Gift-Giving

Oh boy. The best and worst part of Christmas has got to be the presents. I mean, on the one hand there is nothing more awesome than giving or receiving the “perfect gift,” something that just says, I know you, love you and this is perfect for you (and within my price range). On the other hand, Black Friday. Also, that super awkward gift exchange when you brought a gag gift but everyone else brought a real gift.

The true secret to gift-giving is that it is hard. There is no easy part about it. You must start by loving some other person. Next you must want a physical manifestation of that love that will please the other person. Having racked your heart in love you must now rack your brain in thought as you devise that perfect manifestation for the other person. Finally you must bequeath this gift (and a good portion of your heart and pride) to this person. Having relinquished the gift, there is nothing else; gift-giving is not quid-pro-quo.

So what have we learned? Gift-giving is a challenge. Done properly it is the equivalent of taking out your heart and presenting it to someone else for a couple moments. At the same time, it is an act of pure charity, and an imitation of the God who has given so much to us. So don’t give up.

At this moment I would like to confess that (1) I am not done with Christmas shopping as I have not yet found the perfect gift for a few important people in my life and (2) Becca is awesome because she tried to send me cookies.

Merry Christmas all! Can’t wait to see you in February or sooner!

day 18: fortune cookie, anyone?

"Refuel my faith and heighten my hope that charity might once again be reborn in my heart."

what's that saying, you usually find it in fortune cookies? O i remember-- Shared sorrow is halved while shared Joy is doubled. Today the excerpts from Thomas Aquianas mostly quote Augustine. and they both point to the great qualities of the God who dwells with us.

Faith is stronger to believe in the God who came to earth. In that we can more confidently journey towards it.

Hope becomes stronger when we are shown how much God loves us. What better sign than the God who dwells with us.

to double love, we must love each other. Augustine says even if we have been slow to love others, may we ourselves not be slow to receive others' love.

i really like the Advent Action for today. Do not leave God and these virtues at home. Share them so they can be doubled for you! "Take God with you into your day by emailing someone in doubt to strengthen their faith or by offering encouragement and a word of hope to someone who is struggling. Make a conscious gesture toward someone who has ongoing difficulties with low self-esteem."

my friends; God loves you, God has faith in you, God gives you hope for your future. May God grant you peace today

On the 17th Day of Advent, God Challenges Us

Today we are challenged to open ourselves up to allow God’s light into our hearts. We all have places in our hearts that do not reflect our image of God, and we are thus called to examine those aspects of our lives that we prefer to hide in the closet or the attic, the basement or the garage. Even in a small house, a dorm room, or an apartment, there is usually more than enough space to store stuff that we don’t really need or use anyways (and a surplus of products to help us do so).

Advent and Christmas remind us to be generous, to clean house, and give stuff away. On this 17th day of Advent, we focus not only on the physical ‘stuff’ we want to be rid of, but also the habits, emotional baggage, and ways of relating to other people or to God that we need to change or let go of. There are many areas to examine: our attitudes about service, how we interact in community, relationships with friends and family members, our thoughts about the future, whether we truly are living simply, our self-esteem, or how we relate to God.

Even though this year brings with it a number of (often unexpected) challenges and struggles, during this season of Advent we freely ask God to challenge us and to lead us in the way God lovingly desires for us to go. Our egos do not always appreciate God’s Divine Plan and the journey it entails, but during this time, let us actively work with God and allow God to bear fruit in each of us.

May your heart remain open,
Kristen

16th day of Advent: Fear not, for God is with you.

Christmas Eve is 10 days away! Isn't it crazy how fast time moves? I feel like it was August 1st just yesterday. And now, 4 months later, it's almost Christmas and we have all been through so much with our ministries, communities, faith, and ourselves. I hope and pray that everyone is enjoying this experience thus far and that we're all open to everything that has come our way in terms of people, opportunities, ideas, and challenges.

When I read today's wisdom from St. Thomas Aquinas, focusing on Mary and the uncommon reverence the angels gave her before she was to conceive Jesus through the Holy Spirit, I couldn't help but try to connect his message to my day to day experience. I have spent the last four months trying to bring about a new spirit of self-renewal to all the men and women I meet at St. Leonard's. But who's helping whom? Am I the angel coming to bring unexpected praise and reverence to the people I meet or am I the fearful Mary who has questions and is uncertain of her future?

I think I'm a little bit of both the angel and Mary...and, I think, so are all of the other DVs. Like the angels, we all strive to help those we minister to and work with in that we want our clients, co-workers, students, and other people we encounter in our ministries to understand the grace they have within themselves that allows them to achieve great things and believe in miracles and have faith in themselves.

But, we also have the fear Mary had in that we may have thoughts of self-doubt or may question our ability to follow God's call through our ministries and be able to believe in the people or projects considered "lost-causes" or "impossible cases." Mary is able to overcome her fears and bring Jesus to human form through knowing that God is with her; thus, we all can overcome our fears and have strength in ourselves and those we minister to because of faith.

I hope that during this time of the year, a time of great anitcipation and prepartion, that all of the DVs can find time to see how they are both Mary and an angel from Heaven and recognize the ways in which God, through the Holy Spirit, brings comfort, strength, and guidance to you in your challenges and uncertainies.

I'd like to leave you all with a quote I love and live by:

"...Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves...Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer."
-Rainer Maria Rilke

Peace, love, and blessings,

Emily

I've got the Joy, Joy, Joy...

Remember that old song, "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart, I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Down in my heart to stay!" God's deep desire for us is that we come to find this joy. Not moment of happiness, but to be filled to the depths of our being with joy that can sustain us, that will keep us rooted when times are tough. The Christian vocation calls us to places at times void of joy, but we must be joyful all the same.

The Gospel for Sunday, December 13, 2009 (yes, I'm just a bit behind, please forgive me--don't lose your joy over it), comes from Luke 3:10-18. This passage highlights John the Baptist's prescription for finding and sustaining joy. A very similar prescription appears in Matthew 25, but it is being said by Jesus. Joy is sustained when we give of ourselves. This year of service may be one that is draining, frustrating, and challenging in many ways, but it should also be one that buffets your join and sustains you in the Christian vocation.

Keep up the good work as you mentor children, deliver babies, teach art, teach English, hold the hand of an elderly sister, fight the criminal "justice" system, speak kindly with seniors, locate funding for the mission, pass on the faith, and advocate for the needs of the forgotten. The joy is in our hearts for us, and for us to give away. I pray you will be immersed in joy.

Blessed Advent,

Tony

Day 14: A Faithful Yes

Good Morning!
Happy Saturday. I hope everyone is able to relax and enjoy the weekend.
Today is Day 14 of Advent! We are almost halfway to the big day! Wow.
As we think about lighting the third rose colored candle on the Advent wreath a piece of scripture from Luke stands out because it reminds us why we are in the Advent season. The scripture says, “Mary said “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. ”

God’s glory is revealed to us in His sending Jesus. God loved us so much that He was willing to become human and dwell among us. We should most definitely take comfort and joy in this fact! The Incarnation changed us forever and continues to change us. For this to happen we have to make a faithful yes to God just as Mary did. God has a good will and plan for each and every single one of us. Our faithful yes is the first step in finding this Will. What are some of the things (major and small) you have said yes to recently? How did they fit into God’s plan for you?
Now, the really big question of Advent is how do we prepare for the blessed event of Christmas?’. As Andrew Carl Wisdom OP suggests in his Advent challenge a way to prepare is reflecting with family and/or friends about the things we need to free ourselves from which keep us from doing God’s will. What are some of these things that keep from you God’s will? How can you change these things in your life?
I pray that you have a wonderful and blessed Advent Season!
Bridgette

Day 13: "Jesus is the Reason for the Season"

It's safe to say that Advent and Christmas are synonymous with anticipation, joy and hope; it's also a sure bet to assume that we approach the season with the expectation that our holiday will be filled with love, acceptance, and peace. Whether those aspirations are fulfilled is sometimes beyond our control, but either way, we prepare. We do our best to buy meaningful gifts, spend time with loved ones, keep the less fortunate in mind, and remember that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season".

Ahh... I used it... the often cliche (although catchy) axiom that is displayed vividly on Christmas greeting cards, painted on store windows, hanging on decorative ribbons, and so on. Yes, while I agree that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season", there is more to it; what if we dropped the last few words of the phrase and take out "the season". Look what happens: Jesus is the Reason.

When we think of our closest friendships and relationships what do they contain: hope, joy, anticipation, love, acceptance, peace? If we're lucky, we can answer "yes" to that question. Today's reflection serves as a great reminder that we already have that and with no special doing on our part. God wants to be in relationship with us and all we have to do is put aside our pride, our busyness, our distractions, our clutter and focus on Him. As we get closer to Christmas and are filled with the holiday spirit let us remember that "Jesus is the Reason", the reason for our hope, our joy, our anticipation, our love, our acceptance, our peace, our....

Happy Advent my friends! (AND Happy weekend too!)

Advent Day 10

Today's advent reflection reminds us that we set aside a day every week to remember God's creative power. On the tenth day of advent this year, we remember a particular member of God's creation - Mary - while today's Gospel begins the Christmas story.

Mary, a young woman engaged to be married, is visited by an angel and recieves a very unique call from God. Without understanding how any of the details would work out, she agreeed to become God's mother. As I reflected on the Gospel today, I couldn't help but wonder about the thoughts than ran through her head after the angel left her. Was she dreaming, or was she really visited by an angel? What makes her so special that God wanted her for this task? How on earth was she going to explain this to Joseph?

Although we know the end of the story, Mary didn't. Yet she wholeheartedly agreed to do whatever God wanted. She had faith that God would see her through whatever trials would come - and He did.

I was deeply encouraged today when I considered these things. Today, at work, I found myself looking up to heaven and asking God why on earth He decided this year of service was such a good idea. As they say in the motherhouse, only God knows, and He's not telling. Mary's act of faith reminds me that I only need to follow God's will; God will take care of the rest.

PS Sorry for the late post I worked today....Happy Advent everybody!!!
-Kira

Advent Day 9!!!

We continue to prepare for the coming of our Lord as a child and although this season can be filled with busyness and stressfulness, we should all be taking time to stop and really think about what the season of Advent is about.  In todays reflection, we are talking about the Word of God.  I really began to ponder the words of the Advent Action section.  There are many questions mostly covering whether or not I truly share Jesus with others.  This is something that I am constantly striving to do, but I wonder if it something that I do successfully.  Did I share Jesus with others today in some way whether through telling them or through my actions?  How can I improve on this part of my life throughout this Advent season?

Looking at the readings from today, the Gospel reading has a wonderful message in it.  The men who were with the paralyzed man wanted so badly to be close to Christ because they believed in Him and His healing touch.  They wanted to be close to him so badly that they went up on the roof and lowered the paralyzed man in that way.  I can only imagine how much work it took to climb up on the roof with a man and lower him down.  Do I strive to do anything possible to be close to Jesus, even something that would seem so hard to do physically?  Do I take the time out of my day to be with Jesus alone, in the quiet spending time to develop our friendship and truly understand our relationship?

Advent is a great time to come to really know Jesus and the relationship that we each have with Him.  It is so easy to be caught up in the consumerism of this season, but we should each take a little time out of our day to foster our relationship and to show this relationship to others.  It does not have to be through our words, but rather the love of Jesus pouring out of us to others.

Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary, use words. - St. Francis of Assisi

A Voice Cries Out....

Here is my reflection a tad early...but tomorrow we're going to THE NUTCRACKER IN LINCOLN CENTER sooo I won't have time to post :-)

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, it was the voice of one crying out in the wilderness. Yet it was not the voice of Caesar, or governor Pontius Pilate, or even one of the high priests Annas or Caiaphas. It was John. John whose only title was the son of Zechariah. In his gospel, Luke introduces the titles and names of the famous men of the time, but leaves them with only their titles and nothing more. Only John is given a voice. It is John who is recorded for the ages to remember. One may forget who was Caesar, or who was tetrarch of where, but John is remembered.

Not only is John remembered, but his words are headed. When he first came to town proclaiming his message, it’s hard to believe many would listen to the long-haired, cricket eating man.

Yet, eventually many did listen and act. And it all began with one. The voice of one was able to ready the world for its most important visitor, the living God.

If John alone was able to prepare the world for God, why should we not each be able to prepare ourselves? And not only ourselves, but all we meet. John shows us one person can make a difference in the lives of many simply by proclaiming and living God’s word every day of our lives. Although at times it may seem impossible for one to change the world, with God all things are possible. And with God it only takes one voice.

"Without cost you have recieved, without cost you are to give" Mt 10:8

It's the second Saturday after Thanksgiving, which means that the holiday shopping season is in full swing. All the shoppers are searching for the perfect gift for all their friends and family. Why? Why does there need to be a gift given with a (usually large) monetary value? God has given us the greatest gift imaginable - and you cannot use money to buy it.

God claimed us as his own.

God is showing his love and care for us in this action. Because we were claimed, God gives us his healing, strength, & life. God also listen to all our prayers and guides us on the path that will lead us to him. All we have to do is listen and love God. God does not expect gifts of sweaters or books or lotions for Christmas, just love and devotion shown in return.

This is the gift that we should be trying to imitate this season and give to others, the gift of Love. Love costs nothing to give and Love costs nothing to receive.

Day 6 of Advent!

When I was in 6th grade I wanted to be in the school band and play the clarinet. My father did not think I was capable of actually becoming good at playing it because I was unsuccessful at piano lessons when I was 7 (even though the ages 7 and 12 are completely different from each other). I remembered his words carefully and it was not until I was in 8th grade when I really started devoting time to practicing. I would go to early morning band practice and stay for after school band practice and spend hours practicing in my free time. I had to sacrifice sleeping in on school days or time that I could be watching TV but I became better the more I practiced.

This same concept can be correlated into the charity we give in our ministries. There is only one true way to "learn" to love our family, community and those we minister to; it is spending time in prayer with our Lord. I hate to be a "Debbie Downer" but we as humans are very selfish creatures. We think too much about ourselves and Jesus is the One who can truly teach us how to love others because He showed us what true love is by coming to earth in human flesh and dying so we may be able to join Him in heaven. We do have to sacrifice our personal time to spend time with Him but it is worth it. Some ways to increase your personal prayer life could be by going to daily mass, going to adoration once a week, reading and learning Scriptures or saying a rosary. This may mean not spending 2 hours on facebook or watching Youtube videos or missing The Office on Thursday nights (I know this is a sacrifice!!!!). But if we sacrifice our fleshy desires, He will reward us more than we could ask for.

The Advent Reflections...

have been AWESOME!!! I am thoroughly impressed and am thankful for the words shared thus far. I am using them in prayer and have found something in each to which I can relate.

Just wanted to say thanks and that I am looking forward to seeing the upcoming reflections. Keep up the great work DV's!

(Make sure to share the blog with family and friends.)

And Jesus Said... COME TO THE FEAST!

http://www.usccb.org/nab/120209.shtml


There is a hymn, one that i would dare to say as my favorite at any given time. I mean we all have our favorite hymns: for some it is always Soon and Very Soon. for some of us, it's seasonal, ranging from O Come O Come Emmanuel to Jesus Christ is Risen Today. For some of us our favorite falls under the "oldie but goodie" like Amazing Grace

There is one song that no matter the season, no matter the readings, no matter where I am in the world-- if we sing it at church it will always brighten my day. Sometimes, it is so 'overplayed' that it seems cliche. But it still makes me smile. The song I am talking about is Table of Plenty by Dan Schutte
Come to the feast of heaven and earth!
Come to the table of plenty!
God will provide for all that we need,
Here at the table of plenty

O come and sit at my table,
where saints and sinners are friends.
I wait to welcome the lost and lonely
to share the cup of my love.

O come and eat without money;
come to drink without price.
My feast of gladness will feed your spirit
with faith and fullness of life.

My bread will ever sustain you
through days of sorrow and woe.
My wine will flow like a sea of gladness
to flood the depths of your soul.


I think in music, so when i first read the readings for today (at the above link, take a few minutes to read through them) all i could think about was this song.


Today I pray that I am welcoming to all others to Jesus' table; The one who provides for us and asks us to provide to others. Advent, as a season of waiting, asks us to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus, the coming of the Kingdom. essentially the coming of the Feast. I pray that today I can be welcoming amongst my waiting. Advent is the gathering around the table. It is the Host asking us to find our places, and in sitting down, we see that we might be sittingby the less desirable guests. When I would rather sit with my friends, I pray that I remember that the Host has invited me to join in this feast together. Advent is the ultimate anticipation before the Host calls for the feast to be served.

Advent Day 3

Many times in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus notes that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. No longer is God some far off authority, but God is near. God is here, present to be with us. In this season of advent in which we wait for the celebration of Jesus' birth, I encourage you to rejoice in the presence of Christ. He came to be with us, and even after his departure from earth, he is present in our suffering, rejoicing, learning, and growing. It is a blessing to have a god who loves us enough to bring His kingdom to us. Our beautiful and loving God fearfully and wonderfully made a bunch of sinful, depressing creatures, and then cared enough to send his son to become a flesh-bound man that put up with us for a while before he willfully gave his life to save us. Praise the Lord! We are loved beyond compare. And with that love, the reflections in "Advent and Christmas" remind us on this day that everything in Christ is magnified. Sure, we can find happiness without God, but with God we can have complete joy. Without God, we may have comfort, but with God, peace. Without God, achievements, but with God, satisfaction. Everything is greater in the presence of our Savior. Today, as you pray on your own, think of the ways that your relationship with Christ has magnified your life. When I think of these things, it challenges me to be a more faithful, loving, and devoted follower of Jesus because I know that He satisfies my deepest desires more than anything on the earth ever will.
Peace,
Katie

Baby, it is COLD outside in Texas!

So I was making a gift for my best friend last night and I was excited when I came up with the idea. It is a simple idea but I still thought it was a cool gift. As I am making it, these self-doubt thoughts came into my head : "This is is so silly. What if she gets you something better and your gift looks stupid next to hers?" And I was on the verge of just buying her a starbucks giftcard, but it was as if the Holy Spirit came to me at that moment. It told me, "the time and effort you are putting into this gift shows how much you love your friend. It may not be worth as much in monetary value but if she is a true friend she will appreciate the time you put into this gift." Then today I thought about how this ties into ministry. I get frustrated sometimes when my patients only speak espanol and I am trying so hard to speak to them and I wonder if they think I am some pathetic white girl trying to attempt to speak Spanish. But I see how appreciative they are of my actions and my broken Spanish is enough for them and they so appreciate it. We may not be perfect in our ministries, but that is perfectly fine. It is the little acts of kindness that matter, not the big ones! Have a blessed day! Becca

All I Want for Christmas is...

To keep the Christmas season forever! I must admit I really love the season of Christmas (aka ADVENT) but the day of is a little depressing to know it's all over. I hope all of you cherish this Advent season and I am and will be thinking of your throughout.

I'll leave you with this little photo of Charlie Brown to remind you that simple living Christmas is one of the most special :-) Rachel-do you still have a lot of those simple gifts ideas? I'd love to hear them!

Now I must away to work with the Advent spirit alive in my heart!

Blessings to you all!

-Sarah-

Waiting with Joyful Hope

“…As we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ...” These words are spoken at every Mass, but how often do we really think about them? The season of Advent calls us to slow down and become more aware of waiting: waiting for the Feast of the Incarnation, waiting for Christ to come again, waiting with ‘joyful hope.’ As Christians, we are called to be a people of joyful waiting. In spite of the great haste around us, we can wait because we have hope in God and in God’s promise. We have a taste of what is to come, and we await the chance to experience the fullness of God’s mystery. We await union with God, and our lives should reflect that longing.

Today, we ask God, “Direct this earthen vessel of your making toward only that which fulfills your purpose in, through, and with me.” We are on a journey, moving along some trajectory that we have already begun and have not yet completed. We cannot see where our travels end, but we know that God directs the whole of our lives. When we know this with our whole being, we humble ourselves before God with unconditional trust, unwavering hope. When we acknowledge with our lives that God is in control, the hope that helps unite us to God shines out, and we become a beacon of hope for others.

Many blessing in this season of Advent,
Kristen

On the First Sunday of Advent, the DV's gave to me...

There are days in my life where I feel my personal theme song is the artistic opus “4 Minutes” by the visionary musicians Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland. You know, the moment that you’ve been told that a letter has to get out today and it's raining sideways outside and mail collection is in 5 minutes and the mailbox is 5 blocks away and… you get the picture. “God, give my feet wings. I can see the mailman pulling up to the box and these letters need to get picked up today. Please help me cover these last two blocks quickly.” God willing, we are going to keep working in his vineyard for the rest of our natural lives, but sometimes it seems like we’ve only got four minutes left to save a particular vine or repair a particular arbor.

That’s why Advent is awesome. We get four weeks to reflect on what it means to wait. As we anticipate Christmas, we are encouraged to remember Christ will come again and that we are a people living in an imperfect world and we are to await joyfully the moment when we are to be reunited to the one who made and saved us. This isn’t a passive waiting. I mean who just sits and waits for Christmas to come? No! Reject this! Give in to the season (of Advent, not the “holiday season”)! Find gifts to give your loved ones! Decorate! Bake cookies! Send some to me! Reflect on your significant milestones in the previous year, summarize this in letter format and send it out to all your friends! You’ve only got four weeks to save the world!

Just kidding about that last part. Remember, we live in an imperfect world, and we’re still waiting for that perfection to come. So it’s ok if the Advent checklist isn’t done in time for Christmas. Something better is on the way. I mean, are we honestly going to see the Second Coming and ask for more time to complete unfinished business? “God, can you come back next week? I’m making a real breakthrough with this student, one more session and I think she’ll really get fractions.” In a perfect world, advent would be exactly four weeks long, and we’d have 28 shopping days to prepare for Christmas. In reality, Christmas will always “surprise” us somewhere in the middle of that fourth week, and all we can do is wait for it in joyful anticipation.

~ Be patient, therefore, brothers [and sisters], until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. ~

James 5: 7-8

Celebration of Christ the King

In Spanish, Christ the King, translates to Cristo Rey and what better day of the Church year than today to give you an update from ICA Cristo Rey? But before I do, I want to tell you about church today

Christ the King is one of my favorite Church holidays. It is the end of ordinary time and the end of the Church year. it is the beginning of the Advent season (and the holiday season) there is incense and high celebration of our Lord and Savior as the King of Creation. He was the one who opened wide the gates for all to enter. Today at Church we sang this song and so beautiful and regal I felt like I really understood the tangible nature of our King. i found a youtube clip of this song, called Jerusalem the Holy City. I will wait while you listen to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRil3T1Ey7A

Last night I lay a-sleeping there came a dream so fair, I stood in old Jerusalem beside the temple there. I heard the children singing, and ever as they sang I thought the voice of angels from heaven in answer rang, I thought the voice of angels from heaven in answer rang.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Lift up your gates and sing, Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna to your King!

And then I thought my dream was changed, the streets no longer rang. Hushed were the glad Hosannas the little children sang. The sun grew dark with mystery, the morn was cold and chill, as the shadow of a cross arose upon a lonely hill, as the shadow of a cross arose upon a lonely hill.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Hark! How the angels sing, Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna to your King!

And once again the scene was changed, new earth there seemed to be. I saw the Holy City beside the tideless sea. The light of God was on its streets, the gates were open wide, and all who would might enter, and no one was denied. No need of moon or stars by night, or sun to shine by day; it was the new Jerusalem that would not pass away, it was the new Jerusalem that would not pass away.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Sing for the night is o'er! Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna forevermore!

In our Mass today at Most Holy Redeemer, this song came as the preparation of the gifts, right after the homily. Mass at Most Holy Redeemer always seems to move me, but today especially the priest emphasized that our King was not a king of a monarchy, that it was not a governmental leadership.

His is a kingdom not of power, but one of humility and of service. He is not a king who seeks to bend the will of others, but to bend before them in service. When asked what is the truth our King proclaims that I AM the Way, I AM the Truth, and I AM the Light. We are called to imitate our King. Not only is the gate opened the one time, but also over and over and over again. especially in celebrating with neighbor, family, friend we fulfill our kingship.

On Friday one of the freshman were in our office, asking questions. At the end of her conversation she pulled Max aside and said, Mr Straube if someone says really racist things, and they are your friends, and you dont want to upset them, and you dont want to get too upset yourself, what should you do. Max said, here, let me show you something. He took her to the one end of the room where the crucifix of our King was hanging on the wall. And he brought her right underneath it. What do you see? Mr. Straube, that's the crucifix. And do you remember what Jesus said when he was here? Father forgive them, the student answered. Max said exactly. He forgave, and asked that God forgive them too, as he was dying. and Jesus said Love your enemies. Max was very honest with the student as he admitted that he too always struggled with this line. Perhaps my priest from this sunday, in asking us to celebrate in service with our neighbor, family and friend, unintentionally overlooked enemies as well. But that is why I am linking the two together for us. Christ the King overcame death so the gate could be opened for all. Not only the ones we like and get along with, but the ones that are hardest to pray for. That is why i liked our reflection song so much today; The new Jerusalem will not pass away, and the gates are opened wide for all, there will be none denied.

That is why Cristo Rey is my favorite church holiday.

Keep South Chicago in Your Prayers

A Reflection and a Request

In the past week, there have been two murders in South Chicago, 3 blocks north of where Katie and I live (91st street). Same spot both times - 87th street bus stop.

Last Friday 11/13, a 21 year old man was shot because of gang related alliances. Today, a 17 year old boy was shot for probably the same reason. The glass that was the exterior of the bus stop shelter is shattered. Now the hundreds of people who pass by that bus stop or take the bus from there will have to live with a constant reminder of the violence and disregard for the importance of life, the beauty of life, that lives and grows in their neighborhood, our neighborhood.

Just yesterday I stood in the back of three classrooms in an elementary school on 119th street and listened as Jacob, Diane, Anthony, Alonzo, Darrell, Victor, LaToya, and Gerald all told their own story of living on the streets. They each spoke of their experience with drugs, violence, uncontrollable anger, alcohol, addiction to money and power, and their time in prison. They each gave the 7th and 8th grade students advice on how to stay away from living on the streets and/or joining gangs. Some of the St. Leonard's residents made the students laugh, some made the students pay attention, some even made the students realize they can reach their goals as long as they stick to the road less travelled by and stay in school. The students asked questions, they wanted to know more details, wanted to know more about the speaker's new path to a successful life without the family they built in alleyways and lived with on street corners. The kids listened, or so it seemed.

Some students began a mini-fight outside the school after the last bell; in front of the parents and in front of all the men and women who just shared their souls with them. It may have been playful because they knew everyone was watching, but it still hurt to see it. I know I shouldn't expect a talk to kids to get through on the first time, but I was hopeful.

We, the men and women of St. Leonard's and myself, travel to another elementary school tomorrow to continue telling kids what it's really like to be a gangster and how to avoid it. Please keep us, and all the victims of violence in South Chicago and the world, in your thoughts and prayers. Please also send some good vibes of love and compassion our way, South Chicago really needs some right now.

Peace & love to you all,
Emily

Experience at the UN

So because I had Vetrans Day off from TORCH, I decided to see what life is like for my roommates. They are Loretto Volunteers both working with the Loretto NGO at the UN, and life at the UN does not stop for most holidays. We went to their office in the church center opposite the UN before going to a meeting of the Subcommittee for Affordable Medication (SAM) which is under the committee of HIV/AIDS. Their main topic of the meeting was about one woman's conversation with the ambassador of Swaziland, and how the committee would like to work on getting medication to the people of Swaziland because they have the highest percentage of people who are infected - 39% of people living there! And just to fill you all in, because I had no idea, Swaziland is a tiny country about the size of NJ between South Africa and Mozambique. I'm not sure how much of the particulars I'm allowed to disclose, but one of the ladies has connections to an organization that has helped set up factories for medicine production & education for the people about the medicines in other third world countries and she is going to see if they will get involved. It was exciting to witness the progress of this subcommittee!

I was able to participate in the meeting a little too! Nothing huge ofcourse, but they are using my suggestion for the rewording of their mission statement, and my wording for recognizing the Swaziland ambassador at World Aids Day for his effort. There was disagreement because originally they were going to honor him, but since he hasnt really done anything yet besides talk, they liked my idea of recognizing him and his efforts.

After that meeting, I had lunch with Sr. Margaret Mayce!! It was an informal little get together, but I had a good time. It was nice to see her again also. After lunch we did a little fun stuff by finding the US Mission's temporary home (reg. building underconstruction) and went to UNICEF. Then Mary Jo & Stephanie had to do actual work in the office, so I helped out by making a flyer for a Forum that the Committee for Social Development is hosting.

Later that evening we went to a sneak preview of the documentary "The End of Poverty?" followed by a Q&A session with the ambassador of Bolivia, the director of the movie, the producer, an economist who is famous but I didn't know, and the head of FreeSpeech.org who played a major part in making the movie happen. This movie gives you so much to think about, and explains the major reasons why there is poverty throughout the world while there are other people who have more money than they could ever spend. It put the idea of simple living that we are doing into a whole new perspective because as we struggle to make $100 last a month, there are people who are living on less than 1cent a day. One of the other ideas that hit me was that the US uses about 40% or so of all the natural resources, while places like Bolivia use less than one percent. If everyone in the world was to use as much as the US, we would need 6 Earths, while if we all used as little as the Bolivians, we would only use 1/6th of the earth.

This movie is going on a national tour, and coming to some of the cities that you are all in!! I would definitly recommend going to see it because it is so real. It is a documuntary so its very factual, but its presented in a very easy to understand way. I was walking to the train with Mary Jo, Steph, and Sally (the Loretto NGO) and talking about how I wish that I could give this movie to everyone I know for Christmas because I think its something everyone should have to think about. Sally responded with, "I wish that I could ask everyone to watch this for Christmas as their gift to me."

Check out the website & tour dates!
www.theendofpoverty.com

Sunday morning walk

When I walk the streets of Amityville, it begins to feel like home. The sun streams through the few clouds and the multi-colored leaves dance through the air-I love the east coast! Yet, everything isn't flowers and dasies. I think about the women I teach. What are they doing on this perfect Sunday morning? I have the time to take a stroll, but do they have time to just be? For some I think they do, but for others I'm not sure. At times I struggle with guilt thinking of the many things they do to keep their heads above water, but what good does it help for me to feel guilty? What good is it for me to give up the safety and security of my life to make it more like their lives?

I realize my life is planned. There is a reason I am able to get money easily and can't even fathom living in costant fear. The stability of my life allows me to be a part in creating stability for their lives. And their lives are a part of mine. We are the same in so many ways. Neither of us are perfect-at many times I become frustrated when a women dosen't come to class for days at a time or leaves early because "mucho sleepy, Miss Sarita." And I realize there are times their children or their heath must come first, but I know they are like me and at times skip class because they just don't feel like it.

And so all this runs through my head on a Sunday morning walk. I also think of and miss my family and friends, and thank God for their presence in my life. Then I tell myself my life's not so bad if the worst thing is I go a few months without walking my dog or laughing till I cry with my friends. There is so much more out there I have yet to miss and so much is happening now I have yet to appreciate...and all of it is planned. I may not hold the book. I may not be the one to highlight the important days or draw smiley faces near the things I anticipate, but they happen anyway. I'm not in control.

I'M not in control.
I'm NOT in control.
I'M NOT IN CONTROL.
And it drives me CRAZY....
....and puts me at ease.

DONT send money

this song from Rich Dittus, "Simple Song" has been going through my head for a while this week. i stumbled across this song on a SHINE retreat my Junior year of high school. (SHINE stands for Serving Him In the Needy and Elderly and at the end of this blog you can catch a link to Rich Dittus' blog to listen to the song and read the lyrics)

Living simply is something that i feel like i understand and at the same time struggle with daily. I chose this. I chose a minimal paycheck, so i can focus on my ministry. I chose it. And i need to remember that i have chosen this poverty-- just like the sisters i live with.

but then i think about how it is not quite the middle of the month, and i have approximately 10 dollars left before my stipend for this month runs out. and how i am going to need deodorant pretty soon. it makes me think about where my money went--how much did i need, did i spend the money wisely? will what i spent my money on help me to minister better to the students of ICA?


and maybe it's not ALL about ministry-- the bottle of wine isn't. the postage for the letters isn't. but the dress pants, and especially the deodorant. ... well yea i think they do.

and i think about the time i've spent too. Was my time spent wisely? will my time spent help me minister better? I mean clearly service is about finding the balance, and realizing that we don't need a lot of what we thought we did. I know myself personally I could get rid of probably half my clothes that I haven't even worn yet. But having the selection is always nice. waking up and getting to choose between my black pants or khakis, between my blue or brown shoes.

So, Mom and Dad, I know you might be tempted to send money. You may want to come in, and sneak a 50 into my checking account when i am not looking. but i think, although i want some new Rainbow sandals (or to fix my chaco's) i need deodorant. and so that is what my money will be spent on. I think this weekend I will spend my time thinning out my closet and my 'stuff.' and maybe even bringing some of it down to the buy-trade-sell clothing shop on Valencia. Or donating the rest of it to salvation army.

completely unrelated, but a shameless plug. Some of the students at ICA were asking me about my Wisconsin accent. When i need my fix of Wisconsin accent,as well as a side of Jesus, i listen to my friend Fr. Dan Schuester, who podcasts his sermons for all to hear.

ps, i have some really good cheap christmas ideas i would share with anyone needing some :)

http://salvationvehicle.blogspot.com/ for heart of Wisconsin, and Heart of the Gospel

http://richdittus.com/?page_id=11 and find Simple Song to hear the song that started my pondering.

Overwhelmed by Gratitude

This past week I was fortunate to head back out to the state that is round on the ends and high in the middle, the great OH-IO, in order to spread the word about my DVUSA experience. The trip sent me back with a wave of emotions ranging from sadness to overwhelming gratitude. As my alma mater was one of the schools I visited, I could not help but miss the friends and community I had during my four years at the University of Dayton.However, as I began to tell my friends (and some strangers) about my life with DV, I felt so much joy about my current ministry. As I watched the throngs of nervous college seniors (and JUNIORS for some reason...do they know they still have AT LEASE a year before they have to stress themselves out about their future?!?!) my heart was filled with compassion for their worry about their futures and I tried my best to ease their pain.

Thinkin back to that final year of college, I had no idea I woudl be working with DVUSA this year. My thoughts were towards getting and internship and eventually a job working with a human rights non-profit. However, God had quite a different plan and, when I think about what could have been, a BETTER plan for me. Although I must admit there are some days my heart aches for my friends and family to be near, it is nothin compared to the joy I feel when I'm working to help the women I teach. The perspective I get from thinkin about their lives of work, school and taking care of their families is humbling. To think I use to complain about getting out of work half an hour late! I was (and still am) lucky enought to be able to do something for myself when work is done. These women are constantly working for their families and their future and barely have enough time to sleep 5 hours a day let alone get some "me" time.

I suppose my trip back to my home state was more than just an opportunity for me to share my DVUSA experiences, it was an opportunity for me to realize life is a constant change and that's a GOOD thing. Had a spent another year at UD with my friends, I would have missed all I have with me now. I thank God for this year so far, for the rest to come and for whatever comes my way next.

Stop the Violence

I'm spending the year in South Chicago, along with Katie, a fellow DV, and 5 Dominican Sisters of Springfield. We live at St. Martin's convent near E. 91st and Commercial Ave. Katie and I minister at St. Leonard's Ministries on the Near West Side of Chicago. St. Leonard's works with formerly incarcerated adults to give them the tools they need to attempt a second (sometimes third, or fourth) chance at having a meaningful and successful life. Katie is stationed in our education and job training center assisting program participants with resume prep and providing them with job leads and advice. I spend my days assisting the directors with any and all administrative and fundraising tasks. I also tutor residents & program participants in english and math. I also lead a reading discussion group for the residents. We were placed at an awesome organization!! Check it out: www.slministries.org

We live in the heart of South Chicago where, amidst gang warfare, we are able to keep a routine eating, socializing, and praying schedule. As we open our prayer books or say grace before dinner, sounds of sirens rise and fall in the background. Talks of the trials and joys of each of our day intermingles with the booming base from cars driving through the alley next to our dining room. It's urban and it's international and we're the minority. During the day, it's packed with people shopping up and down 'main street' (aptly named Commercial Ave). At night, it's not a place to walk alone.

The reality of my living situation is difficult to comprehend at times because I don't know how awful things can happen outside when life seems so blessed from the inside.

I'm sure most people reading this heard about or saw the video of the fatal beating of Derrion Albert that occurred at Fenger High School on September 24th. I'm also sure that anyone reading this may not know that this news happened 10 blocks southwest of where my community is located. Gang fights happen all over the nation, but I've never been so close to one. The male youth in my neighborhood always travel in packs. They ride bikes through alleys and in the park, walk side-by-side blocking the sidewalks, and don't respond when I say "hello." They look like they want a place to go to bond and make friends, but the streets are the only place they know as their own space. Where are the after school programs? Where are the mentoring programs? What about more YMCAs with after school activities, homework help, and space for recreation?

One afternoon, on our way to the bus after work, a few unattended children were playing near a busy thruway and one of them ran up behind Katie and me. We stopped and said "hello." He tried to hide in the corner of a gate, but we saw him. We both noticed a small water-gun in his hand and couldn't help but look confused. As he ran back to his friends, I immediately wondered if he wasn't just being playful with us, but instead he was imitating someone or something that taught him how to use a gun.

Everyday at St. Leonard's, I see grown men and women struggling to break through the cycle of poverty. These men and women grew up in the outskirts of Chicago surrounded by drugs, alcohol, corrupt police departments, and public schools that failed to challenge or encourage them. They spent some time in prison and now they want to become something other than a repeat offender. With a few classes in life skills, green maintenance or culinary arts, employment training, anger management, parenting, drug counseling, writing, and support from a case manager and a family of teachers and administrators, St. Leonard's residents and program participants push themselves out of the cycle and start walking on solid ground.

Almost everyday, I witness the happy ending of it all. The men I tutor and work with show me inspiration and hope. They have so much they want to do with their time now that they have the chance to earn a degree or just learn how to read and they've finally met the people who want to help them achieve their goals. Hearing the difference in the way one of my tutorees sounds out words and seeing the improvement in his writing ability helps me realize that this cycle of poverty can be beat, one person at a time. I just wish that nobody had to wait until after they served time to start to realize their potential and their ability to live a purposeful life. That should begin on the first day of a child's life or at least on the first day of school, and everyday thereafter.


It's only been two months and I feel like I've learned so much about the prison system and the education systems in the Chicago area. I can't wait to learn more and share it with you all here.

I hope all is well with the other volunteers and all our readers!

Love & Peace - Emily

What a wonderful, busy weekend!!!

Starting on Thursday, in my office, we began to hear the loud sounds of the Blue Angels flying around San Francisco. This was the start of a wonderful celebration known as Fleet week to celebrate the Navy down by the wharf. Practice continued on Friday and some of my co-workers and I went to the roof of the school to watch and it was soo cool to be able to see them fly over us. I was really excited for the actual show that was to happen on Saturday.

Saturday morning came and I woke up excited to be able to go down to the wharf to watch the show. Rachel and I got up early and went to some sales that were happening down in the shopping district and then took BART to the Embarcadero. We stopped at the farmer's market which happens every week at the Ferry Building. There were so many people out trying all of the many samples and buying the wonderful fresh produce that was being sold. We decided to walk down to Fisherman's Wharf from there and got some free stuff along the way. We staked out our spot where we would watch the show and sat down to wait the hour until it would begin. While we were waiting, there were a few other planes that were doing tricks to entertain.

After switching off to go and get lunch, Rachel and I were extremely excited for the show to begin. We waited and waited and they finally came out at 3:20 to do a few tricks. They then disappeared and we never saw them again. After 20 more minutes, we over heard people say that they were not going to perform today. It was such a disappointment and we went home to rest for the night without seeing the Blue Angels.

The next day, I woke up early to go to Mass and was given the opportunity to go with Rachel and S. Mary Susanna to her brother's house in Healdsburg, CA. It was a wonderful drive up to Sonoma County. We spent the day traveling to 3 different wineries and were given the chance to taste many delicious wines. Even though I really had no idea how you are supposed to taste wine (should have stuck with that wine tasting class in college), it was a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon and the wineries were very busy with people tasting the different wines. We then went over to S. Mary Susanna's brother's house for lunch. I was amazed at how easily her family welcomed me into their home and treated me like I was another member of the family. It was so nice to be welcomed with open arms and to be invited to watch the football game and enjoy a meal with them. After visiting for awhile and then checking out the plaza in the town we traveled home.

On the way home, I was reading the Dominican Volunteers newsletter and read the article written by Dan. After reading this article and reflecting on the day I had spent, I realized how true everything he said was. Throughout the entire day, S. Mary Susanna was extremely generous to Rachel and I and this even extended to the hospitality of her family. It is easy to see how the sisters can be so hospitable when you meet their families and they are the same exact way. It was really nice to be able to spend this time with her family especially because it has been challenging being so far away from all of mine.

We finished off the night with a trip down Lombard St. (the crookedest street) and then drove through the Short North which was packed from the Columbus Day celebrations. All in all it was a wonderful weekend spent, but I wish that I could have had a vacation day today to relax after this very busy weekend!!

~Liz

Random Thoughts of a Cubs/Nationals fan

“My transit pass went through a wash cycle and still works!”

These are words I thought I would never shout in my life. Having graduated from a small school in DC with a possibly as much as fifty bucks held up in completely useless cracked metro cards, demagnetized metro passes (thank you, cell phone!), and unrecognizable pulp-masses. Anyone who has ever lived in DC for any length of time has had to deal with at least one of these hopeless endings to their vaunted passes to the DC metro system. However, given my new situation in Chicago, I am happy to report that passes here are made of more than mere paper and magnet-thingies. They can withstand the destructive forces of “water” and “spin cycle” that do so much damage to lesser materials. So in their honor, I will share a list of quotes I have compiled a list of things that you might say in Chicago, but probably wouldn’t say in DC.

“Hey, the president’s visiting our city today, isn’t that cool?”

“I’m sure our baseball team will be better next year.”

“Only 1 inch of snow? That can’t cancel school!”

“Dah Bears”

“You know I can honestly say I don’t know anyone who works for ‘the government.’”

“How is it possible to hate the entire city of Dallas?”

Okay, so it’s a really short list. And also populated with a lot of inside jokes. I guess DC and Chicago are more alike than I thought, or their differences are for the most part uninteresting. Either way, I’m very glad Chicago doesn’t simply print their fare cards on paper.

If you have any questions about the quotes, please comment below, but be prepared for a thoroughly boring explanation. Also, if you have any other funny comparisons between the Mid-Atlantic Coast and the Central-Inland Coast, please share them also.

Party time!

Here are some photos form my birthday. You should recognize one of the attendees at the b-day brunch. The girl with curl hair is Ann, my friend from UD who is living in Queens doing volunteer work this year. The two women in a pictures with me and my sister Elizabeth (short brown hair in a black and white dress) are Fran and Judy, the sisters I work with at OPening Word (and YES the OP is capitalized on purpose!!) which is a school teaching English to adult women. Judy is the shorter and Fran is the taller. The two women in the group picture standing in the back are Janet and Mary, the sisters we live with. Mary has the curly hair :-)

Kira and I have just been partying it up with Founder's Day (see Jen's blog), my b-day brunch, visits from Sally and Charlie (brother and sister-in-law to Janet, one of the sisters we live with) and multiple invitations to come over for dinner. This weekend is a big Jubilee party for all the sisters celebrating 25, 50 and I think 75 years as a sister (I think there are others in there but I forget). It should be fun!

Love to all of you :-)
<3 Sarah

Tales from the Bx

So I have officially started working at Torch, and I have roommates!! I have had some interesting and exciting adventures in the few weeks before they moved in while I was working at my temporary placement. Since I didn't have my permenant community yet, it was easier for my to visit LI & my other friend Meg who just moved to the city.

I love that Kira & Sarah are so close, and that Ive been able to go out to see them twice now! (and they've each been to see me) One of my visits included going to Amityville Founders Day, as Sarah mentioned before. Now that was an interesting experience... and soo much more fun than I anticipated. There was a beautiful mass where the priest sang the eucharistic prayer (love it when they do that) & they even let me sing in the chior! After mass we were told to go eat downstairs because "thats where the party is." I had no idea what I was getting myself into. There was fantiastic German food, like potato pancake...mmmm. I totally would have had seconds, but the 3 of us were pulled to the dancefloor by Sr. Gina & Sr. Diane who I knew from Preaching in Action. I'm not much of a dancer but they were not taking no as an answer! (The "I" in me tried) Somehow -and I think it was one of the associates doing (susan's?)- we became known as the divas (Get it... D-V-as) for the night. My favorite dance was one of the sisters, who I was told is over 80, did a solo dance to ABBA's Dancing Queen. She even had props such as a kerchief and a rose. Hysterical!! Probably one of my favorite moments of the evening. I also was able to meet Mary & Janet who Kira & Sarah live with. It was nice to be able to put faces with names, but I feel like I may not be allowed to play Skip-bo with them anymore. Something about my amazing streak of beginners luck.

I am definitly happy to be in my permenant ministry now! Even though my temporary placement was not the most exciting atmosphere for me, & the ladies in the office were nice to me, it did confirm my thought that working in an office all day is not my scene. Not enough activity, but Torch is making up for that! Torch is a special education preschool in the Bronx run by St. Dominic's Home. So far Ive been going into each of the classrooms and being just an extra set of hands in order to get a feel for the teachers and the kids. I like getting to know all the kids. I almost have all their names down, which is a feat because some of them are quite creative. Today the teacher was out in the room that I was assigned to help with so I was able to run a couple of the activities, which I definitly enjoyed. Tomorrow the whole school is going apple picking at an orchard up in Rockland County. That should definitly be an interesting experience.

My roommates, Stephanie and Mary Jo, are volunteering for the year through Loretto Volunteers and are working with the Loretto NGO at the UN. They moved in last Sun & Mon, but went on their opening retreat in Loretto Kentucky at the motherhouse there from Friday until Tuesday. We are still getting settled and getting to know one another, but they are very nice. I think we are going to have a good year!

I will try and remember to upload some picks from my random adventures in NYC sometime, but for now I'm off to bed. These kiddies are wearing me out!

~Jen

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It rained alllll day today here in Houston, TX, so I taught the kids I work with the song, "Rain, Rain, Go Away." They loved it (they are big singers), so I ended up singing it at least three times each for the 2-year-old girl and 3-year-old boy (with their names inserted, of course). They are brother and sister and at the age where I have no doubt in my mind that sharing is a learned skill (one they have not learned very well just yet). Most of the time they have to play with separate toys on different sides of the rug to prevent grabbing and subsequent crying.
Our day involved lots of singing and reading (always a given), swaddling baby dolls, playing with Dora mega blocks, dancing (which involved the children turning into froggies), trains trains and more trains (including track assembly, reassembly, and failed attempts at taking turns), going potty/diaper changes, washing hands, a nap, and messy snacks and meals. Luckily, it did not involve more than one visit to the crying room, and poutty faces were only occasional and temporary. Today was also the first day that neither of them raced to the door when someone came into the house, a huge step in listening for them.
After the 2-month-old baby boy had a slight temperature, we played doctor on each other and on the dolls, and after I started sweating with one of them in my lap, we all had our temperatures taken for real with a cool new thermometer that you run across your forehead. No one else was sick, thank goodness.
Earlier in the day, the baby and I had some quality floor time looking at a rattle that hung above him. He looked at it and at me for half an hour (a really long time for such a little baby) and was making super cute cooing noises at me. I am one of many who would take him home in a heart beat.

This is just one day at Casa de Esperanza. There will be many more and all a little different.
Kristen

First Day of School :-)

I just wanted to keep things moving along with a short update :-)

I started my ministry (FINALLY!!!!) on Thursday and thus far it has been exhausting BUT rewarding. I am teaching low-income immigrant women English and, having never been a teacher, I am finding I love it when the ladies are really participating and putting forth effort to learn. Today I even got roses from one of the ladies (she was embarrassed that she had brought her children to school and brought them as an apology). She just picked them right from her garden! They are all so loving! There are no rules about hugging them like with children, so each of them gives us a hug on their way out the door. I also love my fellow teachers, Judy and Fran. They are both Dominican sisters with a love for all people and unbelievable patience and energy.

This weekend Kira and Jen will be hanging in the Bronx and I get to spend some time with Elizabeth, my beautifully pregnant older sister who lives in Philadelphia. On Sunday we'll be doing some celebrationing for my birthday with the whole gang, my sister and fellow teachers included. Kira or Jen will have to update you on our Founder's Day experience in another post because I am all typed out...

I miss and love all of you! I hope things are going well and that I will get to talk to Liz soon :-( Next time I promise to be more reflective with the entry ;-)

Peace and blessings upon you all!
Love,
Sarah

Happy Birthday LIZ!

As your prayer partner, and co volunteer, i would like to wish you the most happiest birthday ever. and if i time this correctly the blog will say at midnight so it is already your birthday in EST. May God's choicest blessings fall upon your special special day.

With a great big hug, from all of us to you...
It's good, your birthday that is!!
:)

A Letter to my brother--who is wondering what i have been up to

Dear Ben,

Mom said you were wondering what I have been up to. So please feel free to read the following letter and see the pictures. I hope this helps!

First I wake up at 5:45 am and then I go to morning prayer. (Actually that schedule hasn't actually happened yet, but we as a community will be starting that on Tuesday.) Prayer starts at 6--Ben I think that is before you even wake up!! My room looks alike a normal room: it has a bed and a desk, a closet, and a sink. Don't worry, Ben, your picture is up so that i remember you.

See it looks like any other room I have lived in-- messy, mom's quilt is on my bed, pictures on the wall, and candy on my desk.

After morning prayer i eat breakfast and walk over to the school. It is a high school for all girls, so it is kinda like the camp i worked at over the summer. So I meet the girls at 7:30 along with the other work staff and we check them all in. We check and see if they are there, and if they are in dress code. Ben, that is my least favorite part because sometimes i have to give them a detention if they are wearing the wrong clothes. after that we send them to work. Some mornings, like this week I get to go with them in the morning and drop them off at their work sites. Have you heard of places like Wells Fargo Bank, and American Red Cross? Those are some places that our girls work at. Other weeks, Liz and I switch and instead I pick them up in the afternoon from their work. Do you remember at DisneyWorld when we rode the train to Epcot? that is what the train looks like that I ride every day to take the girls to or from work. It is very fast, and kind of fun! On Tuesday all of the Juniors will be working at their different sites, but all the other students stay at school and learn.

This is a picture of the school from the outside. See, it kinda looks like the school from Sister Act 2

After the morning transport my day hums along. Some projects we are working on are contacting job sites to see if they would like to participate in the program and hire a team of our students. We also make sure our students are doing well at their jobs and there are no problems with their supervisors. Ben! just like you they have a check list every day! They get one score, from 1-5. 5 is good, like a yes and 1 is bad, like a no. So part of my job is making sure all of our students are getting 5's and not 1's. by helping them learn how to work.

I sit at a desk in a very busy office. There are at least 10 other people in the office with me, and it can get very noisy sometimes. They are trying to get some dividers up, so we do not distract everyone else in the office. Sometimes during the day, instead of sitting at my desk, I sit in the library. If some of the girls are not at work we do projects in there. This week we watched the movie The Pursuit of Happyness, which is fun, because it is a movie that was taped in San Francisco.

The day ends and some people go and pick up the students and bring them back to school. I walk home (or around the city) and we have evening prayer at 6pm. Then we have dinner afterwards. Ben, a lot of times we have mexican food that is Dee-licious! it is like going to the mexican restaurants at home. After dinner sometimes I watch TV--Wheel of Fortune, or read, or walk some more. If I am really lucky i see a beautiful sunset, like the one in the picture below.

Anyway, I hope this helps. I love you Ben!!

This is a picture of Liz, another volunteer, and Sister Lilly, and me

hey BUB!! look-- this tree looks like a pineapple.

If I can make it there, I can make it ANYWHERE

It's so great to hear from everyone! I just wanted to put up a few pictures from when Kira and I got to hang out in NYC with Sister Alice and her sister, Peggy. We certainly had a riot of a time despite the humidity. Also, we got to hang with Jen this past weekend and I will be going out to see her on Sunday. I'm excited to see a whole new part of the city! So far we've hit Manhattan (the island where NYC is really found) and Queens, driven through Brooklyn a bit and set foot on Staten Island when we took out the ferry. This will be my first time in the Bronx! I foresee it being a good time.

Here are a few pics to enjoy:



A look at the different boroughs. We are out to the east of Queens on Long Island, which is not technically part of NYC.


Me and my NYC! We got to hear some great stories from the sisters while we were out there.


Kira and I hanging out in Rockville Center!


Attempting to look like one of the dancers in West Side Story, my FAVORITE musical. I'm going to see it live on-stage for the first time on September 19th to celebrate my birthday with my sister :-)!

Live Your Life

If you are expecting some sort of general update on day to day life in Chicago for its fantastic five volunteers, I am sorry, but I don’t really have the patience to say anything more than our jobs vary from sort of crazy to almost normal, and that we all love Chicago. Ask another of the volunteers to update you on the boring stuff. I wanna tell a story.
So, this Saturday Stefanie invited us (Bridgette, Trent and I) to accompany her and her roommate Ann Marie to her favorite bar in all Chicago. Confession time, I don’t remember the name of the bar because I was immediately distracted by the bar’s atmosphere. (Edit: the name of the bar is Guthrie’s) The bar works like this: (1) find a table. Tackle drunk people out of a spot if necessary, because you need a table or else the night is ruined. (2) Get drinks, because you’re at a bar, and not having drinks is like deciding to skip seeing the Pope while touring Vatican City. But I digress. Step 3 in this process involves journeying to a shelf in the middle of the room, and picking out the board game that will keep you occupied while you drink. We chose to play the game of Life. It was awesome.
Before I divulge the juicy details of how people chose to live their lives, I should mention that for a while we had to shout at each other just to be heard, because the group beside us had given up on their game (Taboo?) and decided to return to that other favorite bar pastime, loudly sharing stories, inside jokes and raunchy punch lines. Needless to say that their unintended interruptions to our intense game of living usually brought welcome mix of laughing with their jokes and laughing at their glorious lack of sophistication.
On to the game. Stefanie and Ann Marie opted to start careers immediately, and both immediately proved how little this game resembles reality by gaining decent salaries, with Stef as a cop and Ann Marie as a Salesperson. While Stef and Ann Marie reveled in their nice jobs and salaries and sped through life towards the smooth plastic men of their dreams, Trent, Bridgette and I feebly tried to relive the glory of college while painfully aware that Milton Brady University doesn’t give scholarships, and somehow we’d have to come up with $125000 in Life money to pay for our “degrees.” Realizing that this board game would force us to get real jobs upon the completion of college, Trent settled into a $100,000 pay day job as an accountant, I found work as a technical support person, and Bridgette became a doctor.
Once Bridgette had a job, Stefanie lost no time announcing her plan to help Bridgette to find a nice blue boy so Bridge could hurry up and get pregnant. While planning Bridgette's romance, Stef went to summer school and got a new job as a teacher, but worked as a cop over the summer somehow. Ann Marie and I also went through midlife crises, becoming a pro athlete and doctor, respectively. Trent also lost his big payday and watched as it got repeatedly stolen but never quite ended up with him again.
I’m sure that more stories from this night will surface, but I don’t want to tie up your time too much, so I will leave you with the final score. I married a nice girl but we ran out of people so I donated her to become someone else’s daughter, and became a priest who also ran for mayor somehow. Ann Marie got the garbanzo bean farm she always wanted and retired with her husband as a millionaire also she had 2 kids and adopted 2 more, but that was after we ran out of people so her last 2 kids were invisible. Bridgette had a very (re)productive game, retiring just below millionaire status, but with 6 kids. Trent did find a nice pink girl with curves molded into all the right places and even lived in a nice beach house. The true winner though was Stefanie, who retired with ample children and a net worth of 1.25 billion life dollars. Unfortunately, none of that money could be used to pay the tab.
All in all a great night! Hope y’all are enjoying everything your respective cities have to offer as well!

All is Well in the ATL

Everything is going smoothly here in Atlanta. The four sisters we live with are awesome. They're overflowing with entertaining, informative stories that reveal a wealth of diverse experiences. I'm still not fully adjusted to my new schedule despite the fact that I've been here for 2 weeks. I wanna be more active after school (that is when we get out at 5) but its been hard to find the required energy so far after eating dinner and attending our community prayer session. Everyone at ICS had been real receptive and supportive of Amy and I. The staff is committed to enhancing the lives of the children through the implementation of thoughtful instruction and a commendable dedication to maintaining a positive, empathetic attitude. The kids at the school are energetic, loving, and willing to learn. I hope that as the year progresses my responsibilities will increase with regard to the actual presentation of lessons. We've spent some time around the city with the Jesuit Volunteers in Atlanta. My initial impression is that they're all quality people that know how to have a good time yet are focused on serving society within their specific ministry assignments. The year is still in its initial stages but so far I'm satisfied with my decision to join DVUSA. I hope everyone else is adjusting well to thier new environment and can say the same. I'm confident this well be a fruitful, fulfilling experience for each of us in a variety of unique ways If anyone wants to spend a little time in the ATL let me or Amy know the deal. Also, I'm trying to get to Chi-Town sometime before Christmas. I'd appreciate it if those residing there could start thinking about a tenative date that works for them and let me know whats good.

Peace and Love,
DB

PICTURES!!

Hello all--

I am still waiting for all of the pictures taken by Dominique to be sent but, here is what I have so far.

For those of your without facebook....

Ok so maybe that is just Dan, BUT for the benefit of family and friends I wanted to put up some photos of us during orientation, most of which I snagged from the facebook pages of others. Kira has some great pictures from our NYC outing she'll be showing off soon too!

Hanging in the parlor at Mission San Jose after commissioning

The beautiful grounds of Mission San Jose

A California sunset :-)

Jen and Kira unknowingly framing Sarah after our talk on the Dominicans in the United Nations

Just hanging out on the tolly...too bad it ended up being broken
(L to R: Amy, Stefanie, Dan, Trent, Joe, Kira, Jen and Emily)

Busing to the BART station. Too bad we don't have mass transit like this in the OH!
(Joe, Trent and Dan, Becca and Emily)

Looking classy post-commissioning
(Back: Joe, Emily, Sarah. Middle: Becca, Jen, Katie, Kira, Dan. Front: Rachel, Kristen, Emily, Liz, Bridget and Trent)

A group hug before the last group left
(Too tangled up to tell)

Amy, Bridget, Sarah and Trent wait for a cable car

My love extends to all of you and to all the volunteers out there :-)!