SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT 2014

Roses in December

We are reviewing the process and procedures, expectations and experience of our Volunteer Program and our recruitment efforts.  Bob Koppes, the Director of the Volunteer Program has been working with John on some ideas.  Last week John met with Sr. Monica Gundler and Kristin Niedbala to discuss developing a survey for past volunteers about the program in New Orleans.  They also surfaced names of groups that might have members who would want to live in community while giving service.  An advisory group who would meet a few times each year is also envisaged.  John reviewed this with Bob on Thursday;  Bob talked about recruitment efforts thus far.

While Bob and Charles continued their work at St. Joseph’s Church and Lantern Light, John visited Pope John Paul II High School in Slidell, Louisiana on Wednesday for a ‘Discovery Walk.’

On Friday John met with Colleen Larocca to invite her and her husband to consider being companions to the Volunteer Program as part of the aforementioned advisory group.  They met at Café Reconcile where Br. Joe Fragala and John Petrullo volunteered at different times. 

 On Saturday we all voted in local elections; then Bob and John worked in the yard.  Bob salvaged an old iron gate and relocated it as a focal point where a path met a blank wall; then he transplanted a tree of unknown type next to it; the tree having outgrown its pot.  Nice effect!

On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints suffered what the newspaper called an ‘Epic Fail.’  An understatement. 

Cat and kumquats

FOR REFLECTION:

"They watch for Christ who are sensitive, eager, apprehensive in mind,
Who are awake, alive, quick-sighted, zealous in honoring him,
Who look for him in all that happens,
And who would not be surprised,
Who would not be over-agitated or overwhelmed,
If they found that he was coming at once.

"This then is to watch:

to be detached from what is present, and
to live in what is unseen;
to live in the thought of Christ as he came once,
and as he will come again;

to desire his second coming,
From our affectionate and grateful remembrance of his first."

                                               John Henry Cardinal Newman

BLOG 12.08.14

ADVENT 2014 BEGINS

"The better to see you with."

On Monday, the 24^th of November, having had so much fun with dermatology, John took on ophthalmology courtesy of Dr. Scott Lanoux and had cataract surgery on his left eye—the right one having been done a decade ago in Washington, DC.  Charles took John to the hospital and brought him home; the next day Bob got John to the doctor for the follow up visit.  The only nuisance is remembering to use the prescribed eye drops every day for weeks.

On Wednesday, Br. Sean Moffett flew in from Brownsville to celebrate Thanksgiving with us and our Brothers from Jackson, MS, Teddy Dausch and John Brennan.  Ted and John arrived on Thanksgiving Day shortly before others arrived.  We were joined by Sisters of the Holy Faith Maura O’Donovan, Nancy Hale and Pauline O’Reilly and Sisters of Charity Monica Gundler, Kelly O’Mahony, Claire Regan and Mary Lex Smith.  The Sisters brought a number of delicious appetizers, main dishes, wine, dessert and a glorious poinsettia.

Aperitif in the Map Room:  Sr. Mary Lex, John Brennan and Sr. Maura O'Donovan

 We work collaboratively and extensively with these women who share our concerns for mission and ministry.  Sisters Nancy and Pauline volunteer at Lantern Light, as does Br. Charles.  They have often helped us as well as being very supportive of volunteers like John Petrullo and Erika Enlund.  Br. John serves on the steering committee of Burning Bush with Sr. Maura O’Donovan and Sr. Claire Regan.  He serves on an Advisory Committee for the House of Charity; Sr. Monica Gundler is a frequent facilitator for our community retreats and reflections and has been a friend and counselor for volunteers.  For all these reasons it was natural to have our Thanksgiving celebration with those who share our vision and values.  The Sisters came for the same reason, and because, as one of them honestly stated: “I never had a man cook a Thanksgiving turkey for me.” 

Chef Bob at work.

  

Pauline, Nancy, Sean, Mary Lex [hidden], Ted, Maura, Charles, John, Kelly [hidden] John B, Claire

For our celebration, we first enjoyed an aperitif [Kir Royales prepared by Sr. Kelly] in the Map Room next to the kitchen where Bob prepared the turkey, dressing and gravy.  We then went to the dining room for prayer composed by Nancy and Pauline.  Serving ourselves from a buffet set out by Srs. Pauline and Monica we managed to consume many new takes on old favorites like cranberry compote made with craisins, and sweet potato casserole based on a recipe from Café Reconcile.  The delicious white wine was a Jubilee gift to John from Caitlyn DeCastro, one of our first volunteers.  After pausing for a few rounds of “Mad Libs” we had ‘Pavlova’ and apple pie, desserts prepared by Sr. Pauline O’Reilly.

Charles' view: Monica, John C, Kelly,John B, Claire [Hidden] Bob, Nancy, Sean, Mary Lex, Ted, Maura

Apple pie and "Pavlova"  -- a little bit of heaven.

On Friday, Sean, Ted and John Brennan were shown around town by Br. Charles, seeing the still sad effects from Katrina.  In the evening, Sean Moffett treated us to dinner at our favorite restaurant, ‘Ignatius’, named for the protagonist in the book CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES which was written by a man from St. Henry’s Parish.  After dinner it was on to ‘Sucré’ for gelato—though our visitor who lived in Rome for many years opted for espresso—gelato isn’t the same outside of Italy—somewhat like what New Orleanians think of Cajun  or Creole food preparation in other places.

On Saturday we bade farewell to our Brother visitors and on Sunday were happy to see a Saints victory and a game played like the team was getting things together.  A good lesson for all as we enter the Advent Season—urged to be awake and aware.

Pavlova--time for your close-up

For reflection:

“Canned food is a perversion,' Ignatius said. 'I suspect that it is ultimately very damaging to the soul.” 

―  John Kennedy Toole, A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES