS 2000" document, and while at his office, he interviewed me.  If you want to see the result you can go to the Clarion Herald and see the results.     http://clarionherald.info/clarion/index.php/parks-home/489-the-blue-tongue-of-notre-dame-coach-brian-kelly%3Ehttp://clarionherald.info/clarion/index.php/parks-home/489-the-blue-tongue-of-notre-dame-coach-brian-kelly 

On caller who read the article said:  "Well, it does sound like you!"  The truth is, Peter tapes you as you talk and is very accurate. "I'm just saying."

FROM OUR RECENT PAST

In September of 2010, we had the orientation for new members of the Volunteer Community here in New Orleans for the first time.  Molly Sherry, Haley Mills and Josh Burgess spent several days together before Josh went to spend his volunteer year in Bonita Springs.  Haley was with us until offered a wonderful scholarship opportunity in November which is an answer to her call to the ordained ministry in her Methodist faith community.

Molly, Haley and Josh during orientation.

Fast forward to Summer 2011, and Molly Sherry and Allison Maraldo, who joined us when Haley left, were joined by Nick Roland, from the 2009-10 community in offering hospitality to a group of young men from Bishop Hendricken High School [in Molly's native Rhode Island.]  When students from our schools come to volunteer here we have them over for dinner, reflection and then dessert.  Bread pudding and Blue Bell ice cream seem a universal hit.

Molly dishes out the bread pudding; Allison the ice cream, Nick assists.

We do not just work and host groups, we also celebrate significant moments in our lives.  Here Molly and Allison are arriving at Dante's Kitchen in the Riverbend section of New Orleans for Molly's birthday dinner.  Molly and Allison remain in New Orleans, sharing an apartment in Mid-City.  Allison continues at Operation Helping Hands coordinating paint and volunteer crews, while Molly is a teaching assistant in early childhood classes at Langston Hughes Elementary School near City Park.

Allison and Molly arrive--let the celebration begin!

In July the community celebrated Br. Bob's Golden Jubilee with a gathering at 4219 Constance that included prayer, a brief vow renewal ceremony, some words by Bob and, of course, food!  Our guests included members of a number of women's religious communities we have come to know through our shared ministries, volunteers and staff from Operation Helping Hands, Fr. Michael Joseph Nguyen a friend and major benefactor of the Volunteer Community, and Colleen Larocca and her husband who have been supportive of our efforts here and have guided our inculturation!

Charles greets our guests.

Molly and Allison lead a litany of Edmund Rice.

Sr. Vera Butler, PBVM from Lantern Light Ministries

Fr. Michael Joseph Nguyen proclaims the Gospel.

Kevin Griffith, John Casey, Bob Koppes and Charles Avendano renew their vows.

 

Br. Kevin Griffith leads prayer.

Colleen Larocca and Sr. Jackie Schmitz, CSJ

Bob cuts the cake!

 

 

 

BR. JOE EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Br. Martin Joseph Fragala, CFC was a founding member of the Volunteer Community and a full-time volunteer at Cafe Reconcile, on O. C. Haley Boulevard in New Orleans,  from 2007 until his untimely death in 2010.  The work of Cafe Reconcile appealed to him immediately, enabling him to pursue two passions: educating at-risk young people and preparing good food!  A scholarship fund in his name continues our link with this mission that is an example of Edmund Rice's charism at work in our time.

The mission of Cafe Reconcile is stated on their website:  "We are a community of concerned people committed to addressing the system of generational poverty, violence and neglect in the New Orleans area. Our innovative life skills and job training program assists young people (ages 16–22) from severely at-risk communities who desire to make a positive change in their lives. Reconcile’s students arrive facing a vast array of challenges, from extreme poverty and high school attrition to homelessness, violence, and participation in the juvenile justice system. Nonetheless, these young people possess a deep desire to break the cycle and become productive, contributing members of society. "

Br. Joe with Catherine Drennan, a volunteer during 2009-2010.  They are at Cafe Reconcile.

 Joe loved the students and kept a small notebook with the names of each student who signed on for the now 9 week course which educates the students in applying for jobs, working the kitchen and working the floor as wait staff.  He arrived early in the morning for breakfast and prayers, worked along side students and staff rolling tableware in paper napkins, circulating among the lunch patrons selling the dessert special of the day, and listening to staff and students and the stories of their life journeys.   As someone said:  "For some students, he was the only adult who ever listened to them and cared for them and asked nothing in return."

Shortly after celebrating his Golden Jubilee with a vow renewal and reception at Cafe Reconcile,  Br. Joe traveled north to visit family and friends in Schenectady, New York.  He died suddenly in early July 2010, an enormous loss to this community and the mission at Reconcile.  A scholarship fund was begun in his name, and recently Br. Charles Avendano represented the community at the graduation for 18 graduates.  The two scholarship recipients, Cuvanna Smith and Jasmine Cheneau, received checks for  $250 to pursue further educational opportunities.

Br. Joe on the left, a guest and Br. Charles on the right in the dining room at 4219 Constance.

 You can access Cafe Reconcile's website by typing in "Cafe Reconcile, New Orleans" on Google or whatever you use.  If you go to the cafe , Br. Joe's picture is on the wall there, as well as a pottery plaque presented to him by the Jesuit Province in recognition of his devotion to New Orleans and the mission of Cafe Reconcile.

OPERATION HELPING HANDS WINDING DOWN

 

Christian Brothers Volunteers at OHH in 2008-2009:  Kyle Fischler, Caitlyn DeCastro, Br. Tom Lejeune and Vincent Fiedler-Ross

On Friday, September 2, 2011 Br. Bob came home with the sad news that Operation Helping Hands would be winding down and cease operation in June of 2012.  While the work on current homes will continue, and the long-term volunteers will continue to welcome groups who come for a week during the year, a number of the staff were given three weeks notice.  The advocates, who interviewed the poor and elderly who came seeking assistance, and a number of the professionals who form the backbone of the effort, are being terminated in coming weeks.  It was especially poignant coming just as we began the Labor Day Weekend celebration.

On September 8, after an article had appeared in the Times Picayune, Catholic Charities, of which Operation Helping Hands is one activity, released a statement which stated in part: "The program, which uses volunteers and skilled workers to gut, repair, rebuild and repaint the homes of the elderly and disabled, has been tremendously successful.  We are grateful and humbled to have been able to serve so many homeowners and eternally thankful to have had the opportunity to work alongside the 29,076 volunteers who came to assist us in the rebuilding effort, including rebuilding 195 homes and gutting 1,983 homes."

Ryan Danaher, Catherine Drennan and Nick Roland, 2009-2010 community members.

                

                                                     

We had thought the program would continue for several more  years since there are still thousands and thousands of homes in ruins, and many poor and elderly who need assistance.  However, because of contaminated "Chinese dry wall," 41 homes that were rehabilitated will have to be redone, at a cost estimated at $40,000 per house.  That, plus the uncertainty about future state and federal funding, appear to have caused the cancellation of the program.

The statement continued: "Catholic Charities . . . will fulfill all of its existing commitments to homeowners, but will not be accepting new clients.  We are currently in the midst off 12 rebuilding projects and are rebuilding and rehabilitating 41 homes that were repaired using Chinese drywall that was donated to us..." 

Vincent Fiedler-Ross, a volunteer in 2008-2009 with Br. Joe Fragala who volunteered at Cafe Reconcile, a program for at-risk young people.  Br. Joe died suddenly in July of 2010.  Vincent is now pursuing a graduate degree in Washington, DC.

 The Christian Brother Volunteer Community has included long-term volunteers at Operation Helping Hands for the last three years.  While there was never any intention to have volunteers only work at OHH, that is what transpired.  However, it does give this community an insight into an aspect of the Operation Helping Hands program that has not been spoken of in either the press or by Catholic Charities.  That is the opportunity for young men and women to give service in a personal and practical way to the poorest and least served in the community.  It provided an opportunity for the volunteers to cross racial, social and economic divides that they could not have achieved any other way.  It brought highly motivated college graduates with degrees in English, international studies, business, etc. to work gutting buildings, hanging wall board, tiling floors, painting walls and meeting families and working with them for months; building authentic relationships of mutual respect and affection that transcended race and social class.  We Brothers witnessed this in our daily prayer with the young men and women who lived with us.  We witnessed it in the guests who came home to have dinner with us, both other volunteers and staff.  Br. John witnessed it in the days of reflection he was invited to give to the whole group and to the Americorps volunteers.  It was at a day of reflection in the Fall of 2010 that  a staff member said it best:  "This is the finest group of people I have ever worked with; that is why I am here."

The newspaper accounts and the statement from Catholic Charities focused, appropriately from their perspective, on the projects and programs.

As a community of religious, in the tradition of Edmund Rice, we reflected on his charism:  "Edmund Rice responded to Christ present and appealing to him in the materially poor."  We have been privileged over the past three years to accompany the long-term volunteers who were members of the community as they faced the joys and difficulties of service to the poor, as well as life in community.  We focus on the volunteers and the relationships they developed and that developed them.

Br. Charles, Molly Sherry, Br. Bob, Sr. Monica Gundler, Br. John and Haley Mills--Fall, 2010

Archbishop Aymond has written that our educational institutions should be "schools of discipleship."  TO TEACH AS JESUS DID, the 1972 document from the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops states
that the Christian vocation is personal sanctification and transformation of the social order in light of Gospel values.  It further defines the three fold purpose of Catholic education as: to teach the faith, in the context of community, and to give service to the Church and the world.

For the young men and women who lived in community with us these last three years, and for many of there companions in ministry, Operation Helping Hands was putting all they learned in Catholic schools into practice.  It took them from theory to lived reality for an extended period of time.  It was not taking up a collection, or saying a prayer, or collecting unused articles for the distant or hardly known poor.  It was dirty, smelly, grubby work, in hot, unsanitary conditions in neighborhoods they might only have driven through at other times.  It was real and tough.  And sometimes it was joyous and wonderful.  Our volunteers and groups we have hosted here at the house, speak repeatedly of the joy and goodness of the majority of those whom they help and say, in the end, they have been the ones who have benefited most.

So while the winding down of Operation Helping Hands and the displacement of many full-time employees was inevitable, and the physical, on-the-ground achievements worthy of note and great praise, we will continue to speak of and celebrate this practicum in the school of discipleship.

It was, finally, a fundamental part of our celebration of Eucharist, the source and summit of our work and worship.  For in our service we find meaning.  As John Paul II pointed out in his encyclical MANE NOBISCUM, on the Eucharist, it is not a mistake that in John's Gospel account of the Last Supper, there is no mention of the words of institution, but rather we have the washing of the feet. He goes on to say: " We cannot delude ourselves: by our mutual love and, in particular, by our concern for those in need we will be recognized as true followers of Christ (cf. Jn 13:35; Mt 25:31-46). This will be the criterion by which the authenticity of our Eucharistic celebrations is judged."

We now must begin to work a bit harder on inviting new volunteers.  We have and will continue to invite people volunteering at Operation Helping Hands, but now will use this development to go reach out and stretch ourselves.  Our criteria for membership really is only people who are volunteering who will make a commitment to live in community with us for a year or so.  It helps to have a good sense of humor ,  the ability to cook [!], and a desire to live in a community of service and relationship.

Jessica McKeown [Americorp], a guest, Sr. Monica Gundler [our coummunity facilitator], Allison Maraldo [2010-11 volunteer community] and Br. John.  We are eating.  Again.   This was an evening for other volunteer communities that we hosted.

 
 

URSULINES, ALLIGATORS AND AN ENGLISH INVASION

Joe Huddleston, [21], Kai Lawrence [17] and Liam Smith [17] were the three young men among a group of sixteen young  English men and women who spent two weeks in the Crescent City a part of the Ursuline Links 2011 program.  Young people connected to Ursuline Sisters ministries in England came to the United States to work in service programs on the West Coast, the Mid-West and in New Orleans. The Ursuline volunteers in NOLA worked with the St. Bernard Project, gutting and rebuilding houses for the poor.  That's Joe Huddleston in the background with the beard (which soon vanished in the 100+ degree heat, and Kai Lawrence in the front holding the trash bag.

The young men stayed with the Brothers' volunteer community, while the young women stayed with the Sisters at convents on Valence and Nashville  Streets.

Joe, Kai and Liam used the three volunteer rooms on the third floor and had breakfast and packed lunches during the weekdays with us before heading off to join the distaff members of the group.

Liam Smith, pictured at left, celebrated his 17th birthday while with the program.  That morning, we noted the occasion with due solemnity.  How often does a young Englishman turn 17 while living with Irish Christian Brothers in New Orleans, Louisiana, while working with Ursuline Sisters and other volunteers helping rebuild housing while enduring heat that never was experienced in the British Isles.

Liam is a rugby player; he reminded the Brothers that while not unlike football, it came first and rugby players are not as comfortably padded as American football players.Point taken--especially since you can see he had a height advantage.

The Ursuline Links program was developed by Sr. Kathleen Colmer, OSU who lives in London and is coordinated in New Orleans by Sr. Regina Marie Fronmuller, OSU an art teacher and vocation recruiter for the community.  The connection with the Christian Brothers came about when Sr. Kathleen was visiting New Orleans some time ago and met the late Br. Joe Fragala at Cafe Reconcile.  He arranged for the Volunteer Community to house the young men and so it happened the August after his death when we housed the first four young men: Michael Jakob. Daniel Anglin, Ryan Dench, and Scott Williams.
That is Sr. Kathleen Colmer, OSU on the left, and Sr. Regina Marie Fronmuller, OSU on the right, sitting on the roots of a great oak.

While here the students and the Sisters worked together on a two different projects.  As noted previously, they worked during an unusually hot spell, but still got to know the people of New Orleans and to let go of stereotypes and false images.

Sr. Kathleen Colmer, OSU and Liam Smith (shoveling).  Good exercise for a rugby player?














The majority of the workers were young women from Ursuline schools who came and participated in the rebuilding projects.

Can you pick out Sr. Kathleen Colmer, OSU, Liam Smith, Sr. Regina Marie, Kai Lawrence--and who is the man behind the sunglasses?  This photo  was the Ursuline Links group with a local man--wearing #9--who has a Katrina Museum.

Liam takes Sr. Regina Marie's  measure?

Kai "mudding"

Joe in a tight spot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The volunteers also spent an evening at the home of Moon and Verna Landrieu.  He was the Mayor who first accomplished integration at City Hall and served in the administration of President Carter.  His son is now the Mayor, his daughter a Senator in Washington, DC.  After high school, Verna Landrieu entered the Ursuline Sisters, but soon left to marry Moon; however she has remained close to the Sisters and invited the volunteers , and the Brothers community to dinner.  Picture follows!

Moon Landrieu is standing beside Br. Bob and Br. John, Verna is beside Br. Charles.

On the last Friday of the two week visit, Molly Sherry and Allison Maraldo returned so the Volunteer community could host the Ursuline group for dinner, reflection and dessert.

The reflection invited the group to pair up and listen to each other speak of their experience of service during the previous weeks.  The motto of all Ursuline schools is "SERVIAM", I will serve.  The reflections from all, the young and not so young were moving and beautifully expressed.  The two weeks moved the volunteers, their companions and those of us who witnessed the  power of the Spirit who transforms us in service.

The it was on to dessert--bread pudding and Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla flavored ice cream.  Even our most discriminating guests relished the ice cream.

A different experience of religious community life.  Note the ice cream at the ready.  Goes nice with the rug!

  

John and Charles survey the scene.  Hey, if nothing else, we could cater parties!

 During the evening we had the group portrait of the community and our three "younger brothers."

Joe Huddleston, Br. John, Liam Smith, Br. Charles, Br. Bob and Kai Lawrence

 

  

 

 

On the Sunday before the men left we went to Mass together at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Pontchartrain Park in New Orleans East where the Gospel choir and warm reception were quite moving and that evening the young men cooked us all dinner:  "bangers and mash" using New Orleans Cajun sausage, sweet and Idaho potatoes for the mash and a gravy made with red wine.  Joe was the chef and the meal was outstanding.  We had a relaxed evening and felt like we had been a community for some time. It was certainly a highlight for the Brothers.

Over the two weeks, our guests shared many of their initial impressions with us; it is interesting to hear what they thought before they came and how their ideas changed!  They were surprised that we knew all about the Royal Wedding.  And then when they arrived there was no austere, cold stone monastery, no monks in sandals and grey hooded robes.  Their comments included: "Everything is so big; Americans have a sweet tooth; but Raisin Bran is great, Special K with Red Berries is good; and Oreos are not too sweet--they are just right."  (Pity the Brothers who usually had raisin bran or Special K for breakfast.  The fellas ate great quantities of food.  I mean great quantities--and left as skinny as they came.)  The young men liked jambalaya and po-boys , and discovered one can drink the water.  And they loved the swamp tour--especially the up close and personal view of an alligator.  The following was taken from their boat.

You look marvelous--lean over the side a bit more--I need a snack--love English food!

 
Ursulines, alligators and an English  invasion.  We look forward to next year and are hoping one of the men from each year comes to spend a year as a volunteer next year!