Taize Prayer at Constance Street

Forty or so people came to Taize prayer at our home last Wednesday, October 19th.  Taize is the name of a town in France and an ecumenical community that has developed a prayer form using quiet reflective music that is repeated like a mantra and is accompanied by periods of silence, Scripture reading and prayer.  It is a contrast to the noisy and busy world we live in and an opportunity to gather with others for silence and contemplation.  The setting is candle lit and focuses on an icon of Our Lord like the  one that accompanies this message.

Sr. Jackie Schmitz, CSJ prepares the music and Sr. Monica Gundler, SC prepares the readings and prayers.  Our community prepares a large, unused meeting room on the first floor of our building with an altar, candles and chairs.  The community here also invites those who particpate in the prayer for refreshments afterward upstairs in the residence.  Our location provides room for prayer and fellowship afterwards.  The by-products are several.  We have the opportunity to share our wonderful facility here.  We are not invisible--our guests can't say they  never met a Brother.  Then there is also the benefit that comes from inviting people to bring something for the refreshments.  We supply iced tea, [the house wine of the South], some cookies, plates and napkins, ice and glasses.  We are left with really good homemade cookies and lots of chocolate cake which we conscientiously eat so nothing will be wasted. 



Our guests included Fr. Doug Brougher, who is a great friend and supporter of our mission here, religious women from a number of communities including, [but not limited to], Notre Dames, Dominicans, Charities, St. Joseph and others.  We also had long-term volunteers who are with the Dominicans here in New Orleans this year, and a dozen or so young persons from Creighton University who were with the Charities and were down for a week of service.

Jennifer McKeown who coordinates Americorps efforts in New Orleans and has office space at OHH was here, and Molly Sherry and Allison Maraldo came and had dinner with us beforehand, which was a real treat.  We will continue with Taize each month and have them scheduled through January. 

Sr. Jackie, Sr. Monica and a Creighton University student

Adam, a volunteer with the Dominicans, Sr. Mary Daniel, OP and Allison, back to camera.

Molly Sherry, Jessica McKeown and Sr. Regina Marie Fronmuller, OSU

REFLECTIONS ON NAIROBI, #1

"The Way to the Future" was the theme of the recent gathering [October 2 - 8] in East Africa of 35 Brothers and  Associates who spent a week of intense consideration and reflection on the future.  The group included men and women from the Americas, Africa, Europe, India and Oceania.  Pictured below is our group portrait with both "John Caseys" in the back row!

Group portrait in the meeting room of the Little Sisters of St. Joseph Retreat House in Karen, a suburb of Nairobi, Kenya.  "Juan" Casey, Regional Leader for Latin America is fourth from the right, back row with the beard.

 

 

 

 We arrived on a Sunday evening and met through the next Friday.  Our schedule included prayer, reflection time, and many meetings in small group and large group.  We began meeting after prayer and meditation time, at 9 AM and went to lunch at 12:30 PM.  We reconvened at 3 and went until 6 or 6:30 with dinner at 7.  There were tea breaks at 10:30 AM and 4:30 PM.  The conversations were based on reflection on our readings, prayer and lived experiences.

I was in the "Mission and Ministry" group.   Our viewpoints are diverse, profoundly shaped by the historical, political, economic, social and educational systems that shaped the worlds that shaped our generations, families, communities and ourselves.  Our group includes  Brothers from Ireland, Australia, India and Zambia as well as myself.    All but one of us are "baby boomers" or older--only Stephen Chewe from Zambia is not. 

More on Nairobi and "The Way to the Future" later on this week.  After East Africa I visited the Ursuline Sisters in Forest Gate, in East London.  I returned to NOLA this past Friday and am still working on jet lag.  Leave for meetings in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi tomorrow!  Until then, below is a picture of the "Mission and Ministry" group in our small meeting room.  Declan kept us focused!

Stephen Chewe-Zambia, Martin Byrne-Europe, Declan Power-Europe[Chair], Jude Butcher-Oceania, John Casey, Graeme Leach-Oceania and Philip Pinto-India [Congregation Leader]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nairobi Here I Come

The leadership of our religious community, the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers, has invited 35 or so Brothers and associates to a meeting in Nairobi, Kenya.  It is part of a process  of planning called: "A Way into the Future."  It is held in Nairobi which is central for our brethren in India, Australia, Africa and Europe.  The delegates from North and South America have to travel a bit.  Since I hate sitting on airplanes, [I really do], I was asked to go.  It is a very long trip.

You want me to fly where?  And that will take how long? 

I leave from New Orleans on Friday, the 30th of September and fly via Miami and London to arrive 23 hours later at 8:55 PM Nairobi time, October 1.  The meetings begin on October 2!  One hopes it all begins gently.  We are assigned groups: Community, Finance & Fundraising, Leadership & Governance, A Learning Organization, and Mission.  I am, happily, assigned to the Mission group with 5 or 6 others.  The members of the Mission group include Brothers from India, Africa, Oceania, Europe and me!

We are together for the week to be oriented and make initial plans with the chair who has been appointed.  After that we will communicate by Skype and other forms of communication.  No more travel, D. G.   We end our sessions on Saturday and I will fly out on Sunday evening the 9th, and stop in London, returning to NOLA [via Chicago] on the 13th.  It will break the trip and I will visit the Ursuline Sister who has led our August visitors these last two years.

I will probably not have access to a computer until I get back in mid-October, so the Monday morning posts will skip two weeks or so.  Do say a prayer for God's blessings on the meetings--and for volunteers to come and join our community in New Orleans this year.  We are still asking folks to consider it.

I'm Just Saying: Casey on Coaches!

Some time ago, I had a discussion with Peter Finney, Jr., the editor of our Archdiocesan newspaper, The Clarion Herald, about Catholic identity in our schools.  He recently had reason to recall my comments about the important role of coaches and moderators in Catholic formation of the young people with whom they work.  I had said that, in an NCEA publication, "CHS 2000"  about Catholic secondary schools, research is quoted that demonstrates that young people are most likely to pray in: huddles, at games, and when invited to during activities and athletic events. I told him that my experience in schools confirmed that. A recent spate of publicity about the intemperate language of a major university football coach prompted him to give me a call.  I went to drop off a copy of the "CHS 2000" document, and while at his office, he interviewed me.  If you want to see the result you can go to the Clarion Herald and see the results.     http://clarionherald.info/clarion/index.php/parks-home/489-the-blue-tongue-of-notre-dame-coach-brian-kelly%3Ehttp://clarionherald.info/clarion/index.php/parks-home/489-the-blue-tongue-of-notre-dame-coach-brian-kelly 

On caller who read the article said:  "Well, it does sound like you!"  The truth is, Peter tapes you as you talk and is very accurate. "I'm just saying."

FROM OUR RECENT PAST

In September of 2010, we had the orientation for new members of the Volunteer Community here in New Orleans for the first time.  Molly Sherry, Haley Mills and Josh Burgess spent several days together before Josh went to spend his volunteer year in Bonita Springs.  Haley was with us until offered a wonderful scholarship opportunity in November which is an answer to her call to the ordained ministry in her Methodist faith community.

Molly, Haley and Josh during orientation.

Fast forward to Summer 2011, and Molly Sherry and Allison Maraldo, who joined us when Haley left, were joined by Nick Roland, from the 2009-10 community in offering hospitality to a group of young men from Bishop Hendricken High School [in Molly's native Rhode Island.]  When students from our schools come to volunteer here we have them over for dinner, reflection and then dessert.  Bread pudding and Blue Bell ice cream seem a universal hit.

Molly dishes out the bread pudding; Allison the ice cream, Nick assists.

We do not just work and host groups, we also celebrate significant moments in our lives.  Here Molly and Allison are arriving at Dante's Kitchen in the Riverbend section of New Orleans for Molly's birthday dinner.  Molly and Allison remain in New Orleans, sharing an apartment in Mid-City.  Allison continues at Operation Helping Hands coordinating paint and volunteer crews, while Molly is a teaching assistant in early childhood classes at Langston Hughes Elementary School near City Park.

Allison and Molly arrive--let the celebration begin!

In July the community celebrated Br. Bob's Golden Jubilee with a gathering at 4219 Constance that included prayer, a brief vow renewal ceremony, some words by Bob and, of course, food!  Our guests included members of a number of women's religious communities we have come to know through our shared ministries, volunteers and staff from Operation Helping Hands, Fr. Michael Joseph Nguyen a friend and major benefactor of the Volunteer Community, and Colleen Larocca and her husband who have been supportive of our efforts here and have guided our inculturation!

Charles greets our guests.

Molly and Allison lead a litany of Edmund Rice.

Sr. Vera Butler, PBVM from Lantern Light Ministries

Fr. Michael Joseph Nguyen proclaims the Gospel.

Kevin Griffith, John Casey, Bob Koppes and Charles Avendano renew their vows.

 

Br. Kevin Griffith leads prayer.

Colleen Larocca and Sr. Jackie Schmitz, CSJ

Bob cuts the cake!

 

 

 

BR. JOE EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Br. Martin Joseph Fragala, CFC was a founding member of the Volunteer Community and a full-time volunteer at Cafe Reconcile, on O. C. Haley Boulevard in New Orleans,  from 2007 until his untimely death in 2010.  The work of Cafe Reconcile appealed to him immediately, enabling him to pursue two passions: educating at-risk young people and preparing good food!  A scholarship fund in his name continues our link with this mission that is an example of Edmund Rice's charism at work in our time.

The mission of Cafe Reconcile is stated on their website:  "We are a community of concerned people committed to addressing the system of generational poverty, violence and neglect in the New Orleans area. Our innovative life skills and job training program assists young people (ages 16–22) from severely at-risk communities who desire to make a positive change in their lives. Reconcile’s students arrive facing a vast array of challenges, from extreme poverty and high school attrition to homelessness, violence, and participation in the juvenile justice system. Nonetheless, these young people possess a deep desire to break the cycle and become productive, contributing members of society. "

Br. Joe with Catherine Drennan, a volunteer during 2009-2010.  They are at Cafe Reconcile.

 Joe loved the students and kept a small notebook with the names of each student who signed on for the now 9 week course which educates the students in applying for jobs, working the kitchen and working the floor as wait staff.  He arrived early in the morning for breakfast and prayers, worked along side students and staff rolling tableware in paper napkins, circulating among the lunch patrons selling the dessert special of the day, and listening to staff and students and the stories of their life journeys.   As someone said:  "For some students, he was the only adult who ever listened to them and cared for them and asked nothing in return."

Shortly after celebrating his Golden Jubilee with a vow renewal and reception at Cafe Reconcile,  Br. Joe traveled north to visit family and friends in Schenectady, New York.  He died suddenly in early July 2010, an enormous loss to this community and the mission at Reconcile.  A scholarship fund was begun in his name, and recently Br. Charles Avendano represented the community at the graduation for 18 graduates.  The two scholarship recipients, Cuvanna Smith and Jasmine Cheneau, received checks for  $250 to pursue further educational opportunities.

Br. Joe on the left, a guest and Br. Charles on the right in the dining room at 4219 Constance.

 You can access Cafe Reconcile's website by typing in "Cafe Reconcile, New Orleans" on Google or whatever you use.  If you go to the cafe , Br. Joe's picture is on the wall there, as well as a pottery plaque presented to him by the Jesuit Province in recognition of his devotion to New Orleans and the mission of Cafe Reconcile.

OPERATION HELPING HANDS WINDING DOWN

 

Christian Brothers Volunteers at OHH in 2008-2009:  Kyle Fischler, Caitlyn DeCastro, Br. Tom Lejeune and Vincent Fiedler-Ross

On Friday, September 2, 2011 Br. Bob came home with the sad news that Operation Helping Hands would be winding down and cease operation in June of 2012.  While the work on current homes will continue, and the long-term volunteers will continue to welcome groups who come for a week during the year, a number of the staff were given three weeks notice.  The advocates, who interviewed the poor and elderly who came seeking assistance, and a number of the professionals who form the backbone of the effort, are being terminated in coming weeks.  It was especially poignant coming just as we began the Labor Day Weekend celebration.

On September 8, after an article had appeared in the Times Picayune, Catholic Charities, of which Operation Helping Hands is one activity, released a statement which stated in part: "The program, which uses volunteers and skilled workers to gut, repair, rebuild and repaint the homes of the elderly and disabled, has been tremendously successful.  We are grateful and humbled to have been able to serve so many homeowners and eternally thankful to have had the opportunity to work alongside the 29,076 volunteers who came to assist us in the rebuilding effort, including rebuilding 195 homes and gutting 1,983 homes."

Ryan Danaher, Catherine Drennan and Nick Roland, 2009-2010 community members.

                

                                                     

We had thought the program would continue for several more  years since there are still thousands and thousands of homes in ruins, and many poor and elderly who need assistance.  However, because of contaminated "Chinese dry wall," 41 homes that were rehabilitated will have to be redone, at a cost estimated at $40,000 per house.  That, plus the uncertainty about future state and federal funding, appear to have caused the cancellation of the program.

The statement continued: "Catholic Charities . . . will fulfill all of its existing commitments to homeowners, but will not be accepting new clients.  We are currently in the midst off 12 rebuilding projects and are rebuilding and rehabilitating 41 homes that were repaired using Chinese drywall that was donated to us..." 

Vincent Fiedler-Ross, a volunteer in 2008-2009 with Br. Joe Fragala who volunteered at Cafe Reconcile, a program for at-risk young people.  Br. Joe died suddenly in July of 2010.  Vincent is now pursuing a graduate degree in Washington, DC.

 The Christian Brother Volunteer Community has included long-term volunteers at Operation Helping Hands for the last three years.  While there was never any intention to have volunteers only work at OHH, that is what transpired.  However, it does give this community an insight into an aspect of the Operation Helping Hands program that has not been spoken of in either the press or by Catholic Charities.  That is the opportunity for young men and women to give service in a personal and practical way to the poorest and least served in the community.  It provided an opportunity for the volunteers to cross racial, social and economic divides that they could not have achieved any other way.  It brought highly motivated college graduates with degrees in English, international studies, business, etc. to work gutting buildings, hanging wall board, tiling floors, painting walls and meeting families and working with them for months; building authentic relationships of mutual respect and affection that transcended race and social class.  We Brothers witnessed this in our daily prayer with the young men and women who lived with us.  We witnessed it in the guests who came home to have dinner with us, both other volunteers and staff.  Br. John witnessed it in the days of reflection he was invited to give to the whole group and to the Americorps volunteers.  It was at a day of reflection in the Fall of 2010 that  a staff member said it best:  "This is the finest group of people I have ever worked with; that is why I am here."

The newspaper accounts and the statement from Catholic Charities focused, appropriately from their perspective, on the projects and programs.

As a community of religious, in the tradition of Edmund Rice, we reflected on his charism:  "Edmund Rice responded to Christ present and appealing to him in the materially poor."  We have been privileged over the past three years to accompany the long-term volunteers who were members of the community as they faced the joys and difficulties of service to the poor, as well as life in community.  We focus on the volunteers and the relationships they developed and that developed them.

Br. Charles, Molly Sherry, Br. Bob, Sr. Monica Gundler, Br. John and Haley Mills--Fall, 2010

Archbishop Aymond has written that our educational institutions should be "schools of discipleship."  TO TEACH AS JESUS DID, the 1972 document from the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops states
that the Christian vocation is personal sanctification and transformation of the social order in light of Gospel values.  It further defines the three fold purpose of Catholic education as: to teach the faith, in the context of community, and to give service to the Church and the world.

For the young men and women who lived in community with us these last three years, and for many of there companions in ministry, Operation Helping Hands was putting all they learned in Catholic schools into practice.  It took them from theory to lived reality for an extended period of time.  It was not taking up a collection, or saying a prayer, or collecting unused articles for the distant or hardly known poor.  It was dirty, smelly, grubby work, in hot, unsanitary conditions in neighborhoods they might only have driven through at other times.  It was real and tough.  And sometimes it was joyous and wonderful.  Our volunteers and groups we have hosted here at the house, speak repeatedly of the joy and goodness of the majority of those whom they help and say, in the end, they have been the ones who have benefited most.

So while the winding down of Operation Helping Hands and the displacement of many full-time employees was inevitable, and the physical, on-the-ground achievements worthy of note and great praise, we will continue to speak of and celebrate this practicum in the school of discipleship.

It was, finally, a fundamental part of our celebration of Eucharist, the source and summit of our work and worship.  For in our service we find meaning.  As John Paul II pointed out in his encyclical MANE NOBISCUM, on the Eucharist, it is not a mistake that in John's Gospel account of the Last Supper, there is no mention of the words of institution, but rather we have the washing of the feet. He goes on to say: " We cannot delude ourselves: by our mutual love and, in particular, by our concern for those in need we will be recognized as true followers of Christ (cf. Jn 13:35; Mt 25:31-46). This will be the criterion by which the authenticity of our Eucharistic celebrations is judged."

We now must begin to work a bit harder on inviting new volunteers.  We have and will continue to invite people volunteering at Operation Helping Hands, but now will use this development to go reach out and stretch ourselves.  Our criteria for membership really is only people who are volunteering who will make a commitment to live in community with us for a year or so.  It helps to have a good sense of humor ,  the ability to cook [!], and a desire to live in a community of service and relationship.

Jessica McKeown [Americorp], a guest, Sr. Monica Gundler [our coummunity facilitator], Allison Maraldo [2010-11 volunteer community] and Br. John.  We are eating.  Again.   This was an evening for other volunteer communities that we hosted.