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.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
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
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
Monday, October 12, 2009
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
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
Saturday, October 3, 2009
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.
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.
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