CSJ on Mission

Weekend St.L.

2009-11-15T15:31:00.003-06:00

There is something nice about being within driving distance of St. Louis. I took a half a day off of work to drive up on Friday. Got to have a delicious chilli dinner and play some games with family, see my brother and sister-in-law's new dog and new fence, feed baby Charlie some prunes.

The rest of the weekend has been spent as part of what we call a Wisdom Circle around vocation/formation issues. It was awesome to share with sisters and associates who are all energized around future possibilities that are coming to be now. In a day it is difficult to delve too deeply into any topic, but I feel like we have a lot of fodder with which to play, and I know the conversation is far from over. It is an interesting balance to dream the future and live the now and see how they come together and when. I love it all.

I don't love the sinus issues I've currently got going on, but hopefully some rest will be healing.

Another week of possibilities ahead. Yeah God!

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T12:17:00.007-06:00

It seems as if so much happens between one post and the next. That's probably because it does.
.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to drive to St. Louis to share my sisters and motherhouse with a wonderful young woman who is discerning religious life. Neither of us arrived early and we had never met in person before, so we spent the first night talking until what was probably too late to be good for either of us. Saturday was filled with time with sisters, a tour of the motherhouse, Eucharist, a great root beer float at Fitz's, a bit of CSJ sightseeing, prayer together, and a movie (to which we both fell asleep on our respective couches). Sunday was more of the same before we parted ways around noon. I took advantage of the short trip to meet up with some of my family for lunch. Although it put me home a bit later, I was very grateful to be with them. Really, the whole weekend was one of gratitude. It was awesome to be able to share faith and discernment with someone so on fire with listening to God. I've really been very conscious lately of my own prayer time and the need for that place and space with God, and weekends like that only reinforce the desire.

Then, Monday, back to work.

The beginning of the week was spent preparing for our church Halloween party on Wednesday night. Our religious education classes have been getting bigger and bigger with 70 or 80 students a week. Well, we had over 130 children at the Halloween party. On one hand, I wonder where they all are every Wednesday. On the other hand, I'm glad they don't all make it every week--I don't know where we would put them. We had apple bobbing, face painting, musical chairs, a haunted house, pizza--the usual. The haunted house was a big hit. Our teens had decorated with spider webs, hanging legs, strobe lights, a fog machine. One room was filled with balloons that a fan blew around. The other room was decorated cemetery style. Out of every nook and cranny jumped the high school students all too ready with a scream for any unsuspecting little one who walked past. I am amazed at how kids like to be scared.

Then today I went on a long bike ride. One of my cross country runners is getting her gold award in Girl Scouts, and as part of that award, she organized a bike ride. I rode with her mom a couple of months ago and she gave me the flier. For those of you who regularly read my blog, I did an entry at that time about the 20-25 mile bike ride I did that day. I haven't ridden since. So, the 27 mile ride today with some major hills was killer. I cannot tell you how good the barbeque lunch tasted as I rode in and dropped my bike. I did manage to come in a good twenty-five minutes ahead of the serious riders who did the 48 mile ride. Thankfully, after another week of rain, the day is perfect, cool and sunny (although I could have done without the head wind on those hills). It will be perfect for trick-or-treaters tonight.

Now off to work on questions for trivia night next weekend. We are trying to do a bit of fundraising for our youth convention in the spring. Our youth group continues to grow, and I know the interest will be more than double what we had last year, which is wonderful. It does mean, however, that we have to find more than double the funds. Our teens have really been fabulous. They are helping to teach religious ed., they sing every week at mass, four or five stayed until Kate and I locked up Wednesday after the party vacuuming, moving chairs, etc. So, I'll do what I can to get them to Jackson. It's a great opportunity for them to celebrate with other Catholic teens. It's hard down here; yet another way in which they are the minority. If you find yourself in the Ripley, MS area next Saturday, stop by. Doors open at 6:00. Ten dollar suggested donation, although no one will be turned away. Let me know in advance and I'll even clean my sheets for you to stay the night.

Have a great week.

Peace.

The Ultimate Gift

2009-10-18T19:20:00.003-06:00

Regan and Heger give it two thumbs up. Just finished watching the movie, The Ultimate Gift. If you haven't seen it, I'd get it and a box of Kleenex for a thoughtful evening at home. Life--God--offers so much. For every second of awareness I do have during the course of a day, there are a million during which I have no clue. Kate reminded me that one can't change a life just like that. It takes time. Little-by-little. Moment-by-moment. Choice-by-choice. One of the lines I am remembering is about dreams. Jason shares that he doesn't know if he has a dream of his own, but he does know that he has the ability to make others' dreams come true. If that could be the dream of all of us.

Ahhh...so much to learn. So many moments in a day during which to be aware. Aware of what? Who knows for sure.

Yeah, it's one of those feel good, sentimental movies where you have a pretty good idea of how it is going to end. Happily, of course.

May our week be filled with unexpected surprises, moments that make our jaws drop, and bright lights we can't see beyond.

Peace.

Haiku

2009-10-04T17:13:00.003-06:00

It drizzles outside

Drips gentle my waking soul

Good morning, Dear Heart

____________________________________________

Rain patters above

Won't need walking shoes today

Called inside instead

_____________________________________________

Moon rises early

But I'm not ready for bed

Won't anyone stay

______________________________________________

Trees' red-tipped branches

Our sun's warmth through cool breezes

Autumn glory has arrived

Thought I'd Share

2009-10-02T17:34:00.015-06:00

One of the birthday gifts I got this year was a fabulous homemade t-shirt through which I get to share my adorable, little nephew. I had to share it with you in picture here.

I also thought I'd throw in a wedding picture of my handsome brother and gorgeous sister-in-law from the wedding two weekends ago. (When I get the pictures from my sister's wedding this past summer, I'll post one of those, too.)

It has been a wonderful week. We went from hot and humid, to having 18--yes, count them, 18--days of rain in a row (there was actually a count on the front of the newspaper), to this amazing, fall-ish weather. I ran with my volleyball girls today during seventh period athletics and then again after school. After school, I went to the lake near here, ran a bit, then laid on the dock and listened to the water rippling in the wind. Then home for some delicious homemade chicken nuggets--it might be my new specialty--to here on my living room floor sharing my day. The football game is away tonight, so I didn't feel obligated to go. I will, however, try to make it to the cross country races tomorrow morning. Then off to spiritual direction. It has been way too long and I am in such different space now than I was the last time I went, I doubt Sr. Eileen will know what to do with me.

This week has been one of desire. I have been e-mailing a delightful young woman, currently in college, who is considering religious life as her vocation. Her sharing about her relationship with God and her hopes for deepening, expanding, and using that are inspiring. I suppose it is like any love relationship; there are times when the sparks are flying and there are times when it is a slow, steady burn. My prayer today was that I allow myself the emptiness for God to enflame my heart.

For now, maybe some ice cream and a movie. Happy weekend.

Birthday "Non-"Party

2009-09-16T20:37:00.007-06:00

I cannot tell you the looks I got from a few when I explained what I had in store for my day: teaching, volleyball practice, religious education, and youth group. What, no party? I can't tell you what a great party it was!

I had three phone calls before Kate and I finished prayer this morning, two more before school started. I think I had three when I checked at lunch, and five more when I started towards volleyball. Another three between then and religious ed., and a final five from then until the end of youth group. Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to answer any of them. But, I did get some fun songs--sung and recorded--and some very sweet messages. I did, finally, get to answer the last two phone calls of the night.

At the end of volleyball practice I told the girls that I had two gifts for them. The first was that I was headed to St. Louis for my brother's wedding this weekend, so they do not have practice. The best gift I could have gotten...are you ready for this...they groaned. "Can't we practice anyway?" Music to a coach's ears. They did cheer when I told them of their second gift--cupcakes.

Religious education is always fun. We worked on trying to learn double-dutch. We weren't too successful. Then, instead of donuts tonight, Kate had a big cake made for me. I got a beautiful Spanish song sung and subsequently got my face pushed into my cake. Had to see it coming. Fun colored icing up my nose. Youth group was fun as usual. Human pyramids and prayer. What more, really, could I have asked for?

Crazies

2009-09-13T15:22:00.007-06:00

Last Thursday my crazy dad drove down for our home volleyball game and then back to St. Louis again. Crazy--yes, but it was great to have him there. At one point I looked up in the stands and couldn't find him, only to catch him sitting among the thirty or so high school boys teaching them appropriate volleyball cheering. Thank you dad!

This weekend I traveled south to Okolona to be with some of our sisters there. Our leadership was meeting and invited the sisters in the MS/AL area to join them for some conversation and community. I went a night early to hang out and ended up, as I always do in Okolona, spending Saturday morning doing physical labor. Four of us moved all the major appliances and big furniture pieces out of a home. I did get to ride on the back of a trailer around town holding various pieces in place. After our sharing time Sat. afternoon, we headed to a catfish restaurant near Okolona. Who'd have thought one could get such great catfish in the middle of the woods in northern Mississippi?!

Everything is in full swing here now. Tomorrow we re-start our adult English class and Wed. will be our second night of religious education and youth group. Our first week was a good one. After making pizza I used Lectio Divina to pray with the teens. I was so impressed with their sharing and always to their openness to new prayer styles. Hopefully the rest of the year will be as good as the first night.

No volleyball games this week. Instead I head back to St. Louis this coming weekend for my brother's wedding. Will be fun to connect with family that I haven't seen in a while. Should be a beautiful sacrament.

Peace on your week.

Just Noticed

2009-08-31T19:54:00.002-06:00

So, I have been in Ripley for a little over a year now. I've been walking to school most of that time, weather permitting. And I just this morning realized something: I walk into the sun in the morning and into the sun in the afternoon. Maybe it's just this time of year and walking home a little later with volleyball practice, but I would have thought I'd have noticed that before. It was kind of a fun prayer piece today.

That's it. Random musings from Sarah.

Home this coming weekend to see my family and my little nephew. My youngest sister turns 13 tomorrow! I get to be home for her party! Yeah! Lots of moments to be lived between now and the weekend, though.

Peace.

Teaser Appreciated

2009-08-23T19:27:00.002-06:00

For an August afternoon in Mississippi, today was incredible! The weather was amazing, sunny with a cool breeze. Some friends here in town saw my picture in the paper riding my bike home from school and invited me to join them on a bike ride this afternoon. Twenty miles was a bit more than my usual mile to school and mile back, but I kept up well. I'm sure I'll feel it tomorrow. The volleyball girls will all wonder what is wrong when I'm not out there pacing their usual Monday mile run tomorrow.

But, it really couldn't have been more glorious. The roads we rode were full of farm homes with gardens and animals. I couldn't not slow as I passed a pond with a blue heron perched on a rock. The green and the shadows and the air...a God-spoil for which I was most grateful.

Back to school tomorrow. Work and volleyball will make for a busy week. Kate is home for a few days between Glenmary meetings and vacation, so hopefully we can be home together a couple of nights. So much for which to be grateful--ALWAYS.

Peace.

Tired

2009-08-16T06:52:00.002-06:00

Two weeks of school down. Volleyball practices have been hot, but good. Had our first game experience this weekend at a tournament in Jackson. I think it was the only way to get a full introduction to this sport I've been trying to share. Hopefully the excitement will continue to build.

As tired as I am from all that's been happening, my brother and sister-in-law are exponentially more exhausted, I'm sure. I am a new aunt. Baby Beans is here for the holding. I am already looking forward to a trip north over Labor Day weekend.

Right now, as much as I'd like to crawl back into bed, I'm going to get ready for church. Then this afternoon to a play in Oxford. Our neighbor's grandson is performing in a one-man play about a man who had gone on a hunger strike in Ireland. It is supposed to be excellent. The performances are actually a fundraiser for their trip to perform as part of an international festival in New York. Kate went yesterday, and after the play the actor said how grateful he was to have had her reactions in the audience as so many references are made to Catholicism, the Pope, etc. to which many patrons are unfamiliar.

Wish I had pictures to post. They would be...#1 a hot, sweaty, volleyball team in an excited huddle; #2 a reddish newborn and beaming parents; and #3 a bearded hunger striker on a mattress and otherwise dark stage.

Show Up and Smile

2009-08-07T20:54:00.009-06:00

I don't know God.
"What?" you might ask.
Exactly.
.

Why is everything such mystery? Why does what seems like chaos somehow come to make sense, and what I happily believe begins to make sense dissolve into chaos?

How do you appear always when I need you and always when I am not looking?

What mission specifics you have in mind for me, I never get right. Just show up, I say, and smile.

An excerpt from Father Nepper's "Portrait of a 'Daughter of St. Joseph'" that I've taken to reading every morning:

"Eyes open, ears attentive, spirit alert...

sleeves rolled up for ministry,

without excluding the more humble, the less pleasing,

the less noticeable.

Finally, in her face the reflection of the virtue

proper to our Congregation

"continual joy of spirit."

This is the quiet innner glow

of the Sister whose life in the service of Jesus Christ

has been successful.

One week of school down. The heat has re-emerged just in time for un-airconditioned gymnasiums and running tracks. Still waiting on my new baby nephew. Another family wedding in a month. So much for which to be grateful.

A Bit of Poetry

2009-07-24T07:10:00.004-06:00

I leave my shoes on the shore and feel my way with my toes along the smooth, slippery rocks of the creek. Arms outstrethced I sing a tune feeling more like a creation dancer than a girl-child trying to keep balance. I see my rock, partly sunny, big enough to sit and maybe lay, mostly clear of moss and other forest foliage. I sit in revernce. I sit in awe. I sit and open my senses, receptive to what Creator God might speak to my heart this day.

The rush of the water and occassional bird song fill my ears. The persistent flies partially distract me as I wiggly my toes, then shake my foot, then wiggly my toes again to invite them off.

As I watch the stream, my eye catches on a single, white flower; a Rhododendron cup taken by the current, yet it doesn't seem to mind. It floats, perfectly content to be moved by the water's mind. Over a rock it twists, but doesn't lose balance. It stays vertical almost like it, too, is watching the stream, being spoken to.

Around another rock the flower floats close to shore and gets catught in a tiny, silent pool. It circles the pool once, twice, looking for a way back in, but the rushing current holds it in the stillness of this new place. Eventually, the flower, too, stills, relaxes. It's as if it says, "Okay, I can like it here, too."

I am amazed at how long the flower stays at rest, knowing that at any moment the current will catch a petal and pull it back into the rush of things. But, no, it floats still and calm and beautiful.

I take my eyes upstream for just a moment, a glance beyond my little Rhododendron novella, then back to the empty pool.

Hodge Podge

2009-07-11T08:17:00.007-06:00

The days go quickly and there is much and little to report.

My sister's wedding was fabulous amounts of fun. From the rehearsal dinner at Bass Pro Shop, to the massive amounts of girly prep., the bulldog ring bearer to the family rendition of Neil Diamond's "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show," I don't know how things could have been better. The typical wedding day snags, but nothing serious.

I am now back in Ripley until I leave for retreat on Monday.

Yesterday Kate and I had the pleasure of attending the swearing in ceremony of 42 new U.S. citizens--four of our parishioners included. The diversity of folks was amazing--Haiti, Mexico, Columbia, Germany, Jamaica... The ceremony itself was also very lovely. They had a great speaker, a professor from the University who himself had been sworn in 18 years earlier. The presiding judges were funny and relatively laid back. They were very welcoming of families and photos and the like. A wonderful celebration.

Now home for the day. I'm beginning preparations--logistical and spiritual--for my coming retreat. Finding my art supplies and hiking shoes. Bought a new poetry book. It's only 9:30 a.m. but it feels like it should be the middle of the afternoon.

Speaking of books, I have a couple of recommendations that I am reading:

The first is Called to be Sent by Anthony Gittens. Like many of his books, and other spiritual reading, there are some chapters and sections that I find more relevant, challenging, inspiring more than others. One paragraph on E/eucharist I particularly liked:

"We do not simply 'remember,' as in 'call to mind' or 'evoke'... Anamnesis entails active remembing. That is more like 're-member-ing': 'putting the members back together,' 'reproducing,' or 're-embodying' in our own lives and communities some vital past experience." (p. 65)

I mentioned the new poetry book I got: Thirst by Mary Oliver. I love her stuff. I've really only read two poems thus far. One titled "Praying" of which I was previously familiar and that was part of the reason for my buying this particular book, and a second, the first in the book, titled "Messenger" which begins, "My work is loving the world." Very CSJ. Mary Oliver uses a lot of nature in her poems which I thought would be great to accompany me on my mountain hikes during retreat and thereafter.

So, until after retreat, most likely...

On Location

2009-07-03T06:22:00.002-06:00

Two weeks of summer camp and a few days at the motherhouse later, I am now at my mom and dad's preparing, with the rest of my brothers and sisters, to drive to Springfield, MO for my sister's wedding this weekend.

After visiting Mobile for a few days, I rounded up some of our Ripley youth for two weeks of Glenmary summer camp. The rustic setting, awesomely hot temps, and wonderful counselors from all over the country provided lots of wet and wild entertainment.

The last few days have been spent touring CSJ and St. Louis sites with a friend. Some fun gatherings and full days.

When I got to my mom and dad's last night it was just in time to help my brother and sister-in-law (a different set than the one getting married tomorrow) pack vans and load trailers with belongings to bring to the new house they had just closed on. So last night I unloaded furniture and scrubbed bathrooms. A really cute house with lots of potential not far from the motherhouse, actually. I'm sure they neighbors were wondering just how many people were moving in with all of the family help that had taken over their part of the street.

And now, wedding time. I'm hoping to have a little time to head to the store this morning before driving down to Springfield, MO. The girls have a hotel room together where we will paint nails and primp in high style. That is, after we decorate and get everything ready, of course. So many family happenings these next months. Lots of trips to come.

Vacation Mini

2009-06-11T17:16:00.003-06:00

From Jackson to Mobile to a quick day trip to Biloxi and back. While it seems like a whirlwind to write, it was actually a relaxing long weekend.

I stopped first in Jackson, MS to see Sr. Donna. We had dinner with a two week volunteer there to help with a summer enrichment program. Sunday I had the opportunity to pray with the congregation at Sacred Heart in Camden. Sacred Heart is different from my usual St. Matthew's community, as it is primarily African American, a culture very much reflected in the liturgy.

Sunday afternoon I then headed to Mobile, AL to be with my good friend Sr. Becky and her family. I just sent them a thank you card this afternoon, thanking them for opening all their doors for me--front door, a bedroom door, the refrigerator door... Becky and I always have a great time together, doing a catching up sharing of the heart. There was time for sleeping in, doing puzzles, taking walks, eating ice cream--the usual R&R activities.

Tuesday morning we left for a day trip to Biloxi, MS. We started with a walk on the beach. The beaches in Biloxi are protected with little island reefs out a bit, so there are no waves and the water is very warm. We didn't have time to swim, but I did, of course, manage to get the bottom of my capris wet and sandy. Luckily they were dark colored capris and the mess was not noticeable as we then headed to a wonderful, French restaurant called Mary Mahoney's for lunch. We met Clare, a young woman interested in our community, and her family there for a delicious lunch. Dessert was included in the meal, but unfortunately, I was so stuffed by then that I'll have to go back some time for the bread pudding. Even better than the food was the company. Clare and her family are great fun. We were regaled with wonderful tales of family history, heard some funny jokes that I wish I could remember, and were even treated to seeing her grandmother's martini stockings she had on that day. Clare and her mom will be joining me on a trip to St. Louis in a couple weeks, and I am looking forward to it already.

Yesterday, on the way home, I stopped at the camp where I will be spending the next two weeks (so don't look too much forward to a post during that time). It is a Glenmary church camp, to which a dozen or so of our young people will be attending. Mass in the morning, arts and crafts, swimming. I'm helping with "Catholic Corner." Pretty rustic, as camp should be.

Anyway, there's the update. More when I get back from two weeks on bunkbeds and camp food.

God's Great Gifts--Vacation Bible School 2009

2009-06-05T19:20:00.007-06:00

Vacation Bible School has come and gone. A very full, wonderful week. We looked at God's gifts of creation, each other, and Jesus and had a very fun time doing it. From story telling to flower planting, puppet shows to Eucharist, I can't think of a more delightful way to share Gospel.

Sam and Adriel, our two volunteers for the week were awesome! A big help in so many ways, just fitting right in and making themselves at home. I think they've made some lifelong friends.

And...Go!

2009-05-31T07:21:00.002-06:00

Our last day of work at school for the summer was Tuesday and I have already switched from busy, school-year mode to overly busy, summer mode.

Last weekend was fabulous amounts of fun, traveling back to St. Louis for my sister Christie's wedding shower and girls' night out. The weather couldn't have been more cooperative as we sat out at my mom and dad's playing our version of "The Newlywed Game." The "soon-to-be-weds" Christie and Chuck tied with my grandparents, married 57 years, for the most questions answered correctly. The next day we asked random strangers wedding questions and had fun trying on dresses. (For Christie's sake I mention that the picture is one of those fun photos, not the actual bridal party wear.) I think one little girl had the best answer. Maybe 9 or 10 years old we asked her and her little sister how they know someone is old enough to be married. She pondered and gave the answer of, "After they have a college degree," to which my mom high-fived her mom. Smart little one.

Friday, Sr. Linda, one of our sisters (of the CSJ variety) came down with her younger blood sister and two nieces, Sam and Adriel, who will be staying with us for the week.

Yesterday Sam and Adriel came with us to a Hispanic youth Encuentro (Encounter)--kind of a retreat day. Much of it was given in Spanish, which I think the girls actually enjoyed. Our teens were great; very welcoming, as always. Last night they were texting each other to make sure everyone will be coming to church today so they can see them. We've got bets on one young man.

After church today we will be working in earnest on the details for our "God's Great Gifts" vacation bible school that starts tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll have some great pictures from that.

For now, off to church myself.

Peace.

--Sarah

Patch of Earth

2009-05-21T17:00:00.005-06:00

So, we don't have recycling here in our little town, but we do our best.

This is a picture from our back yard. The black can on the left is for cans and plastic that we take to the closest bigger town. The white barrel in the middle collects rain water (the barrel a gift I received when I made vows from one of my dear CSJ sisters). There is a hole on the top with a wire mesh strainer over it and the water just flows in. I can attach the hose to the spout on the bottom or just let the water run into a bucket. I washed my car and watered my garden with rain water this afternoon. On the right is our compost. It is a mix of food scraps and lawn stuff. Hopefully, eventually, it can be used in the garden.

Our garden is a small patch of earth. I hand dug it with the help of our neighbor who was out watching that afternoon. We have tomatoes, beans, zucchini, squash, cantaloupe, peppers, and cucumbers. Only a few plants of each since our little plot is small. Yesterday was actually the first day since I planted the garden about three weeks ago that I had to water. We have had so much rain. We've actually had a little too much rain for the liking of the tomatoes, but I think they'll make it. If not, at least I had fun getting my hands dirty in the earth.

Last weekend was clean up day in our county. Volunteers met at 7:00 a.m. and were assigned streets as groups. Our church group had cleaned two streets at religious education the Wednesday night before (a story for another night), but Sr. Kate, our friend Clare and I were out nice and early for another assignment. It is amazing the amount of trash that was collected. Lots of McDonald's Happy Meal bags. I was doing well until I punctured the tip of my finger on some broken glass (No I was not picking up the glass, it was under something else I was picking up and the weeds were too high to see it. Yes, I've had a tetanus shot recently and my finger is just fine.). We finished up with hot dogs and soda at the fire station. Maybe next year we'll have somewhere in town to recycle our soda cans.

--Sarah

God's Treats

2009-04-29T19:56:00.002-06:00

Aren't they beautiful?! The rose bushes in front of our house have exploded this week. And they just keep coming. The bushes on either end are red, with a pink bush in the middle. There is one pastel pink rose in the middle of the bush that is so out of place. It is beautiful, but just so different in comparison to every other bloom on the plant. God's little treat for anyone who is looking.

I started a little garden this week. I was out back starting to turn some dirt, when our next door neighbor came and offered to help. It was great to hear his story as we worked up a good sweat together.

Things here are "involved" as of late and I felt pretty exhausted much of the afternoon, not so much from activity but from being part of the lives of many people. It's a wonderful exhaustion, I suppose, but a good sleep tonight would probably help to keep me from being crabby tomorrow.

When the walk involves plenty of sunshine, sneaky pink flowers, and wonderful relationships, who can complain?

...For the Life of the World

2009-04-21T20:34:00.002-06:00

Gathering the Daughters for the Life of the World: That was the theme of our weekend excursion to Skaneateles, NY. About 100 newer/younger CSSJs and directors met to swap stories of life and ministry, to share the state of our hearts, to pray, and eat, and laugh, and dance. It was a grand time. A very emotionally involved time. The stories some of our sisters from India and Mexico and all sorts of places here in the States were incredible. I was glad, also, for the opportunity to share my own stories. When I was in high school and college I loved to serve. I loved service trips and volunteering and campus ministry. And at least half of the reason was selfish. While I always hoped that my ministry was good for those with whom I served, I loved the way it made me feel, I love to help other people find their smile. Sometimes I lose that. It becomes work and not ministry. But, trips like this always get me refocused. I come back to Ripley with a burning desire for prayer, to listen to God and have the Holy Spirit push me on. The Spirit was definitely at work this past weekend.

It was also good to come back home. I am so grateful for community--CSJ and small town Ripley. I am grateful to be in the lives of my students and my track team and my youth group and anyone else who will let me in. I'm grateful to be aware enough to see the tiniest tear in a teen's eye, to wait in line at the grocery store behind a family with a million groceries even though they just opened up the next lane so I can sit and talk to their two little kids, grateful to come home for dinner and prayer and to be able to share who I am and what I feel with my sister. Life is good--and I am grateful.

Peace.
--Sarah

Holy Week Hail

2009-04-12T14:38:00.005-06:00

HOLY WEEK!

I was awakened this morning to cries of, "The Lord is risen, Alleluia!" as Sr. Kate came out of her room for coffee. We had a visiting priest this week to celebrate Holy Week with us, and I don't know how many times I have joyfully acclaimed that truth in both Spanish and English in the last two days.

It is a very different celebration of Holy Week having a little bigger hand in the work of the parish than it takes just to show up every night and pray. Holy Thursday went off without a glitch. Then came Good Friday. We arrived at our church property at 11:00 for Stations of the Cross, with the rain and hail following just behind us. I am amazed at how many people can fit in a little, tin, storage shed. The only thing more powerful than the deafening sound of the hail on the tin roof and the smell of gasoline leaking from the weed eater was the energy and contentment of the people. When it cleared enough to continue, we ventured out, returning as needed for shelter. Fr. Arturo did a nice job including all of the people in the carrying of the cross. Although (as always) I chose to include pictures of our youth and teens, it was also very powerful to see the men of our parish and then the women carrying the cross as well.

I hardly even remember Good Friday services, so they mustn't have been too trying. My youth group read the parts of the Gospel, and did a fine job.

Holy Saturday has become one of my favorite liturgies of the year. The contrast of light and dark, the reading of our story from Genesis through the Resurrection that continues with us today. Again, having a more intimate role in the carrying out of the mass,

and the fact that it was, as was true of all of our services, bilingual made things interesting. The songs are never sung quite the same way as we practiced, and never quite with the same melody as they might be traditionally sung in a traditional Anglo church. But, as was true of all of our services, it was lovely.

I was up early this morning and out to the property to hide the 900-some Easter eggs that my youth group had helped to prepare the day before. None of the teens made it up quite early enough to help, so I got a nice pre-Eucharist work out. After a wonderful liturgy, it was back out to the property to watch our kids take four minutes to find the eggs that had taken me over an hour to hide. They are beautiful.

Now, home to rest. Another storm is just rolling in which means any yard work I might have done is out of the question. So, a few odds and ends before buckling down for a rough evening of maybe "The Sound of Music." It's back to school tomorrow. We start our first round of track regionals on Tuesday, so hopefully the rain will be out of the system by then.

Easter blessings and prayers of peace.
--Sarah

Weeds? Not So!

2009-03-24T17:19:00.006-06:00

Weeds. Just saying the word makes me bare my teeth and wrinkle my nose. But, whoever included the beautiful, delicate wildflowers that cover the ground before the first grasscutting in the weed category needs to pray more. White, purple, and yellow tend to be the most abundant here, but I also saw a gorgeous red variety on my walk home this afternoon. I tried to count all the different types from block to block, but it was impossible. That's not counting the purposefully planted flowers, redbuds, dogwoods, bradford pears, and other flowering bushes and trees. While my track team and I find that all the pollen in the air makes it difficult to get out a satisfying spit, I suppose it is worth it for the beauty of spring's start.

Spring break was fabulous. I spent a few days with my family shoveling mulch, playing frisbee golf and lots of board games. At about 8:00 we decided maybe we ought to stop and make something for dinner. I found out the new baby we are expecting will be a boy. Between that and the two weddings being planned for this coming summer, there is lots happening.

Then time with community. We celebrated St. Joseph's Day and Jubilee in high style with Eucharist, lunch, dinner, photos, and lots of hugs and laughter. It was the first time that I had the opportunity to renew my vows with my community. I renew them every morning, but there is something special about saying it with the group of women with whom I have committed my life.

Now, back to school. We are preparing for a month of testing at school. Not my favorite way to spend the day usually, but we'll find a way to make it enjoyable nonetheless. Thankfully the weather has been wonderful for running, so the afternoons end on a high note no matter how monotonous the days get.

Lent continues with an awareness of the theme of healing in the gospels. So I ask what it is that needs healing in my life and leave myself open to those things yet to be revealed. God, as always, is great, and I am grateful for so much in my life.

Peace.

Sarah

Facebook Time Warp

2009-03-23T19:47:00.003-06:00

I didn't really expect to like Facebook; joined mostly for professional/youth group reasons/connections. And I don't really spend that much time on it, but it is fun. That being said, I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow to post, as I spent the last half hour on Facebook instead of here on the blog. Argh! Where does the time go?
Later--
Sarah

A Night Off

2009-03-10T16:48:00.005-06:00

Ahhh...relish the moment...it is not even six yet...I have finished track practice with my team, showered, eaten, and have the whole evening ahead with nothing planned that requires that I put on shoes. I very much appreciated the workshop I attended last week and all of my after school activities, but there is also something necessary in a night off every so often. The weather here was gorgeous today, nearly 80, although it is turning colder again tomorrow. The Bradford Pears are in full (smelly) bloom and most of the daffodils survived to tell of the snow. Spring Break is next week marking the beginning of the end of the school year. From here on out I will mostly be doing lots of testing at school, which is not exactly what I went to four years of college to do, but I'm sure I'll find a way to enjoy whatever it brings.

A few pictures...

Winter Jam concert in Tupelo with some youth from Church. The concert was more than sold out. If we had arrived five or ten minutes later we wouldn't have gotten in. Tony Hawk, New Song...ear plugs...

I Do Believe!

2009-03-02T15:26:00.003-06:00

Two nights ago, the forecasters were predicting snow. Now, the last few times people talked about snow, there were indeed flurries, but nothing in the way of accumulation. So, as they prepared us again, I kept saying, "I'll believe it when I see it." Well, I am now a believer. Our poor little daffodils are not looking too hot any longer. It was a Sunday, so no snow day, but I'm sure the kids had a great time nonetheless.

I am currently at Lake Tiak O'Khata near Louisville, MS taking part in an acculturation workshop the that Diocese of Jackson offers for persons who are new to ministry here in MS. It's only part way through the second day, so I'll fill you in later. But, the surroundings are great, the speakers have been good, and it has been wonderful to connect with others transitioning to the area. I'm off now to a session on Hispanic culture in the diocese. More later.

--Sarah