LAST WEEK OF JANUARY 2014: ICE STORM COMING

Like much of the rest of the country, it has been cold here in New Orleans.  Those working at the Veteran’s facility and at Lantern Light noticed how the homeless suffer and cope with the severe weather.  Travis’ Veteran’s facility is indoors, warm, has comfortable seating and TV; it is a real refuge.  The laundry and showers were heavily used.  Erika’s location is more open to the elements, does not have a large warm gathering space, but has a loyal group who keep coming back.  At Lauren’s school most of the children want to be outside for recreation and play time despite rain or cold.  Br. Charles has a warm enough office, but folks are often in and out so the cold is always rushing in.  An unusual ice storm is now predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday--much of the city is now shutting down.  This is an extraordinary occurrence for New Orleanians. 

Srs, Carolyn Brockland, OSU, Pauline O'Reilly, CHF, Sr. Nancy Hale, CHF, Sr, Regina Petersen, MSC and Sr. Nancy Vance, SND

On a mild Saturday, January 25^th the “Newcomers Group” gathered in the Pauline Room for prayer, reflection and conversation.  Ursuline Sisters, a Cabrini, Sisters of Notre Dame [SND- Toledo], Sisters of Holy Faith, Sisters of Charity, Daughters of Charity and a Carmelite Sister were joined by the Brothers.  Srs. Nancy Hale and Pauline O’Reilly, CHF, coordinated the day, choosing a beautiful reflection on when the work of Christmas begins, adapted from a poem by Dr. Howard Thurman.  

 

Br. Charles with Sr. Beth Fitzpatrick, O Carm our new Vicar for Religious

Sr. Beth Fitzpatrick, O Carm, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Department of Religious for the Archdiocese, joined us.   Sr. Mary Ann Holmes, OSU, the newly appointed Prioress of the Ursuline Community also attended.  She knows Br. Greg McNally from a renewal program they both participated in and could quote snatches of a poem he used to recite.  Her commentary was very interesting.

 

Sr. Nancy Hale attends upon our Erika's words of wisdom to Sr. Kerstin Deubel, SND, Sr. Beth and Sr. Renee Rose, DC

After our prayer and reflection, Travis and Erika were good enough to take time from their schedules to help host the group for lunch.  It is always a pot-luck; everyone brings something—we supplied a tray of sandwiches and brownies, hot coffee and tea.  Br. Bob took some pictures so you’ll get to see Erika, our usual photographer.

Cabrini Sr. Regina laughs as John tells Sr. Mary Ann Holmes, OSU about water rights to a well in West Park, NY--but that is another story.  "We wuz robbed."

  

Sunday was quiet; the volunteers were away and it was a pleasant sunny day.  John is undergoing some tests associated with Parkinson’s and had an MRI scheduled for Tuesday.  [This was cancelled on Monday until February 7 due to ice storms threatened for January 27 and 28.]  It’s not much fun wondering why changes are taking place, and challenging when the doctor orders up a bunch of tests!  At the suggestion of a friend he met for lunch on Friday, he tried some ‘self care’ on Sunday.

In the late afternoon he went to the Trinity Artist Series at Trinity Episcopal Church on Jackson Avenue.  The featured soloist was ill, substitutions were made but the program of Baroque and modern pieces for trumpet, organ and flute went ahead.  Providentially, a piece was on the program that John had only heard on radio and in recordings but loved.  The fourth selection was Alan Hovhaness’ [1911-2000] Prayer of St. Gregory, Op. 62b.  As performed by Albinas Prizgintas, organist and a youthful master of the trumpet , David Perkins, it was the high point of an extraordinary musical experience.  To hear it live, in an acoustically fine space, played with such emotion and skill was a real experience of how music can be an evocation of grace.  Later, to have time to savor the experience, John walked home.  Then, he  added another dimension to a delightful moment and stopped by Ignatius, a local eating place that we no longer visit as community due to diet concerns for some and sound levels for others!  The crawfish etouffee was as good as ever and the bread pudding delicious.  The subsequent walk home along Magazine Street, on a relatively mild evening, was another moment to reflect on the extraordinary moments of grace we so often rush through that deserve time and reflection for the greater and eternal Beauty they reflect.

So when the MRI happens, it happens.  C’est la vie.   

TRANSITIONS:

Br. John and Fr. MichaelJospeh Nguyen behind Msgr Engelbrecht and Fr. Doug Brougher

 

Saturday, January 25^th was the first anniversary of the death of Fr. MichaelJoseph Vinh Ngoc Nguyen at the age of 56.  His energy, Faith life, good humor, and acceptance and lively support of the Brothers Community, personally and practically, were instrumental in our successful establishment of the Volunteer Community.  He also virtually bought us a van through donations and persuasion! 

Sister Mary Daniel, OP, a Dominican Sister of Peace and a native New Orleanian, will be leaving at the end of January for Columbus, Ohio.  Seven years ago Sr. Mary Daniel and her Dominican Sisters housed us at their Formation Center on Broadway in Uptown from August to February as we waited for renovations to 4219 Constance where we now live.  Sr. Mary Daniel, like John has Parkinson’s and has been instrumental in advancing the agenda for research into causes and cures; she got John involved in his first PD support group and has been a friend to the community as well.

FOR REFLECTION:

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
Then the work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,
To heal the broken in spirit,
To feed the hungry,
To release the oppressed,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among all peoples,
To make a little music in the heart.

And to radiate the Light of Christ,

Every day, in every way, in all that we do

And in all that we say.

Then the work of Christmas begins.

                                [Adapted from a poem by Howard Thurman]

 

RESILIENT SPIRIT AND SOFT HEARTS: NOLA 2014

Christmas 2013 saw only Br. Charles at home; he celebrated with the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Faith at their apartment on Coliseum Street; coming home with a sizable goody bag.  Bob was in Minnesota, John in New Jersey, Travis in Schenectady, Erika in the Poconos and Lauren on Long Island.

All were back for New Year’s; the volunteers went to the French Quarter; John stayed home and baked scones while waiting up for midnight; Charles and Bob managed to sleep through the fireworks in our neighborhood which were lovely, loud and illegal.  On New Year’s Day there were four for dinner; Charles, Bob, John and Erika sat down to dinner; Lauren skipped the meal and Travis was at the airport to pick up John Petrullo who was home from Madrid for the holidays.  It was a nice treat for us and John spent a few days visiting folks he worked with, especially at Lantern Light Ministry.

Most went back to ministry sights on January 3^rd, Lauren was off from school and then had a bad cold or the flu.  The Christmas Season lasts here through Twelfth Night to the Baptism of the Lord on January 12th.  Then Mardi Gras begins and 'King Cakes' appear.  Mike Petri, Iona '12, and a very close friend of Lauren's was here from the 14th to the 19th.

Br. Bob, two visitors, Lauren, Ben Bovin from Manhattan, Mike Petri, [Iona '12]a friend of Lauren's, and a visitor.

On January 17^th eleven students and a staff member from Manhattan  College came for dinner; they were LaSallian Volunteers here for a week of service.  They came to us at the end of their time to meet our volunteers and have a group reflection, which Travis Wain facilitated.  

Travis led the Manhattan College student reflection.

During the reflections, one of the students, in reflecting on her ministry experience in New Orleans, said about the people she had come in contact with: “I will always remember the resilience of their spirit and the softness of their hearts.”  In this lyrical and beautiful line she captured the reason individuals and groups come to New Orleans, not so much to help others, but to experience a community where personal relationships, gratitude, resilience, faith and ‘softness of heart’ are palpable and real.  One cannot spend time here in service, and having met the people, leave unmoved. 

The young lady on the right spoke of a resilient people with soft hearts.

Portrait with King Cake [and ice cream chasers.]  Hey, this is New Orleans.

Visitors discover Blue Bell ice cream and King Cake.  Let joy be unconfined!

That's Ben Bovin, our Manhattan College contact, on the right.

John Tran, All Hallows '12 and Ivan Borhoquez, All Hallows '12 flanking Br. John.  They are very proud graduates and remembered Brs. Bechner, Dunbar, Hamilton and O'Toole and Mr. Sullivan's definition of family:  Forget About Me, I Love You.

FOR REFLECTION

“We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock. Be it through contemplation, prayer, or even keeping a diary, many have found the practice of quiet personal reflection surprisingly rewarding, even discovering greater spiritual depth to their lives. 

In the year ahead, I hope you will have time to pause for moments of quiet reflection… the results can sometimes be surprising. 

For Christians, as for all people of faith, reflection, meditation and prayer help us to renew ourselves in God’s love, as we strive daily to become better people. The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone. There is no one beyond its reach.

On the first Christmas, in the fields above Bethlehem, as they sat in the cold of night watching their resting sheep, the local shepherds must have had no shortage of time for reflection. Suddenly all this was to change. These humble shepherds were the first to hear and ponder the wondrous news of the birth of Christ - the first noel - the joy of which we celebrate today.”

[From Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas 2013 broadcast to the Commonwealth]

 BLOG 01.21.14:  A NEW YEAR