MID-AUGUST 2013 REPORT

On Thursday, August 8, Br. John facilitated the opening of the school year faculty and staff retreat for Holy Rosary Academy and High School in New Orleans.  The group included faculty, administrators and staff, a little over 30 in all.  Their theme was discipleship: “With Each Other, For Each Other.”  The school is in a transition time, with about one-third of the faculty new this year.  There was time for introductions, and a lot of guided discussions to enable the school community to speak and listen to each other about who they hope to be as a Catholic school community with a common mission. 

Bob has been going in to St. Joe’s preparing for their major fundraisers—parking for the Saints games!  Since the Dome is nearby, and there are 140+ parking spaces in a fenced lot, this can be an important support for the parish and its good works.  Some folks sign up for the season, and there are some who take their chances.  Bob has good stories on the nights he returns from these sessions. 

Charles was working hard getting the mail organized for the many homeless and poor who use Lantern Light as a ‘home address.’  The center closes for two weeks during August so there is a fair amount of preparation beforehand.

On Saturday, the 10^th, Anthony LaRocca dropped off a ‘gently used’ stove to replace the one in the first floor back kitchen.  Bob volunteered to hook it up to the gas line, and volunteered John to clean under and around the old stove before the replacement was installed.  Dawn Degreaser isn’t just good for dishes.  Colleen and Anthony continue to take an interest in this Volunteer Community and this parish.

On Sunday, the 11^th, Charles left bright and early for a 90 mile drive to Chatawa, Mississippi for a week of retreat at Our Lady of the Pines Retreat Center which is administered by the School Sisters of Notre Dame on a rural property where 55 of Sisters live in retirement.  Did we mention ‘rural?’  But Charles noted the property was lovely and big enough to get lost in—which he did, but found his way back home.  He also noted that the food was good—even if healthy.

Bob was ‘home alone’ the week of the 12^th as John flew to Miami on Monday to facilitate the opening of the year retreat at Archbishop Curley-Notre Dame High School on Wednesday.  Our Brothers have ministered there since 1984; three of the six Brothers living there are in the school.  While Holy Rosary and AC-ND are quite different, there are similar needs.  AC-ND is also experiencing change in the curriculum and faculty make-up.  The opening session involved finding your partner by matching names of characters like ‘Ricky and Lucy’, ‘Bonnie and Clyde’, and ‘the Lady and the Tramp.’  The pairs answered several questions and returned to discuss what they heard.  It was quite interesting and allowed the faculty to experience the diversity among themselves, let alone among the students.  In the category of ‘It’s a small world!’ one of the administrators remembered meeting John at Rice HS Christmas parties when she taught St. Charles Borromeo School in Harlem.  Another teacher had lived in the same town in Northeastern Pennsylvania where John’s mother lived.  

John was back on Thursday, Charles came back on Saturday.  Saturday evening was mild and there was a cool breeze on the second floor balcony where John and Charles sat out for awhile.  John sent texts to Travis , John and Matt from the spot they had all enjoyed when they lived here.  Travis replied from his vacation that after a four day cruise from Jacksonville, FL with Florida family members he is now with his Schenectady family in the Finger Lakes region of New York State.  Matt Beben sent word that he has just completed the orientation program with the Salesians and feels good about it.  He leaves for Ethiopia on September 5.

Now we are making last minute preparations to welcome Lauren Zanfardino who is arriving with her parents at the end of the week.  A new year will begin.

ONLY IN NEW ORLEANS: 

The New Orleans City Council set out to douse concerns that there is a conspiracy to deprive Crescent City drinkers of go-cups.

“We write to clarify a misconception that there is a collective or concerted effort to ban to-go cups. For over ten years, the City Planning Commission and City Council have adopted provisos regulating to-go cups on a case by case basis when the requesting businesses are located in or adjacent to residential districts. These provisos protect nearby residents from unnecessary trash in front of their homes by patrons of restaurants and bars. But again, there is no blanket prohibition of to-go cups.”

The council issued the statement in the aftermath of a flurry of social media and press attention when it became clear that go-cups are no longer a given in Crescent City drinking and dining establishments. New Orleans is one of the few places in the country where leaving a bar or restaurant with an alcoholic beverage in a disposable cup is allowed.

If you don’t know what a go-cup is, y’all come down to visit  us!

COMINGS AND GOINGS: Late July 2013

During the last weeks of July, some of us went on vacation, some to retreat and some vacated 4219 Constance as they concluded their year as members of this volunteer community.

Charles was on the West Coast until the 24^th visiting family and friends in the Pacific Northwest and California.  It was his “Jubilee Tour.”

On July 18^th Matt Beben and Travis Wain completed their commitments to Americorps, but remained in New Orleans for awhile.  

On the 22^nd Bob left by car for a vacation in Minnesota and Chicago and retreat with a Sisters community in Iowa. John left on the 22^nd for a directed retreat at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Covington, LA, returning on Saturday the 27^th.  

Br. Lucian Knapp came in on that Monday evening to meet up with Br. Tom LeJeune who was in Destrehan, LA visiting from Seattle.  Travis was host; Lucian left on Wednesday, the 24^th.  Charles returned home on that same evening, joining Matt and Travis.

Matt Beben left on Saturday morning, the 27^th, headed to an orientation program for folks joining a Salesian volunteer program; he is planning for next year in Ethiopia.

Travis devoted his days before he left us to cleaning the third floor; he steam cleaned all the carpets—they needed it after six years.

On the 30^th of July  Charles, John and Travis hosted Sisters Mary Ellen Schroeder, Kerstin Maria Deuben, and Mary Nancy Vance, Sisters of Notre Dame [Toledo, OH] who run the Mirabeau Learning Center which does remarkable work in early childhood programs in a number of Catholic elementary schools as well as running an after school program.  They make an important difference and are volunteers like ourselves.

John drove to Madison, MS on the 31^st to facilitate a faculty retreat at St. Joseph’s High School on August 1^st.  The Brothers have had a commitment to the Diocese of Jackson for 16 years:  Br. John Brennan, Ted Dausch and Dan Lauber have been there for all those years.  John returned to NOLA that afternoon for dinner with Travis and Br. Charles on Travis’s last day before he took off to visit family.  He is returning at the end of August for a second volunteer year.

Br. Bob returned on Sunday, August 4^th to the ‘empty nest.’  On Tuesday we had Sr. Nancy Hale and Sr. Pauline O’Reilly and Pauline’s nephew, Eoghan [Owen], a young Irishman visiting New Orleans.  Sisters Nancy and Pauline are members of the Congregation of the Holy Faith and volunteer several days a week where Br. Charles works.

Now Charles, Bob and John are back at work.  We look forward to our three new volunteers coming at the end of the month, even while missing the three young men who continue to be a part of our lives.

A THOUGHT AFTER A RETREAT AT A BENEDICTINE ABBEY:

The Benedictines chanted much of the Divine Office at Vigils [6:00 AM],  LAUDS [7:00 AM], VESPERS [5:30 PM] and COMPLINE [7:15 PM].  

Participating in those Offices, in the beauty of the Abbey church, one is reminded of a line in THE EMERGING CHRISTIAN WAY:  “… worship is of God; it is for us.”

It's HOT, But We're Used To It

We have been in a tropical summer weather pattern:  days are hot and humid and often there are downpours in the afternoon, then a bit of cooling in the evening.  The second floor porch off the living room and prayer room seems to have a constant breeze in the evening so sitting out there one can see the sky, the passersby and get a nice breeze. 

The weekend of the 6^th of July saw great numbers of people come for the Essence Fest in New Orleans, which is welcome since many groups avoid the city during the hot summer months; but everything is air-conditioned here, and the food and music are just as good.  A record crowd for this event delighted city officials, merchants and vendors.

Bob continues his work at St. Joseph’s parish, John is working from home, Travis and Matt work with their respective organizations, Helping Hands and All Saints.

On Friday, the 12^th, Travis took a day off and went with John to Café Reconcile for lunch; it was the third anniversary of Br. Joe Fragala’s death and, sure enough, Eggplant Jennifer, a favorite of Joe’s was a special that day.  Matt was taking time to pack—and get to a pool we hear.  Still a lot of packing to do—a lot.

Travis and John drove to Home Depot after lunch and got plants for the balcony/porch where Joe loved to sit out even before it was really safe to go out there!

The sanctuary of St. Henry's Church where weekday Masses are celebrated for Good Shepherd parish

On the 13^th, the annual reunion for the Friends of St. Henry’s was celebrated with a 3:00 PM Mass for a full church and then a free party until 7:00 PM across the street.  It was an overcast day, and there was a breeze so the heat was not unbearable and the food was delicious and plentiful.  Br. Tom LeJeune's Mom and Dad were here from Houston to visit the parish where they both grew up!  The workers, led by Robert Morton and Alden Hagerdorn, moved out tables and chairs in the morning from the Blessed Pauline Center and moved them right back in that evening with little fuss.  Bob and John, Travis and Matt went to the Mass and spent some time at the gathering, before heading for Saucy’s Barbeque for a dinner of ribs and pulled pork sandwiches before returning for some more visiting.  It gave the community some time together since schedules have been a bit hectic recently.  

July is to New Orleans what August is to folks up North.  This is vacation time; you get e-mails but folks are often away.  On August 1 John is booked for a faculty retreat in Madison, MS and then has dates on the 8^th here in NOLA and on the 14^th in Miami, (if the weather permits.)  Lauren Zanfardino will join us on August 23^rd; she’ll be in a school as an Americorps volunteer and they begin early here.  So we are enjoying our ‘summer break’ these days.

A REFLECTION:  As our year comes to a close and our volunteers prepare to move off to new ventures, or to vacation time with family and friends in August, we recall the mission statement for this community.

Travis, John C, John P, Charles, Matt and Bob

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Christian Brothers Volunteer Program is to share the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice who was moved by the Holy Spirit to open his whole heart to Christ present and appealing to him in the poor. Volunteers learn the charism of Edmund by living and praying with the Brothers in community and by working with and for the marginalized. During their year of service volunteers will experience community, grow spiritually and personally and make a positive difference in the lives of the poor.  

Blog  07.15.13

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