Jamaican a House

On December 27th we met for the first time to plan a trip to Mandeville, Jamaica. On June 12, 2007, a group of ten will travel to Montego Bay by plane, then transported by big vehicle to Mandeville where we will stay at the Gallitzin Mission house.

Our hope is to gain a better appreciation for those in the world who live far more simply than we. We will be there for a week in solidarity with the poor... to transform who we are in order that we might become better able to transform the world, one of us at a time. Ours is a society of unprecedented material wealth... our challenge is to experience life away from our little pond and connect with others and to know that in spite of all the visible differences in culture, language, environment, we can experience some bit of our common humanity.

To those who have joined us on this mission, we say welcome to Jamaican a house Mission. To all others who have a heart for others and would like to join us in solidarity, you can keep in touch by email, checking this blog, praying for us, supporting our fundraisers, donating material as we post a list of items to be brought with us, and in general embracing a lifestyle that recognizes any way possible to be in solidarity with the poor. Here is our group at the first meeting… those who were not able to be there will be added as we get their pics…

Human Nature

It is human nature to eat and be sure to have enough food in our system...it is also human nature to be aware of our surroundings. As we pass the winter solstice and find ourselves on a lighter yet illogically colder path, we humans have found efficient methods of providing food for the long winter months. The squirrels are done scurrying for acorns, the bears are into their hibernating naps and yet we humans continue to operate... what a blessing it is to have the inherent ability to understand and then to choose to behave in manners that defy nature... This past summer's mini-camp themes and activities offer another way to think about our existence here on earth.. Be yourself, understand who you are and what your gifts are, then choose to live a life that elevates that which exists around you... Here is wishing all a continued peaceful and hope-filled Advent and soon to be a Merry Christmas!!!

Identity

Who are you? A question we would love to answer... Can you figure this out? First person to get back with me with the identity of this person gets a special opportunity... :)

Getting together

The opportunity to get together and changillout! What is that you ask? You can see by the pics what its's all about... but ultimately it is a chance to chill and hangout...
And so we had a Middle School Advent party on Saturday night, then a High School Advent party on Sunday night! Mostly it was a chance to get together and have a fun time with friends... so check it out and be here next time! :)

Trouble, oh we got trouble,
Right here in River City!
With a capital "T"
That rhymes with "P"
And that stands for Pool,
That stands for pool.
We've surely got trouble!
Right here in River City,
Right here!
Gotta figger out a way
To keep the young ones moral after school!
Trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble...
(Lyrics from the Music Man 1962... )





It was enough to make ya smile!


the Gift exchange worked out for everyone!!!




Karaoke brought the stars out...






Even the more mature ones had a cheesey ball of a time! The young ladies were great sports as we made sure to deck the hall with hats of cheese balls... falalalalh lalalalah!



In spite of the mess... the evening continued on with games and DDR, ping pong, pool, speedstacking cups, a little air hockey, a lot of popcorn,pizza and chocolate cookies... but more importantly... time to be with friends, make new ones and keep the spirit aflame in our hearts.
See you next time. Merry Christmas!!!

Mass memory

In every age there is a need, a longing for a new advent. Ancestral memory is an elusive gift which all too often we fritter away as we journey, trudge or fly through our own lives. Too often we jettison the old fashioned, the worn out and the objects that speak to us of yesterday… especially in the desire to de-clutter, to simplify and to freshen up our homes. At what cost do we part so easily with our past? I can readily identify the members of my parents families, but I can go no further in my family’s history with any sort of tangible evidence… written or not. Are we that unable to muster the effort required to send forward from those whom we have received life? It becomes clearer to us when we contemplate the separation of time in the actual events to the recording of the life events of our Lord. The spoken word, the communal behavior, the exhortations in visits… all kept close the image and bonds which were so evident during Jesus’ life… Yet as time passed the treasure became more distant in memory and over an inspired passage of time, the Good News was placed on parchment many times over. What a gift we have in the Scriptures! What a gift we have in being able to recall so vividly the events which took place. The commands to love, to serve, to live for others… and to spread the Good News to the ends of the earth…

And so it was that we arrived at the mountaintop in Blueridge Summit to spend a weekend away in an embrace of Advent: which invites us to expect the gift of the Lord Jesus’ birth, which is coming in a few weeks. We journeyed to the top and began with a Mass at St Anthony in Emmitsburg… All 28 of us in five pews right smack dab in the middle of a sedate and wonderfully holy sanctuary… Fr Schaum was evocative in his greeting, his presence and his homily… but for us a small band of pilgrims, he was especially evocative as he enjoined us after the Eucharist to share with him and the congregation what had brought us to this place. He was so glad to have our presence there and for us all on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, it was a beautiful chance to begin our Advent retreat in prayer, in thanksgiving, and in community with the larger church,,, which in turn brought forth memories of the past as Fr Schaum remembered that Fr Ruane was his student at the mount over 35 years previous…

See how great it is when we remember those in our past.

Fr Schaum wished us inspiration and safe travel and we continued on our way through the darkness with hearts illuminated by the glow of the warmth of that chapel and the people of the little community of St Anthony’s.

Our winding route took us through the mountains to the other side and up a final ridge to Bellarmine, a Jesuit gathering place which consists of four homes, each distinct in their charm, but our place was the Grady House… contemporary and ample enough for the 28 of us.

There, we continued the process of becoming a small community of sojourners… the goal a little ambiguous but soon experienced in the peeling away of individual restraints and the expression of self…

Inspired by the spirit we reflected on gifts and possessions and needs. The gift of the Magi in O’Henry’s words prepared us to hear of the rice cooker and the family of 12 as told by Ms Judy… oh her passion for rice and “The Cooker” was a thing to behold… and I daresay probably the one thing all will remember from this retreat. Her telling of the gift of the rice cooker and the need of it by “the Family” really struck home in how we hold tight to gifts both great and small. It is good to remember to be ready at a moment’s notice to do what the Lord himself did...

to lay down our treasure, even our life for another, even the least of our brothers.

Later on Big John drew us into a search through the past for memories and pictures of symbols that remind us of the long line unbroken that leads us all first to the Nativity and the manger where all humankind is invited to partake of the food of life, and then ultimately to the foot of the cross where the ultimate sacrifice was born for us and for those who believe. As it so simply reminds us in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him may not perish but have eternal life”

It is so entirely appropriate to state the beauty of the message and so it is that we remember as we congregate each Sunday and especially last Sunday upon our return to St Mike’s that we celebrate our ancestral family in the spirit when we remember Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on Calvary once for all… in the Eucharistic meal, which means “give thanks”, which we do as a family. United by the body and blood of Christ… forever and ever, we do not forget… we muster the effort to send forward from those we have received eternal life... Amen

Most of our group made it outside to see the sunset
The twins display their handi-work.

Some sit back and relax

Others take too many pics

Check out this video Let the Fire Fall by Mr John

The Son was in my eyes

Wednesday night at St Louis we reached an Apex in our journey when Brad made a comedic aside "the Son was in my eyes" and oh how right he was as you see not only the little gold ball but also the true Son was in his eyes.. (timing and positioning is everything)...











We had an evening of storytelling, juggling, escaping, and sharing as Brad and Gene from APeX Ministries mixed it up before a crowd of high school youth and adults at St Louis.





We gathered in the hall before traveling by bus... a little pre-APeX joy.
Clifton straps Gene's straight jacket... and verified that the jacket was completely secure... and less than 3 minutes later Gene was free... amazing. He did not dislocate his shoulder or even break a sweat... We should all be so good at getting out of tight situations or avoiding problems in our lives...


As their sharing went deeper, we heard about how we all have super hero gifts within us, that we are all called to be saints... and that all of us have the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives... if only we would get a little Son in our eyes... APeX Ministries

The innate desire to know

This is a picture of an ancient Greek device that was found in a ship which sank in 80 BC. It is the Antikythera mechanism... it was determined by x-ray methods that this device was able to track and predict solar and lunar eclipses and other celestial happenings. The need to know must have been fairly strong for these folks who built this mechanism. It is appropriate to discuss this device at this time (the beginning of Advent) because it lends some credibility to the efforts put forth by the Wise men who tracked the great star to the birth place of the King of kings in Bethlehem... if you are a person who has a need to know... seek and you shall find....

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/NAMA_Machine_d%27Anticyth%C3%A8re_1.jpg

From whence does all that energy originate?

Click on the title above and watch the movie clip. This clip gives just an inkling of the immensity of the proposition that we call creation. To create is what happens at the beginning of every thing that is. The beginning of a star was not an act of magic... some force was required to initiate the process... and it wasn't a waterproof match. After watching the clip give yourself the gift of contemplating the power behind the star we call the sun. Then remember the billions of stars which exist in our Milky Way Galaxy... then go for it and realize that there are billions of galaxies... millions of which we have observed... It is too big for the match theory. Know that we as Christians recognize the power behind all of it as our Creator God, who in turn loved us enough to take the form of one of us to communicate LOVE to us. Go check it out at John 3:16 for a reminder... It is a great way to begin Advent. Another way is to go and watch The Nativity Story and know the gift that Jesus is... talk about the energy from whence it all originates, the Son is truly the source that is the way, the truth and the life...
Here are 34 of the wisest people I know just after we experienced the Nativity Story movie. Thanks to Mr Doug who played the cameraman... What a gift... offered... DO .

BYCC in OC

A trip to Ocean City for a weekend... with a fine group of high schoolers and a couple of adults to keep it real. We joined 650 other Baltimoreans for a fine autumnal weekend filled with fun faith and laughter. Mike Patin from New Orleans was the speaker as shown with the colorful tie in the group shot. Mike gave much food for thought and great acronyms to remember the messages by: G.O.D. (gift, offer, do) and P.R.A.Y. (praise, reconcile, ask, yield) were the two that stuck with me just now.
Our group of 14 youth and one of our adult ministers share a unified moment in the dining hall and big presentation room.

Mike Patin brought the whole group together in laughter, physical antics, and song. If you ever get a chance to hear him speak, don't miss it.


We began Saturday morning with a beach offering and blessing... while many of the guests in nearby hi-rises were able to observe the huge throng of prayerful youth and the adults...
We also were able to experience workshops on social justice, internet safety, and media and culture.
Before dinner we had Mass with Bishop Malooly, then a huge meal and then a dance, speed cups, juggling, and games. Pizza was delivered after 11:30 PM both nights... What a deal!
So to sum it up, it was a weekend that made us think, it made us reflect on our own lives and our faith, and it was a weekend that asked us to go and be the change we want to see in the world! Peace and expectations!

Every knee shall bend...

There are many different ways to pray. One involves breathing…. Of course that is somewhat of a necessity with all forms of prayer, but there is a form where as you breathe in you say a phrase (short phrase) and when you exhale you say another… over and over as a reflection meditational prayer that allows you to turn to prayer throughout the day… what an idea.

For others who want to experience a more intimate relationship with the creator of all that is was and ever will be, you could check out this site www.sacredspace.ie it is a place where you can go and it has a daily prayer tied to scriptures for each day and it also goes through the year in time with the liturgical calendar (that is where we get the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and regular ordinary time)… anyway, I think this is a pulchritudinous way to get into a rhythm of praying each day…and for othersthere is this site: www.catholicireland.net/talk2god/.
You may have to copy it and paste but it is cool for prayer. So there… try it and let me know how it goes.

Newton and me

It is all about Newton... or is it... this is the first image captured by the new d80 which is a beaut of a camera.. digitally speaking. I was in OC for BYCC and on the 15th floor it was amesmerizing... the ocean was there and so were we. That is all I have to say about that... more on that later.

Pale Blue Dot

http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/tiff/PIA00452.tif

go to this for a picture of our home the planet earth and see if you don't feel special

A luminous week

Sometimes when the full moon rises high in the midnight sky and there is a bit of moisture in the air, it almost seems like there is a night light on. During the last full moon, I awoke in the night and stepped out on our deck and marveled at how luminous it all was. I could see throughout the back yard and because of the slight cloud cover, I could not see the full moon. It was a bit mystical... and so I marveled at it all and went back to my bed.
I did not take a picture of it but this past week I enjoyed several experiences that in their own right were quite luminous and mystical:
On Saturday the 4th we spent the day with 55 high school youth who began the intentional process of reflecting on their life of faith. Rather a lofty goal, but with the guidance of the Spirit and the hands and voices of our group of 16 peers and 6 adults, we journeyed together through the day. All went well and we ended at twilight with a visit to the cemetery and our small chapel (snug for our group, but helpful for groupiness). It always moves me as we witness the group wandering amongst the grave stones seeking the one of which they will make a tracing. The significance of noting the cold hard reality of physical death marked by the stark recognition of only the DASH between our dates as a sign of those who have gone before us is something for us all to reflect on over the next several months.


If that was not enough to brighten your day, this past Saturday a group of us traveled to the freshly restored Basilica in downtown Baltimore for the Illumination event. This basilica was constucted starting in 1806 and in celebration of its 200 years it has undergone a major restoration effort to bring it back to its original architectural design... the young church of Baltimore was invited to participate in the celebration. Twenty-two of us rode the bus in after a stop at Resurrection Parish to pick up 16 from there and 16 from St Francis. We arrived in time to find a seat and celebrate the mass with Cardinal Keeler, Bishop Malooly who presided and Bishops Rozansky and Madden concelebrating. To recount the experience like that is backwards though because the most immediate and overwhelming part of the experience was upon entering the Basilica... an overwhelming sense of lightness and luminosity filled the space. It was not lit from the light of a full moon, but from beautiifully designed spaces and well hidden lighting. The sense of awe and wonder stayed with me throughout the mass. I couldn't help looking up to take it all in.
How appropriate it was that the effect on me was that I was drawn to a sense of awe for the majesty of the space which directed our thoughts to our Creator God. King David said it well in 2 Samuel 7 "See now I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent"... and intrinsically all who love the Lord seek a special place that elevates our spirits to God. Ultimately, Solomon had the honor of building the Temple to house the ark of the covenant...and yet this past Saturday we had the honor of building up the Body of Christ as hundreds of believers gathered to sing the praises of the Lord in a temple dedicated to the Lord.










And after the mass we moved to the side street called Mulberry and viewed the slide show, laser and fireworks to celebrate the 200 years of freedom of religion experienced here in the states... Kimmie Meissner was there with Sergeant Chris and Bishops Malooly and Madden to countdown to the show...


























Our group at the end was jubilantly in awe and oneness (thanks to our photographer of the group pic Mr John)
Sorry for the extended post as this was certainly an illuminating week!!!

There is a speck of dust in the rings on the left, which if enlarged would enable you to see it. The blue dot is earth from beyond Saturn, taken by the Cassini space craft...nice
credit: ciclops,jpl,esa,nasa

Can we add a picture?

Here we are in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing room as Judge Sam Alito is being questioned before his confirmation by the full senate... They would not let us take pics... but all the staffers and friends of the committee were able to do as they pleased... So I could not resist this shot of Dad and son...

ineptitude is rampant

I suppose over time through use and abuse, I will get the hang of posting. In the meantime suffice it to say "I am not a blogger" I am a human..........These first posts are a way to run through the motions of posting to the blog... just to see what happens... so soon and very soon, these comments may very well be posted with ease and without ineptitude. Peace.

It does not hurt to ask

For a new beginning it is always good to open up with a ? instead of a . The ? is a sincere one looking for replies and/or comments from those who are interested. It does remind me of the game that we have engaged in where the object is to respond to every ? with another question.
That was always a head-scratcher, but always good-naturedly so.

In recognition that all have a commonality in that everything we do or think is an act of creation. Everything, even that which destroys, actually creates something that is not the same as it was prior to the act or thought. In this we all are partners in creation.