Franciscan Community Volunteers

Franciscan Community Volunteers reflects back on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

2012-01-17T13:04:00.004-06:00

Martin Luther King Jr. Day might be my favorite holiday of the year in the United States. This is the one day of the year we don’t argue over whether social issues matter. This is the one day of the year we don’t feel scared to talk about racism, privilege, and their enduring scars on our society. This is the one day of the year the nation is called together to acts of service in honor of our history and the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

I also appreciate being reminded, every year, to reflect on my own privilege. On Sojourner’s God’s Politics blog Ruth Hawley-Lowry wrote an article entitled, “Martin Luther King Sunday is Not Just for Black People.” She writes, “We live in a nation where ‘racism is in the air we breathe and the water we drink,’ as the Rev. Dr. Gardner Taylor (a confidant of Dr. King) observes. We who are in the majority culture must acknowledge and confess that we benefit from the privileges we receive.“

Hawley-Lowry’s challenge to all of us is to not only work against racism, but also whatever may be our racially-based, unearned privileges. As a member of the racial majority in our country, I ask myself, how can I live so that, at least in some small way, I counteract the generations of oppression of racial minorities, and the privilege given to my own race? At the very least, I try to maintain an awareness of my privilege and communicate about it with others. Part of counteracting my privilege, however, has also meant being uncomfortable. When close friends, professional contacts, or even my own family states racist remarks, whether intended or not, whether “positive stereotypes” or not, how do I react? How can I be clear, while expressing compassion, that this remark was not okay? None of this has come easy to me, and I am continually making mistakes and admitting that I too, am a “recovering racist,” socialized into my privilege, tripping a bit as I try to find my way forward.

And that is why Martin Luther King Day is so important - it is a stunning reminder that we must keep challenging our racially prejudiced systems, communities, and sometimes, even, selves. We hear the words every year -- King’s “I Have a Dream Speech,” radio excerpts of his assassination, and the voices of those who shared in his struggle. If anyone was uncomfortable, in danger, or struggled against hatred, it was King, and yet he cultivated his own courage, changing our country forever.

I just want to end with a quick YouTube video celebrating some of the lesser known sayings of Martin Luther King Jr. He promoted some pretty radical ideas about social justice, the need to end militarism, and the importance of changing our economic system. His ideas still ring true today, as the nonviolent social action Gandhi and King laid out continue to bring down corrupt leaders in the Arab World. And his words still challenge us to a different sort of social order, one of justice, love and forgiveness – words so relevant in our time of economic depression and electoral hate.

One last video - because how could I resist? Here are some local MN celebrities singing We Shall Overcome and quoting MLK. This video is a little inspiration to keep the MLK Day spirit going through each day of this next year!

More of my MLK Day reflections, including some of what has been written here, will be included in our upcoming FCV newsletter.

AZ

Modern Day Slavery: Human Trafficking

2012-01-11T09:59:00.006-06:00

I was reminded today by Jeff Odendahl, Director of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation for the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls that today has been designated “National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.” He wrote this message to us:

"Human Trafficking or Trafficking of Persons is modern-day slavery. Human Trafficking is defined as controlling a person through force, fraud or coercion—physical or psychological—to exploi...t the person for forced labor, sexual exploitation, or both.The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops estimates that annually 800,000 persons are trafficked across international borders and 17,500 are trafficked into the US annually: 80% are women; 15% are children; and 5% are men. Trafficking is the fastest growing criminal activity throughout the world.Victims of Human Trafficking can be found in sweatshops, forced prostitution, domestic servitude, restaurants, agriculture, construction, hotel/motel cleaning services, and nail salons to name a few.

Pope John Paul II called human trafficking 'a shocking offense against human dignity and a grave violation of fundamental human rights.' Pope Benedict XVI addresses the trafficking in human beings, especially of women and girls, as 'a scourge.'As people of faith we are challenged to raise awareness about this heinous crime against women, children and men and to work and pray toward ending it in our lifetime."

A couple of months ago we spent a community night learning about human trafficking. We learned why it happens, where it can be found, and how we can work against it. Trafficking can be a sobering topic to talk about, and often, after such presentations I find myself on edge, suspicious of others around me. Trafficking happens under our noses. Indeed human trafficking is the fastest growing black market crime on the planet, second only to drug dealing. Human Trafficking generates an estimated $32 billion dollars each year (UN). I used to work as a case manager with trafficking victims and I hear of cases in rural areas, suburbs, cities, including wealthy families and primps, I hear of abuse of all types of women, regardless of race or nationality, and abuse of men as well. It is easy to feel, on hand, as if everyone could be a possible trafficker, or on the other hand, that doing anything about trafficking is hopeless. But trafficking thrives because it is both immensely profitable and easy to do. Our laws and our awareness aren't enough yet to fully combat this terrible crime.

But there are things you can do, there is hope. First, it is incredibly important to educate yourself and others. Visit the Polaris Project website, their website is the place to learn about trafficking. And here is a resource from the Polaris Project to help you recognize the signs of Human trafficking:

If you see any of these red flags, contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-3737-888 to report the situation. Click here to learn more about reporting potential human trafficking situations. This list is not exhaustive and represents only a selection of possible indicators. Also, the red flags in this list may not be present in all trafficking cases and are not cumulative.

Common Work and Living Conditions: The Individual(s) in Question:

Is not free to leave or come and go as he/she wishes

Is under 18 and is providing commercial sex acts

Is in the commercial sex industry and has a pimp / manager

Is unpaid, paid very little, or paid only through tips

Works excessively long and/or unusual hours

Is not allowed breaks or suffers under unusual restrictions at work

Owes a large debt and is unable to pay it off

Was recruited through false promises concerning the nature and conditions of his/her work

High security measures exist in the work and/or living locations (e.g. opaque windows, boarded up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)

Poor Mental Health or Abnormal Behavior

Is fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, or nervous/paranoid

Exhibits unusually fearful or anxious behavior after bringing up law enforcement

Avoids eye contact

Poor Physical Health

Lacks health care

Appears malnourished

Shows signs of physical and/or sexual abuse, physical restraint, confinement, or torture

Lack of Control

Has few or no personal possessions

Is not in control of his/her own money, no financial records, or bank account

Is not in control of his/her own identification documents (ID or passport)

Is not allowed or able to speak for themselves (a third party may insist on being present and/or translating)

Other

Claims of just visiting and inability to clarify where he/she is staying/address

Lack of knowledge of whereabouts and/or do not know what city he/she is in

Loss of sense of time

Has numerous inconsistencies in his/her story

Another year for Franciscan Community Volunteers

2012-01-04T08:27:00.003-06:00

It is our first blog post of the New Year! We send warm wishes to all our readers as the Christmas season wraps up - we hope it has been a relaxing and beautiful, family and friends-filled time for all!

Next week for community night, we'll be celebrating the Epiphany. The Epiphany is such a good time to reflect on what gifts we bring to Jesus in the form of the underserved, and what gifts we would like to cultivate in the coming year.

Here is another, short reflection from the Franciscan Action Network on just this topic:

Overjoyed at Seeing the Star

In the midst of their activity, the three wise men whose story we hear in the readings for the Epiphany of the Lord serve as a model for contemplative listening. Their action flows from their attentive discernment of received guidance. The magi set out on their journey because they perceived the sign of their times in the star which heralded "'the newborn king of the Jews'" (Mt 2:2). They proceeded to Bethlehem in response to the prophetic Hebrew Scriptures, which the chief priests and scribes shared with these first Gentile believers through the unlikely mouthpiece of Herod (cf. Mt 2:8). And "they departed for their country by another way" because they heeded the Lord's message to them in a dream warning them not to return to Herod (Mt 2:12).

In addition to the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh which the magi laid at the Christ Child's feet, they made a gift of their lives with each step of their journey in search of Him. Matthew's account reveals the sincerity and depth of their quest: "They were overjoyed at seeing the star" (2:10) and fulfilling their desire to meet this singular king of kings.

As we journey into another year of Our Lord, what exterior gifts can we offer to Christ? The way we devote our time; the way we interact with family and friends, neighbors and strangers, and other creatures; and the way we order our material goods can be signs of Christ's kingship in our lives. Interiorly, how can we offer our very selves more fully to God's love? Let us listen attentively to direction from the Lord in varied ways, that we may perceive the direction in which we will find Christ and so lead others to the same joy.

Christy Elliott

FAN Director of Care for Creation

Fourth Week of Advent

2011-12-19T08:21:00.000-06:00

This weeks' Advent reflection comes to us from the Franciscan Action Network, check out all of their newsletters here.

Dwelling Among Us

Raise your hand, all those for whom Advent is your favorite liturgical season! Many of us love this hushed season while our culture becomes more frenetic in its clamor to shop, spend, decorate, party. We may have a foot in both worlds, yet yearn for more time to be quiet, to listen and wait in hopeful anticipation. We want more time to reflect on the rich imagery that Advent offers.

The readings the Fourth (and last) Sunday of Advent offer two images of a dwelling place for God. David, with good intention, wants to do a "home improvement" for the "ark of God," building a house of cedar to replace the tent, but God sees otherwise (cf. 2 Sm 7:5). It is among the people that God will establish a house and kingdom that "shall endure forever" (2 Sm 7:13). And when the time comes, the Word made Flesh seeks and finds a dwelling in the womb of a young Jewish girl (cf. Lk 1:26-38). Over and over the scriptures remind us that God's ways are not our ways.

The human way often runs counter to God's ways: In a recent newspaper story, a picture of hundreds of people standing in line with umbrellas all through a rainy, chilly night, hoping to be placed on a waiting list for a low-rent apartment; a TV account of an increasing number of children living in cars. These are realities in the most prosperous country in the world. These are not God's ways.

God longs to make a dwelling among us and within us. For a breathless moment, God waits for Mary's "yes" before becoming one of us and finding a home in her womb. Aren't we all home-seekers? Men and women waiting all night in the rain, children sleeping in cars, undocumented immigrants, those of us who live comfortably-all yearn for a place where we are accepted, loved, wanted. Even God desires to find a home in and among us. Even God waits for our "yes".

Perhaps God is asking you to reach out to those without homes this week. You can say "yes"! Identify a local homeless shelter and volunteer time or give a donation. Search online to find the 60 Minutes segment on "Living in Cars: Homeless Children in Florida." Read the Circle of Protection Statement to address poverty and the federal budget, which the USCCB, FAN and many other Christian organizations have signed. If there is an Occupy group in your town or city, make a visit and ask people why they intend to spend Christmas in a tent in public space. There are now a few Occupy Home groups standing vigil outside a neighbor's home, defending the family against eviction.

Sr. Marie Lucey, OSF
FAN Director of Advocacy and Member Outreach

Gaudete Sunday

2011-12-13T08:59:00.001-06:00

I came across this short and sweet reflection on Gaudete Sunday from the blog of the Catholic Campus Ministry Association:

Monday’s Spiritual Smoothie: Joyful Recognition
Posted December 5, 2011
By Sarah Heiman

This Sunday we [celebrated] Gaudete Sunday, rejoicing that the time of the Lord is almost here. Our readings remind us that “God is the joy of my soul” and that we are to “rejoice always” and “pray without ceasing.” In John’s gospel we’re reminded of the importance of John’s role in proclaiming the coming of Christ, “one who is among you but whom you do not recognize.” During this Advent season as we wait in joyful expectation, perhaps we should take a moment to think about how Jesus is already among us but how and when we have failed to recognize him.

I wonder sometimes how our joy would be increased and more in keeping with God’s plan if we were to truly proclaim a year of favor as the first reading suggests. What would our ministry and relationships look like if forgiveness and mercy drove all of our decisions? I think we all know the joy that comes from showing compassion and generosity to others; some of the best moments and strongest friendships I’ve made have been those that happen in the context of volunteer service. It is often easy to see where Jesus is in those acts of justice and charity. But where is Jesus in the student that continually tries our patience or in the person who seems to exist solely to remind us of what our pet peeves are?

This Advent perhaps we can begin to rejoice in God by seeking for the Christ that we have failed to fully recognize. How do we point the way to Christ as John did in our role as campus ministers? Who are the people who have helped us along our own faith journeys, leading us to recognize and rejoice in God? And where have we missed God’s presence by our unwillingness or inability to proclaim the year of favor from the Lord?

Sarah Heiman is Administrative Director of Campus Ministry at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.

The Second Week of Advent

2011-12-07T09:16:00.002-06:00

It is the Second Week of Advent and it is just starting to sink in for me how much I love the beginning of a new liturgical year, coupled with the descent into winter.

I have to admit, I’ve been a bit spiritually dead lately, struggling to integrate prayer in my life in a way that I find life giving. But Advent always arrives providentially, just when I need a bit of a boost to give my Spirit new life. I find that the message of Advent, coupled with the spirituality of winter always helps something to blossom within me.

I first became aware of winter spirituality when I attended the Nordic prayer services at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN. Each year there are different themes, but what I remember most from the year I went was that there was feet upon feet of snow on the ground, the sky was pitch black by the time service began at 6:51pm, and we sang the mantra “the earth waits with eager longing.” And slowly, as I attended each month, it got a little less dark at 6:51pm, the snow began to recede, and that eager longing developed into the birth of Spring.

This week in Minnesota we finally hit the cold winter temperatures, usually reserved for January - temperatures in the teens, wind chills in the single digits, and overnight temps dipping below zero. You step outside and it is a shock - the burst of cold air forces you into an awareness of your surroundings. And, for me, that shock carries over to my spirituality, the cold yells out to me - “Wake up! Pay Attention to what’s around you, to what’s coming!” This weather is a perfect physical accompaniment to the liturgical season of Advent, a season that bids us all to “Be Prepared! Something great is upon us!”

I am a transplant from the South and so I often get asked “How do you handle that cold weather!?” My reply is always the same, “Yes, its really cold, but most winter days are sunny here, unlike other gray wintery places I’ve lived, such as North Carolina and Indiana. I would take colder temps and sun over warmer temps and gray any day.” And that’s the beauty of Advent - we sit in the darkness, we recognize the shocking cold that has creeped in, but a light is always shining through, a hope that something extraordinary is about to change our lives forever.

The First Week of Advent

2011-12-01T09:12:00.003-06:00

The beautiful season of Advent has begun! We are going to find an Advent reflection for each week to help guide our preparation for Christmas. Our first one comes from Fr. Neil, a Franciscan Friar, who writes for the Holy Name Province Today Newsletter.

An Advent Reflection
by Neil O’Connell, OFM

Click here to enlarge photo
or to see other photo(s)

Francis of Assisi identified himself as “the herald of the Great King.” Baptized as Giovanni Baptista or “John the Baptizer,” he no doubt wished to imitate his patron, thus Francis is the perpetual Advent person and Franciscan men and women are perpetual Advent people.

As a Franciscan, then, I am a strict Adventist. I avoid doing Christmas things prior to Christmas Eve, since Advent has its own rich and enveloping experience.

A Franciscan Advent is apocalyptic and forward-looking in a creative sense. We stand erect and raise our eyes as we do cosmic and environmental housecleaning for the arrival of the Great King who makes all things new.

A Franciscan Advent is renovational. We straighten out paths twisted by confusion and anxiety, we fill in valleys of poverty and alienation, we bring down mountains of pride and self absorption, we smooth out roads roughened by violence and racism so that all may plainly see the Great King who is always healing.

A Franciscan Advent is evangelical. We announce and live the good news of the Great King who embraces sinners and who refines them into nourishing wheat for others.

A Franciscan Advent is Marian. We, with Mary, bearing the embryonic Word Made Flesh within us, hasten to those once empty to make present to them the Great King who makes their whole being leap with joy.

Since Franciscans do not belong to an exclusive club, they welcome all to be companions in observing a Franciscan Advent. Though Advent concludes prior to the Christmas Vigil, Franciscan women and men and their companions remain adventist for the rest of the year as they herald the Great King in his ministry, passion, death, resurrection and sending of the Spirit.

— Fr. Neil, a former president of St. Bonaventure University, is the Catholic campus minister at Manhattan Community College and Herbert H. Lehman College in the Bronx, where he is also an adjunct professor of history. Other reflections about Advent appear in the blogs written by HNP friars.

Here is the link to the other Holy Name Province Franciscan Friars newsletters if you are interested in reading more. Also, the Province has created resources for leading small group Advent reflections, you can access them here. Lastly, we first found these resources by reading the blog of a fellow volunteer program, the Franciscan Mission Service. Check out their great blog here.

Food, Inc.

2011-11-08T12:18:00.003-06:00

Two weeks ago, for community night we all sat down and watched Food, Inc. together. Have you seen this movie? It is a real eye-opener! Here is a description of the move from the Food, Inc. website:

In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.
Food, Inc. reveals surprising—and often shocking truths—about what we eat, how it's produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here.

Shocking, indeed! We finished the movie feeling as though the problems and injustices seen in various places within the food industry are so big and overwhelming - is there anything we can do? In order to not end the night on a defeating note, we explored the following questions, hoping to uncover small ways in our every day lives that we can bring justice to our food industry and nutrition to our plates:

How do I choose whether I:
1. . . . buy everything organic or only particular food items?
2. . . . buy from the Farmer’s Market (usually organic but often not certified) to
support local produce or certified organic products (usually from larger corporations)?
3. . . . buy organic out of the hope that I will contribute to driving organic food prices down so it is affordable for all, or do I shop at cheaper grocery stores and deny myself certain foods out of solidarity with the poor?
4. . . . eat in season?
5. . . . learn to can, dry, and freeze food?
6. . . . buy name brand foods or generic?
7. . . . drive to the grocery store that is father away (and may be cheaper, or more organic) rather than the one closer? Do I walk, bike, bus or carpool to the store?
8. . . . buy in bulk to avoid packaging waste?
9. . . . shop at the grocery store that has a worker’s union?
10. . . . share food resources with my neighbor?
11. . . . try out gleaning?
12. . . . plant a community or backyard garden?
13. . . . investigate the sustainable food practices of the restaurants I frequent?

Eating sustainably may never be an easy, black and white choice, but there are efforts we can make in our daily lives to choose sustainbale food practices, one step at a time. Listed below are a few more resources for making these choices for those of you in St. Cloud and beyond:

St. Cloud Saturday Farmer’s Market
May 7th through October 29th8:00 AM – 12:00 PMBremer Bank Parking Lot, (Downtown)1100 W St. Germain St.St. Cloud, MN 56301

Good Earth Co-Op
Centennial Plaza2010 Veterans DriveSt. Cloud, MN 56303
http://goodearthcoop.com/

Internet Resource: http://www.sustainabletable.org/

Have trouble eating well and sustainably on a small budget, check out this food blog: Poor Girl Eats Well

How do you choose to eat and live sustainably in your life?

An AmeriCorps Announcement!

2011-10-31T12:47:00.004-05:00

We did it! After two years of hard work, several applications, and many words of encouragement from our supporters we have now become a Catholic Volunteer Network AmeriCorps member!

Just to give you a little bit of history and background, the federal agency, the Corporation for National and Community Service "engages more than five million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve." AmeriCorps as a part of CNCS, was begun in 1994, and provides "opportunities for Americans to make an intensive commitment to service. The AmeriCorps network of local, state, and national service programs engages more than 70,000 Americans in intensive service each year. AmeriCorps members serve through more than 3,000 nonprofits, public agencies,and faith-based and other community organizations, helping meet critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment. The variety of service opportunities is almost unlimited. Members may tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after-school programs, or help communities respond to disasters." For more information visit the CNCS website.

As a part of CVN/AmeriCorps the FCV program, our volunteers, and our service sites have become part of a national movement of service, as well as affiliated with our AmeriCorps State Service Commisstion, ServeMinnesota. Our volunteers also join the ranks of other AmeriCorps members, with access to trainings, resources, and the opportunity to earn an AmeriCorps education award at the completion of their year. This award can be used to pay off student loans or help with future education costs. In a time of rising student loan debt and a slow growth economy, what a valuable reward for our volunteers who dedicate almost a year of their lives to service, community, and spirituality!

You can find a full list here of Catholic Volunteer Networks' 2011-2012 AmeriCorps grantees. Congrats to them all!

The AmeriCorps Pledge

I will get things done for America

- to make our people safer,

smarter, and healthier.

I will bring Americans together

to strengthen our communities.

Faced with apathy,

I will take action.

Faced with conflict,

I will seek common ground.

Faced with adversity,

I will persevere.

I will carry this commitment with me

this year and beyond.

I am an AmeriCorps member,

and I will get things done.

"Leadership: More Integrity than Politics"

2011-10-19T11:45:00.004-05:00

No matter what your political persuasion, the current state of the economy and politics are quite sad. The everyday American is plunging further into debt and unemployment, and it is easy to wonder whether our politicians are paying attention. Every now and then at FCV our conversation turns to this sad state. Here we are working away for social justice and community, but where can we find examples of similar work to inspire us in our larger society? It can be hard to keep hope that our actions are making an impact when those in charge appear to be on a separate wavelength.

Recently I spent a few hours at the OccupyMN protests. This protest, as well as others popping up around the country, are in solidarity with the OccupyWallStreet protests. The goal of these protests, for now, seems to be in expressing anger and disgust over the corporate greed that has been a large part of the root of our current problems. I was drawn to the protest mainly to hang out with one of my friends, but I was blown away by the familial attitude of the protests. At no other protest have I been greeted by the organizers as soon as I walk up. At no other protest have decisions been made through direct democracy and consensus. At no other protest does anyone present have the opportunity to speak.

Despite the positive, friendly attitude that colored the protest, I saw tensions emerging in those first few hours. Because anyone can speak, anyone can bring an issue to the table. Some disagreed with one man who wanted to talk about the racist corruption he had seen among some police and judges. To me, these tensions seemed inevitable - "the Occupation" protests are a big tent -- they bring in people who may never have been to a protest before, who may be of any political persuasion, but who have been employed for months, and have no where else to go.

The more I reflected on this, the more I realized maybe all of this political and economic turmoil is a gift, since it is bringing together people of all races, religions, and economic classes in America who have never been together before. The economic crisis may have brought Americans to our knees, but it largely brought us to our knees together. Maybe our politicians won't be working bipartisan-ly anytime soon, but perhaps Americans are learning to do it without them.

Last weekend FCVers gathered together for a retreat, where we spent a good deal of time talking about leadership and developing our own leadership skills. What a timely topic. FCVers put their leadership skills to work by advocating for those that are perhaps most affected by the economic crisis, struggling on the margins. We shared this article (it starts on page 4) by Joan Chittister, an inspiration on the needs of leadership to focus more on integrity than politics.

Enjoy the article and take a moment to pray this prayer:

Prayer for Leadership

Joan D. Chittister, OSB

Give us, O God,
leaders whose hearts are large enough
to match the breadth of our own souls
and give us souls strong enough
to follow leaders of vision and wisdom.

In seeking a leader,
let us seek more than development
for ourselves —
though development we hope for —
more than security for our own land —
though security we need —
more than satisfaction for our wants —
though many things we desire.

Give us the hearts to choose
the leader who will work with other
leaders to bring safety
to the whole world.

Give us leaders
who lead this nation to virtue
without seeking to impose our kind of virtue
on the virtue of others.

Give us a government
that provides for the advancement
of this country
without taking resources from others
to achieve it.

Give us insight enough ourselves
to choose as leaders those who can tell
strength from power,
growth from greed,
leadership from dominance,
and real greatness from the trappings
of grandiosity.

We trust you, Great God,
to open our hearts to learn from those
to whom you speak in different tongues
and to respect the life and words
of those to whom you entrusted
the good of other parts of this globe.

We beg you, Great God,
give us the vision as a people
to know where global leadership truly lies,
to pursue it diligently,
to require it to protect human rights
for everyone everywhere.

We ask these things, Great God,
with minds open to your word
and hearts that trust in your eternal care.

Amen.

Feast of St. Francis

2011-10-04T09:35:00.002-05:00

Happy Feast of St. Francis! On this feast day, we found the following meditation from Fr. Richard Rohr particularly moving. Enjoy the beautiful day!

Nature as Mirror

Tuesday, October 4
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

I think what modern men and women lack is a deep sense of belonging. That sense of belonging is given to you by God from your very birth, and then it is mirrored to you in the natural world—if you are looking and listening. In nature you can overcome your sense of separateness or alienation—and know you are a part of the whole. If Franciscan spirituality means anything it is founded on a very positive image of human nature and all of creation, “original blessing” instead of original sin.

There is a kind of therapy that I’d like to call “proactive” therapy, in which you don’t try to heal your wounds afterwards. Instead, you rely on your inherent connection with everything and are healed ahead of time into a kind of “hidden wholeness,” as Thomas Merton called it. I call it “the Unified Field,” or as Gerard Manley Hopkins called it “the dearest freshness deep down things.” Inside of the Unified Field you find that it is a good world and you also are inherently good, not because you are independently perfect (you never will be!), but because you belong to the Whole—that is always and deeply good and perfect in its Wholeness (the pleroma, or “fullness” of Colossians 1:19-20). To live inside of such fullness is what it means to be a Franciscan.

From In the Footsteps of Francis: Awakening to Creation webcast
(CD, DVD, MP3)

The Lake Wobegon Regional Trail Ride for the Kids

2011-09-13T14:13:00.007-05:00

We did it! We completed our first fundraiser of the year -- and we did it by biking a total of 100 miles!

On September 10, 2011 Catholic Charities hosted the 6th Annual Lake Wobegon Regional Trail Ride For the Kids. The ride began in St. Joseph and ended in Sauk Centre. Families of all faiths were invited to participate in this benefit event. Funds raised support the Catholic Charities St. Cloud Children’s Home and local participating faith communities (that's us - FCV!).

S. Clara, S. Carmen, S. Joan, and FCVers Tamara, and Julia came out to cheer on the riders (and enjoy some St. Joe Local Blend muffins!) early in the morning at the start. S. Bernice, S. Ange, and FCVer, Anna biked from Freeport to Melrose, a six mile stretch.

Anna, FCV Associate Director and her husband, David, showed their support by biking from St. Joseph to Freeport and back (just over 40 miles!)

Central Minnesota was blessed with a beautiful day and each stop meant new people to meet and share in fellowship with -- it was a wonderful ride! Not to mention the delicious snacks along the way, especially those BBQ meatballs, they were perfect fuel for the ride! We can't wait to do it again next year!

And the 2011-2012 FCV Year Begins!

2011-09-07T15:58:00.005-05:00

After weeks of preparation and anticipation our new volunteers have finally arrived! We are beyond excited to have our four new volunteers making a difference all over St. Cloud!

Our Orientation schedule was jam packed with activities for volunteers to build community with one another, with the Franciscan Sisters, and to get to know the local St. Cloud population. Highlights included a picnic lunch at the beautiful Munsinger gardens, practicing taking buses to our work sites, volunteering to serve food at A Place of Hope, discussing issues of marginalization and service, visiting the Franciscan Sister’s Motherhouse in Little Falls, and their retreat center on the river, creating a community covenant, and sharing in fellowship with site supervisors and sponsors. We finished the week off by formally Commissioning our new volunteers at the Motherhouse. It was a beautiful ceremony – with the sponsors putting the Tau cross over our new volunteers and all present praying over the volunteers with the St. Francis blessing.

The Franciscan Sisters praying over the volunteers at the Commissioning Rite

It has only been a week and a half since our volunteers started work, and two and a half weeks since they arrived, but it already feels as though so much has happen. These times of transition are full of excitement and nervousness. And we are all in need of patience, trust, and openness. It is amazing to see our volunteers, Sisters, and staff already begin to settle into a rhythm for this volunteer year, but also energizing to think of all the unknown growth, changes, and challenges that we will face in the next ten months. In all that we bring to this year, in all we will give, and all we will gain, we ask for God’s blessing:

O Faithful God, as your people,
we cherish our memories
and our history as a sacred gift.
We ask you to guide us in our time of transition.
We need your wisdom, that we might be receptive
to change, conversion and growth.
We need your grace to redirect our hearts
That we may be willing to offer ourselves
in joyful service,
Do not allow fear, ignorance or pride
To limit the work of your Spirit,
Nor custom to prevent
The creativity within us from bearing fruit.
Open our hearts to the call of the Gospel.
Give us courage and renewed hope,
That we may meet the challenge of being
The church of our time.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

We found this prayer here

"Joy Requires Tending"

2011-08-08T16:07:00.002-05:00

I've still been reflecting quite a bit on the subject of my last post -- how to live a life of gentleness in a world ridden with so much of the opposite. Although I can be a bit of a current events junky, I've found myself turning off news radio for vast amounts of time because I've found myself unable to emotionally handle less and less the despair and destruction I hear about on the news. And amidst such terrible news, I have had a hard time being gentle with myself as well. I keep needing to tell myself I don't have to do everything and it is ok that I can't save the world. In the midst of a difficult, yet sunny summer, I came across this article: "Joy Requires Tending" by Lynn M. Levo, CSJ, Ph.D. My hope in sharing this piece is that we can all find inspiration to move out of despair by tending our joy.

Practicing Gentleness

2011-07-19T08:24:00.005-05:00

After a few months of ending our 2010-2011 volunteer year and transitioning into the summer, our hiatus from the blog ends! As the new person at FCV I have been transitioning myself -- as a part of this time I have been soaking up the ideas and history that mark this program. Many of the volunteers and staff have read Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne, so I've been reading through it these past weeks, bringing about several reflections.

Shane helped found The Simple Way in Philadelphia, a community known as a group leading the way in the New Monasticism Movement. Shane and his friends at The Simple Way practice simplicity, nonviolence, and service to the poor. In his book Shane tries to explain that he is not attempting to be an attention-grabbing radical, instead he calls himself an "ordinary radical--" he is just doing what he believes all Christians are called to do. Much of the book is quite challenging -- he doesn't think it is very easy for rich people to go to heaven and he decries the oppressive systems, such as the military-industrial complex and economic class divisons, that mark United States' society. I have to admit, some parts of the book ruffled my feathers, perhaps because I would like to follow the Christian call the way he does, but find myself unable. But in general I agree with Shane, I agree with his social analysis, with his frustration with lukewarm Christians and apathetic middle class lifestyles. I also appreciated, however, his own personal evolution through the book. He acknowledges he began his journey with much more condemnation of those who hold onto their wealth, or live their religion differently than him. Near the end of the book, he increasingly accepts the different ways others live out their Christianity and starts calling for an end to self-righteousness and, instead, the development of gentleness and love with one another.

A few passages stood out to me:

"Just as 'believers' are a dime a dozen in the church, so are 'activists' in social justice circles nowadays. But lovers are hard to come by. And I think that's what our world is desperately in need of -- lovers, people who are building deep, genuine relationships with fellow strugglers along the way, and who actually know the faces of the people behind the issues they are cocnerned about. We are trying to raise up an army not simply of street activists but of lovers -- a community of people who have fallen desperately in love with God and with suffering people, and who allow those relationships to disturb and transform them."

Later Shane calls for a "gentler revolution:"

"Protesters are everywhere, but I think the world is desperately in need of prophets, those little voices that can point us toward another future. Some of us have spent so much time fighting what we are against that we can barely remember what we are for....Most people are aware that something is wrong. The real question is, What are the alternatives?
Protestors are still on the fringes like satellites, revolving around the system. But prophets and poets lead us into a new world, beyond simply yelling at the old one."

Gentleness. This word and these passages stood out to me while I read his last few chapters and reflected on the current state of our country. Swirling around me is political gridlock over the national debt ceiling and the Minnesota state budget. Few are able or willing to compromise. Indeed, during my drive to work I spend a lot (perhaps too much) time listening to National Public Radio. The stories don't get any better. The environment in our country seems laden with antagonism, division, and partisanship. Where is the gentleness? Like Shane, I see the need for those of us who struggle with apathy to feel some righteous anger and injustice, to rise up and fight with the poor and oppressed for rights and justice. But can our righteous anger go too far? Do we sometimes need to step back and remember how to balance what we are against and what we are angry about with what we love and how we want to promote peace? I am not sure how to do this, how to love those people we struggle to like, how to really empathize with "the other," but in the current environment of anger and hurt, I think it is time to try.

If you are interested in reading Shane's book, here is the full publication information:
Shane Claiborne, Irresistable Revolution: Living as an Ordinary Radical (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2006).
If you don't have time to read the whole book, listen to Shane describe his life and work on Krista Tippett's radio show Speaking of Faith.

Photo Credits: http://www.goodreads.com and http://focuswear.ca

The Visitation

2011-05-31T11:22:00.003-05:00

Bro. Mickey McGrath, OSFS
KC
Today’s feast snuck up on me. Probably taken by the sun that has finally awakened, or dazed by the carpooling I did this weekend to make it to my family’s cabin-opening, up north. During this car trip I was voraciously reading a book called The Help. The story is about “the help” of southern households and their experiences as such, in the midst of the civil rights movement in Jackson, Mississippi. The stories that these domestic workers share are heart-wrenching and heart-warming. I have been delighting in this vivacious cast of characters for the past four days.

I am certain that is why I was so struck when I walked by the Franciscan chapel this morning, by the picture of the Visitation that had been prominently displayed, the Windsock Visitation. it is my favorite depiction of the exchange between Mary and Elizabeth; when Elizabeth’s child, John the Baptist leaps within her at the arrival of the Savior in Mary’s womb. These two women, though not dressed in the white uniform of The Help, exude the same energy and personality of the spirited lives of the women I have been reading about. Their love for one another is visible.

This déjà vu experience stirred questions within me about my own encounters with the Spirit as well as the lines I have drawn in my own life, in the routine and unexpected. I hope for the the stamina to love, tangibly, for the wisdom to recognize the Spirit when it knocks and the courage to open the door when it does.

The (alum) are back in town!

2011-05-12T14:18:00.000-05:00

(Charles Schulz)

It has been a real treat this year, keeping up with our alum as they travel, study, find jobs, get married and move, but May has been an exceptional month! Not only did we get the support of one of last year's group at our Taste of St. Cloud, but this week we had two alum join our current volunteers for supper and prayer on Monday. What a riot to have a room full of these folks who are so interconnected in the intentional community quirks from one year to the next. We have been blessed to have one of these alum in town all week. She generously shared a reflection with me which deserves sharing:

A.L.
"...Nearly a year later, I still cherish the Tau cross and all the encouraging notes we received from the Sisters through the year, but what vividly stayed with me are not only the sweet memories but the sincere lessons learned. I don't consider myself an expert on the three pillars of FCV, that is, intentional community, selfless service and open-hearted spirituality, but what I did genuinely experience during those ten months greatly impacted and altered my world-view, which influences my daily life still. God used that time to shape me, even if minutely at first, and I see this more and more in retrospect.

For instance, I feel I have a keener understanding of what joyful brother/sisterhood is like. It is not selfish for sure. Also as an intentional community member last year, I learned things about myself that might otherwise go unnoticed. These revelations were sometimes positive but usually unflattering. Though isn't that a pivotal part of sincere growth, recognizing these things? Since leaving, I continue to notice a few of those positive characteristics prevailing and there was definitely a visible decrease in a good few of those flaws. I learned the importance of grace and I extend it much more freely and naturally...It is my prayer that these lessons learned are important to God and that is why he would have me learn them. Through being tried and refined that year, such lessons are better ingrained in me and I recollect and apply them more naturally and liberally than before, hopefully for His sake and glory."

What a gift it is to be a part of these journeys! Thank you.

A Scientific Recounting of the 2011 Taste of St. Cloud

2011-05-05T11:18:00.003-05:00

Photo Credit Michelle Schefveland

I remember Mr. S, my sixth grade science teacher, telling me that liquid water always expands to fit the container into which it is poured. I found the same to be true of our guests at our 2nd annual Taste of St. Cloud, as our expanded space invited even more folks to come out and celebrate with us than last year. Though it was certainly roomier than our previous years’ gathering, I was amazed by the way our guests filled in at tables and around vendors, listening to the musicians, and enjoying the sun on the southern deck.

We were thrilled by the many familiar faces that were present (Franciscan Sisters, Associates, St. Francis High School Alumnae, FCV alum, FSLF Staff, etc.) on Monday, and even more excited by the numbers of people we were meeting for the first time. No doubt there was a wide array of reasons for coming: to visit with old friends, to try many local restaurants in one fell swoop, to connect with Franciscan Sisters or the Franciscan Community Volunteers. Though, it is our hope that all of those who joined us that day learned a little something new about the program (FCV) that they so heartily supported.

It is an exciting time of the year both because of the volunteers’ level of confidence in the job that they have been doing and the expertise that they bring to it, along with their evolving plans for the coming months. That paired with the enthusiasm of the incoming group’s enthusiasm and curiosity around the journey that they are agreeing to enter into. There is something bittersweet of this thrust of growth, and in turn, moving on. Our 2010-11 FCVs will finish up their year of service next month with a closing retreat at Clare’s Well. Thank you for the many ways your prayers and presence have supported this group.

Plans are already underway for next year’s Taste which is to take place at Territory Golf Course on May 7th, 2012. Mark your calendars and plan to join us again!

Season of celebration

2011-04-29T08:57:00.003-05:00

In St. Cloud, MN we're celebrating Easter, spring, upcoming graduations and the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere (finally!). What better way to capitalize on such a collection of happy events than by coming out to the Territory Golf Course for the Taste of St. Cloud on Monday May 2?! There will be food from 16 local restaurants, live music, excellent silent auction items, Franciscan Sisters, Franciscan Community Volunteers and plenty of community supporters. Tickets are $25 online (click here) or $30 at the door on Monday. Proceeds go to support the FCV program, which provides over 7,000 hours of community service annually.
We hope to see you there!

The Cross of Jesus

2011-03-22T11:23:00.004-05:00

(picture)
C.S.
Lent is a time in the Church year when Christians focus on the Paschal Mystery, meaning the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Lent is a time to relate to and
ponder the cross of Jesus Christ. Do we view the cross as a place of guilt and judgment or a place of conversion and freedom?

Pondering these questions brings me to my knees. It gets me to wrestle with some very core questions. Who am I? Whose am I? What is most important in my life? What is freedom? In choosing to love is it necessary to choose to suffer?
St. Francis spent much of his life contemplating the Cross of Jesus. In this contemplation he asked and pondered a basic question, “Who are you God and who am I, Francis?” It is in front the Cross of Jesus, that Francis discovers God’s unconditional love. Francis comes to know a God who always chooses to Love. Love is God’s very essence. Gradually Francis comes to know that the reason God became one of us in our humanity as Jesus was precisely to teach us by word and example what it means to love.

It is before the Cross of Jesus that Francis also discovered his own purpose for life itself, namely to turn from selfishness in order to choose to love God and to choose to live a life of love. This kind of love is not easy…there is a cost to love. Jesus expressed his immense love for us when he chose to accept his own cross and death on our behalf. Francis sought to love like Jesus did—and this for him was a life of daily conversion.

What an example Francis is for me. As a Franciscan, I’m realizing more and more that my life too is basically a call to love. It too, is a call of conversion meaning I need to turn from selfishness to love. Even a life of daily conversion in itself would be totally impossible except that I know that God takes the initiative in loving me whether I love or not. The way of daily conversion is to rely on God’s love and grace to help me to be able to freely choose to love.

Namesake: Holy Identity Crisis

2011-03-03T13:55:00.002-06:00

(Picture)
KC
Working with Franciscans, I have observed a great many traditions that cause me to ask where I have learned (or not) to ritualize the important occasions that mark a lifetime: birthdays, death anniversaries, feast days, days of Sacramental celebrations, etc. What beauty there is in dwelling upon the Spirit that animates the lives that have passed and those that continue to live on in us. A thing I have vowed to ‘do’ better.

I am told that I am named after my great grandma, Catherine, who single-handedly raised nine children under one small roof in rural Wisconsin. I never had the privilege of meeting her, though I have heard stories and often thought of the connection we might have shared. No doubt her hands were raw and she spent late nights to ensure her children were clothed and fed. No doubt, she was a force to be reckoned with. There are days I relish this history; days I need to be reminded of my own strength.

Other days, I wonder. Was there someone that spoke to my great grandma Catherine, who, gave her solace on days her load seemed too heavy to bear? I’ve often imagined it to be Catherine of Siena, the peacemaker who brought unity to a divided Church. It could have been, Catherine of Alexandria, intercessor and evangelist who accompanied my grandmother through nights of worry? It has not been until recently that I discovered Katharine Drexel (who celebrates her feast day today), likely my great grandmother’s contemporary, who though poor, challenged perceptions of fair treatment of people, particularly Native Americans. It begs the question in my heart, to which 'Catherine' am I innately connected?

I love imagining these possible relationships-past and mulling about what these women have to share with me now. And when I do, Rainer Maria Wilke’s words echo in my ear: “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.”

Amen

Otter Tail

2011-02-28T14:22:00.003-06:00

E.M.
A little over a week ago, we headed to Otter Tail for a weekend of relaxation and reflection. We had a chance to wander outside onto the frozen Otter Tail lake, sit by the fire, and play a crazy game of charades.

We had time to reflect on the past 6 or so months and look forward to the decisions about “what next” that are looming in front of us. The weekend was much needed time away from the busyness of work and everyday life. I know that I spend much of my week running from appointment to meeting and don’t take the time to see where God is leading. The retreat weekend gave the volunteers time to take a breather and think about where we are being led after this year.

Groundhogs Day Musings for a Spring Day

2011-02-15T16:10:00.004-06:00

A couple of weeks ago we re-visited an old movie that resulted in an impressive, introspective conversation. Enjoy the snip-its.

***
The repetition of our service sites in our day to day existence, in many ways, parallels the plot of Groundhog Day. We go to work, come home, go to work, come home, shovel; we can easily get lost in our own stories and not see the impact that we have on others in our lives. Here lies the connection to the film- we can awaken our caring, aware selves to break the routine of our days and see each day as its own world, its own universe. Like Bill Murray, many of us can lose sight of our best selves; however, like Bill Murray, we can learn to adapt to our surroundings and live to conquer our situation.
***
As I watched the movie, Groundhogs Day, I found myself feeling a variety of emotions...He was so puffed up with pride, and expected that everyone was there to ‘dance’ to his arrogant desires. Even after several repeated opportunities to ‘grow up’ he continues to be immature, full of self-pity and self indulgence.
At times I found myself laughing at the trap that he was experiencing. When would he finally get it? And then was I identifying with him and my laughter at him perhaps was ironically also laughing at myself?...
Happiness does not come from outside of a person but from within. The endless cycle of unhappy events doesn’t change for Murray until he looks within himself and decides to make the breakthrough and redirects his focus outside of himself. How true it is that selfishness traps a person…but by choosing to be other-centered truer happiness can reign.
***
Faced with the challenge of living life on repeat, he initially copes by satiating himself in instantly gratifying ways. His struggles to find meaning and purpose in Punxsutawney lead him to a path of hedonism. Not surprisingly, he finds his attempts to either be futile or empty...Unfortunately, we do not have the luxury of redoing our days until the lesson sinks in. And, many people do see their lives as repetitive and lacking in meaning. Take every opportunity to redeem yourself and begin anew. Pick up the broken pieces. Try again. It is okay to mess up. So long as you don’t quit, one day you will find a way to fix “it”. It is through this process by which we hone our skills, ourselves and our relationship with God.
***
I was touched by the radically different ways that Phil approached February 2 throughout the movie. At the beginning of the film he is sarcastic, angry and impressed with himself. As he continues to wake up on the same day, his attention is divided by the variety of ways he can spend his time—his character changes from one of completely self-absorbed motives, to one who lives with great attention to others. What begins as possibly the low-point of a TV weatherman’s year, a report from Punxsutawney, PA, can range from angry and self-pitying to a day when he is lovingly received by another. He sees himself as a better person and is seen as such. Although he is trapped inside a day that is not of his choosing, he is given a great opportunity to encounter himself—with all of the negative and positive attributes therein. I have to ask myself if the same were to happen to me, what would I find and would I like what I saw?

Beauty

2011-02-04T15:52:00.003-06:00

C.S.
Beauty as defined by Webster is "1) the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit. 2)Loveliness."

Whenever St. Francis saw something of beauty he would contemplate the Beautiful. At times Francis would pray to God saying, “You are Beauty”.

Recently I spent a week in Sedona, Arizona. For anyone who hasn’t gone there, know that there is so much beauty there waiting for you. The red rock mountains, the clear blue sky, the blooming cacti, the many winged creatures all had me spellbound. While there I thought of St. Francis and I found myself praying, “O God, what beauty you have given to us! O God, you alone could be the artist of such great beauty. You God are Beauty”.

I realize anew the necessity of beauty in our lives. I believe that in the chaotic pace of life, it is important to pause frequently to look for beauty. While not all can flee to Arizona to find beauty, it really is all around us. Pause, look around, do you see the beauty? Do you hear it? Just today I have found it in the spontaneity of a child’s smile, in the twinkle of a friend’s eye, the complicity of a snowflake and in the frost on the windows of our porch.

You should probably know...

2011-01-19T10:58:00.012-06:00

K.C.

The longest nights of winter seem to be shortening and the cold sunrises have been beautiful and early. Christmas has passed and we have returned to Ordinary Time in the lectionary. I know this because the carols are no longer tugging at my nostolgic self (and I love Christmas carols!). No, the heart of winter has arrived and I have no further need of Jack Frost nipping at my nose or winter storms for that matter.

Beneath these typical mid-winter sentiments, I know that what is nagging at me is a bit deeper than chilled discomfort. I have been haunted lately by an image I have begun to encounter, regularly--or rather, my reaction to it. Most often I see him before eight o'clock in the morning and again around five. A thin figure on the side of the road, holding a sign, seeking help. Typically he faces a different direction, so I have never seen the nature of his request, but generally plodded the rest of the way to work through traffic with a heavy heart.

It was an errand that took me off of my usual path along with the persistant nudging of Matthew 25, resisting a wait of one more day. Already in the grocery store, I realized my return route would take me right past this man's corner post. Never sure of the best course of action in these situations, I gathered him a warm lunch and headed to the parking lot. As I approached, he walked through deep drifts to meet me. I told him he looked cold. He smiled at me and I was struck by his clear blue eyes. He thanked me and told me that he thought I was very kind. Sheepishly, I walked away, feeling as though I had prolonged his struggle rather than assisting him in finding any real resolution.

I do not share this story for any reason but to pass on the glimpse of Love that I got during my short interaction with this man. I know that there are programs and shelters in our city that are set up to assist him. For all I know, he is already staying at one, biding his 7 am to 5 pm stretch in the hopes of a different way out. He and I both know that he deserves better, as do the hundreds of people who bear the cold days in Minnesota, outside. Despite this knowledge and his seemingly futile efforts for change, this man acted out of a deeper kindness and sincerity than I imagine him to have been shown in a long stretch of time. More loving, in fact, than I am on many occasions.

For this Sir, I am humbled and deeply grateful...and you should probably know, that you remind me of Jesus.

Volunteer Article in the St. Cloud Times

2011-01-17T14:25:00.002-06:00

Click here for FCV article.

Modern-day Mary & Joseph

2010-12-20T10:17:00.003-06:00

C.S.
By the time we reached Minneapolis for the 26th annual Homeless Memorial March and Service, it was dark and cold. We joined hundreds of men, women, and children of all ages who all gathered for this march of five miles honoring the homeless who had died on our state’s streets in 2010. We marched in silence, as each carried a sign with the name, age and the city in which that specific homeless man, woman, or child died. We began the march all bundled up in our wintry woolens but soon, in the bitter cold of this frosty night I felt a solidarity with the plight of the homeless of the cruel, wintry streets of Minnesota.

Walking along the snowy, icy, and sometimes unshoveled side roads and the more traveled pathways of the elegantly decorated restaurants and stores of Nicollet Avenue I sensed the contrast of the haves and those who do not have. Shoppers and on-lookers alike stopped to behold the contrast. In my heart I was wondered if this was how Mary and Joseph may have felt in search for place for Jesus’ birth. Like them, do the homeless sometimes feel that there is ‘no place in the inn for them?’ Could even a donkey, a sheep, and a cow survive on a cold MN winter night?

Our march ended at Simpson United Methodist Church, where up to 46 homeless stay every night in the emergency shelter operated by Simpson Housing Services. An even larger group had already assembled there for a service of remembrance. Here some family members, friends, or care-takers of the homeless shared personal stories as we all paid tribute the homeless of Minnesota who had perhaps died too young, too alone, or to tragically.

We prayed: To the living, we are gone.
To the sorrowful, we will never return
To the angry, we were cheated.
We cannot be seen, but we can be remembered.
Remember us in your heart, your thoughts, and your memories.
Of the times we loved, the times we cried, the times we fought,
and the times we laughed.
For if you always think of us, we will have never gone.

Thanks to Simpson United Methodist Church for hosting this 26th Annual Homeless Memorial March. Thanks for the hospitality of a warm delicious Turkey Dinner with which we closed the evening.

Silent Psalm of Winter

2010-12-14T12:07:00.004-06:00

(pic)
GM
Sitting outside (briefly) the other night, I was reminded of how the quiet of winter is itself a song heard by those with the icy ears to hear them. The Ishvara, the Franciscans and many others with a powerful appreciation for the glory of creation have written at length about the powerful songs of praise that resonate in nature. Winter is a time of rest. Often, winter is referenced to as a a period of deadness in literature, but we should not only see the end in the snowy silence, but the potential for new beginings! The snow and ice are the same water that will rain upon the land in spring and raise up the grass and cause the birds to sing once again. How can we as practitioners learn from the lessons of the cold sun of winter?

Shanti! (Peace!)

The waiting game

2010-12-10T14:14:00.006-06:00

KC
After celebrating the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and attending the birth of a new baby the same evening, I have been thinking a lot about waiting. The kind of waiting that reminds you that what is coming is going to be significant: a test score, x-ray results, preparation for marriage, having a baby… waiting for Christmas. As Christians, we have a long history of waiting—and reaping the benefits, spiritual and otherwise, of that wait. The liturgical milieu of waiting can include fasting, retreating, Sacramental preparation, Advent wreaths—each occasion in which we hope to be changed by our participation in that larger event.

Perhaps it was the very honest observation made in the delivery room by a first time father that struck me: “I didn’t realize it took so long to get to the delivery part.” What resonated so deeply with me was the idea that coming to the hospital tonight probably meant for him, an end to the waiting; Participation in that famous scene from a movie, the main event, the end result! And it is, mostly. The more I thought about it, I wondered: Isn’t that the very thing we long for as Christians, ministers, human beings? To witnesses first-hand (and immediately, of course!), the fruits of our [God’s] labors?

And there it is—sweet humility.

The end result, no matter my role as participant in the work of an idea/process/baby, is that it is not any more mine in the end than it was God’s to begin with! This is where my heart has settled this Advent season—gratitude for my role as participant in something much greater than I could have imagined. I have long loved the prayer by Archbishop Oscar Romero, but understand it with new perspective this year.

Happy Advent!

"Creating a Holy Counterculture"

2010-11-19T13:12:00.005-06:00

KC
Last night our group had the tremendous opportunity to hear author and speaker Shane Claiborne at an event called "Faith & Life." Being familiar with his book Irresistable Revolution, I was anxious to hear him in person. I was not disappointed.

What most impresses me about this man, his community and the message they live in the world, is that it is a peaceful voice in the storm. Not an accusatory 'thou shall not' message, nor does he prescribe *the* solution for creating a more just and loving world. Yet, he embraces the creativity of Jesus and the Prophets and applauds the creative efforts of others whose faith has called them to live, differently. One example he gave was a church that was not licensed to house overnight guests as a shelter during the winter months, who then began offering an all night "revival" beginning with a church service and followed by several hours of silent contemplation! In the same way Jesus in his ministry was creative, so too are we called to be.

He gave great attention to one group I had not expected to hear about: the Amish. The Amish are a group known for their dedication to a life that is different, intrinsically. He reminded the audience of the violence that erupted a few years ago in an Amish community in PA whereby several students were killed. Amidst all of the atrocities, what made headlines worldwide was the response of the families of the community, families of the children. These families went to the house of the man who'd killed their children and not only forgave his actions, but consoled his family as they mourned. More than just as a country, as the world read on, we were awe-struck. Who can forgive such an evil? How does love inform our reaction to violence in the world and what difference does it make? Clearly, it leaves a lasting impression and one that seemingly, the world is hungry for.

Noteworthy was his ability to move with great attention with the questions from the audience about teen suicide and family members who are soldiers, to those whose hearts have been forever changed in places like Uganda and South Africa that have returned to live in the wealthiest nation in the world. All the while, he seems to remain grounded by interjecting the humor and the absurdity of living in a world that makes authentic Christianity counter-cultural. I am convinced it is this joviality that allows for him to "take the Bible in one hand with a newspaper in the other" and to continue to be nourished by life-giving work that has begun in an economically-struggling neighborhood in Philly.
I am thankful for the perspective.

We are the clay and you are the potter

2010-11-16T15:38:00.002-06:00

“we are the clay and you the potter: we are all the work of your hands.” ~Isaiah 64.7

A.C.
Having been blessed with the ability to take a pottery class, the image of God as potter is often on my mind. I had never touched a pottery wheel before November 2010. I had a vision that if it were not an easy craft, at least the one at the wheel had full control and power to manipulate the clay to be exactly as s/he envisioned.
For a beginner this is certainly not true. At the wheel I’ve learned to begin with a rough idea of what I would prefer my end product to resemble. I’ve learned that too much force can send the clay flying or break the wall of a cylinder. It seems I am merely a guide, giving some form while allowing the clay to become what it will. With this mindset I have thrown some pieces more beautiful than I planned.
My heart rejoices in the gentle Guide. I contemplate that though force could be used, God instead chooses to give radical freedom. I trust that if I let God work, I will be more magnificent than I can imagine. And as I lay down my plans at the feet of the Lover, I pray to be formed into a vessel of peace.

Mission Congress 2010

2010-11-08T12:54:00.002-06:00

C.S.
The word catholic means universal! This became very evident as over 400 of us gathered in Albuquerque, New Mexico on October 28-31, for Mission Congress, 2010! Present at this gathering was the energy of the young adults, the experience of missionaries (priests, brothers, sisters, and lay persons) from across the world as well as the multiple facets of home missionaries. Amidst the many ordained were twenty three bishops. What we all had in common was a desire to make every life count, including their own and excluding nobody!
The theme of the gathering, “God’s Mission, Many Faces: A Portrait of US Catholics in Mission" was co-sponsored by the United States Catholic Mission Association, Catholic Volunteer Network, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Black and Indian Mission Office and Catholic Extension.
These organizations share a common commitment to the cross-cultural and global mission of Jesus Christ in Service to the Church and the World. This commitment needs to be one of deep passion and hope in working toward the Common Good of all. Today we are experiencing a globalization of poverty and injustices. There is a deep divide between the rich and the poor, the have’s and the have-nots. The injustices toward our environment, against women and children are severe. Inequalities within and among nations, and prejudices are breaking us apart. Participants were moved and challenged by speakers who because of their experience as missionaries, their immersion in a variety of cultures across the globe, and their deep faith spoke with conviction. These witnesses uprooted the comfortable for yes, ‘It is time to be turned upside down’. If you wish to hear some of these lectures you can still do so at www. United States Catholic Mission.com.

New City

2010-10-29T11:20:00.003-05:00

(map)
E.M.

In the past 2 months, I have been welcomed by St. Cloud. I have learned my way around town, mastered the bus schedule, and navigated doctor’s visits with medical terminology that was as foreign to my ears as it was to the Somali refugees I helped. In turn, I have welcomed refugees to St. Cloud. A couple people have observed that I “learned” St. Cloud alongside the Somali refugees I help. I agreed – we both came here around the same time without knowing anything about the city. That is, until one made a comment to me. She said, “…but you’re not learning in a new language.”

Her comment struck a chord with me. She was right. I don’t have to wave my hands and say “no English” when people try to explain something to me. I can read the bus maps, street signs, medical information, and anything else thrown my way. Minnesotans may have a different accent than Ohioans, but we still speak the same language. Many of the refugees I work with at LSS are not able to successfully read the bus maps when they first arrive or visit the doctor by themselves – without the help of an interpreter. This is a new world for them. St. Cloud, despite being more agriculturally based, isn’t a world away from my home in Ohio. I didn’t travel across the world from the refugee camps of Nakivale in Uganda or Ifo in Kenya. I’ve kept her comment in mind as I’ve worked with other refugees, remembering that the difficulties they face as they transition into life in St. Cloud.

Social Creatures and story-telling

2010-09-21T14:33:00.007-05:00

(Image)

K.C.
There is something about story-telling (actually, story-hearing) that I will always love. To this day, when I am sick, I revert to my eight year old self and will happily listen to the words of a story, smeared in Vick's and bundled under flannel sheets. When this is not an option, however, I am accustomed to settling for a favorite movie to relay a story to me instead. I drive slower if my arrival at a particular destination will interrupt one of my favorite story-tellers, Garrison Keillor, with a rendition of the news from Lake Wobegone. I marvel at the words that pop out when different voices read the same Scriptural passages, and appreciate the significance of this Christian tradition, knowing that our inspired texts were intended to be communicated, orally!

Yesterday the FCVs met for a continuation of our own story-telling as a means to get to know one another and what brought each of us together for this year, individually. It has been and continues to be a humbling process to hear these precious details included in these sharings. Not surprisingly there have been themes of deeply impactful service, social justice, conversion and faith, but even more beautiful for me has been the description of friendships and relationships that have fostered the growth that this group has experienced.

It seems as though contemporary culture would suggest that our story-telling phase be finished upon the completion of elementary school; though as a culture I suspect we would have a great deal to learn from those who incorporate it as a life-long art. For today I hope for each of us, many story-tellers, friends whose stories are as dear as your own, and continuing opportunities to know and be known.

Change in the Air

2010-09-08T11:39:00.003-05:00

CS
The shorter days, the cooler weather as well as the changing color of the trees and the ringing of the school bell across the street all speak to me today of the need to let go of summer for autumn is upon us. Everywhere there are icons of autumn; geese honking their farewells, squirrels scurrying to fill their winter cupboards, and fall harvesting. Much as I’d like to hang on to the warmth and light of summertime I know it is not possible. When it comes to the changing of the seasons I am not in control.
So I ask myself, what’s the message in all of this? For sure with the harvesting of produce: tomatoes, sweet corn, squash, beets, pumpkins, I find myself needing to celebrate a festival of Thanksgiving. From the tiny seeds planted just a few months ago, Mother Earth has multiplied fresh produce to stock our cupboards. Thanks God!
Another message of the arrival of Fall and the approaching Winter season is the necessity to be open to change and transformation in all of life…especially my own. The bittersweet truth in the air is a chilling reminder that all things are transitory. We are reminded that we are not to cling to God’s Gifts….and that we are not God. At the same time we have the confidence that our God is a giver of gifts for all kinds of weather and all stages of our inner transformation.
So the Season of Fall is an invitation to let go, to yield, to welcome transformation. I’m reminded of the Scripture reading from the Prophet Isaiah, “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” For me I’m hearing, “what in my life needs to fall away like fall’s colored leaves, so another life waiting in the wings can have its turn to live?”

The Eeyore in Me

2010-09-01T08:12:00.004-05:00

Photo
W.E.
Last week, the Franciscan Community Volunteers went to Camp Shamineau. It was a wonderful day full of team-building exercises: crawling through the forest in blindfolds, unraveling a series of human/rope knots and zip lining. Oddly, the most startling revelation of the day came very early on. Our wonderful guide, Charlie, broke the ice by asking us which cartoon character we identified with the most. The answer was indubitably, Eeyore!
I did not flinch. I did not second guess. I knew. From the tender age of 7, this beloved A. A. Milne character has captured my heart. My favorite picture of Eeyore is one where he is sitting while a butterfly rests on his nose. It illustrates unquestionable gentility and innocence. It gives us a glimpse of his imperfection and how that makes the world more beautiful. Truly, Eeyore was Franciscan by heart.
I have grown to appreciate the Eeyorean heart. First, Eeyore is persistent. He unceasingly rebuilds his house after its continuous collapse. Second, people take him at face value and dismiss him because he isn't bouncy, happy or charming. Yet, he is the only character in the show that was able to grow a plant out of love and compassion. Even Rabbit, the farmer, failed to succeed at this feat. Eeyore is often overlooked. I feel that I am too; hence, I am a sad person, a blue person…but mostly, a more introspective person. Some people fear sadness. I do not. I embrace it. I wish to see beyond your façade and be there for you.
Halfway between screaming for dear life and freefalling into the Minnesotan forest, I realized that I am not just like him. I AM Eeyore. I came to this new Hundred Acre Wood, looking for community and peace. I hoped that I wouldn’t be too different or peculiar. I hoped that everyone else would be bluish gray and come with a detachable tail. Instead, I found myself in the middle of bouncing Tiggers, thoughtful Piglets and Vegetarian Poohs. I sigh to myself and said, “Oh well, this is beautiful too!”

Something New

2010-08-02T10:11:00.008-05:00

K.C.
Talking with my husband yesterday, we were recalling the feeling that comes with August; that change is in the air. This will be the first in many years that neither of us are buying books for classes to begin in the coming weeks. It is a combination of feeling liberated and nostalgic; the arrival of something new and the relinquishing of a familiar 'new.'

As I turned the calendar to August in my office at the Franciscan Welcoming House this morning, I was filled with a new sense of August anticipation. I am anxious to meet the incoming group of volunteers who will be moving to St. Cloud in a few weeks. What will this group be like? How will they be challenged by their willingness to commit a year to service? How will I be changed as a witness to this process? The season of planning, interviewing and applications will come to a close as our journey with this group begins.

Stay tuned for posts from the volunteers as they arrive and begin to document their time as Franciscan Community Volunteers. Remember, community nights are Monday nights beginning in September. Join us!

Newman Blessing

2010-07-07T16:23:00.002-05:00

C.S.
On Sunday, June 27th the four Franciscan Community Volunteers received a blessing at Christ the King Church at the Newman Center in St. Cloud. Webster defines a blessing in these three ways: “a prayer asking God to show special favor or benediction; a brief prayer of giving thanks; and a wish for happiness and success”. Take your pick ,in this case I’m picking all three!
Spencer Buchert, Caitie Tobin, Alicia Landale, and William Braun completed their term of full time service as Franciscan Community Volunteers. Pastor, Tony Olerich and parishioners and friends with hands extended offered them their blessing.
During the next three days they enjoyed a wonderful refreshing retreat at Clare’s Well in Annandale. These days highlighted the learnings, joy, and growth of the past year. There is a familiar saying, “God is never outdone in generosity.” For sure these volunteers have been generous in their commitment and I’m sure God will bless them abundantly.

Hospitals and Churches

2010-07-02T08:41:00.007-05:00

K.J.
Most towns have them. In many ways, either could be defined as the social center of any established group of people--documenting the births, deaths, illnesses and recoveries of each individual that walks through its doors. Both abound with the buzz of meal preparation, visitors, family and life-as it comes. Each provides shelter and a place for restoration. Matthew juxtaposes the two, nicely in today's Gospel reading.

To be honest, I love the Gospel of Matthew. It speaks to me. I love that it begins with the infancy narrative, that several women are included in his Genealogy account and the poignant distinctions that are drawn between the status quo and Jesus' vision for humanity; the prophetic witness that I am not to serve my brother/sister as if they could be Jesus, but quite plainly, as Jesus. I am thankful for the bridge his account provides me into Christianity's Jewish roots as he preached and educated in the vernacular of the Jewish tradition. In addition to the spiritual nourishment I receive from Matthew's writings, he is practical.

That said, I owe some of my deepest insights into God and the Body of Christ, to those who do not identify as 'Christian.' These pillars often provide me with examples of out-of-the box goodness and a view from a vantage point I do not always see. I was reminded of this 'practical side' as I read today's Gospel. "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words...I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." After exhaustive conversations with friends and relations who have lost interest in identifying with a faith tradition, I am often struck by their honest reflections of what it is like for them to be at church. There are many persons who have shaped the way that I hear this Gospel reading. One person in particular has formed my understanding of this verse.

You may or may not have experience attending Mass with a person peppered with tattoos and piercings, eccentricities or handicaps, unsure of all the words to say and when to say them, but surely you remember when one of these has entered your sanctuary amidst the 'usual crowd.' In my own experience with this person, there has been no interest in returning to such a place of division between those who belong and those who do not. Due in large part to the conversations that have followed these encounters, I have to ask myself how often I identify places of worship as hospitals for souls as Jesus did, rather than places to be set apart like the Pharisees. Do I enter expecting reparation, diagnosis and relief? Do I foster it?

As we parted with our volunteers this week after ten months of full time service, I was left with a tremendous sense of comfort in the abilities of these four men and women to do just that. Thank you for your service this year, your ability to see Jesus in distressing disguises, your tremendous compassion and willingness to be surprised by the Spirit of God.

Winding Down

2010-06-22T09:37:00.004-05:00

Photo
A.L.
In the last few days — literally — of this commitment to service, of course I am reflecting constantly on what the program and my time at the residential treatment home for kids has meant for me. It is true that there is significance in our suffering and stumbles — how deep it turns out to be depends on me and my perspective.
I am naturally a negative person, not necessarily pessimistic, but I zero in on flaws rather than perfections, struggles rather than successes. Regardless of specifics, it’s been a hard year. My confidence has been rebuilding itself with painstaking slowness. But the significance in these stumbles is surfacing, and if nothing else, they served to shape my character.
For instance, I know that I have a gift of calmness that automatically rears itself in otherwise frazzling circumstances. That is such a gem when working with frustrated, on-edge, at-risk kids. Perseverance, too, has shined when both staff and students let me down or don’t follow through. And I’m learning flexibility when dealing with the childrens’ mood swings. In general, I’m learning, and that is satisfying.
On the flip side, I’m ridiculously self-conscious around kids. I always have been. That triggers doubts in my recent decision to pursue a career teaching/mentoring kids, despite the feeling that I am intentionally nudged by God to do so. I’ve realized how little trust I put in God and how much I put in the kids’ perception of me. Getting that improper source of validation out of my system, which has honestly been in place for a decade, is a hard pill to swallow.
As far as my relationship with God goes, I have a more rooted understanding of the deep impact of grace in my life. I also understand that God is good and works out good things through anything and everything — especially amidst the terror in the world of the poor and marginalized, and the hurt and battered children I see every day. I don’t think I would have made it through these challenging months without a firm grasp of His goodness, because without it there is such little purpose to the suffering that goes on in these kids’ lives. God has to be infinitely and supremely good, otherwise we would go insane.
I know God wants me to take advantage of this time of service, to grasp the blessings and experience sincere joy by caring for the marginalized. I pray this is my perspective as I wind down my time as a volunteer, I pray that I finish strong and give God the glory.

A birthday gift that was even better than expected

2010-06-10T11:36:00.007-05:00

Photo
C.S.
To celebrate my birthday last Saturday I was gifted with the opportunity to see the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Science Museum in St. Paul. To prepare for this privilege I attended a presentation on the “Dead Sea Scrolls” at St. John’s University.While I went to see the Dead Sea Scrolls with great expectations, the privilege of seeing the exhibit was more than I could have hoped!
At the Museum we were guided through the exhibit with a hand-held device that guided each of us with a running presentation on every aspect of the exhibit. This device served as my personalized guide, telling me about the significance, detail, and history of everything on display. In about 3 hours I saw and heard what a great biblical discovery the Dead Sea Scrolls are to all of humankind. The discovery of these scrolls in 1947 which include segments or portions of scrolls from each of the books of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) with the exception of the Book of Esther are now being studied with renewed interest and scholarship. This research and study embraces all the sons and daughters of Abraham, whether Jew, Christian, or Muslim, for we share a common history and a common destiny. Our God is so good; we are one family in God!
It wasn’t hard for me to imagine Jesus, reading from one of these scrolls (stored in a ceramic containers) whenever he went to the synagogue. While at the exhibit I recalled how Jesus began his public ministry by standing up to read at the synagogue from a scroll of the Prophet Isaiah (Luke 4:16-19). How awesome it was to realize that this is how the Scriptures were passed on and studied by Jesus. After Jesus read this particular passage from the scroll he said, “This text is being fulfilled even as you listen.” How profound is the Prologue to the Gospel of John 1: 1-18 – so pregnant with new life! That is how Jesus’ starts his ministry. Likewise it is for us, our call to ministry. What a great birthday gift to realize this anew! I sensed a great connection with Our God of History, and Our God of Presence. Indeed our God is a God of All Time and All Eternity.

Immeasurable

2010-05-25T08:30:00.011-05:00

Picture
KJ
The last major oil spill that I can recall, occured in the late 80's. I can remember it especially because of the images of the seals and other wildlife being scrubbed clean of the oil that clung to their thick coats. Fast-forwarding more than twenty years, I am saddened to watch the same events unfold, but I am aware of a significantly more far-reaching affect that this accident will have on the livelihood of many businesses and business owners in addition to the wildlife that take to the Gulf each day. I have been waiting for an optimistic perspective, a success in the containment of the spill, an angle with which to reflect on this tragedy, and I believe I found it on Sunday.

Walking into the sanctuary covered by red banners, flowers and clothing in celebration of Pentecost, I was taken with the spirit of joy present therein. This lesser-known person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, seemed to make a splashy entrance into our midst as we talked about fire, wind, breath of God, doves and so on. How good it is to be reminded of God’s gift to us, by way of an unceasing Spirit. And, how good it is to be known so well as to receive a gift of unending presence for times life hands us challenges that we could not withstand alone.

Two thousand years ago, the gift of the Spirit may have seemed superfluous to the disciples, a group who had had the living God in their midst seemingly quite casually. How could they have understood or imagined that this gift of presence would be enough to support and strengthen them, not to mention, generations beyond them? Might they have considered that what had once seemed a meager contribution to members of their small community could enliven and sustain a people hungry for God? I doubt it.

Though perhaps an odd analogy, the oil spill in the Gulf Coast illustrates something akin to what the disciples experienced with the descent of the Holy Spirit. What started in a very small way, including a handful of individuals, has spread unexplicably to become celebrated by millions of Christians, particularly on the feast of Pentecost and at Confirmation. If we glean one thing from the natural disaster occurring to the south, perhaps it could serve as a visual for the immeasurability of the Spirit’s movement and presence among us, still.

Special Inviation

2010-05-17T15:16:00.004-05:00

Little Falls Franciscans to celebrate the temporary vows of their newest sisters on June 12. Mass at 11 am, followed by a meal. If you're interested in participating in this beautiful and joyful day, please contact kjanssen@fslf.org for more information.

The Church that has a Future

2010-05-12T09:01:00.004-05:00

Photo
C.S.
In many circles that I find myself, whether that is with seniors, baby boomers, generation Xers or millennials, the topic of conversation often comes to ‘where is our Church headed?’ Concerns expressed extend from ‘a misuse of power, a financial crunch, a lack of financial support, differences in belief in terms of religion and spirituality, to a lack of desire for involvement in terms of any personal commitment.

Any Church historian would probably ask, ‘So, what’s new?’ No time in history ever had a Church without concerns. While I believe that is so, I do believe each of us have has a responsibility to build a Church for the future.

How is a Church with a future built? Some of the needed building blocks relate to creating a Church culture as well as improving our capacity for gift-giving. We build a more positive Church culture by shifting from simply spectating to experiencing and participating. It is also important to shift from individualism to community.

As we near the season of Pentecost, it’s important to recall that the Holy Spirit is gifting each of us with a variety of gifts, and with different gifts. I’ll always remember Fr. Godfrey Diekmann, OSB proclaiming that ‘in every church or faith community there always are the variety of gifts needed to make that community alive and viable.’ Perhaps it is time for each of us to take stock of our own gifts and to recognize the gifts of each other. All gifts need to be surfaced, connected with opportunities, offered, received and affirmed. With the Holy Spirit’s help we can become the Church with a future.

Come Holy Spirit,
Help me (us) be that Church that has a future. Amen.

Green Laundry Tips

2010-05-05T13:29:00.003-05:00

For one gallon:
13 cups hot tap water
4 tbsp washing soda
2 tbsp Borax
1 oz castille soap

Prep. Suggestions:
-Save an empty laundry detergent container
-Be sure to use washing soda, instead of baking soda
-One measuring cup/load

1st [Annual] Taste of St. Cloud

2010-04-28T14:17:00.004-05:00

Thanks to the many volunteers, sisters and supporters who made Sunday's event a tremendous success!
12 local restaurants (Ace Bar & Grill, Cold Spring Bakery, Coyote Moon Grille, Great Harvest, Henry's Catering, Jimmy's Pour House, Mexican Village, Mi Famiglia, Pacific Wok, Reality Roasters, Custom Catering by Short Stop, Sterling Catering of Green Mill) were hosted by the Territory Golf Course, as they served the 500 visitors who turned out in support of the Franciscan Community Volunteers.
Thanks to all for a delicious and fun-filled evening!
Whether you made it for a 'taste' or not, please plan to join us again next spring!

Holy Thursday

2010-04-01T09:18:00.008-05:00

Picture

K.J.
I have recently been taken by the appearance, shape and variety of hands—the tools with which we toil and labor. The way they appear in response to the tasks that are asked of them; often resulting in a callused, arthritic and spotted appearance. There are vast distinctions in the appearance of these appendages, made evident by their reverent placement during the Eucharist. Children’s hands seem universally plump and un-marked by time or injury compared to those of their grandparents’ generation. Farmer’s hands are much tougher than the many manicured hands who have not tilled the land. Even acknowledging this evident wear and tear, we boldly hold, shake and share our hands with one another without much hesitation.

Conversely, feet, bear the brunt of our travels, our work, our weight, the elements and beyond. They are perhaps, the great equalizer. There is very little a person can do to hide the vulnerability and truth carried by their feet. Feet, naturally divulge our age, our weaknesses, our health, our humanity. It is no wonder that a quick search on ‘humility’ reveals pictures of foot washing. There does not seem to be a more appropriate word to capture the lavishness of the act of one person embodying their care for another in a real and tangible act of service. No other act quite captures the emptying of self that occurs on this Holy Day.

Like most Gospel principles, this act of humility can be performed both literally and metaphorically. Today I am thinking of the young man with whom I traveled on a mission trip, who shook and sobbed, overwhelmed by the service of another toward him. I think of the camper I watched summers ago, who went so far as to kiss the feet that she gingerly washed. I am reminded of my favorite priest growing up, who washed my feet along with the feet of several others during Holy Thursday Mass several years ago. I think of the man at a Handicapped Encounter Christ (HEC) retreat who placed my foot in the basin on his lap, providing a service to me that might feel rare from the seat of a wheelchair. And I think of the metaphorical foot washing I have experienced: the Denver bus driver’s generous sharing of self, the gift my mother made me for my graduation last spring, the blood my dad has given in remembrance of my birthday each year since I was born.

I think of the feet I have washed. I think of those who have washed my feet. And I rejoice in the living Word of John’s Gospel this day.

Holy Ground

2010-03-15T11:36:00.006-05:00

(Photo:http://www.youthresources.ws/)
C.T.
In last Sunday’s first reading from the book of Exodus we hear how the Lord appears to Moses in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. When Moses moves towards the bush, the Lord tells him “Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

For me, these words capture the essence of what it means to be a missionary: to understand that all is sacred as everything is the creation of God, given to us through His love for us. To understand and believe that all people and places are sacred as they come from God.

Now you might be wondering about the truth of this. Isn’t being a missionary about doing things? About preaching the gospel and helping people. In particular, the poor of countries such as India and Africa and South America? I’ve been doing some thinking recently and have come to the conclusion that missionary work doesn’t have to involve straying far from one’s home. We don’t need to go to Africa or India to be missionaries, because what makes someone missionary are their actions, their ordinary, everyday actions, when they are expressed with great love.

When I think of a missionary, the image that straight away comes to my mind is of Mother Teresa. Not because she set up her life in Calcutta with the poorest of the poor, but, rather, because, with each gesture, she strove to be “the hands, the feet” of Christ. She understood that the true meaning of mission is to be found in people, as opposed to in places. That no matter where we go, we are walking on holy ground. In other words, we are dealing, interacting, touching and talking with Christ.

I was talking about this with a friend recently and, somewhat hesitantly, suggested that I thought that we could all be missionaries by being conscious of our actions. By performing small acts with great love. And she pointed out that not only are we all able to be missionaries, but that it is part of our responsibility, our calling, as Catholics. When I asked her what she meant she explained to me that through the act of our Baptism we become part of a Church that is missionary by its very nature: it itself is the result of the overflowing love of God, expressed in the mission of both Son and Holy Spirit. Through our Baptism into the Church, we are given the gift of becoming part of this mission, which for us involves being Christ’s body on earth.

As Saint Therese of Avila said so truthfully:

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.

For me, it is this consciousness of the innate “godliness” and “holiness” of all people that forms someone as a missionary. Because with this understanding comes acts of great love as all is understood as being “holy ground”.

I thought I would share a little of one of my experiences which revealed to me this deeper meaning of mission: as being first and foremost a state of heart which then translates into actions. It just so happened to take place in the Philippines, where one year ago, I went with a small group of other young adults from and one Jesuit Priest, all from my youth ministry. It was a chance to spend time with two different Filipino communities. Not to volunteer, but to get to know.

One particular day was spent in Payatas, home to a rubbish dump the size of a mountain around which lives a community of several thousand. On this day, our group of six was split into pairs to spend the day with a family from the community. Myself and my friend Stephen went to a woman called Bing’s home.
I remember arriving, not knowing quite how to act. As the kids threw themselves at Stephen, who, at almost 6 feet tall, was something of a novelty for the Filipinos, I found myself alone with Bing. I began rather nervously to talk with her, asking her questions about her family. She answered my questions then asked me about my own family and my life in Australia. But after a while our conversation petered out, and we sat in silence. As we did, I felt an overwhelming desire to break the silence. To say something, anything. But the more I willed myself to think of a question or observation, the more my mind drew a blank. I looked around Bing’s home, struggling to find a point of connection. Our lives just seemed so removed, so different. “How are we supposed to relate to each other?” I found myself wondering. “What am I supposed to say?”

I didn’t think to look at Bing. It was only when my panic had reached something of a peak, that our eyes met, and Bing gave me an overwhelming smile and touched my hand. It was then that the thought occurred to me that perhaps I didn’t need to do or say anything. Perhaps we could sit in silence together.
When we pray we do so in silence and that is our very deepest relationship. However I had never considered that I could sit in such deep silence with someone I had only just met.

As the minutes passed and Bing and I just sat, the feeling of unease was replaced with one of peace. As Bing reached out and touched my hand, I realized she was giving me permission to just “be”. She didn’t need me to say anything. Just being there was enough. We sat like that for a while, neither saying anything. Just savouring being in each other’s presence.

When I think about this time, I realize that what was missionary about the trip were ordinary, everyday actions like Bing’s overwhelming smile and reaching out to me, which, done with such great love, became extraordinary. It wasn’t the fact that I had travelled to another country. Or was spending time with people who were in the throes of the deepest poverty. What was missionary were the actions of the people we met which showed such great compassion, understanding and love, that they became sacred: the hands, feet, and eyes of Christ.

Bing and I didn’t say much to each other for the rest of the day. But when I went to leave at the end of the day, Bing said a few words: “I feel so blessed. Blessed to have God.” Looking around Bing’s home and the very obvious suffering of the Payatas community, I struggled to understand how this could be true. But like God gently helped Moses to recognize, Bing helped me see that I was walking on holy ground. That God was very much present in our midst. We just had to open our eyes a little more and see the many ways He reveals Himself: be it in the laugh of a child, the smile of an elderly person or the hand of a stranger who becomes a friend, reassuring you that “Everything is ok. You are ok.”

Through my interactions with Bing, my trip became one of Mission. Not one of doing Missionary work myself, but of receiving it from people who opened up my eyes to the sacredness of all ground. As a friend of mine said to me yesterday, we just need to recognize that God is here. And to Hear Him. Because he works through us as we are and where we are, forming us to be the missionaries we are called to be.

Igloos and St. Irenaeus

2010-02-18T09:46:00.007-06:00

K.J.
I’m picking up on a number of seasons going on in and around the Welcoming House and the volunteer house. On Sunday our group returned from our mid-year retreat up north. Besides being beautiful, it was a refreshing and life-giving time away. Arriving late Thursday evening provided two full days for reading, hiking, reflections, prayer, igloo construction and naps! The overlying theme of the weekend was ‘into the wild,’ as we made time for silence, snow and giving voice to conversations going on around worksites, future plans, etc. More than anything that stood out to me about this weekend was the community that has been formed.

The transformation of the group that arrived in August to the one that participated in the retreat this weekend was breathtaking. This change that I’m talking about has less to do with the individual milestones that I know are taking place for each person, but it has a lot more to do with the group as a whole. If I had to choose one word to describe this dynamic group together, it would be alive. Not in the sense of having a pulse, but rather, a mentality that suggests, ‘I am a unique and vital part of this group.’ What a well-tended and rare blessing.

The ashes I saw yesterday were a reminder of another season underway; the universal church moving in solidarity with Christ’s time in the desert and his Passion. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, we move into this season of Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Chatting with Alicia (of North Carolina) over oatmeal this morning about the big changes that are happening outside and how exciting it is to see, I became aware of another season upon us; spring!

Francis certainly would have appreciated the sacredness of being witness to any of these seasonal transformations, but perhaps St. Irenaeus captures it best: “The glory of God is the human person fully alive.” What a gift it is to have an office with such a view!

Dignity and Distressing Disguises

2010-02-11T11:01:00.004-06:00

C.T.

How do we ensure that the dignity of those we meet is respected and upheld?

As Christians we are brought up to recognize that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the starting point for a moral vision of society, a principle grounded in the idea that the person is made in the image and likeness of God. That is, that the person is the clearest reflection of God among us. Many of our values stem from this understanding: God’s decree, captured in Matthew 25, “Truly…whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me”, offers it as the justification for the preferential option for the poor: the “least among us”, cloaked as they may be in a distressing disguise, are Christ revealing himself.

Since arriving in St Cloud I have been struck by the cohesiveness of the community, by the social structures that are in place to protect and nurture the rights of the poor. As in all communities, however, sometimes the dignity of a people is disrespected. January saw several anti-Islamic drawings posted in two locations in St Cloud, both home to Somali communities and businesses. Deeply offensive, the pictures defiled the most sacred and loved part of Islam in extremely vulgar ways.

In the outpouring of sentiment and argument several questions came to the fore about basic, human rights and responsibilities. While the person who posted the cartoons did so with a legal freedom, our faith teaches us that with every right comes a responsibility, in this case, to respect the beliefs of others.
With this individual responsibility overlooked, however, comes the responsibility of the community: of Saint Cloud, to reconcile and alleviate the harm.

For me, our responsibility as a community to act is intricately linked with our call towards a preferential option for the poor, the two moving hand in hand, for is it not to the marginalized and poor that injustice is often done? Though the Somali community and Muslims in general may not to wear the usual cloak of the poor, the privations and deprivations engendered by the cartoons inflicted a form of poverty: in denying the dignity of the central figure in Islam, the cartoons impoverished Muslims as much as, if not more than, the deprivation of material goods.

Admittedly, I often find myself wondering how to enact a preferential option for the poor in my daily life, especially when I may not have direct contact on a daily basis with those who are marginalized. However, a Town Hall meeting organized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations offered one such opportunity to stand in solidarity with those who had been hurt by the cartoons. Students, teachers and elders of all backgrounds came together to discuss the cartoons: their meaning, intent and ramifications for St Cloud and, in particular, the relationship between the Somali and American communities. Certainly, I don’t believe that my presence by any means moved mountains, or even shoots of grass, but I do think that, as Christians, we are called to do something.

In other words, to live lives that follow more than faith-based charity, which allows oppressive systems to stay in place and, at its best, offers crumbs from the table to the hungry. In this case, to turn a blind eye to the cartoons, resigning ourselves to the fact that acts like these “just sometimes happen”. If we want to truly live out our faith and bring about God’s kingdom on earth, we are called, indeed impelled, to take up faith-based justice. That is, to find deep within ourselves a desire to change existing systems and offer those in need a place at the table. To bring them up to the level of equality, respect and dignity which we enjoy in our lives.

For this, dialogue is essential. Of course, reality is complex and such dialogue requires conviction of its importance, persistence and compassion. However, I am comforted with the understanding that every journey begins with one, small step and that no step is too small in the eyes of God.

As we struggle to reconcile this wrong, I pray that God gives us the courage and conviction to move towards taking this first step in each of our lives, however large or small an imprint it leaves.

Money

2010-02-10T08:45:00.004-06:00

p

A.L.
The Bible is explicit that after I place my faith in Christ, I am no longer a bondservant to sin, but rather one to Christ. I am no longer a slave. Faith in Christ means freedom from the things that used to hold us captive and freedom to cling to the Person who was meant to truly captivate us. Some versus that mention this included Matthew 6:24, Acts 16:17 and probably most powerfully Romans 6:16-22. I had an enlightening day that revolved around this idea.
Caitie and I got up a little earlier to try our hand at the local public transport, to much success. We rarely take the bus for things as we choose to be as cheap with our money as possible, and rather we walk. But today we rode the bus triumphantly, transferred a few times, and managed not to get lost. We made it to a nearby mall for some errand shopping, transferred again, and walked to a local thrift store. We agreed during our walk that living in solidarity with the poor is deliberately freeing – in the way that you’re not in bondage to money. We were compelled to bring very little cash with us for our trip – always cash and no check or credit card. We were purposeful with our time and planned ahead as to what we needed, so there would be little temptation to buy impulsively or irresponsibly. It was wonderfully refreshing to start my day with fifteen dollars and end it with just some odd change; something draws us these days to live simply and sustainably, in a habitual way. I have to give the credit to God, who is motivating and shaping us in mighty ways during these short months.
Of course, in no way are we suffering along with the poor in deciding to spend less or bring less money when we run errands. I’m not comparing this to the panhandler’s plight and I don’t mean to romanticize or compartmentalized poverty. But living in solidarity with the poor, in this way and in others, has been an important first step in gaining perspective and empathy for those who are in desperate states. They are the first necessary in making it a lifestyle to shun riches and indulgence, to begin living out the charism of Saint Francis, who saw living with and among the marginalized something to be cherished.

Why Delay?

2010-01-25T15:19:00.008-06:00

Reflecting on today's reading from Acts (Acts 22: 3-16), I was struck by one phrase in particular. Paul, formerly, Saul, is addressing the community that he had been persecuting, and sharing his story of conversion. There are many impressive facets of this exchange, but the most striking part for me was Paul's exchange with the Ananias, a man described as a well-respected Jew. Ananias encourages his brother Saul to make use of the gift he has been given by way of direct communication from God. Ananias says, "The God of our ancestors designated you to know his will,
to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; for you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard.
Now, why delay?"
This unlikely character moves on to become one of the foremost evangelists of his time.
As I thought about this passage over lunch today, I noticed that the sisters have coaxed blooms out of several of the plants that adorn their living room. In this rather bleak, mid-winter season, the colors and fragrance of these flowers burst forth, blooming as only they can. With these blooms, they bless their observers with the hope of spring and the magnanimity of an embodied life.
And so it is with us.
Now, why delay?

Haiti

2010-01-19T11:35:00.006-06:00

(Image link: http://gnews.com/world/Images/31135323615)
A.L.
As updates from Haiti continue to pop up, with more and more haunting, devastating and disturbing images and stories, my heart can’t help but break for everyone involved. I’m almost sick to my stomach at every news article or blog I read that adds more detail to the destruction.
I imagine that this is the Holy Spirit grieving within me. I definitely feel that if I hadn’t opened my heart to Him a few years ago, I would’ve been a lot more numb about this tragedy… It makes my stomach churn to think that, but then again, I’m sinful and my “heart is desperately sick” (Jeremiah 17:9). God, however, isn’t. His compassion and sorrow and nausea over the pain in Haiti right now are deep and everlasting. God is among the suffering, He is right there in Haiti with his hurting creation. He is suffering alongside them and losing loved ones with them. God never fails to astound me in that He identifies with those He loves.

As an FCVer, I was naturally interested in the Franciscan participation in relief efforts. In his official appeal to the Catholic community, the Pope actually gives a shout out to the Franciscan and Dominican orders, both of whom take vows of poverty and who have both been present in Haiti, establishing communities there well before the earthquake hit earlier this week. A particular group of Franciscan Friars have taken to various Haitian cities in the past quarter of a century; in the capital of Port-au-Prince, as far as I’ve learned a handful of Friars and Postulants have settled in the poorest district there to serve.

In the Pope’s appeal, there is a gem that he closes with that I felt should be shared. Amidst his obvious empathy and compassion upon the affected Haitians and his urging for immediate aid by the Catholic community, he is sure to pair his message with the mission of all Catholic orders, to spread the Gospel.

“At the beginning of this year we invoke Holy Spirit, the eternal youth of the Church; may he help everyone feel the urgency to provide a consistent and courageous witness to the Gospel, so the world will never lack holy men and women, who make the Church radiate, to render it capable of irresistibly attracting the world to Christ, to his salvation. “

- Quote from Pope Benedict XVI, at the close of his appeal for the Catholic Church to reach out to Haiti

My heart warmed when I read this. The Pope here is urging the Church to be instruments in reaching the world with the Gospel message, “irresistibly attracting them to Christ” as he puts it eloquently. In his appeal he pledges the wholehearted support of the Catholic Church to support and care for the victims and families thereof. His remarks are found amidst a whirlwind of unity, support and focus on this poor country; he isn’t alone in his desire to stir up numb communities. It’s everywhere. I myself found out about the catastrophe on Twitter, simply following the trend for hours until my eyes blurred and I couldn’t think clearly. I read appeals from Haitians themselves, who had barely survived collapsed buildings, immediately followed by pleas for aid, and links to groups like Unicef, Compassion International and Red Cross. Thanks to such incredible communication technologies, everyone is connected, on the same page and thus unified, I think, in a way the world has never been after a natural disaster before.

2010-01-12T14:19:00.007-06:00

C.T.
God sometimes has a way of gently picking us up and placing us in a new and unfamiliar environment. Often we don’t realize we are being led until we look back on all that has been and can only marvel at how we came to be in a certain place. Only then do we realize that we were being lead by a hand that is drawing us closer and closer.

When I think of how I came to be a Franciscan Community Volunteer in Minnesota, some 9000 miles away from home, I have a hunch that, just maybe, my being here wasn’t entirely my own doing.

After a couple of months, my research into a community and faith-based volunteer program hit a wall, I resigned myself to going back to college for another year of study, convinced that a year of volunteering just wasn’t meant to be.

However, a chance sighting in late November of an online advert for someone to join the FCV in Minnesota changed all this. By mid December, as I lay on a beach watching the sun dance on the water, I found myself contemplating the months ahead: 6 months, to be exact, of volunteering in St Cloud, Minnesota, home to -20 degree temperatures and 9 inch snow falls!

To many of my friends, my decision was surprising and even a little strange. Who in their right minds would give up an Aussie summer of beach days, garden barbeques and long, balmy nights for a winter to end all winters? ‘How random’ was the common response! Indeed, one mate went so far as to dub it “the most random gap year project I’ve ever heard!”

His comment must have hit something of a raw nerve as I found myself reacting somewhat defensively, rolling out reasons why moving to Minnesota to volunteer was really pretty normal!

But maybe he was right. Maybe there is an element of “randomness” about my time here. Although maybe what is random is not so much where I have ended up but God’s hand, a hand which never strays far but which, often when we least expect it, comes up in a more obvious way, leading us into new experiences.

As I think about the hand that led me here, I am reminded of a verse from one of the psalms: “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast”.

May this hand continue to surprise us, hold us and guide us into in to new life as we rise on the wings of new experiences.

Wishes for the New Year from Hands Across the World

2010-01-12T09:50:00.005-06:00

W.B.
You can tell it’s January at Hands Across the World by the layers of scarves, hats, and gloves that the students wear. Some women wrap scarves over their hijabs and under their chins like bandages. Some wear two stocking caps at the same time. Others, just off the plane from West Africa, wear sweaters. “Too much snow,” they say, or “Too much cold.” “The coldest winter in a long while,” I say, but they still come with their notebooks and pencils. The hiss of the water heater keeps them warm.
It’s been a tough winter. The shootings at Fort Hood, the ugly display of xenophobia on telephone poles in St. Cloud, the scarcity of jobs – these have made all our students aware of the struggles of living in a new town. They shake their heads. “There are good people and bad people in every community,” a Somali student says. “Evil is telling them to do that, not their faith.” So I ask them, “What do you need?” “Jobs,” they answer. “We have no jobs,” Those that have had jobs have been laid off. These answer, “English, teacher, we need English,” because without English scarce jobs are scarcer.
But our students remain resilient, despite the snow and everything. An Ethiopian man tells us that, though the north side Head Start is full, his daughter learns just as well in our children’s program. “Before, with visitors, she was crying,” he says, “but now, she is comfortable with visitors.” One woman, a Latina, says something similar: “In the house, my son is different now,” she says. “He does more activities. He is speaking more English.” Another student finds a job at Target. Still another has a citizenship interview scheduled, while others improve their CASAS exam scores.
So this New Year we wish you peace from all of us and from all of our students in all their native languages – nabad, maali, paix, nagaa, and paz. May the New Year find you and your families safe, merry, and warm.
For more information on Hands Across the World: http://www.handsacrosstheworldmn.org/mission.html

Fr. Williams and Facebook on the Meaning of the Manger

2010-01-04T14:26:00.008-06:00

K.J.
I find the day to day array of Facebook posts anything from laughable to brilliant in their simplicity. Recently I have found myself drawn to the epiphanies and life-changing events that make their way to into this public sphere. As I caught up on Facebook after Christmas, I couldn't help but notice the interesting combination of well-wishes, goofy and inspirational as plans changed, weather worsened and plans turned from a to b to c...It was certainly a year for flexibility in the Midwest.

More often than not, just like in the stores, talk of Christmas diminishes on the 26th and this trend is reflected on the favorite social utility network, as well. I suppose that's why a friend's post struck me so flat out:
"How to be a manger: Be sturdy. Be strong. Be open. Be soft inside.
Now, the real work of Christmas begins: To find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoners, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among people."
In other words, continue.

It's been a while since I've thought about mangers. At our house, there is a running joke regarding the appropriate time for Jesus' arrival into the manger (and let's not even talk about purchasing the set where Jesus is attached to the manger!). We have about three different sets and I've never thought about the object where the Christ child lay, only which rendition went with that set. I don't think I'll ever look at it that way again.

This "storm of the century" changed my family's plans as well. This meant a first Christmas Mass at my home parish in many years. More than any other message in the homily, I was struck by our priest's depiction of the manger. "It is not insignificant that Jesus was placed in the manger--an object used to feed, to nourish." Jesus is the Word made flesh and therefore, the incarnation and God's very presence in the hay, in the manger, is Theologically significant. We are fed by the word, quite literally.

I am thankful for the unlikely reminders of such a significant and simultaneously simple object that fed and continues to feed. I pray for a stronger awareness of the work of mangers in the everyday and convey a big thank you for the sharing of epiphanies. You know who you are!

Let me be your Bethlehem

2009-12-22T13:25:00.010-06:00

Painting by John Collier
http://www.hillstream.com/JC_bio.html
K.J.
Today's Gospel reading is Mary's magnificat (Luke 1: 46-56): "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior." Mary is most notably celebrated as the mother of the Christ, but there's more to her story than that and as Christians we are somewhat mystified by her and what her experience must have been like. I think of my family's Christmas music collection and the Kenny Rogers song Mary Did you Know?, which begs the questions we want to ask: "Mary did you know, that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man? Did you know that he (Jesus) has walked where angels trod, and when you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God?" These are questions that we are still wrestling with, intelectually, yet Mary, in great faith, physically took them upon herself.

She is a very young woman, and a poor one from what we can tell. I think this painting of the annunciation and Mary's "yes," is a tremendous tool to assist us in understanding what exactly Gabrielle's visit meant and the dramatic change in her life on that day. Not to mention how surprising it must have been. Her status in the world as such would have given her ample opportunities to understand her lowliness in a culture that valued everything she was not. Yet, the Mary we know from Luke and Matthew's Gospel exemplifies a humility of a different nature--a deep attentiveness to the gift she had been given, we have been given.

One of my favorite artists, Danielle Rose, wrote a song, "Let me be your Bethlehem" which illustrates the very wonder and honor that Mary gave her role in history, her fiat. "Heaven cannot hold your glory Lord, yet I hold you in my arms." I pray for this same awe and wonder upon you and yours this Christmas.

Click on the link to listen to this beautiful song.

For many, there is still no room at the inn

2009-12-18T11:33:00.009-06:00

K.J.
Members of FCV were among the nearly 400 who gathered last night for the 25th annual homeless memorial march in Minneapolis, organized through Simpson Housing Services. The group gathered consisted of those who were formerly homeless, those who work to end homelessness in Minnesota, those who have been directly affected by the loss of a person on the streets and many others. The evening began at 5pm with a silent vigil through the streets of Minneapolis and ended at Simpson United Methodist Chruch for the memorial service, followed by a dinner served in the homeless center's dining room. The gathering is set up to honor the many homeless, formerly-homeless and advocates for the homeless who have died this year. At the memorial we remembered 126 known and unknown individuals from Apple Valley, Ham Lake, Moorhead, Plymouth, Olmstead County,Duluth, St. Cloud, Minneapolis and St. Paul whose lives were shortened by their time on the streets.
As we silently walked through the streets of Minneapolis, adorned for Christmas and the ever-popular Holidazzle parade, I couldn't help but feel like we were infringing on the Christmas spirit. Who were we to distract from the joy of the Christmas parties, gatherings and festivities planned for the evening? It occured to me then, that the ever-growing group of walkers were delivering the spirit of Christmas: Just as the Bethlehem inn keeper was asked to make room for Joseph, Mary and the Christchild, we too, are called to make room for Christ in the persons who come to us with needs that are unmet. For many, there is still no room at the inn. For those who have lost their lives, for those who work for them and for a greater spirit of Christmas hospitality, let us pray.

http://www.startribune.com/local/79138212.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiacyKUUr
http://www.simpsonhousing.org/memorial/

Gaudete—the pink Sunday

2009-12-14T14:33:00.009-06:00

K.J.
A favorite priest of mine growing up, was sure to call this “rose” Sunday. Not one for pink, he selected a natural hue he rarely dabbled in, to celebrate this distinct marker in Advent. I identify with this fidgity reaction-there’s something uncomfortable about celebrating, waiting! Some sources suggest that years of our life are spent waiting in lines, for busses or planes, watching commercials, etc. In other words, this learning to appreciate waiting has infinite implications.

It is a concept I’ve always found puzzling, that the third weekend in Advent rather than the fourth, is the day for a new insight, for rejoicing: Shouldn’t it be on the brink of excitement and celebration of Jesus’ arrival that things really begin to change?!
Nope.
Right, smack dab in the middle of the hubbub, this reminder to be peace-filled, not overwhelmed; joyful rather than worried; hope-filled instead of anxious about what will or won’t, can or can’t be present to perfect such a celebration, arrives.

It is as if to say, now, now that we have caught a glimpse of why we are waiting and just who we are waiting for can we truly adopt this hopeful mentality. Here is one more chance (one more week) to make ready, to welcome the holy into the routine-at Christmas and beyond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPR6uaZPHSs&feature=PlayList&p=03742AC07D3A5B2D&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=15

Journey of Hope

2009-12-11T08:46:00.008-06:00

C La Mancha Mining Co.
K.J.
To say that Daniel Dheng has been on a journey, is an understatement. One of the "Lost Boys" of the Sudan, he has already traveled extensively by foot and because of this transient and dangerous existence, he is confined to a wheelchair. Daniel, a Sudanese-American, resided for a while in Colorado as an IT specialist. He said that he had everything that he needed there, but his heart was in Sudan. He is returning to Sudan, the largest country in Africa, to educate and advocate for the upcoming election and next step toward democracy. Learn more about Daniel.

"Justice"

2009-12-03T16:06:00.010-06:00

Photo Credit: Nina
Davidson, Denver.About.Com

Reading 1
Is 26:1-6

On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah:
“A strong city have we;
he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us.
Open up the gates
to let in a nation that is just,
one that keeps faith.
A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace;
in peace, for its trust in you.”
Trust in the LORD forever!
For the LORD is an eternal Rock.
He humbles those in high places,
and the lofty city he brings down;
He tumbles it to the ground,
levels it with the dust.
It is trampled underfoot by the needy,
by the footsteps of the poor.

I was struck this afternoon, while trying to put together a thoughtful and well-informed musing, by a new button on my computer. Having finished the readings for today I couldn't decide where to begin writing. I perused next through the news site that I often use, and noted that next to the tabs directing visitors to news on "Politics," "Health," "Technology," etc., there was a new tab called, "Justice." Could it be, I thought (this is after all, the season of hope!), has someone finally had the foresight to broadcast acts of justice along with the tragedies of the day?

I was not entirely surprised to find that this tab led me to articles concerning our justice system: arrests, charges, trials and incarcerations; a far cry from the justice I had hoped to find. I couldn't help but ache for the disparity I felt between what I had just read (Is 26:1-6)that described a just city as one that "keeps faith." "A nation of firm purpose" that "keeps peace," and the buzzword newly-displayed on my screen.

As the familiar readings begin again to prepare our hearts to meditate on Jesus' birth, pay particular attention to its main characters: Mary, Joseph, angels, Elizabeth, John the Baptist, shepherds, kings and so on. My hope is that through this re-immersion in the Christmas story, we might channel St. Joseph's spirit of adoption and carry Isaiah's understanding of justice as our own.

That we might share in the anticipation of the season!

2009-12-01T10:31:00.007-06:00

Sharon’s Christmas Prayer

She was five,
sure of the facts,
and recited them
with slow solemnity
convinced every word
was revelation.
She said:

they were so poor
they had only peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
to eat
and they went a long way from home
without getting lost. The lady rode
a donkey, the man walked, and the baby
was inside the lady.
They had to stay in a stable
with an ox and an ass (hee-hee)
but the Three Rich Men found them
because a star lited the roof
Shepherds came and you could
pet the sheep but not feed them.
Then the baby was borned.
And do you know who he was?

Her quarter eyes inflated
to silver dollars,

The baby was God.

And she jumped in the air
whirled round, dove into the sofa
and buried her head under the cushion
which is the only proper response
to the Good News of the Incarnation.

~John Shea

Luke's thoughts on 'black Friday'

2009-11-20T13:21:00.010-06:00

Since about mid-October I have been aware of Christmas displays in the department stores around my town. I’ve driven by the windows and noticed them, but as the season approaches, I hear the local D.J.’s lamenting about the annual rush to market Christmas. Greeting card companies and yard decorations alike will remind us that in fact, “Jesus is the reason for the season,” and they are right of course, but what has changed since this conversation was aired last year?

I was struck this morning as I read over the headlines about the upcoming largest shopping event of the year, “black Friday.” What stood out to me particularly was that the Gospel reading for today (Lk 19:45-48), is Luke’s account of Jesus driving out those who were selling things and making ‘a house of prayer’ into a ‘den of thieves.’ Though the shopping centers we might think of, advertised on television and in newspaper ads aren’t exactly a ‘house of prayer’, I am remembering the individual who was trampled to death by a mob waiting to enter Wal-Mart last year, and wondering to myself if this context isn’t the ‘den of thieves’ Jesus is referring to.

In a recent conversation about Thanksgiving holiday traditions, I was surprised to find that amidst the turkey-eating, pie-baking and football-watching traditions that take place in the upcoming holiday week, nearly all of the women with whom I spoke included their family’s spin on shopping these sales and their participation in this annual event. One even informed me that Wal-Mart has extended its hours this year (which typically allow for its employees to have part of this day off), in an effort to avoid any threat to its employees by opening its doors before dawn. Rather than discontinuing its participation in an event that proved fatal to one of its employees last year, the hours have been extended to further enable all to participate in this consumer-driven ritual.

In the spirit of simplicity, the holy season of Advent beginning next Sunday and in response to the parallel story in today’s poignant Gospel reading, I am challenging myself and inviting anyone else to join me in an alternative event called “buy nothing day” Enjoy!

A Beginning

2009-11-18T09:59:00.013-06:00

In the autumn of the year it can be difficult to think of 'beginnings.' We typically associate the season with the end of summer, the gathering of the harvest and the preparing for harsher weather that leads us inside. However, it is in this season of thanksgiving that I have chosen to mark as the beginning of a journey. I am privileged to walk with three young adults who have chosen to live a year of their lives in community, simplicity and in solidarity with the marginalized that they serve in St. Cloud, MN. In addition to these individuals, our time together is enriched by the lives of three Franciscan women.

I too, have been privileged to have had the same experience of an intentional year of service within a community, and have been forever altered by that experience. Now as a staff member of such an organization, I find myself taking on the role of the witness; seeing the ways that God is moving, shaping, challenging and loving these young people through their experiences. Admittedly it has been an adjustment to make this leap from working seemingly on a very real, face to face level, to a more reflective and facilitator-esque role. At times I have felt that somehow, my "access" to these moments of grace, these "God winks" are further from me in my work because of my rootedness in the organization of the Franciscan Community Volunteer program rather than its hands-on work in the larger community.

Thankfully, I'm reminded by a psalm, a breakfast conversation, the witness of those with whom I work, that I cannot limit the work of the Spirit. That in fact, it has been at work throughout the formation of this new ministry, be that in finding a house for the volunteers or calling together the perfect group of personalities. The work of the spirit is affirmed in being paired with a religious order who believes in the value of young adults and fostering opportunities for them to seek God in the world and be sought by God in the service they provide, daily, and to be reminded that this remains true in my experience no matter the context. It is my hope to use this blog along with these individuals to convey this 'movement' in their lives and to revel in it myself.

As the psalmist in today's readings proclaims: Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full. I am refreshed today, by the God winks and reminders that each time God's glory appears (in my own experience or another's), my joy is renewed.