Monday, May 31, 2010

Remember the suffering

A short drive away from the city of Krakow lies the village of Oswiecim site of the former army barracks which were transformed in the early part of the 1940s into the infamous prison camps.

Unbeknownst to the Polish people (who by the way had at this point been assumed into the territory of Germany, this army barrack was transformed also into a death camp known to the world as Auschwicz.

This was a very difficult day for some, and a sobering experience for all. We have all heard the stories of the attrocities which took place here, but seeing the space, there is an eerie silence even today. Walking through the various buildings and understanding what happened in this place leaves visitors with an emptiness, and with tears of compassion for all the suffering which took place.

In a true sense, this is one of those experiences that cannot be described in words, for it is almost unfathomable how such inhuman actions against humanity could even have been conceived of much less acted upon.

As if one such death factory were not bad enough, we also visited the neighbouring camp known as Birkenau where so many were unloaded like cattle from the incoming cars, forced to live in sub-human conditions and to work inhuman hours, or to be put to death.

With all the suffering that has been endured by the Polish people, and by the countless others who found themselves subjected to this place, is it any wonder that their faith was the only thing they could cling to with any certainty? Is it any wonder why so many of them still remain committed to this faith? To some it might sound strange, but history has proven that faith has persisted, and been strengthened most in places where it has been tried most.

Mercy for the taking

Today we finally arrived at the shrine of Divine Mercy. This devotion introduced to the world through the work of Sister Maria Faustina Kowalska is perhaps most well known here in Poland, but is quickly making its way through the entire world.

The shrine of Divine Mercy stands as a testament to Faustina's commitment to spread the message of divine mercy throughout the world. Thousands if not millions of pilgrims come to this shrine every year to pray, to entrust their petitions to the loving heart of Mercy and to ask for Saint Faustina's intercession.

We too have done so, and now must continue on our pilgrim way.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Back to Krakow

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that within three short years I would be back to the city of Krakow.

This time, with a different group of people, but here nonetheless, the memories of that first visit came flooding back. Familiar sites like the Market Square, the Planty, Saint Mary's Church, the Cloth Hall and of course the Wawel Castle were among the sites visited this time around.

A bit of time for strolling in the Square allowed me and a few others to find one of the stalls where there are pyrogi for sale (saurkraut and mushrooms for me please), and even the famous mountain cheese which is typical of this area. Oh, and don't forget a visit to the Weddel chocolate factory. Yum!

Faith in action

This morning we found ourselves at one of the sites I had heard so much about, but had never had the opportunity to see.

Believe it or not, the Wieliczka salt mines have been in operation for centuries and are still being mined today. Like the mines back home, part of this complex has been converted into a tourist attraction. Unlike the mines in Sudbury, meant to expose the general public to the realities of nickel mining, the publicly visited parts of the Wieliczka mine are works of art which tell the story of faith that is so engrained in the hearts of the people who work there.

Faith. This is evident everywhere in Poland, thanks to the generations and generations who have learned of the importance of the Madonna of Czestochowa, and of the love of God as has no doubt been taught by their mothers, fathers and other examples of faith. Poland is a country made up of 90% Catholics, so faith is still very strong and apparent here.

Among the attractions at the Wieliczka salt mine are statues and crucifixes, made from salt or from other materials. There are chandeliers constructed entirely from salt crystals, and there are veritable wonderlands containing statuary of humans, dwarves, carvings, and many chapels. To enter the salt mines and to walk this path is truly to experience a testament of faith, left behind by the miners themselves who have created these works of art with their own hands, on their own time.

The most recent addition to this display is a pathway reminiscent of a shaft which leads from one exhibit to another. Along the shaft, there are Stations of the Cross, carved in wood. This collection was blessed by Stanislaus Cardinal Dziwisz, formerly the secretary to Pope John Paul II, and currently the Archbishop of Krakow, and stands as a testament of gratitude from the miners to their beloved Holy Father.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

On the brght mountain

Today we bid farewell to Warsaw, and set our sights on perhaps the best known pilgrimage site in all of Poland. It is said that at Czestochowa, the heart of Poland beats, for there is found the Icon which is fondly referred to as the Black Madonna.

The ears of foreigners have heard tell of the great love that Poles have for Our Lady, and no son or daughter of this land would hesitate to tell of their attachment to the Madonna of Czestochowa, but you have to see this devotion to truly understand it. Pope John Paul II visited this shrine at least six times in his tenure as Pontiff, to say nothing of the number of times he may have set foot on this mount as a child, or during the earlier years of his priesthood, but he certainly wasn't alone.

Even today, from early morning until dusk, thousands upon thousands of pilgrims come to pray within the walls of the sanctuary. The Pauline priests who have been entrusted with the spiritual care of this site continue to welcome all who knock at their doors for this is a place of pilgrimage, of prayer, of conversion and of grace.

So it was that today we found ourselves surrounded by myriads of young children, each of whom had recently celebrated First Communion in their various local parishes, and who had now come to visit the Madonna. There were also a group of newly-ordained priests celebrating Mass at the altar under the Holy Icon. These Masses are apparently celebrated in groups and at designated times during the day. In addition, there happened to be an ordination ceremony taking place in the Basilica as well today, for 11 new deacons who will one day also be ordained priests. What a wonderful witness of hope for the young people to experience these priests at prayer. What a wonderful witness to the world of the power of faith and prayer to help the human soul overcome even the darkest of doubts.

Our little group celebrated Mass in the Chapel of Our Lady, away from the throngs, before sharing a meal together in one of the many cafeteria, and then being treated to a personalized tour of the shrine thanks to the courtesy of the Pauline Fathers.

One cannot but leave this place with renewed hope, with a renewed sense that we are not alone, and with the knowledge that it is the Mother of God who leads us always to the heart of that which is most essential in our faith: the Eucharist, Jesus Christ.

Wandering in Warsaw

Our first night in Warsaw was rather a short one, but to be truthful, at least some of us braved the adventure of a walking tour of at least part of the city before crashing into our pillows. This was to prove a foreshadow for the next day's adventure.

Friday morning dawned with the promise of its own share of discoveries. As it turns out, this was Father Jan's anniversary of ordination, and we happened to be 'back home' in the same city where he was ordained, incardinated and had spent a number of the first years of his priestly service. When someone is home, and has the opportunity to show others the things that are most special, it's a real treat for the newcomers because it gives not only the tourist's point of view, but also an added layer of pride and perhaps just the slightest chance of getting a bit of the inside scoop.

Thus, the guided tour that was afforded us included the Barbican (the remnant of the stone wall which once demarked the limits of the city in its earliest form) and which now still demarks the limits of the old city and the beginning of the new one. There was also mention of course of the Warsaw ghetto, a sad moment in the history of this city, and a moment for the rest of us to appreciate yet another layer of the history which is so rich in these places where saints and sinners have trod.

No tour of Warsaw would be complete without a visit to the Chopin Monument, a statue of one of the most famous Warsavians (at least in the classical music world). It was interesting to note that Chopin only lived in this city until his 20th birthday, but it is believed that most of his music was composed here, despite the fact that he was technically forbidden to perform any of it in public. He left Warsaw at age 20 and moved to Paris where he lived out the remaining years of his life. Despite his fondest wish to return, he never was permitted to do so, thanks to the ruling political powers of the day. Every five years, there are now competitions between aspiring pianists to play the music of this most beloved son of Warsaw. This year's competition is scheduled to conclude in October.

Other sights that we managed to glimpse, albeit fleetingly on this rather packed day included the Royal Palace, once the site of the Polish Parliament, and the Palace of Culture and Science, a testament to the Stalinist regime which exerted such power over this part of the world for so long. No, we didn't actually set foot in any of these places, but at least we heard the stories behind them, yet another level of enriching tone and colour to the already salty history which makes this place so inviting.

Visits today also included a stop at the convent where Sister Faustina Kawalska began her religous life, and at the church of Saint Stanislas Kostka, made famous in recent years by the fact that Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko, who is scheduled to be beatified on June 6 of this year. If all goes as planned, the church where Fr. Jerzy is burried and its environs will be absolutely packed on that day.

This is truly the place where saints have walked. Would that we could aspire to walking in their footsteps.

Memorable moments

Every journey has its share of memorable moments, and this one includes a few that happened right from the start.

Settling into a hotel is always a learning experience. In this case, a group of 40 pilgrims arrived at our destination, and then had to wait for the checkin procedures to be complete. Unlike individuals who show up at a hotel, we did things just a bit differently.

Now, you have to understand that if 40 people tried to check into any hotel (even at home) at or about 1:00 pm (which was the time that we arrived at our destination) there would be more than a few challenges to contend with. Most hotels don't have checkouts until about 12:00 noon, and then there must be a delay to allow the staff to clean and prep the rooms. Needless to say, not many of the rooms were ready for us. By the time this all fell into place, it was nearer to 2:30 or 3:00 pm. Not to worry: this gave us a moment or two to get to know each other and to begin sharing stories. Its funny how friendships are renewed, begun and knitted at times like this.

With all the travel, the changes in time zones and the built-in stress of getting settled, it wasn't long after our 7:00 pm supper had been consumed that most of us found ourselves in perfect disposition for horizontal meditaition to Our Lady of the Pillow. Maybe the people of Poland haven't heard this appelature for the Madonna, but then again, maybe they have.

Safe arrival

Sorry, but this is the first opportunity that I've had to get back to the cyberpen since our arrival in Poland.

As of the last posting, I was sitting in Toronto and awaiting the first of two flights which would eventually take this little band of pilgrims from the metropolis on the shores of Lake Ontario to the (bigger) metropol of Paris, but alas we only had just enough time to leave the plane, to walk briskly to the passport control, and then to make our way even more hurriedly to the next boarding gate. Along the way, we even discovered that it was necessary to clear security AGAIN before they would let us get anywhere near the plane. Result ... we arrived at the boarding gate just in time to get on the plane.

No we didn't lose anyone along the way, and yes we did manage to get onboard before the closed the doors. The remainder of the flight was uneventful, and we soon found ourselves at Fredrik Chopin International Airport (that's in the city of Warsaw), at the end of our air travel, and ready to begin the pilgrimage of discovery that lay ahead.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

The pilgrimage begins

The bags are packed. The boarding passes have been secured. Soon we will set out on the pilgrimage which will bring us to the land of the Piast dynasty, to the homeland of Wenceslaus, to the homeland of Mozart and of course to the land of Bavaria.

The journey begins amid throngs of humanity who will gather at the airport, and will continue along with a group who are travelling, partly to be tourists in a strange land, but above all to be spectators at the famous Oberammergau Passion Play.

Come along for the ride.

Inukshuk

Throughout the circumpolar world, stone figures known as inukshuit dot the landscape. Used for communication and to demark the trail that is to be followed, these stone figures have also become known in the more southen climes of our country.

We may not have an inukshuk in our home (at least not the large roughly made ones that are typical of the artic) but all around us are other kinds of indications of significant moments in our lives. Picture frames can also fulfil this purpose, as they hold the treasured memories of our past and remind us of our roots. Perhaps they stand as reminders of the joy of our lives, like little children ... who grow and change so quickly that we adults must be vigilant about keeping track of the major turning points along the road.

In the early stages of infancy, babies are the most rapid to denote the changes both in physiology and temprament as they 'find their way'. So it is that I've discovered an inukshuk of sorts in the form of a multi-image frame which proudly displays pictures of my little niece at each of the past six months of her earthly existence. These pictures tell a thousand words as they reflect the curiosity that is typical in a child's face, but they also recount the extreme joy that is at times fleeting and at other times a constant inhabitant of the owner's heart.

Faces both young and old hold the reflection of the heart that beats within. If this face is any indication of that truth, then the natural wonder of childhood lives side by side with the anguish of trying to communicate (sometimes unsuccessfully) and with the peaceful contentedness of one who knows she is home and deeply loved.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Getting away

We all need a place to get away to once in awhile. For some it's a place just around the corner, for others it's up the road a bit, for yet others it's a few hours away, and for some it's a place in the imagination. Whereever that 'place' might be, we all need to go there every so often, to relax, to rejuvenate, to recharge.

I for one have wondered for years about those who run away from the metropols where they call home on a daily basis, to the relative seclusion of an oasis sometimes an hour or two away, just for a weekend. Is it really worth the effort when you consider the time it takes to get out of the rat race when everyone else seems to have the same idea and is also chasing the Shangrila of their dreams? What about the fact that after spending a few days of blissful peace, these same people must face the same endless ribbon of white and red lights (to say nothing of the metal and crome snake) to return to their daily abodes?

Those who have them swear by them. Those who don't sometimes question the wisdom, unless of course we find a way to share ... now there's a novel idea!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Dressed to the nines

What happens when the special day comes around? All the family gathers around, and the little ones who are marking another significant moment in their journey get all dressed up. So it was that they arrived, along with their loved ones, each one of them sporting their finery. Looking like little angels, they all did their part: some to sing and begin the celebration with music, others to speak boldly the words that are most often proclaimed in this assembly by others much older than they, and still others to present the simple gifts, work of human hands which would be transformed into the food of angels.

Celebrating on this day brought back memories for others too, as we all looked back to the day when each of us was in the same place as these little ones, tentatively yet excitedly venturing into the next rite of passage, and finally being able to receive the prize for which we so longed.

To echo the feast prepared by divine hands, there must also be a feast prepared by human hands, so it was fitting that they and we should share a simple but elegant lunch before they went on their way. All of life seems to be a constant parade of intersections between the divine and the profane, the holy banquet and the daily goings and comings of our lives.

I wonder if these little minds are conscious of the connection.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Travelling without a passport

In the past number of years, it's becoming more and more difficult to travel anywhere without that famous piece of identification. You know the one: it often looks like a little book, bears a current photo of the bearer, and sports some basic but very valuable information about who this person is. Some of these little treasures are highly sought-after and can fetch a hefty sum on the shady side of legal markets, but the threat of possible violation should never stop the sense of adventure from peaking out every now and then.

Truth be known, there are ways to travel, even to foreign places, without a passport. All it takes is a bit of courage and possibly a few friends ... ah, and a good quality restaurant or two. Sights, sounds and smells of local cuisine from places near and far have a wonderful capacity to transport us beyond our own borders, and to place us (even if it's just in our imaginations) as far away as the other side of the world, and we often don't have to spend a fortune to get there either.

How fortunate we are that we live in such a cosmopol of cultures. All it takes is a bit of adventure and an open mind. The possibilities are endless.

Friday, May 21, 2010

All in a word

I've always enjoyed words (can you tell?). Whenever I find a new one, I'm curious to research its meaning and context so that it can be embedded in the vast storehouse of knowledge that my brain (and yours) holds. Would that we could access all those terra-bytes of information at will!

Just a few months ago, I stumbled upon one of those medical terminologies that I don't hear every day. With apologies to others for whom this is everyday chatter, I was curious to plunge into the meanings of the word epicondolytis. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that this multisylabic nomenclature refers to the only-too-common 'tennis elbow' or its closely related cousin 'golfer's elbow'!

Curiosity about words and other things isn't limited to just the more experienced of us humans. This was evidenced yesterday when I heard one of the little ones who is preparing for the imminent reception of First Eucharist get veritably excited over the repeated pronunciation of the liturgical term transsubstantiation. Wow, now that's a mouthful for all of us!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Excitement boiling over

What happens when you put fifteen eight-year-olds in a room? Add just a bit of excitement, but make sure that their parents and guardians are never too far away.

This was the sight tonight as we began the final preparation meeting for First Eucharist. These eager beavers will receive the most precious of gifts in just a few days' time, and it is absolutely wonderful to see the excitement in their faces, the bounce in their steps, and the wonder that is still evident in their eyes. They're keyed up about this day, when they will get a chance to dress up, and to be the focus of everyone else who will be there. Some children thrive on the attention, others crave it. The trick for us 'more experienced folk' is to find the balance and to inspire learning in all those who find themselves in teachable surroundings.

If tonight was any indication, the celebration on Sunday afternoon will be anything but dis-spirited.

Spring Give

This afternoon, I attended the local Food Bank's semi-annual 'Give'. This is the occasion when they award certain amounts of vouchers redeemable for food. These vouchers are actually shared among various organizations, all of whom are busy about the task of feeding the hungry of our city.

According to the stats, there are about 1000 more 'hungry' in the city this year than there were last, at least the ones who are availing themselves of the programs which are funded by the Food Bank. This is perhaps not too surprising considering the current downturn in the economy, and the fact that VALE, one of the large employers here in town has had more than 3000 of its employees on strike for the better part of 10 months now.

What is surprising, and pleasantly so, is that the local Food Bank was able to distribute more than $240,000 worth of food credit to various organizations today ... and there will be another 'Give' in six months' time!

These are the times when I truly have to stop, take a breath, and believe as deeply as I can that we've got it right: life is about giving life, about taking care of the orphans, and watching out for the ones who need our help.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

In appreciation

How does one show appreciation for something that's been offered? There are as many ways to do this as there are people willing to give of their time and talents.

Volunteerism as we know it in society these days may very well have been born in the age-old custom of self-giving that the Church calls discipleship. Then as now, it's important that all those who give so much of themselves be recognized in some way and thanked for their generosity.

It's not often that even the good people themselves have a chance to meet one another, much less to socialize a bit, so these are truly moments to give thanks. Nothing seems to draw a crowd quite as effectively as the promise of good food, welcoming friends and a relaxed atmosphere. That's what we created last night as the invited guests arrived for their moment in the sun. This was also a precious opportunity for us all to meet, to chat and to learn a bit more about each other, and about the sometimes hidden ways in which so many hands and hearts contribute to making this a place of welcome for so many.

Time seemed to absolutely evaporate as one conversation gave way to another, as one presentation made room for another, as commissioning and recognition seemed to cohabit in peace. As the place emptied out, our tired bodies were a testament to the good work that has been done, and that continues to be accomplished. Dare I say that we left with hearts and spirits rejoicing.

A star is born

In the early evening hours of Sunday, there was a veritable crowd assembling in the church. For months now, one of our very own has been preparing for her début. With the help of a vocal coach, and a number of friends and family, all of whom believe in her, she was finally ready (even if she didn't realize it) to face the music.

She's been gracing us with her gift of music for quite some time now, and finally she was ready to use this talent to contribute to the fundraising activities currently taking place here. Imagine her surprise when so many people showed up. One never knows how many others will show up for a show like this, even though it's been advertised for a number of weeks. Word of mouth plays its part too, except that this kind of advertising often goes unseen. All the more reason why all those who were involved in planning this evening concert should be more than pleased with the number of people who showed up to listen.

Once the first notes had been sung, it wasn't long before she settled into the new spotlight, and impressed the listeners with every added stanza. By the time the intermission arrived, people were already talking about when the next concert would take place. In case any further proof of this evening success was needed, there were at least two encores following the end of the formal program, and had there been more, we possibly could still have been sitting there in the dawn light of another day.

Bravo ... and thank you for sharing your talents with us. Music soothes even the savage beast. It reaches beyond the barriers we work so hard to construct, and softens the heart, the spirit, even as it speaks to the soul.

Don't worry ... news about the next concert(s) will be published soon ... we hope.

Additions to the familly

What a week it's been ... and it's only Wednesday.

All around us there are signs of goodness, welcome and love (divine love that is). On Sunday, we welcomed three new members in our parish community. The formal welcome takes place in the ritual of baptism, and this time around, there were three of them (along with their families) - all gathered in the church for the celebration of the Eucharist.

At that age, children are innocent, depending on parents, godparents and other members of their families for just about everything. In a sense, we never do outgrow this dependence (on God), although we do inherit the ability to ignore Him when we choose to. Thankfully, He never ignores us, but chooses instead to wait for us to 'wake up' to the fact that He's never been far away. We call these moments of awakening 'graced moments', and when we recognize such moments, they are indeed pure gifts.

I wonder if the parents and other adults who were present for the baptisms, and the parties which undoubtedly took place in the aftermath, were even the slightest bit aware of these divine truths, and the intangible, unseen gifts that were given even before the first party favor was distributed.

True reasons

Hi folks. It's been quite a while since I last wrote here, not because there hasn't been 'stuff' happening (probably more because there has been too much happening these past weeks).

In the next couple of days, I'll try my best to come up for air and get back to the keyboard. In the meanwhile, here's a sample of something I came across in the past few days that might provide some food for thought, if not intrigue for you and-or for those younger ones you and I love so much.

In less than two minutes, some very important truths are spoken, with the built-in beat to keep everything moving. These are truths about life lessons, interwoven with some of the current-day culture that allows it to speak to all hearts that will listen. In the end, the ultimate truth about life is the same that has been spoken for years, centuries, even generations. We just have to find the right ways to reach today's hearts.