JULY 2013: TRANSITION AND CELEBRATIONS

Tearful goodbyes at Lantern Light Ministry, dinner at Ye Olde College Inn, Colleen LaRocca’s bread pudding, and a visit to Café Reconcile were high points of John Petrullo’s last week in New Orleans. 

Sr. Nancy, Sr. Pauline, John Petrullo, his parents and Br. Charles at Easter brunch.

Mid-week John went to bid farewell to the guests and staff at Lantern Light and on Wednesday night, as a salute to the food culture of New Orleans, the community went to Ye Olde College Inn, a gastronomic landmark on Carrollton Avenue.  On Wednesday Colleen LaRocca brought a delicious parting gift, a tray of her bread pudding and the recipe—with a copy for the community.  On John’s last day he and Br. John had lunch at Café Reconcile where John ministered for the first half of the year.  John flew to New York on Saturday and spent the weekend with his family on Staten Island before beginning a summer job with an English Language Immersion Program run by Rennert International and housed at Iona College in New Rochelle.  John has worked with the program before, [as did Travis Wain.]  When John goes to Spain to teach English in the Fall he will go with some folks he has met in the program.

Br. John also left on Saturday for meetings at the Office of Educational Services with Br. Ray Vercruysse, Br. Dan Casey, Sr. Ona Bessette, CND and Sr. Grace D’Amico, SSND. He visited his family in Northern New Jersey for the Fourth of July returning to NOLA on Saturday.  On Wednesday, John C and John P met for breakfast at the Mirage Diner opposite the entrance to Iona College and were joined by Lauren Zanfardino who is coming to join the Volunteer Community in September.  

On the Fourth, Br. Bob, Matt Beben, and Travis Wain hosted a barbecue at 4219 Constance—they cooked out on our Craig’s List barbeque grill and ate in the “Map Room” which provided a cooler venue for dining!

Grill master Matt Beben and assistants

 

 

 

Travis surveys the scene from the kitchen:  "Who are these people?"

This last weekend the city hosted the Essence Festival, a celebration of Black arts, entertainment and culture.  Despite a rainy forecast, the participants spoke glowingly of their time in New Orleans which delighted the local citizenry—conventions and visitors drop off during the summer, but there is air conditioning everywhere and rain is often over quite quickly!  In further good news, it appears one of the cruise lines is adding more stops to its schedule.

Matt and Travis continue with Americorps and their projects though July.  Bob has completed work on the side porch in time for the St. Henry Parish Reunion which will be celebrated on the actual feast, Saturday July 13^th with a Mass at 3:00 PM and free food and entertainment following.

St. Henry's Church with our residence peeking out on the right.

"Our reunions are for anyone who went to St. Henry's School, lived in St. Henry's Parish, attended St. Henry's Church, knew someone named Henry, or can spell Henry," according to a Friends of St. Henry flyer.

Daily Mass is celebrated at 6:30 AM at St. Henry’s Church; Sunday liturgy is at St. Stephen’s Church and the parish offices are located adjacent in the rectory next to St. Stephen’s.  Both churches, as well as Good Counsel Church are now part of Good Shepherd Parish. 

BLOG 07.08.13