Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Confirming faith

With the beginning of the preparation session for the upcoming celebration of Confirmation, there are more than just the candidates who are learning about their faith in these days.  In fact, all of us disciples continually learn about our faith, and how to live it on a daily basis.

Even as we complete the registration process for candidates, and answer the many questions posed by their parents and guardians, today has presented us with a few options to recognize our faith in action.  As it happens, today is the liturgical feast of St. Bruno, a Carthusian monk who lived in the 11th century.  In Canada, it is also the liturgical memorial of Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher.  Who better than the Saints and Blesseds to provide an example for young and aspiring Christians like those who are preparing to celebrate Confirmation?

Faith in action is what the saints were good at.  Faith in action is what all the baptised are called to live.  Faith in action can see us teaching the young, or visiting the elderly.  We may be quietly paused in prayer or frantically feeding the hungry.  Wherever we find ourselves, we are reflections of the goodness of God, and must strive every day to celebrate it to the best of our ability.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

And they're off

Tonight we held the first face-to-face meeting for children (and their parents) who will celebrate Confirmation this year.

The programme that we've prepared includes a component that can be followed on-line.  In fact, the children have now been entrusted with the preparation for this sacrament courtesy of our parish website, and the care of their parents.  In recent years, even the schools have noticed the importance of computers and e-learning, and have introduced laptop programs for students in upper elementary grades.

We have also added a few extra levels to this year's program, including an online forum for answers to the exercises to be submitted.  Readers of this blog can check out at least the introductory pages of this program, but unfortunately for you, the rest of the program is available only to students who have registered for the program.  Copyrights for this program are currently being arranged.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Different worlds

This morning, I visited two schools.

I was only there (in each of the schools) for a relatively short period of time, but it was enough for me to recognize both some similarities and some differences that exist.  In both cases, these two places are establishments of learning for students between the ages of 5 and 13 or 14.  Both places have their full complement of teachers and other support staff, and in both cases, the adults present are doing their very best to impart the joy of learning to the students who enter the doors on a daily basis.

Teaching, like living, doesn't take place in a vacuum though.  In some cases, teachers know that their students are ready to learn, but in other cases, even the basic necessities like clothing and adequate food are bonuses, which can't be counted upon.  Knowing these realities gives teachers a heads-up and allows them to function (albeit in a very different fashion) to the best of their abilities.

I was accompanied today on this journey by a former teacher, who herself had taught in these settings, and so was very aware not only with the history of the different places, but the current realities (which in some cases have not changed a whole lot from that time to now).  As soon as this knowlege was shared with the present-day staff, there was a visible relief that appeared on faces, and things just seemed to go a bit easier.

Life is never easy, but the hidden realities with which we deal (each of us) on a day-to-day basis can and do affect how well we do our jobs.  When others come to visit and demonstrate a level of understanding for the hidden realities, even in a non-verbal fashion, there is a level of trust and comprehension established right from the get go ... and life just seems to go along that much better.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

You never know

Some days you get out of bed with a clear plan of what will happen, when it will take place, in what order things need to happen .... and other days all this seems to disappear in smoke, despite your best efforts.

For some, these days of unexpected happenings cause no end of anxt, but for others, they are days of hidden treasures, and even unknown blessings.  It's all a matter of perspective.

Today, I knew that the morning would be normally occupied, and I knew too that the evening was already spoken for, but the afternoon hours could easily have ended up being wittled away in lazy relaxation.  Instead, they ended up being spent with some surprise guests: a wonderful blessing.  Now that they have departed for their next destination, there are a few moments to take a deep breath, and to utter a word of thanks before the next phase of the adventure begins.

Be conscious today about the little moments that we find (and sometimes they are very little moments indeed) to recognize the goodness that is ours. 

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Relaxation with friends

After a rather hectic week which was filled with its own share of fun as well as other stuff, I am grateful for this day because as it turned out, the past 24 hours or so have been relatively calm (something that is truly rare in these parts, and thus to be savored and cherished).

A small amount of the daylight hours today was spent doing some errands, but the vast majority was spent just chilling, some of the time in the company of friends, and some of the time in blissful solitude.  As it turned out, even the evening was spent with friends, surrounded with good food, lots of laughs and just the right mixture of convivial conversation (ok, before I get carried away ...).

Oh, lest I forget, this afternoon's Mass was made that much more memorable thanks to the presence among us of a visiting priest.  In this case, he's a Spiritan priest who is originally from Ireland, but currently stationed in the Amazon region of Brazil.  Someone commented after Mass that 'those Irish priests have such a way of preaching'.  I must admit that for a second or two, I had considered inviting this priest to share some of his experiences with the gathered community, but then again he's on holidays, and I think was just as happy to be present, even though he didn't have to regale us.  Enjoy your holiday and soak in the treasures of family and friends.

Thanks everyone.  Rest well.  Tomorrow will bring its own blessings.

Friday already?

I guess this has turned out to be one of those weeks that just flies by.  It seems only yesterday that we were beginning the week, and already it's the weekend.  Where does the time go?

Perhaps there were a few contributing factors this week though:
  • On Tuesday, it was imperative that the registration forms for the Sacrament of Confirmation be distributed to the various schools who could then share them with students who will ultimately end up as our (possible) candidates for this Sacrament.  Doing this was a bit tedious, because we had to draft a cover letter and then make sure to visit the schools, but then again that isn't always a bad thing.  In this case, we got to meet some of the staff, and to share with them some of the wonderful news about preparing for Confirmation.
  • On Wednesday evening, there was a meeting of the Finance committee.  These gatherings don't happen too often, so when they do, there can be a number of subjects to be discussed.  The people who sit around the table are really good: they have a genuine concern for the parish, and are willing to help if the need arises, especially in matters pertaining to money (or lack thereof).
  • On Thursday evening, the long-awaited Fall Harvest Dinner (a fundraising effort for parishioners and friends) finally arrived.  We chose to hold this gathering at a local restaurant, which was a wise choice because it meant that we were physically removed from the premises of the parish, but also that we could trust the expertise of others who have lots of experience in feeding folk.  When I arrived, it didn't take long before I came to the realization that everyone involved in this venture knew their jobs very well, and weren't afraid to do them.  This left me free to greet people as they arrived, and to consult with the organizing committee about issues as they arose (not that I could do much to solve some of them).  As it turns out, this was an absolutely wonderful evening.  Everything went well, and when all is said and done, there wasn't much that we would change (at least I don't think so).  One thing is sure: the place was packed, and people will be talking about this night, the meal and the entire experience for quite some time to come.
  • Today was a catch up day ... in some ways a recovery day.  For some of us, it felt like the day after the night before, and we couldn't help wondering if anyone else had gotten the licence and registration of the freight train that must have passed by, but the euphoria of the past day kept us going, and I'm sure it will for some time to come.  New friendships have been forged by this combined effort, and it will be very interesting to watch them unfold as time goes on.  It's amazing what can happen when a group of people get together to support a common cause.
  • An impromptu supper capped the day.  Friends gathered to share their stories, to care for each other, and to enjoy a moment of quiet at the end of an otherwise packed few days.  What a wonderful way to start the weekend.