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