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It’s Labor Day and so officially the last weekend of summer—how did THAT happen? It’s also a time of mixed emotions for me. I’m grateful for a work that I find meaningful and at the same time very concerned for all those who are desperately looking for work. The unemployment rate in the U.S. right now is about 9.6%. I know that sometimes when I see a statistic I don’t react too much—but when that number represents people you love who are hurting then it does take on much deeper meaning.

The thing about work, too, is that it is paradoxical—work energizes and exhausts you. If you’re lucky you have friends at work but at the same time you don’t always want to go to work. You need to work but then often wish you didn’t have to work. Sometimes you avoid work which just means you’ll eventually have more work. Or my favorite- if you’re good at the work you do that often just means you’ll get more work to do!

I know my attitude about work, or about ministry which I believe our work really is, makes a huge difference. When I concentrate on being of service and sharing my gifts, then my hours spent at my ministry really isn’t work. The hours spent at my desk or talking with people isn’t hard, but is a privilege. When I find myself thinking that I’d really love to stay home and just read a book instead of going to the office I do really need to think of

the 9.6% who would love to have an office to go to, a work to do. And so I think I’ll make a better effort to be mindful of the gift of my ministry and to also pray for those who need employment.

Also for those of you interested, the US bishops have a Labor Day statement about work and justice issues that is also a good read.

http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2010/10-151.shtml

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Everything is God’s to give and to take away, so share what you’ve been given, and that includes yourself.  – Mother Teresa

St. Mary’s parish has embarked on a beautiful mission in its partnership with The Working Boys’ Center (WBC) in Ecuador.  Prior to the trip, I found myself somewhat reticent or even embarrassed to describe my visit as “missionary.”  It seemed somehow too lofty and too overly religious.  After all, my main goals were rather commonplace, even secular.  I wanted to see what this “Ecuador thing” was all about.  I wanted to try to find some meaningful way to make a difference.   I wanted to spend some time with my daughter, who will be leaving for college next year.  My reasons were quite mundane, even a bit self-centered.
My short time in Ecuador freed me of my inhibitions in describing the visit as “missionary.”  It opened my eyes to a world I heretofore had only seen only on TV.  My heart was moved by the smiles, perseverance, and faith of the Ecuadorians – over 70 percent of whom live in abject poverty.  My soul was touched by the simple, strong work of those who started the WBC, Fr. John Halligan (Padre Juan) and Sister Mary Miguel Conway, a BVM nun (Madre Miguel).  Padre Juan and the BVM nuns truly live missionary lives, helping thousands to better their lives through education, faith and family.  Nothing about what they do and have done in Ecuador is “lofty” or “overly-religious.”  I was humbled once again.   The mission of the WBC is simple and faith-filled.  In its simplicity, God was evident, not hidden in the complexities and privilege of our daily lives in Los Gatos.  I want to be a part of this mission.
While in Ecuador we toured; we met the people; we saw the WBC and its accomplishments; we witnessed the poverty and . . . we stood in the presence of God – evident in the Ecuadorians themselves, as they work against formidable foes of government and poverty, and also present as we saw the Holy Spirit at work in Padre Juan and Madre Miguel. 

I am inspired to help, to work, to understand more and to become a missionary with them.  I invite you to join me in prayer and action.

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 You drive into the compound in Quito on the 18-seater bus, rocking heavily on its axles. The security guard nods to Vicente, the bus driver, as you make your rollicking way down a hill. On the left you pass a three-story school building, closed for the summer. It still buzzes with activity as kids chase each other in and out of hallways.  To the right, a high fence separates the Working Boys’ Center (WBC) from a housing project recently built by the government. As you continue past the playground towards the volunteers’ dormitory, more kids wave hello. This is the Working Boys’ Center in Quito, Ecuador.
To me, the story of how the program developed is the key to its efficiency. It began as an effort in the early 60’s by Father John Halligan, SJ to help the boys who shine shoes on the streets in Ecuador. Later, Madre Miguel, a no-nonsense Sister of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, joined Father John. She noticed that the boys who came to the Center rarely bathed, because many had no running water at home. So daily baths became a part of the program.
Step by step, the two of them identified needs and met them. Today, the WBC offers services for the whole family, including three meals a day, school for everyone (including parents), technical job training and certification, savings programs, health and dental care, daily mass, and daily baths! All run in the simplest, most elegant manner I have ever seen.
    After working with non-profit organizations all through high school and studying many more, I came to Quito expecting a complex mission statement, lofty goals that read like a philosophy textbook, and a program that got everyone about half-way there. I was wrong. The mission of the WBC is to make sure every person gets ten moral values.  That’s all, ten moral values. They are: loyalty, personal development, family, religion, education, economy, work, recreation, health and housing. The simplicity is refreshing and eye-opening. The WBC starts with values that translate directly to programs. It’s a barebones program with no unnecessary frills around the edges. And it works. That much is evident by talking to anyone in the program.
    When I got back to the States, I realized that I live my life with precious few simple things. Nothing I do is cut and dry; there’s always an intermediate stage. Today, I try to tackle problems and solutions head on. I strive and pray for understanding and clarity in all things. Simplicity can work miracles. Of that I am sure.

Bronwyn Stone is from Los Gatos, CA and is 18 years of age. Bronwyn will attend the University of California – Berkeley in the fall.

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Greetings, friends!  All of us are back home with the exception of the Maloney-McCrystal family and Caitlin.  We left for the States on Wednesday with the Maloney-McCrystal's and Caitlin staying behind to enjoy the beauty of the rain forest.  Our family traveled with Fr. Rick and Jeremy while the Stones and Tabaris left a couple of hours later.  We had quite the excitement trying to get out of Ecuador.  For some reason, it took a crazy amount of time to check everyone in and to get through Customs, despite arriving two hours early.  We all had to do the classic "OJ sprint" through the airport.  After arriving in Miami, they lost a trailer load of luggage for about an hour, so we were again in peril of missing our flights.  Alas, we all made it home safe and sound.  Despite the challenges that international travel can bring, it was an awesome trip!!  The Working Boy's Center, Nuevo Mundo School and Damien House, all run by BVM's or BVM associates along with Fr. John Halligan, long term volunteers and committed Ecuadorians, are completely inspiring.  What a beautiful blessing it was to see these programs at work.  Our entire St. Mary's contingent was absolutely in awe of the dedication, perseverance and selflessness of Madre Miguel, Fr. John, Sr. Cindy, Sr. Annie, and BVM associate Pat McTeague.  They serve as beautiful examples for all of us to emulate.  We have returned home with renewed energy and excitement to further their mission.  Our last day there, we brainstormed on new ways to further enhance the relationship St. Mary's has established with the WBC.  Both parents and children have come up with some new ideas to raise funds as well as deepen our solidarity.  It is amazing what can happen when a person is able to witness, first hand, the work of God!  I know we all look forward to the future and what will grow out of this experience - personally, as a parish community and as a partnership with our brothers and sisters in Ecuador.  Thank you to all of you for your thoughts and prayers during our journey and may the peace of Christ continue to disturb you!
God Bless,
Carol Braham

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Sunday: The group arose early again---and again could see the surrounding peaks covered in new fallen snow!---and headed out to a minga. A minga is sort of like a cross between an Amish barn raising and a one day Habitat for Humanity. It is organized and carried out by members of the CMT community. We headed to the same poor neighborhood where we had visited two houses during our memorable home visits, and arrived to be assigned basically three jobs: carrying tiles, cement, pieces of wood, etc., up two flights of stairs; whitewashing some new rooms in the house; and the major job, digging out half a hill side adjacent to the home so that a new structure could be built. It was all good fun, despite being hard work and at times failing total clarity in the digging directions department. At the end of our labor, the host family shared a meal of french fries, rice, fried chicken, and coca-cola, which was enjoyed and appreciated by all. We then arrived back at the Center in time to shower off a couple tons of dirt and then watch the World Cup Final. That was a blast, especially since I am a huge Spain fan. Afterwards, Father Rick celebrated a very nice Mass, and then we headed out to dinner, Sunday being the one night that Antonia and Maria have off in the kitchen.

Monday: The whole group except for myself, Clare and Caitlin, flew on a short flight over the Andes for a day trip to the huge coastal town of Guayaquil to visit several ministries of the BVM, including a clinic for people affected by Hansen´s disease, which is Leporesy. Caitlin, Clare and I chopped a mountain of onions and peppers for the evening meal, which will be served to hundreds of members of the center tonight. Our teacher was 11 year old Alex, who was an incredible chopper and about as cute a kid as you could meet. Well, hasta luego!

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Dear friends back home: Since Bronwyn´s last entry the group has been quite busy, here is a brief review of our activities: 

Friday: While Bronwyn and the others painted rooms at CMT 2, Maureen, Anne, Katie and myself traveled back to CMT 2 to finish the murals. Thank heavens we had Katie, whose art skills saved the faces and hands of the four familes we painted; without her the paintings would have been a little spooky, I´m afraid! We returned in time for dinner and a very nice reflection led by the father-son team of John Robert and Bob, and then Father Rick and Jeremy led us in a sing-a-long until late at night.

Saturday: A tourist day. We headed north of the equator to lago Cuicocha (which means lake of the guinea pigs in Qichua!) which was beautiful. We took a boat ride around the lake, which sits in the collapsed caldera of an active volcano! We then headed to San Antonio de Ibarra for a short time to look at the famous woodworking shops, and then headed to our primary destination: Otavalo, a city famed for the native people who are experts at textile artesania.  The main square is literally covered with stalls, so that one enters into a labyrinth of colors, sites, and sounds. After two hours wandering the narrow lanes between the incredible stalls we relunctantly boarded the bus for a trip back to Quito. We passed an amazing local celebration of the Patron of a local Parish-St. Peter-which included large groups of local people heading down from the mounntains and dance-singing their way to a central festival point. Men dressed in ancient outfits directed traffic--on the Pan-American Highway!--while the singing and guitar playing proceeded to the festival site...Fr. Rick and I wondered how we could incorporate this site into the County Faire!

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It´s Friday and another beautiful day here in Quito. This morning, we woke up early to participate en los juegos para los niños (games for the kids here at the Working Boys Center). As I ate my delicious breakfast of peanut butter, cornflakes, and banana on delicious bread baked in the bakery here at the center, a yearlong volunteer told us to get it in gear because we were taking the kids to a park today.

¡Que emocion! As I walked through the busy Quito streets, it struck me what an effort it is to escort 105 very excited niños to a park on the other side of town. But the voluteers at the center, as well as Rodolfo, handled it with apparent ease. It was super fun to joke with the kids as we marched in a tight clump to El Parque Ingles.

The park was beautiful and fun for both the kids and myself. They ran on the grass, we played jumprope, and I got to help one young girl named Stephani conquer her fears of the monkey bars. What a day!

Father Rick said a beautiful mass. His homily was about how finding peace is the goal of everyone, be they American or Ecuadorian. His conclusion was that all need to hear and live the word of God to find this inner peace.

Lunch followed at the bakery and I have heard murmurings of future fundraising activities upon our return to the US...we´ll keep you posted. I´m excited to help paint at Centro No. 2 today. I still have paint from yesterday covering my hands and cannot wait to start again.
Hasta luego,     Bronwyn Stone

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Excerpts from Carleen's email.

Hello from El Centro del Muchacho Trabajador in Quito!

Most of today was spent touring the city of Quito.  First, we visited the national basilica of Ecuador.  It´s a beautiful, gothic style church.  Our tour guide at the basilica, Eddy, who spoke fairly good English, had all the keys to the coolest places in the basilica.  He first took us to the top of one of the steeples and the view was amazing.  We could see the volcanoes all around, look down at the city, and look across to the Virgin de Panecillo statue atop one of the mountains.  We descended that tower only to climb what felt like millions of stairs to the top of the clock tower, which is even higher.  I think he said there are somewhere around eleven levels in the church, and we went all the way up.  The views were gorgeous and perfect for pictures.  

By the end of this tour it was after noon, at which time we were supposed to be finished touring the city so that Fr. Rick could say mass as CMT numero uno, but we still had much to see!  We walked through the narrow streets until we arrived at the Jesuit cathedral that was the home of the first Working Boys Center when Padre Juan started the center in the 60s.  This church is beautiful.  Everything inside is finished with gold leaf and there is a big rotunda with a sun, cherubs, archangels and the evangelists.  Our tour guide was a really sweet lady who spoke beautiful English, and knew everything about the church.
We walked around the city some more and got to see the Ecuadorian White House, the archbishop´s residence, and old town Quito.

When we got to the center to paint, there was a lunch laid out for us with chips, lunch meat, cheese, fresh water, and the most delicious bread in the world.  It was so nice of them to do that for us because we had missed lunch!
After eating we began painting on the walls.  Someone had traced images of the holy family and children reading on the walls in the hallway. It was our job to add a little color. We didn´t quite finish, but it all looked really good.  
Vicente picked us up in the bus around 5:30 to take us back to the house at the other center.  Dinner is at 7:30.  My mom, Helen, and a few others are helping Maria and Antonia prepare dinner, which so far has been delicious.  

Adios!
Carleen

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I´m here on my third day at the Working Boys Center (WBC) in Quito.  Despite being married to Carol, who is a very active participant with the WBC, I am one of the last people you would imagine for a trip like this.  I´m a middle age, high tech marketing geek.  I like the comforts of my California home and to watch a good ball game during the weekend.  While I did these sorts of trips in my youth, I imagined myself sending my wife and kids to these events while I wrote a few checks.  I did not see myself with an obligation to leave work and be here myself.
 
At the time I made this committment, I was unemployed with bills stacking up, my daughter in college, my son a few years from high school graduation, and having to worry about aging parents who needed more of my attention.  There are always reasons to say ¨no¨.  But I decided to come here because I wanted to do something of service that would take me out of my proverbial comfort zone.
 
The WBC is amazing.  In the world of high tech, we regard Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Eric Schmidt as visionaries.  The leaders of the WBC including Madre Miguel, Madre Cindy, and Father John are visionaries too.  The organization they have assembled to enable these people to improve their lives is incredible.  Their team is training people to earn a living in restaurants, computers, carpentry, metal work, toy building, sewing, and beauty salons.  Í´m sure others on this trip will share the details of their experiences.  I simply wanted to share that this establishment oriented guy answered a call to come here and is very grateful for the experience.

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We arrived around 9:00 at night. The flights were fairly easy, no delays, not too much turbulance and no lost goup members with the exception of my Mother who was unable to join us due to an expired passport. Once in Quito we hit a road block when we discovered that Carleen´s suitcase had been swapped with another identical one. We utilzed our Spanish speakers and had the airport broadcast throughout the building for Veronica, the owner of the look alike suitcase to please check her bag tags. We were also able to use the contact infomation on the bag tag to get in touch with her uncle, aunt and finally Veronica in order eventually make the exchange. Patrick, one of our fluent spanish speakers, told her to look for a group of ¨Gringos Altos¨ or tall white people. Once we arrived at the center we met up with Caitlin and Jeremy, both who have been in Quito for at least a week  and then broke off into our room assignements. Although it sounds as if airplanes are taking off from the roof during the early hours of the morning most would agree that they slep soundly, going from sea level to 9,000ft will have that affect.

Our first full day at the center consisted mainly of becoming acclimated to the alltitude and some light touring. We were given a tour of El Centro del Muchachos Trabajador numero dos(where we are staying) in the morning and numero uno in the afternoon. At the first center we were intoduced to the ten values that they teach the families such as education, character development, health and religion.  We also toured all of the workshops such as the sewing, bakery, hair salon and auto shop where the kids learn a trade and then go on to hopfully start their own business. At the second center we saw the medical clinic, main hall, library and recration room where the kids were watching the world cup on a large projection screen. In between touring we attended mass where Padre Juan gave a beautiful sermon during which the children crawled all over us asking questions and luring us into hand games. I felt like a new toy and they wanted to be the first to play with me. After mass I  was able to reunite with a little girl who´s birthday party I attended two years ago during my first visit here! She is now nine years old and her family is doing very for themselves with the help of the center.

Peace, Katie

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It is 8 pm here in Los Gatos, CA and I am wondering what is happening in Quito and at the Working Boy's Center where it is 10 pm.  Our St. Mary's contingent from Los Gatos was to have arrived around 7:40 p.m., Quito time, tonight.   We have a total of 15 parishioners, including our pastor,  traveling to the WBC for 10 days for an immersion/service project.  I was supposed to be with them and help facilitate their journey as a returning and original pilgrim from St. Mary's.  However, things have not turned out as expected.  I, along with my family, made up of my husband, Bob, my 19 yr. old daughter, Kate, and my 15 yr. old son, John Robert, all left our home at 4:00 am this morning to catch our flight to Ecuador.  It was at SFO that I parted company with my family.  Unbeknownst to me, my passport had expired.  So off they went, along with Fr. Rick, to meet up with the rest of our group, en route, or already arrived in Quito.  There was a vast void as I watched them walk away and now, as I sit here at home alone.  I will try again tomorrow to renew my passport.  Today, being a legal federal holiday, made it impossible.  I have no idea if I will be able to rejoin them in Ecuador... it is my hope!   While I am embarrassed and humiliated by my thoughtless passport mistake, I have also been blessed to experience people's amazing compassion and understanding.  God is good!!  I hope to be sharing with you again about some wonderful experience from Ecuador soon, but if not, I will have grown in other ways.  As  my friend, Jane, once shared with me during a particularly difficult time... "all will be well, all will be well, and all will be very well."  Words to live by!

Peace,

Carol Braham

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Summer Travels

As well many of you know, there is a delegation from St. Mary Parish in Los Gatos, California, traveling to Quito Ecuador to visit and serve at the Working Boys Center – Centro Muchacho Trabajador. Indeed, by the time you read this we will have already completed our first week immersed in the Ecuadoran cultural.

Some in our group are presently students at junior high and high school level and are traveling along with their parents. Some have graduated and are attending university with the remainder being adults familiar or not with travel to foreign countries. To prepare for this immersion, our travel group met with Sr. Elizabeth Avalos BVM. She asked us about our hopes and expectations. Some did not know what to expect while others were very hopeful to make new friends in a remote land. Each of us were encouraged to be open to how the Spirit is working among us and to pray that our experience will be both spiritual and fruitful for us and those whom we serve.

Many people today from the United States and Europe want to make a connection with people in impoverished nations. Some skeptics argue that this form of travel comes at the expense of impoverished people. Moreover, our demonstrations of wealth within indigent nations only serve to create more greed, corruption, and hopelessness among those who have contact with wealthy outsiders. While this may well be true to some extent, it is not our purpose or intention to further such degradation.

Having traveled in poorer nations, I have become acquainted with people who have very little. Still, these folks share what they have. They understand the religious and spiritual aspects of life though we may differ with them in the way we express it. The richness of their culture is tied to a heritage and land, and the more one can understand their way of life the more one is able to help preserve it for future generations.

We have much to learn from others that live differently from the manner to which we have become accustomed. The western mind tends to think of things practically without consideration for the land or its people. This brought great prosperity and progress to us, but at what cost? The world economy will no doubt continue the course of the rich becoming more wealthy with the poor becoming poorer. If we do not understand what it means to be poor, then we may never understand Matthew 5—the Sermon on the Mount.

So pray for us as we travel that we may find the richness of the gospel in the people we encounter. We may not find answers for alleviating poverty, but we will have enjoyed the fellowship and solidarity of people at the Working Boys Center.

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Last Saturday, five of the BVMs who made all or part of their novitiate at our “second” novitiate at Guadalupe College in Los Gatos, CA, shared our story with those who attended the BVM Heritage Society meeting.

This story is unique in that only 10 BVMs made their complete novitiate in Los Gatos, and a few others made the latter part of their novitiate there.

It is also unique because Guadalupe College operated as a novitiate for only five years in the 1960’s. Though the buildings no longer exist, the spirit of Guadalupe lives on in  the lives of all who lived there as professed BVMs, as postulants and novices and those who were BVMs even for a short time.

Because we were “pioneers,” almost every major event was a “first”, and history/herstory was being written.  Thankfully we kept annals, which helped us to go back and relive the joys, the challenges, the changes and the learnings of those years.  Some of the words we feel best describe our experiences are:

• freedom


• holy time


• nourished


• growth through cultural, intellectual and spiritual experiences


• the strength of women bonding together

Kate Hendel summed it up well in her closing comment:

            “Our community at Guadalupe--the BVMs, the lay staff, and our neighbors--was our family away from home.  The warmth and patience, the humor and flexibility, the love and compassion helped in our formation in ways that would not be written in a Directress’ book on how to deal with young postulants and novices.  To remember any of these individuals now, only brings smiles and thoughts of deepest gratitude.”

It was a joy for us (Kathy Carr, Margaret Cosgrove, Fran Donnelly, Kate Hendel, and Regina Qualls) to share the Guadalupe story with the congregation.  A DVD of the presentations will be available in the future."

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After having some time to reflect on their experiences of the weekend, several participants would like to share how this has impacted their lives:

"Walking with the poorest of the poor and marveling at their positive attitudes and resilience."  Mary Ann Krems

"The gift of meeting persons and programs that show such respect for each person and their needs.  The blessing of sharing in prayer, processing, conversation with BVMs and associates.  To quote one of the homeless women at Deborah's Place: "The joy is in the journey!"  C. Jean Hayen

"I appreciated the immigration information and process that we had on Sunday morning.  It was so informative and powerful."  Joni Davis

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(delayed due to technical difficulties)

Friday evening 20 BVMs, friends and associates from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Texas gathered to begin our immersion experience in Chicago.  Sr. Francilla Kirby talked about Holy Family parish, the first BVM mission in Chicago, comparing what the sisters did in the mid 1800's with the ministries they continue to do today.  Sr. Brigid Hart then explained the activity we would do with the women at Deborah's Place on Saturday morning:  make May Baskets, in keeping with the Celtic tradition of celebrating the 6 months of light following the 6 months of darkness!

Saturday dawned bright and sunny as we headed to Deborah's place, a housing and outreach center for homeless women.  We unloaded soil, potting containers and bright pansies and begonias.  The women enjoyed making and decorating May baskets for themselves and for friends.  As the morning wore on, we chatted over cookies and coffee, with much positive energy filling the room.

We then went to Inspiration Cafe in Uptown, where women receive training for jobs in restaurants.  In addition to supporting this ministry, we enjoyed the delicious brunch items on the menu that were served with a smile.

Next, it was across the street to Sarah's Circle, which has a long history of BVM involvement.  Carol Cook and the current volunteer director explained how this drop-in center helps homeless women, many of whom have physical or mental health issues, or have experienced violence in their lives.  Sarah's Circle is a place of confidentiality and safety for these women, offering many services for them.

Carol then took us on a walk through the Uptown neighborhood, pointing out the many organizations that offer various kinds of assistance to the homeless.

Our last stop was the Cornerstone Community Outreach, established by the Jesus People Community to serve the homeless.  They are one of the few organizations that offers housing not only for single men and women, but for families...so that mother, father and children can stay together.  Because we were a large volunteer group, half of us began serving the meal while the others visited with the families, and then we switched places.  We were touched by the fact that so many of the male diners made a special effort to thank us for our presence and our work.

After finishing with the clean-up, we headed back to Wright Hall, exhausted but fulfilled.  We shared our learnings and impressions of the day over pizza...then hit the sack to prepare for a morning of learning about the need for just immigration reform.

P.S. One "small world" experience:  at Inspiration Cafe, we met a young woman who works part-time there (not in the homeless training program)...turns out she graduated with an education degree from Clarke College about 6 years ago and is currently teaching at a Catholic school in Chicago!

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The dream of a community library and adult education centre in Kumasi, Ghana is moving forward!  Approximately 150 children, youth, and adults gathered on the feast of St. Joseph the Worker to give thanks for the work of God’s hands and to ask for a successful completion to the construction process.  The joyful program included music, a brief history of the library, testimonies from a library participant, adult education student, the rector of St. Hubert’s Secondary School on which land the library will be built and hope-filled comments from the contractor. 

Following a reading from the late Archbishop Oscar’s Romero’s “Master Builder” prayer, Archbishop Thomas Mensah shared how his own love of reading began as a middle-school child. He commented on the value of adult education and referred to Archbishop Romero’s inspiring words reminding us that we are all workers, not master builders, prophets of a future not our own. The Archbishop was most generous in his praise and gratitude for the influence and generosity of the BVM Congregation and the many benefactors who have helped further this project.

Prayers of intercession focused on the beauty and care of the sacred land, the generosity of all our benefactors, our Library Advisory Board, architects, volunteers, the children, youth and adults who already use the library and adult education programs, and those who will make use of the facility in the future.

The blessing of the land and all those assembled, the cutting of the sod and planting of a young tree followed. Our concluding prayer reminded us to encourage each other to read, to learn and to expand our vision of a peace-filled world created in God’s image.

Keeping with tradition at such a gathering, was a plea to contribute to the construction costs.  Music and refreshments completed the program as a contagious spirit of gratitude and excitement filled the air. 

Pictures of the day are below.

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Emmanuel Danso has been enjoying books since a make-shift library was opened by BVMs in December 2006. Emmanuel shared how reading has given children something to do after school as well as helped them improve their English and writing skills. 

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May 1, 2010

We’re baaackk!

It is hard to believe that a long awaited, very fulfilling trip is behind us. After getting up at 3:00 AM Friday morning to hurry up and wait at the Quito airport, we left on time and had smooth sailing to Miami. Once in Miami we went through Customs, found our suitcases again, and it came time to say good-bye. I found myself very sad to say farewell to the California Crowd who had become friends in ten short days. I was in awe of how God had brought this particular group of people together to share this experience. We shopped, worked, cried, laughed, played, prayed and reflected together side by side for ten days. We were overwhelmed by the dedication of Miguel, John, Cindy, Saskia, Luann, Annie, Pat and Sonya to the poor of Ecuador. We were amazed by the generosity of all the Ecuadorians who welcomed us with such open arms.

I am tired today and I imagine my traveling companions are too. But it is a good tired. I know I’m not the same person who left for this trip on April 20^th. As I unpack my suitcases I know that the rest of the trip will take some unpacking as well, For now I am most aware of just being grateful for a safe trip, for having had such wonderful companions to share it with, for the dedicated people we met who are working hard to bring hope to a very poor but beautiful country. Thanks to all who prayed us home safely!

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Associates preparing flower Baskets for women

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BVMs and Assocates as they begin their immersion weekend in Chicago

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Last night 20 BVMs, Associates and friends came together at Wright Hall for the beginning of our first Chicago Service Experience weekend.  We began with a meal, prayer and sharing what brought each of us to participate in this weekend.  Many expressed a desire to work together, building community while stretching ourselves with new experiences. 

Sr. Francilla Kirby shared with us about the kinds of outreach that continues to be done at Holy Family parish, our first BVM mission in Chicago.  Brigid Mary Hart then prepared us for our first activity this morning: we will be going to Deborah's Place, a  housing and outreach center for women, which offers various activities for women on Saturday morning.  This morning, May 1, we will help them make "May Baskets" with real flowers that they can take with them, and share life with them over coffee and cookies.

Then we're off to Inspiration Cafe, which teaches women how to work in the restaurant business.  We will support their endeavor by having lunch there, before crossing the street to Sarah's Circle, which has a long history of BVM involvement.  Carol Cook and a current staff member will talk about the work of Sarah's Circle, which helps women to get away from a life on the street.

We'll cap off the day at Cornerstone Community Center, where we will serve the evening meal to about 175 homeless families.

Gathering back at Wright Hall tonight, we know we will have much to share and that we will have been touched by the lives of all those whom we meet today.

Please keep us in prayer...that we may be open to the ways God might be speaking to us in each person and event of the day...

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Dear Friends, 

It is hard to believe that this is our final day in Quito. There have been so many wonderful memories (See previous blogs for details): seeing the countryside, meeting the families, staff and volunteers at the 2 Centers, and getting to know our traveling companions.

We started our day traveling to the Museo De Sito Intiñan where we stood at the center of the earth. Our guide, Eban, explained the history and culture of the Andean people dating back to the 1800´s. He was an excellent teacher explaining in English the centrifugal forces, balancing an egg on a nail (I DID IT!) and the solar clock. It was a quiet peaceful place to stand where the north, south, east and west meet. 

From there we returned to Center 2, celebrated Mass with the children and had the afternoon free or in the case of Jill and I finished our Bodega project with the help of Denise and Lou. Check out the picture on the blot to see how organized the space now is.

In case some of you have not heard the story about the Working Boys Center (WBC) Centro Del Muchacho Trabajador, here is a little background. Padre Halligan, SJ and Madre Miguel, BVM stared the WBC in 1964. The Center, now there are 2, engages and teaches ten important areas of life: loyalty, personal formation, family, religion, instruction, economy, work, recreation,  health and housing. 

The Centers work with the whole family providing primary and secondary education, as well as technical training for children and adults. It also has a food program with nutritional meals 3 times a day, Monday - Saturday. Other services are health care, value formation and small loan programs. It has Production Shops and businesses which provide apprentice opportunities, education for financial independence and contributes to the overall progress of the social program. For more details check out there website www.workingboyscenter.org 

In the past 40 years more than 5,000 families (25,000 persons) have graduated from the programs and have moved out of poverty and are contributing to society as free, active and dedicated persons. They are carpenters, auto mechanics, industrial mechanics, cosmetologists, plumbers, seamstresses, as well as administrators and teachers in the WBC. Peoples lives are changed. They learn how to live and work collaboratively with others. Through education they are set free to live with respect and dignity and to help others live a better, hope filled life. 

The people of Quito have gifted my life with their welcome, their smiles, their attempt to communicate despite language differences.  I will bring back to Sunnyvale not only the 100s of pictures but more important the stories of a people who have shared so much with me. It has also been a gift to share prayer, insights, stories, laughter, and friendship with the 11 other pilgrims  with whom I journeyed. 

Keep us in your prayers as we journey back to our homelands renewed from our pilgrimage to Quito, Ecuador. 

Love, 

Bette 

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Last Day Tasks, finish organizing the Bodega -- Storeroom for clothes and other items

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Hi Everyone,

I left Quito yesterday morning and arrived here in Kansas City. last night at about 10:30 PM.  It was a long uncomfortable day.  My shoulder bothered me more yesterday than at any time during the trip.  I couldn’t hear anything, my head was full of cotton all day, my ears hurt and my nose was running – a miserable day.  I didn’t sleep well last night, not enough street noise I guess – no barking dogs, trucks or whistles all night long and too comfortable a bed I think, but my shoulder again kept me awake. 

This morning early I was in getting some coffee in the motel breakfast room and the T.V. was on.  Some tenor was singing that “You raise me up” song.  That sappy song that everybody goes for.  I was getting my coffee and he was hitting the high notes YOU RAISE ME UP……….way up…… I’m sure you all have heard it, I turned to look at the T.V. and just as he was hitting those high notes this picture of four boys walking arm in arm up a little hill came on the screen.  To me they looked like the little boys at the center walking arm in arm up to the school – the buildings in the background even looked like the Working Boys School.  Then to make matters worse the word INSPIRE scrolled across the screen.  I had to get out of there because I started to cry and the place was full of business guys getting ready for whatever they do all day.  I’m a mess.  I was thinking then about how Cindy and Miguel and Mary Lou and Annie and Father John. Inspired me – I’m a mess but I’m home safe.

You are all in my prayers – please mention my name in yours

Keep Lookin Up

Bill

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The wonders of technology.  Jill just sent this picture of the group at the Mitad Del Mundo -- Middle of the Earth Monument at 8:31 AM, PST, and I am posting it at 8:48 AM PST.        Mitad del Mundo Monument has  a wonderful cultural museum at the equator and lots of fun activities to learn about being at the center of the earth.  Bill is not in the picture.  He traveled home today. The others leave tomorrow.  What a great place for all to end their time in Quito. --Elizabeth Avalos, BVM

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A photo of Bonnie,Denise, Kathy,Carol, Elizabeth, Carol Marie playing FARKEL ....A little downtime after a hard day working.

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Judy shows Madre Cindy the baby blanket she made.

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This is late due to email glitches.

Sunday found our little group preparing for an early morning of trekking up into the mountain side to help a family add an addition on to their home.  We left our Working Boys Center home at 7:30 a.m. to board public transportation that would take us part way up the mountain with the last few blocks a foot climb on a  make shift  dirt road.  Our experience is called a MINGA.  Sunday is the only day that the family has the time to do necessary work on their own property.  The family that we were helping needed to remove an area of hillside dirt using hand tools, wheelbarrows and two groups of helpers one ...our group of eleven and an Andean family that also helped to move the hillside that needed to be cleared.

We were treated to a cloud covered day which kept the temperature perfect for this kind of work.  We also, noted the cute chicks, several yellow, a few charcoal colored ones that the Mother Hen brought around to show off to those of us working below.  We managed to find a few worms and grubs to feed the little ones. 

When our work was finished we were a weary bunch trekking back down the mountain to wait for the bus.  Needless to say we felt good to be able to lend our backs to help this young family.  Once back at the center we showered, some went to town to do some shopping, some of us stayed back for a nap and Bette made her way over to Sasky and Luann's to be with Lou Anglin for the afternoon DISCERNMENT that Lou was conducting again this year.

Tonight, we will meet with the BVM's for supper at the Mall since we do not have meals prepared on Sunday.

Our time is quickly flying by and we look forward to sharing other experiences with you.

Blessings and Love to All,

Carol Marie, BVM for the Mission Trip Travelers

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This blog is late due to technology difficulties.

Today took us to Yachay Wasi School (House of Wisdom)- a small school of 60 indigeous children. The purpose of the school is to preserve the Quecha culture to the children.

The children welcomed us with song and dance of their native culture dressed in original customs.

The attached garden area was the foucus of the school.  The students use it as the basis of their math, sceince and launguage sources.  Our tour of the garden included textures, tastes and smells of plants we could neither pronounce or spell.

Laurita and her husband Fernando and Luann Brown, BVM are teaching the children respect for all of nature and the way of their ancestors. 

In the afternoon we worked in WBC #1 painting signs for the students to carry in the Workers Day Parade on May 1.

A delicious taco supper with chocolate cake helped celebrate volunteer Mike´s birthday

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We are off to the Barrios at 9 AM.  Our guides are Teresa and Mariani - the bus driver is Geronimo.  The trip is approximately 1 1/2 hours up very narrow roads and horrendous traffic.  We pick up Faviola and  Angelica at the Working Boys Center 1.

Our first stop was at Angelicas - she is 22 years old and has two small children and a 13 year old stepson. Her husband works at a cement company with his son.  One child is in the "la cuña" (crib) program and one in "kinder" at the Center.  Two years ago they had nothing and were sleeping on the floor.  Teresa invited them to go to the Working Boys Center.  Angelica  gets the bus at 5 AM 6 days a week and takes her children to the Center - she then goes to her job washing clothes and goes back to have lunch with her children and back to work. The family has dinner together at the Center and Angelica goes to her night classes and home at 9:30.  Her house has one room with  two beds and mud floors.  She cooks outside in a small pit over an open fire and washes clothes in a stream - extremely poor living conditions but she was so proud to show us her home

The second house further up the hill belongs to Don Ruiz Chiquiza.  He works at the Center doing maintenance - he is achieved 5th grade and will continue on to Trade School.  His wife left him years ago with the children.  His daughter Marion is 18 and has an 11 month old child. Six people are living in the home.

Don Ruiz bought his land 10 years ago for $1,500 and built his own home.  Thieves stole his front door.  The house has a kitchen, small second room with TV and two small chairs, a bedroom with four beds - very, very, primitive - dirt floors and dogs, cats and chickens are running wild. 

Faviola home was our next stop.  Faviola is 37 years old and a single mother of six.  Her husband died 4 years ago at age 72.  She has one married child and 5 younger children.  The 4, 6, and 12 year old girls leave the house at 5:45 AM on the bus to attend classes at the Center.  The 14 year old boy works at a packaging company and earns $35 a week and attends classes.  The 7 year old attends school in the morning and sells caramels in the afternoon and hopefully earning $1 a day.  

The round trip bus fare for the family costs $1.50 per day and the trip is 1 1/2 hours each way.  Faviola sells fish in her home every day and  hopes to make $1 to $5 a day but some days makes nothing.  She has been at the Center for 6 months and is just finishing 6th grade.  She goes to school from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m..  Her rent is $50 per month plus $20 for water and electricity.  

She lives in the town of Nuevo Horizants (New Horizons).  The house has a very small kitchen and a bedroom with 3 beds - such deplorable conditions but again, such a lovely lady and so proud to show us her very humble home.

We returned to the Center at 1:30 p.m. - had a quick lunch of turkey sandwich, peach pie and a drink for $2.35 at the Bakery.  Cindy assigned various jobs to us in the Bodega, fixing up a play house, sorting clothes, washing the Bakery walls, and working in the English room.

We meet for prayer at 8:00 and look forward to another delicious dinner.  An unbelievable day - very emotional.  To visit these homes, yet see the hope and help they are all getting from WBC.  This place is incredible.

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Our volunteers are visiting barrio nuevo horizonte.  It is an opportunity to meet some of the families who attend the WBC and visit their homes.  On Sunday they worked with families at the Minga, helping them add rooms to their home.  Today they listen to and share with families.  Below is a picture of the group near one of the homes.

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This will be short since I´m on someone else´s site and I´m not sure how this works.  I am surrounded by kindness.  I am traveling with 11 other ladies and they are kind to me.  We are staying with people of incredible kindness.  We are surrounded by the kindness of strangers.  This is a poor country.  But the people we´ve met as we travel around are - they are something. 
Being here in Quito is kind of like looking out into a snow storm and trying to understand the beauty and wonder in each snow flake.  Sometimes you just have to step out into it.  All the sights and sounds and sensations of the snow as it swirls around me is more then I can cope with.  It will almost swamp my little boat.  I´m sure we will be thinking about this for a long time.

Today we met Annie Credidio.  She is a BVM who has been here for a long time.  She started a hospital that ministers primarily to people with Hanson´s desease.  She recieves them into her place and cares for them without question or condition.  Unconditional love.  She is like all the BVMs we have met, in how she serves the poor around them. 

It is too much I´m going to check out. 

It has been a real treat getting your emails.  I see the little kids here and think of my little kids.  I watch the moms here take care of their little kids and think of you and the way you love your kids.  I watch the dads as they work and kid around with their little kids and think of my sons and the good dads they are trying to be.  Being in this place makes me glad that your are in your place and soon I will see you.  I´m sure all these wives and moms who are traveling with me fee the same way   --- Bill Hare

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Besides BVMs and Associates and friends volunteering together in Quito, Ecuador, BVMs, Associates, and friends met at Holy Family Convent in Glendale on Friday April 23, 2010 to prepare for a morning of distributing toiletries, Tshirts, sox, and sandwiches to those who are homeless in downtown Los Angeles.  More pictures to be posted on Album on BVM website.

Associates Shirley Witlin, Bobbile Lopez, BVMs Roberta White, Mary Jeanne Stopper, and Mary Jean Ferry, Associate Eli Lopez, Shirley Guidry, Cheryl Hannah, and Lia Gonzalez.  Not pictured are Vicki Smurlo, BVM and friend of BVMs Steve Haase, both of whom joined the group on Saturday to make and distribute sandwiches in Pershing Square, Los Angeles.

To the right, Cheryl and Mary Jean distributing sandwiches

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The Volunteers are in Guayaquil, which is much warmer than Quito, so today it is short sleeve attire.  BVMs/Associates visit Casa Damien, the only Hansen's Clinic in Ecuador and Nuevo Mundo, a school administered by BVM Associates Sonia Rendon and Pat McTeague.  Those pictured below from left to right, Jill, Kathy, Bill Judy, Annie Credidio, BVM--Director of Casa Damien, Bette, Lou, Bonnie, Luann Brown, BVM--Special Ed Teacher at Yachay Wasi in Quito, Elizabeth, Carol, Denise, and Joan.

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The road to Otavalo - an incredible winding climb into the mountaineous terrain of the Andes and down again to the bustling outdoor shopping area of Otavalo and beyond.

We were treated to the ¨big¨ WBC bus, and all of us enjoyed soaking in the beautiful views of the mountains first, the lush valleys as we got closer to Ibarra. Many thanks to our Bus Drive Guillermo - this was no easy drive, especially for a big bus. 

The first stop of the day was to enjoy some Bizochoa and cheese in Cayambe. We were hoping for a glimpse of the snow capped volcano here, where the eternal snow crosses the equator (the only place on earth where this happens). She was hiding under clouds for the most part. (however we got a glimpse of snow on the way home). All enjoyed the Bizochoa (warm pastries) and Bonnie finally got her Diet Coke.

From there to Otavalo, but not without some excitement. We were nearly turned around at the toll bridge near Atunta Qui, due to a bus that had caught fire and was spewing thick acrid smoke to the extent that the highway was invisible. Luckily, they were able to put it out quickly. We used the time to enjoy our lunch on the bus, delicious sandwiches from Madre Cindy´s Bakery (at the WBC)... did you know that they had sandwiches there?  We appreciated the thoughtfulness of Madre Cindy, Padre John, and Madre Miguel to get our lunch organized for us.

Otalavo was a sea of merchandise, vendors, and tourists haggling. Cindy led us to her friends there, Jose and Marcela. They helped us get the best prices for the scarves, ponchos, sweaters, jewelry, etc. that will be sold at St Mary´s later in the year to raise funds for the WBC. Jill did a great job of leading the buying frenzy. However, we had the second excitment of the day when Jill got lost at the market. Padre John, Madre Miguel, Madre Cindy and Lou managed to find her very quickly, but we were all a bit shaken by that experience. Mind you, Cindy did give us instructions to ëasily¨find our way back to the bus by simply asking for directions to "el bano" (which was near the bus), but that asumes that the person asked would provide the right directions. Not always the case, it turns out.

After Otavalo, we went to San Antonio de Ibarra, which is a very poor village that specializes in wood carvings. We did a little more shopping there, however the lasting memory I have from San Andonio de Ibarra is the sight of so many healthy young adults hanging around the market square, dirty and idle. It reminds me of why we are here, and why the work of the WBC is so critical. Rather than get overwhelmed with the sheer magnititude of the poverty problem, we really have to focus on what we CAN do. Not always easy.

The drive back home (to WBC) was beautiful again. We had some rain, and then some sun.. more rain... more sun. Very pretty. In many ways it was like going back in time: women washing clothes in a river, kids walking the cow to his pasture area of the day, an older man walking 5 goats to the market, where they were going to sell really fresh goat milk; people toiling in the fields without benefit of machines or adequate tools, etc.

Tonight we will have Mass, followed by dinner and then a slide show of the history of the WBC. We have a big day tomorrow, working on a "Minga" project, which usually involves physical work, such as building walls, painting, etc. Check in with us tomorrow!

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Saturday's excursion for the Quito group is a trip to Otovalo Market.  There they will experience the wonders of bartering Ecuadorian style.  The shoppers will purchase crafts to sell  at St. Mary's Parish in Los Gatos, in order to raise funds for the Working Boys Center.  This will be the third year for the fund raiser.

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Volunteers gathered around the table.  Seated: Bonnie Behr, Denise Vargo, Lou Anglin, Bette Gambonini, Carol Thornton, and Bill Hare.  Standing: Carol Baum, Judy Grondin, Joan Flores, WBC Staff, Kathy Conlin, WBC children, and Jill Montanari.

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  VIEW OF STREET FROM VOLUNTEER RESIDENCE AT WORKING BOYS CENTER #2. 

EL MARIN --- WORKING BOYS CENTER #1 IN DOWNTOWN QUITO

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We began our day with a tour of Gota la Leche (Drop of Milk)...such a wonder...from the original historic section of the building where milk is stored 5 days a week for the approximately 50 women/children who partake...to the doctor's office and intake station...precious mothers,babies and toddlers were all around...we were very impressed with the on site lab for urine/feces/blood.

Marcia was our guide today and Elizabeth Fitting did all of the English translation for our group...we were delighted to visit the 6 classes in the new section ...we visited all and were treated to songs by the children - some in Spanish, some in English.

Then on to La Compania in downtown Quito. Enroute we became caught in a traffic snarl, but arrived safely to be treated to a tour of the original WBC (Working Boys Center). Which is in the attic of the college adjacent to the church...just amazing...saw the current Jesuit chapel...and the "Jewel" Compania with the extravagant carving and gold leaf throughout.  

We walked through the center of town through a plaza teeming with people including a peaceful, well controlled by police, protest by indigenous people who are opposing the government take over of their local water sources. Along the way we visited another church - Sacred Heart less glitz (gold) but still marvelous in it's richness of carvings, paintings, statuary. It was a treat to walk the city streets - narrow and paved with stone.

Then on to the Marin WBC #1 for lunch and an afternoon of work projects...some painted the first floor lobby, others did the entrance stairway, still others worked in the library or classroom. I assisted a volunteer teacher from Peru (Loyola Marymount University graduate) for about an hour and thank God the lesson (in Spanish) was on the months of the year and the verb-is/was-because that's about my proficiency! She was firm, but gentle and set me to work helping the girls with their lesson sheets...they needed to fill in the blanks in English and did quite well. I like to think Sr Ismaela, my high school Spanish teacher, would have been proud of me.

Back to WBC #2 about 6 p.m., prayer and reflection at 8 p.m., dinner at 8:40. Dinner was delicious fish and many vegetable choices.

I'm getting a bit bleary now and realize that this has been a heavy fact blog and not too much heart...what folks shared will help with that...the children, their bright eyes and laughter...and the sound of singing...or wooden flutes playing...the gratitude for Therese, and our other guide, who were our quiet attentive guardian angels and shepherded us along through the crowded streets of downtown  Quito...prayers of gratitude for the families who attend the WBC and bring their children to a better future...the value of each life...the amazing work done by countless volunteers and dedicated staff here...our prayers and love to our families and friends...thanks for your support!

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Picture of the School at the WBC 2 (Working Boys Center 2). This is where the Quito group will do some of their volunteer work.  Check later for today's update.

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Hi to All from Ecuador.
We are here safe and sound after an unveventful trip down.
We are in Quito today and enjoyed tours of Working Boys Center #1 and 2
It´s hard to know what to be MOST impressed by--As we walked
around today practicing our Spanish, what i heard most was just
how impressed we all are with what Madre Cindy Sullivan, BVM, Madre Miguel Conway, BVM, and Padre John Halligan, SJ, who have done with so little and what a HUGE difference it
is making.

They know that 6000 families have graduated the program and
are successful. They are teachers here, workers at the Center, or
owning their own shops. Children run around happy, experiencing the
dignity of work, but also learning skills they need to move out of
poverty. It ia a holy, special, very alive place. Stay tuned...

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Last year during the Easter season, I ran across a beautiful reflection that continues to inspire me.  Based on the resurrection story as told in Matthew 28, Irene Zimmerman describes the faith of the women who come to the tomb to anoint Jesus after the Sabbath.  I find it particularly appropriate for our times—celebrating the call of women to proclaim “the Good News.”

“The heady fragrances they carried rose above their heads like incense, exorcising the garden of death.  ‘Who will roll away the stone for us?’ the women whispered to one another.

            None of the men had offered to go, so the women had set out in haste alone to straighten twisted feet and fingers, comb black blood from matted hair, anoint the precious body with spices.

            ‘But who will roll away the stone?’ they whispered again as they neared the tomb.  ‘Jesus said prayer could move mountains.  We must stay together, continue to believe.’  They stepped firmly forward, balancing their heavy jars.

            When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back.  Inside, they heard from a being a dressed in light; ‘You are looking for Jesus who was crucified.  He has been raised; he is not here.’

            Fleeing from the tomb, intent on telling no one, they tripped pell-mell over terror and amazement onto the glowing feet of Jesus. ‘Go tell the others!’ he commanded.

            After the telling, they set out in haste—together this time, a community of equals—to roll away stones, straighten crooked paths, comb the far countries, anoint the precious world with Good News. (“Easter Witnesses” in Woman Un-Bent, St. Mary’s Press, 1999)

Words to ponder this Holy Week…

How does the risen Christ empower each of us to share the freeing word of the Good News to a world so often dominated by exclusion, prejudice, hatred and violence?  How can we be sacraments of new life--of inclusion, welcome, hope and peace?

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(John 13: 1-15)

After supper, Jesus washed the feet of the disciples...even the feet of Simon Peter, who naturally protested with his usual bravado, “You will never wash my feet.”  Good Jew that he was, Peter was not about to have his Master take on the role of the lowest-of-the-low house servant for HIM.  This traditional Jewish custom of washing the dusty feet of house guests was not what Jesus should be doing.  But Jesus told Peter that he would have no part with Jesus unless Peter complied...which, of course, he did with his over-the-top response, “Then wash all of me.”

“What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.”  Familiar words of Jesus.  And so we have understood...for centuries.  Jesus was setting us the example of what it meant to be His follower.  We were to be servants.  And so we have tried to be.  Being a servant is hard work, challenging work.  We often resist the call because we think that we know the cost of servanthood.

But DO we understand what Jesus did?  REALLY understand?  Could there be more than meets the eye in the washing of the feet?  John Dear, SJ,  thinks so.  In his NCRonline blog of March 23, he presents a radically different view.  He says that Jesus was really following the example of Mary of Bethany, who washed his feet earlier.  Nothing radical about that...except that she was anointing Jesus’ feet to prepare Him for His “impending death.”  Dear believes that Jesus washed the feet of the disciples to prepare them “for the journey of nonviolence, for the Way of the Cross and resurrection, for the consequences of our resistance to injustice and empire.”

Suddenly the notion of “service” seems safe...secure...traditional.  Anointing for martyrdom?  That’s a very scary notion.  Maybe that’s just John Dear going off on his “political” bent again.  Maybe....or maybe John Dear is just playing an April Fool’s joke on us.  But then...St. Paul DID say that we are “fools for Christ.”

What will you be thinking about when YOUR feet are washed tonight? To what is Jesus REALLY calling us?  Something to ponder as the bowl approaches.

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It is my hope that we will be able to read Sandra’s essays and take the time to reflect on their content and then have a meaningful gentle discourse.

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Angels singing, sheep bleating, camels snorting…then

Carolers singing, bells ringing, children laughing…now.

It seems that there are many sounds connected with Christmas. As I sit at my harp playing carols that are triumphant, charming, or lullabies, I realize that so many carols end in with the child asleep, with heavenly peace or with the awed act of adoring the new born.   The night, a time of quiet is called “divine”. It is in this quiet silence that we receive the gift, New Life, newly born for us.

And it is in silence that we come to see for ourselves, to join with the angels, the shepherds, the wise people in deep adoration. It is only in silence that we can receive the Gift of God, the person of Jesus.  And it is in silence that the Spirit joins us to the depth of God’s giving. 

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Saturday, December 19, 2009

From  the opening prayer in today’s Mass we ask, “Give to us true faith and love to celebrate the mystery of God made human….”

Jesus came “into this world

to walk a certain path,

fulfill a certain destiny.

He consciously fulfilled what had been ‘written’ for him.

As I look back I see in wonder what was ‘written’

And has thus far been fulfilled

in my own life…

I see with joy what has been done through me

to make the world a better place….”

                               (Anthony de Mello)

With boldness, humility, simplicity, trust and joy we continue our unique journey with Jesus, with our sisters and brothers, with Mary Frances Clarke.

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Friday, December 18, 2009

Joseph, disturbed by the shocking news of Mary’s pregnancy when they were still engaged and not living together, paid attention to a dream.  There he found a solution and solace.  Joseph dared to believe the astonishing story about Mary

and in the action of the Holy Spirit, as Matthew tells us in the gospel today.

Often we are caught in a dilemma.  Let us pray with Ed Hays in the spirit of Mary and Joseph, Mary Frances Clarke and many who help us interpret our “dreams”.

“Guide us with the light of your Spirit,

            to be aware of the rough ways in our relationships,

            with family, friends and strangers,

            with co-workers, co-learners

            and with those in authority.”

And with Diana Macalintal:

“…Bless us who continue to seek You in dreams.

Open our ears to hear You in our visions,

loosen our tongues to speak Your word,

strengthen our hands to respond swiftly in action,

and embolden our hearts that what we hear in the dark

we may proclaim in the light.”    (adapted)

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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Today’s gospel genealogy passage from Matthew tests the proclaimer’s naming skills and gives us a reminder that our family history is significant.  For many of us the transmission of faith and values through generations helps shape our identity and choices. 

“Longing for wholeness is a yearning to live wholly and completely into one’s life, to gather up the unlived bits and pieces of the past,to embrace and love those who loved us, and

to weave them forever into the fabric of memory.

It is an awareness of the coming wholeness, a final transcendence….”

                                              (Nancy Hiles)

May the joy we share,

the kindness and compassion we extend.

the justice we seek for all

and the love we accept and give

enrich our patterns of generativity.

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Tuesday, December 15, 2009 

Responsorial Psalm 34 excerpts

O, open your hearts, friends,

that your pain and loneliness

be turned to Love,

and then, we shall rejoice

in the Beloved together!

Keep your heart open and free,

make time to dwell in Silence,

become a peaceful presence

in the world.

                             (Nan Merrill)

The Beloved hears the cry of the poor.

In this holy season, what are we doing to connect with persons in need in our extended family, in community, in our local area?   Recalling responses of John the Baptist in Sunday’s gospel, we sense again the call to renewal, to a commitment to

just living. 

May we be a blessing to each other.

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Monday, December 14th, feast of St. John of the Cross

“Be silent.  Be still, alone,

Empty before your God.

Say nothing.  Be silent.  Be still.

Let your God look upon you.  That is all….

Let your God love you!”

                           (Edwina Gateley)

John of the Cross, a contemplative, invites us to contemplate. 

His life reflects the balance of prayer and service, of collaboration (with Teresa of Avila) and action for needed change.   He possessed an inner joy despite being opposed and imprisoned for being a reformer.

Being “present to the Presence”, as Albert Haase names the discipline of prayer, “fosters a prayerful, contemplative attitude and approach to daily life”.

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Sunday, December 13th, Gaudete-Rejoice Sunday

“Rejoice!”

“Sing joyfully!”

“Cry out with joy and gladness”

Seriously!

Such urgings from today’s readings may challenge our feelings.  As we complete the first decade of the 21st century, many feel assaulted by crucial issues.  Yet we ponder:  “to the anxious:  be strong and fear not!”

Our God is always with us, waiting—

    
• for our awakening to the Divine Presence

    
• for our trust

    
• for our generous sharing with those in need, as John the Baptist taught

    
• for us to celebrate our deepening relationships with God, with those treasure, with those who prod us to live the glad tidings.

Rejoice and give thanks!

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SATURDAY   Sirach 48:1-4,9-11    Psalm 80: 2-3,15-16,18-19  Matthew17:101-3

Elijah was a formidable prophet—imagine seeing him go to heaven in a whirlwind, in a chariot with fiery horses. Let your imagination recall someone that powerful in your life—spend time recalling specific instances, maybe you may want to journal or create a poem or art piece.

Lord, let us see your face and we shall be saved. Look deeply into the faces of those you encounter today. Share a smile and see what reaction you get.

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FRIDAY  Isaiah 48:17-19   Psalm1:1-2,3,4,6  Matthew 11:16-19

The Lord begs us listen. Are you good at that? If we do listen properly we’ll be like Abraham and our descendents will resemble the sand. If you’re by the shore mingle with the grains of sand. Try and count the individual grains. If you meditate, possibly, with an egg timer—study the grains as they gently pass through the hole.

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THURSDAY   Isaiah 41:13-20   Psalm 145:1,9,10-11,12-13   Matthew 11:11-15

The Lord our God has come and reversed the harshness meted out to Israel; behold rivers, fountains, springs of water and a vast array of trees will appear. The hand of the Lord has given these for us, how am I using and preserving them? Let us make known to all the glorious splendor of the kingdom.

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WEDNESDAY   Isaiah 40:25-31   Psalm 103:1-2,3-4,8,10  Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus promises to refresh us, if we but “Come”. Advent days are a gift of refreshment. Why not take Jesus at his word and find rest—solace from whatever is burdening you now. If we accept that refreshment then we can soar on eagle’s wings. Use the familiar hymn “On Eagle’s Wings” as your background mantra today.

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TUESDAY   Isaiah 40:1-11   Psalm 96:1-2,3,10,11-12,13  Matthew 18:12-14

“Comfort, give comfort … speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim that her guilt is expiated.” These words speak to the heart—our Advent task. Maybe in our periods of prayer and overflowing into our daily life today we can exhibit a gentle self to ourselves and those we encounter.

Treat yourself and listen to this hymn as part of Handel’s “Messiah”.

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Mary, heavy with child, travels the arduous journey to Bethlehem.Like Mary, we are often taken where we did not expect, led to a path we had not foreseen, when we place ourselves in God’s hands.

Read and reflect:  Luke 2:1 - 5

Prayerful response:  My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

For He has looked upon His handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will ages call me blessed.

The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

His mercy is from age to age to those who fear Him. 

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Mary, engaged to Joseph, is with child.  Like Mary, when we are faithful to God, we risk being misunderstood, even rejected.

Read and reflect:  Matthew 1:18 - 19

Prayerful response:  My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

For He has looked upon His handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will ages call me blessed.

The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

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Mary sets out on her own to visit her cousin, Elizabeth.Like Mary, we must stand up, venture out on our own to witness and rejoice in the gospel in the lives of others, especially to the poor, the forgotten and neglected.

Read and reflect:  Luke 1:39 - 45

Prayerful response:  My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

For He has looked upon His handmaid’s lowliness; behold, from now on will ages call me blessed.

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Advent, Week I.

Advent is probably the most contrary to culture season for Christians.  When all about us are busy with gift buying and wrapping, decorating trees and cookies, planning parties and how everything can fit into schedules,

Christians are called to BE STILL.

The darkness of the season calls to us; the voice of prophets announce the coming; Scripture records the promise and the waiting for it to be fulfilled.  And, deep within our own hearts, we know a yearning, a desire for the Gift Advent awaits.

Mary is our Advent companion.  It is Mary who has modeled for us the waiting for the birth of the Savior.  It is Mary who “pondered all these things in her heart.”  It is Mary whose YES made our Advent one of expectation, knowing the Savior has come,

will come again, and is among us even now.

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"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice."

                                         ~Meister Eckhart

I offer a humble prayer of thanksgiving for all God's gifts--we live in great abundance.May we always be grateful.

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I’m off to Ft. Benning again this year for the School of the America’s protest. As always, I leave anticipating that this will be the last trip down to Georgia because certainly by next year they will have closed the school.

This past Monday, November 16th, was the 20th anniversary of the assasinations of the six Jesuits and their housekeeper and her daughter in El Salvador. They were Ignacio Ellacuria, Ignacio Martin-Baro, Segundo Montes, Arnando Lopez, Joaquin Lopez y Lopez, Juan Ramon Moreno, and Elba Ramos. Graduates of the School of Americas have been linked to these deaths and thousands of others.According to the School of the America’s Watch website “Over its 59 years, the SOA has trained over 60,000 Latin American soldiers in counterinsurgency techniques, sniper training, commando and psychological warfare, military intelligence and interrogation tactics. These graduates have consistently used their skills to wage a war against their own people. Among those targeted by SOA graduates are educators, union organizers, religious workers, student leaders, and others who work for the rights of the poor. Hundreds of thousands of Latin Americans have been tortured, raped, assassinated, “disappeared,” massacred, and forced into refugee by those trained at the School of Assassins.”

Over twenty thousand peaceful people gathered last year to pray for peace and an end to war. We continue to pray for the soldiers and civilians who are in Afghanistan and Iraq and other war-torn places. We continue to pray for the wisdom to see that war is not the answer and that building a just world is the way to peace. Please join us in prayer.

Christian Prayer for Peace

Blessed are the Peacemakers,

for they shall be known as the Children of God.

But I say to you that hear, love your enemies,

do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you,

pray for those who abuse you.

To those who strike you on the cheek, offer the other also,

and from those who take away your cloak,

do not withhold your coat as well.

Give to everyone who begs from you,

and of those who take away your goods, do not ask them again.

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

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Veterans Day

Almighty God, gratn us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice among peoples and nations.

                                         adapted from the Book of Common Prayer

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Prayer for Mindfulness

Let us begin by recalling the words of Cesar Chavez: “Every time we sit at a table at night or in the morning to enjoy the fruits and grain and vegetables from our good earth, remember that they come from the work of men and women and children who have been exploited for generations…” Almighty God, too often we don’t pay attention, we don’t stop to think that, even in this day and age, injustice remains an invisible ingredient in much of the food that we eat. Shake us awake, O God, open our eyes to see our power and obligation as consumers to help put things right. Justice demands it. Love demands it.

--National Farm Worker Ministry

Blessing Prayer

Bless the hands of the people of the earth,

The hands that plant the seed,

The hands that bind the harvest,

The hands that carry the burden of life.

Soften the hands of the oppressor and

Strengthen the hands of the oppressed.

Bless the hands of the workers,

Bless the hands of those in power above them

That the measure they deal will be tempered

With justice and compassion. Amen.

--National Farm Worker Ministry *

In Iowa these days the corn is being harvested. It is hard work and a long time coming. We’ve had a wet fall in the Midwest after a late spring that delayed planting. The family farm is in a bad way these days with the price of corn and soybeans being low in addition to trying to stay in competition with big agri-business.

The plight of those who pick most of our fruits and vegetables is even worse. Migrant farm workers leave their homes in order to pick crops that we often just take for granted. Often these people work in substandard housing, get minimal pay and are exposed to dangerous pesticides.  

I am challenged as I pray these words to be mindful of the deep gratitude I owe those who bring food to my table. I am challenged, too, to be aware of the situation of the farmers and farm workers so I can do what I can to be a conscientious consumer—to buy locally when I can, to buy in season when possible, to participate in boycotts of businesses that we know do not treat employees fairly. As in the words of the prayer

“Justice demands it. Love demands it.”

                                               *used with permission www.ufwm.org

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THE HARVEST PRAYER

Please be gentle with yourself and others

We are all children of chance,

And none can say why some fields blossom

While others lay brown beneath the harvest sun.

            Take hope that your season will come.

Share the joy of those whose season is at hand.

Care for those around you.

Look past your differences.

Their dreams are no less than yours,

Their choices in life no more easily made.

And give.

Give in any way you can.

Give in every way you can.

Give whatever you possess.

Give from your heart.

To give is to love.

To withhold is to wither.

Care less for the size of your harvest

than for how it is shared,

And your life will have meaning

And your heart will have peace.

                                    (Anonymous 17th-Century Sermon)

                               used with permission from the National Farm worker website

                          http://www.nfwm.org/content/harvest-justice-table-prayers

This lovely prayer, written hundreds of years ago, has great lessons for us today. God has gifted us with a great abundant, generous Earth.To“Care less for the size of your harvest than for how it is shared” however would be a hard sell around Iowa these days as farmers anxiously wait to pick their corn and soybean crops. Family farmers care very much about the size of their harvest as they struggle to make ends meet in an enterprise that has become increasing BIG business.

I think the real challenge has much more to do with the state of one’s heart and the ability to be generous with what we do have. Our culture often tells us that we need to hang on to, stock up on, and buy early and often. But the reality is that we have more than we need. We have a great abundance of material things and an even greater abundance of talent, thoughts, ideas, love—and the list goes on. What is behind the words of this prayer seems to me to be a gentle call to trust God, to look to our universe for answers about how to be in the world. It asks us to be a nonjudgmental and generous presence and that doing so will give meaning and bring peace. As I reflect on the many lessons that this harvest season has to offer, I hope to remember these words.

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For several weeks I have been asking myself, “What has happened in the United States?” How is it that so many people can no longer have civil discourse with one another?  Why are we treating those who might disagree with us on issues of  politics, economics, culture and even religion so rudely…with little or no respect for our shared humanity.  I am appalled at the blatant rudeness that has been shown at town hall meetings, at civic rallies and even in the hallowed halls of Congress.

When we loose the ability to enter into respectful dialogue, we are truly lost…as a people, as a nation.  When we can no longer try to put ourselves in another’s shoes and try to see things from a different perspective, or to try to find the kernel of truth in the other person’s ideas, we have truly closed ourselves off.  What progress can be made under these circumstances?

The first major tenet of Catholic Social Teaching is respect for the dignity of each and every human person, because each of us is made in the image of God…a God of inclusive love who excludes no one:  not because of  religion or race or ethnic background, nor economic status, nor position on the political spectrum.

In this era of discord, perhaps we need to ponder daily on the words St.  Paul wrote to the Romans (12:4 ff):

“As members of one body, we belong to each other.  We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to each of us…Try to outdo one another in showing respect.”

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Tomorrow will be the one month anniversary of a dear friend – Sue Gifford, campus minister at the Oregon State University Newman Center.  Sue reached out to me soon after I arrived to work at St. Mary’s parish in Corvallis, Oregon, and we quickly became friends and collaborators.  Sue was one of those people who was a natural “minister” – reaching out to include people of all types and backgrounds; sharing humor, faith and hope with all whom she met. 

 Her death was a shock…she was only 49 years old and died suddenly on Aug. 25. Her death was a great loss to me and to many others whose lives she touched. 

 During the past month I have spent much time reflecting on Sue’s life, our friendship, and the meaning of loss in general.  Two feelings often surface – sadness and joy.

Sadness for the loss of a friend who lived vibrantly with every cell of her being; sadness that her family and friends will no longer hear her laughter and her words of wisdom and encouragement.  But also joy – in remembering the special moments shared and the lives she brought together through her very life and ministry.

I’m remembering Sue…who are you remembering today?  Who – living or deceased – has touched your life in a unique way?  If they are still living, have you shared with him or her what they mean to you?  Do you keep in touch? 

 As I reflect on these questions I recall to mind our BVM foundress, Mary Frances Clarke, who regularly kept in touch with her sisters through letters (no internet in her day!).  Mary Frances understood the importance of maintaining the bonds that unite us.

How are you maintaining those bonds…?

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“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time”. 

~John Lubbock

I really, really like summer. The whole change of season thing works for me. I guess part of it is that I’m from Iowa and so the changes are pretty drastic and I appreciate the variety. Part of it, too, is that I’m a former school teacher and so summer meant freedom. Not that I didn’t love teaching, but to get off the strict school schedule, to get up when I woke up, to not have to be concerned about what pile I needed to correct next—well, it was freeing.

Summer continues to hold that kind of feeling for me even though I set an alarm and go to an office most days. After a long winter and wet spring—both of which hold their own gifts—it is balm to the soul to see green in every hue, feel the varying degrees of warm, and smell life bursting out in buds and blossoms.  It’s almost as if summer gives you permission to rest and relax more, it kind of whispers to you to stop and enjoy what you’ve worked so hard at doing.

One of the BVM core values is education—we were basically a community of teachers for years and so our life still is on what many would call a school calendar. So summer slows us down. It is when many of us go on retreat, take vacations, we usually have fewer meetings. Summer helps us remember that not going at full tilt is good and relaxing is a necessary part of life. So my hope is that summer brings gifts to all—of rest and relaxing, of time to appreciate and cultivate the slow work of God. So find a nice spot on the grass, listen to the water and watch the clouds. It’s time well spent.

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Remembering

I wish Memorial Day was one of those pure, unencumbered, straight-forward holidays like Christmas or Labor Day. I have a much clearer idea of what I’m celebrating, what I’m commemorating on those days. Memorial Day is complicated for me. Sure, it marks the beginning of summer which is a nice idea—but the day was established to remember those who have died in war. It conjures up images of guns and tanks, of death. I am grateful to the many who have died for our country. I am appreciative of the freedoms our country has because so many sacrificed their lives to protect those freedoms. I think they should be remembered and honored for the sacrifices they made and that those freedoms not be taken for granted.

I just wish we weren’t continually adding names to the Memorial Day lists. I desperately wish we had learned by now better ways to end disputes, to learn to live together more peacefully. I want our representatives in Congress to promote programs that build peace and promote justice, not to have to decide how many billions to put towards war. I understand that the reasons for war are complex and sometimes centuries old. I also know that greed and injustice are often at the root of them.

So this Memorial Day I remember and honor those who have died for our country, and hope to not take for granted what they died to preserve. I pray for the safety of all of those involved in war—those fighting and the innocent whose lives are affected by it. I pray that all countries learn to root out the injustices that cause conflict and to work to promote peace. In

the words of the World Peace Prayer I pray that God will--

            Lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth,

            From despair to hope, from fear to trust, lead us

            from  hatred to love, from war to peace; let peace fill

            our hearts, let peace fill our world, let peace fill

            our universe.

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There was a bittersweet tinge to the air in Postville, IA yesterday. Some estimate the crowd at close to a thousand people who gathered to commemorate the May 12th, 2008 raid on the Agriprocessor Plant that resulted in the arrest of almost four hundred people. It was sad to think of the hundreds of people for whom life was forever changed—families torn apart, loved ones deported, some for whom life continues to be a day to day struggle. But there was also the unmistakable feeling of hope and determination that we could change the old and tired immigration laws that allowed the raid to happen in the first place. Being surrounded in that little church by many people who came from all over to pray, and knowing that people in at least twenty-five states were also praying for this injustice to end, you couldn’t stay sad for long.

Some of those gathered were Jewish rabbis, children whose mothers had been deported, religious women, archbishops, ministers, concerned college students. We prayed in Spanish, English and Hebrew and listened to stories of fathers trying merely to feed their children and mothers wanting their sick child to have medicine. Mary McCauley, BVM closed the time of prayer by stating:

          "We, who are with you this afternoon, as well as those who are praying with us in some other part of the United States, are here because we love you. We have joined in prayer because we are concerned about    you and because we are concerned about our country. We want our country to be known for its hospitality, its justice and its love for all people. "

There are many who feel Mary and those of us gathered yesterday are wrong, that those who were arrested broke laws and got what they deserved. There are also many who feel that it is the current immigration laws that are broken and need to be fixed. It would be time well spent for all to become educated on what policies are currently in effect regarding US immigrants, to better understand the complexities of the US economy’s dependency on immigrant work force, and to listen to the stories of people for whom coming into the US illegally to work is the only option available for the survival of their families. It would also be time well spent to pray for those hurt by our current laws and for wisdom to see how best to go into the future.

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Driving into Mt. Carmel these days you can’t help but notice the red ribbons on the trees. They have been placed there to remember and to show our solidarity with the 389 men and women who were arrested in the May 12, 2008 immigration raid of the Agriprocessor Plant in Postville. Our BVM sister, Mary McCauley, was administrator at St. Bridget’s parish, which quickly became a safe haven for the people most affected by the raid.

Many of us will gather with the people of Postville tomorrow to mark the dark day in that small town’s history. We will come together for an ecumenical prayer service at 4:00 at St. Bridget’s, followed by a walk to  Agriprocessors. We’ll be praying for all those who were affected by the immigration raid, people who have left their homes in search of new life and those who continue to be separated from their families due to the raid. We’ll pray for our representatives in Congress that they will pass just laws for those who want to immigrate here. And we’ll pray for those in our country who are working to treat all people with dignity and respect no matter their immigrant status.

This remembrance is strongly supported nationally by the USCCB Justice For Immigrants Campaign and the Interfaith Immigration Coalition. You can  join in the call to justice by contacting your representative in Congress to ask for immigration reform. If you would like to join us in prayer the prayer service can be downloaded at the following web address:

 www.arch.pvt.k12.ia.us/PostvilleRelief/

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Volunteers enjoying some snacks (23)

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The Christmas decorations are slowly disappearing and 2009 is already a week old. If you’ve been in a store lately you’ve probably noticed that the Valentine cards and candy are out. Though liturgically we’re still in the Christmas season, mostly it’s starting to feel pretty ordinary.

We buried one of our sisters today. Francha was a BVM for 69 years and died at the age of 98. I’m told she died much as she had lived—without a lot of fanfare, not wanting to cause much fuss, just simply passing on to God after working hard and loving well during her life. Francha was the last of our sisters whose ministry had been to serve the sisters. She was a cook, worked in housekeeping, or was a sacristan within the community for most of her active years. Some might call her life pretty ordinary but the

stories being told by those who knew her well are of a woman whose smile lit up a room, whose many acts of simple kindness made a big difference in many lives, whose faith was the center of her life. We all should be so ordinary.

As we are boxing up Christmas decorations and eating the last of the fudge, as we are desperately trying to stick to our new year’s resolutions, as we get back to ordinary time, maybe remembering the Francha’s in our lives might help. Maybe we could simply try to live lives of loving service, to lighten other people’s loads, to do the simple and kind thing where we can. Francha’s life reminds me that ordinary time is where we live most and how we live in it can make all the difference.

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January 1, 2009

Make Me An Instrument of Your Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.  Amen.

--St. Francis of Assisi

As I was reflecting the last several days about beginning a new year, this prayer kept appearing in things I was reading, music at liturgy, etc. It’s profoundly simple and challenging.

As we all live into the new year, may our world know peace, love, pardon, understanding, faith, pardon, hope, light, and joy more abundantly. And may it start with each of us.

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Mary’s YES is so central to our Advent and Christmas days. Yes to the angel, Yes to God’s invitation. Below is an excerpt of a Denise Levertov poem found in Breathing the Water.

                        Annunciation (excerpt)

                        This was the minute no one speaks of,

                        when she could still refuse.

                        A breath unbreathed,

                                                Spirit,

                                                            suspended,

                                                                        waiting.

                        She did not cry, “I cannot, I am not worthy"

                        nor, “I have not the strength.”

                        She did not submit with gritted teeth,

                                                raging, coerced.

                        Bravest of all humans,

                                                consent illuminated her.

                        The room filled with its light,

                        the lily glowed in it,

                                                and the iridescent wings.

                        Consent,

                                                courage unparalleled,

                        opened her utterly.

Mary’s YES causes me to pause. It helps me that she was also confused and afraid prior to her consent. After all she was human. But after some (though I’m sure not all) of her questions were answered, she dug deep into her faith and said YES.

I find praying with Mary’s story especially helpful to me this year with the economic troubles our world is struggling with, the wars around the globe, and my own personal challenges. It’s ok to be confused. It’s natural to be afraid. And it’s also a time for me to dig deep and rely on the faith that I’ve been given. Mary wasn’t alone and neither am I. 

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In our Gospel for the First Sunday of Advent, Jesus admonishes us:

“And what I am saying to you I say to all: Stay awake!”  ( Mark 13:37)

Certainly the four American missionaries in El Salvador -- Maura Clarke, Ita Ford, Dorothy Kazel and Jean Donovan --followed that admonition.  They worked tirelessly to share faith  and promote liberation for the impoverished of El Salvador.  On December 2, 1980, they were martyred for their efforts to bring the “reign of God” into our world —a kingdom of justice, peace and hope.

As we commemorate the courage and commitment of these women, let us pray during this Advent season for a conversion of heart—for ourselves and for our world and church leaders.

We pray in these words, issued by Pax Christi for this

Dec. 2 commemoration:



“Loving God, we ask for mercy for the hardness of our hearts, as we encounter the truth of injustice, social violence, poverty and the death of your martyrs for the cause of your truth. We ask that our hearts may be changed from hearts of stone to hearts of flesh.



Creator God, we ask for mercy for the fear and denial that shields our souls from the encounter with truth, especially when it means that we must change our lives, our preconceptions and assumptions, our understanding of the world and the place of the United States in that world. We ask for the courage to open ourselves to truth and its consequences in our lives.



Tender God who cries out in the hearts of the persecuted and the suffering, we ask for mercy for the times we close our hearts to our own liberation, when we refuse your loving offer of redemption, freedom and joy because we cherish security built on our own terms more than yours. We pray that we may be healed from our fear, hear the cries of your people, and allow ourselves to be set free.



O God, in this Advent season make us instruments of liberation and witnesses to truth. This we ask in the names of our four sisters who gave their lives for the truth that sets us free. Amen.”  (see www.paxchristiusa.org )

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Thanksgiving Reflection

“I must be thankful for what is and stop thinking about what is not.” *

As we enter this season of giving thanks, I have been reflecting on this passage the past few days.  As I pondered various experiences in my life, it became quite clear to me just how important it is to develop an attitude of gratitude for “what is” rather than focus on what “is not.”  How easy it is to long for a time when we will have it “all together,” thinking that will bring us happiness and peace.    I keep waiting for one more thing to happen:  success in my ministry, being more patient, developing a deeper prayer life.  By focusing on the past or yearning for the future, I miss the beauty and bounty of  the present.

During this Thanksgiving season, let us lift our hearts to our loving, bountiful God and give thanks for all our blessings:  family, friends, community, the bounty of our land.

And let us pray to be instruments of God’s justice and peace for our world.

“Favor and bless us, Lord.
Let your face shine on us,
revealing your way to all peoples,
salvation the world over.

Let nations sing your praise,
every nation on earth.

The world will shout for joy,
for you rule the planet with justice.
In fairness you govern the nations
and guide the peoples of earth.

The land delivers its harvest,
God, our God, has blessed us.
O God, continue your blessing,
may the whole world worship you.”

                                    Psalm 67

*(Nancy Wood, as quoted by Joyce Rupp in Out of the Ordinary, 2000. Used by permission of Ave Maria Press.  All rights reserved.)

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