Tuesday, November 5, 2013

OCTOBER TURNS TO NOVEMBER -- 2013



On Tuesday, October 29, 2013 Br. Charles celebrated his 88th birthday.  Celebrations began on Monday at Lantern Light; folks had him pegged at 87, 88 or 89!  He wasn’t telling.  Birthday cakes were offered up, and a box of chocolate was given.  On the day itself, the community went to La Petite Grocery, a wonderful French restaurant around the corner from our house.  We never had gone there thinking it was too expensive, but had not checked the prices.  It turned out to be about the same as most fine restaurants and, hey, Charles was 88.  The room is beautiful, the service excellent and the food beautifully prepared.  Charles and Travis had the “osso bucco” and pronounced it superb, John relished the shrimp and grits and Bob had his first serving of rabbit!  Erika and Lauren ordered hamburgers, one with no bun, no nuthin’, and each put in a side order but did not eat a ‘mac and cheese’ and a salad.  As a group, we do better eating at home so various dietary needs and food preference [texture is very important to one member] can be accommodated—or one can make a piece of toast, and make something to eat later.  “Travy’s” grilled burgers and sausage are very popular with the distaff side and the yard cat, which folks happily abandon the dishes to feed with any leftovers from the grill. 
 
Each year, food preferences vary.  Our drink of choice this year seems to be pink lemonade, and if John buys it, the root beer is guzzled pretty quickly.  We drink gallons of milk and green tea ice tea goes down well.  

Years ago, we used to have the goblets disappear from the kitchen and end up on the third floor.  This year it is teaspoons—they somehow end up on the third floor although no one would think of eating up there and drawing creepy, crawly critters.

On October 30th we had a community hour of reflection conducted by the volunteers.  The Brothers reflected on a prayer for volunteers, while the volunteers reflected on a poem called “Dream Chasers” about the role of the Brothers as they see it.  This was followed by a conversation about what we read and reflected on.

Lauren recently received a lovely recognition from her fellow teachers at Langston Hughes—who are referred to as “Dream Keepers” as an exemplary “dream keeper.”  

Erika continues to enliven the ministry at Lantern Light.

John began his coaching visits to schools as part of the Discovery Walks program of the School Leadership Center at the University of New Orleans.  On the 31st he was at John Paul II High School in Slidell for a 7:45 AM meeting with administration, and was at Holy Cross near the lakefront for a 9:45 meeting. 

Travis Wain’s  ministry for the homeless was mentioned in the Fall newsletter of the Harry Thomson Center.  The Harry Thomson Center provides the services through Travis.  “The VA CRRC Partnership -  On October 7, the HTC began providing laundry and shower services at the newly opened Veterans Administration Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC) located in downtown New Orleans in a renovated wing of the old VA hospital. The City, through its Emergency Solutions Grant Program, is providing funding to HTC to provide services at the CRRC.  In the photo are Rickey Paul, Chanitra Casmier, who serve as Center Assistants, and Travis Wain, our Site Coordinator who is an Americorp Volunteer with the Christian Brothers Volunteer Program.  Not pictured are other Center Assistants Trolean Tolliver and Khristian Hamilton.  Welcome to all of you!  

Bob left for a conference sponsored by the Catholic Volunteer Network on Sunday.  

John helped facilitate a gathering of religious concerned about violence in New Orleans on Monday evening.  The ‘Burning Bush Initiative” shares information about programs that seek to heal and help end the cycle of death resulting from racism, poverty and lack of education.  It has introduced folks to mentoring, bereavement and public witness initiatives that religious may consider joining.  

Charles leaves for the Brothers community leaders’ workshop in Jacksonville, Florida on Wednesday. 

Reflection:

The Dream Keeper

Bring me all of your dreams,
You dreamer,
Bring me all your
Heart melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too-rough fingers
Of the world. 

Langston Hughes


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