Work wothwhile

More than once in the past number of years, I've found myself wondering how it is that the majority of working hours tend these days to be taken up with performing any variety of administrative tasks.  The trouble is that signing cheques and making decisions about the myriad of things that face any business on a day-to-day or minute-to-minute basis have very little to do with the work of being priest.

Every once in a while though, the miracle of being His representative on earth comes to the fore, and if I'm really fortunate, not only am I able to recognize it, I'm also able to pause (even just for a moment) to give thanks.

A reminder of this reality happened today.  In the midst of trying to put out a couple of smouldering administrative fires, a new face appeared.  The person behind the face identified himself and asked whether I could spare a moment to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  There are very few of these sacramental actions that are reserved uniquely to priests, and this is one of them.  With just a few words, this stranger was able to stop the administrator and to remind him of the truth about why he is present.

In the words of another wise confrere, when such moments come along, we are best to pay attention to them, for in the space of mere moments, there is great good accomplished, perhaps more good than in an entire day of tending to administrative trivia ... and for these moments, rare as they may be, we should always give thanks.

From the other side of the world

Some lessons are hard to learn ... or at least hard to admit that we need to learn.  Some such lessons come to us by means of teachers, others come from interactions with others, and still others come from the power of modern technology. Evidence one of the films currently being screened at film festivals like the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and in other parts of the world (like this little city in Northern Ontario).

This afternoon, I screened a showing of the film entitled Incendies.  It tells the story of a brother and sister who are called together to hear the text of their mother's Last Will and Testament. What should be a simple matter of words spoken and heard turns out to be an adventure that leads one of them half-way round the world, and both of them to the discovery of the secrets that their mother carried in silence for most of her life.

As I left the cinema, I couldn't help reflecting that there are untold numbers of individuals who we meet from time to time (or perhaps more often than that) who carry deep within them a secret or two that just can't be divulged.  Some such secrets do indeed go to the grave, but many of them represent experiences of unspeakable suffering and pain.  These are the ones who are most appreciative of the liberties that some of us take for granted.  Perhaps we should take a moment or two to listen to stories of those who have known these attrocities.  Sometimes they themselves can't or won't find words to express their pain, and the best that another can offer is to understand their silence.

Sound for the soul

At the end of a very busy week, and having travelled hither and yon, it was great to sit back and let the soul relax tonight.  The venue was the Glad Tidings Tabernacle, which also serves as the home to the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra.

Tonight, the SSO opened its 35th season with a concert featuring music by Beethoven (Symphony number 7: here's a taste) and Brahms (Piano Concerto number 1: here's the first movement) featuring Peter Longworth on piano.

Music has a wonderful capacity to calm the nerves of those who may otherwise have experienced a less-than-restful day, so this was a very welcome respite.  Combine this with the fact that more and more of the regular patrons at these concerts are known to me, and this turns instantly into an opportunity to catch up with a number of people who haven't seen one another for a number of months.

It's all very good for the soul.

After the show

Every workshop must come to an end, but not before taking just a moment to look at the week that was, giving thanks for the lessons learned, and then looking forward to express hopes and dreams about where we go from here.

That's what Friday was about ... first in smaller groups and then with all those who were gathered for this extraordinary week.  Thoughts about what we appreciated were many, and suggestions about how to improve for the next time were valid.  Now the work begins (or continues as the case may be) for having returned to our places of habitual roosting, each of us must now dare to implement some of the lessons we've begun to explore in the past days.

Some of us will contact local dietitians to invite them to do similar presentations for others who may benefit from their knowledge.  Others will explore new interests and hobbies through their local Community Colleges.  Some may even contact investment advisers to ask more questions or to start planning for the future.  Whatever we do, however small, it's a start on the road to taking care of ourselves, on the road to promoting Priestly Wellness.

***
As it turns out, this is also the last of the meetings with this illustrious group at which I will be present.  My tenure as Vice President effectively came to an end with the last Amen of yesterday's Mass of Thanksgiving.  The past eight years have been rich with so many blessings for me that it will take some time for me to truly take stock of them all.

I am grateful to all those who have been part of this process: to the priests who I've had the privilege to meet and to work with from all parts of the country.  The work of the NFPC is always challenging but in a good way, since this group is made up of priests working for priests.  It is a unique enterprise which allows voices of priests from all corners of the country to be heard and this collective voice is the font of great wisdom as we recognize the struggles and challenges we face, even as we dare to suggest tools such as the Wellness document and The Priest as Servant Leader, both of which are aimed at helping priests to be the best, most effective ministers of divine mercy that we can be.

Every ending also represents a new beginning, so I look forward in hope for all that will be, even as I give thanks for all that has already come to be.

The evening before

According to our established custom, the last night of the conference is dedicated to a banquet and then some local entertainment, and the island folks did not disappoint.

Upon our arrival, having discovered that there are parts and bits of our group from all parts of Canada, the chef responsible for the menu tonight wanted to show off the local delicacies, so instead of roast beef and chicken (which were to be on the original menu) he created a special plate just for us.  It's never been served here before, but if tonight was any indication there's a new dish here in town, and we for one do approve.  Come on over to the gentle island and be sure to ask for it: blue mussels, bacon-wrapped scallops, salmon and haddock, and of course a local spud to finish off the plate.

The evening continued courtesy of some local talent, and all present celebrated our achievements even as we look forward to more blessings yet to come.

It seems though that the sense of reverie was interrupted at least for one of our number as the anticipated news broke late last night that one of the beloved leaders of the Church on the Rock would be moved to Central Canada.  Lo and behold, the news has appeared this morning (in it's original Italian text only for the moment, but the English translation can't be far behind) that there's to be a change at the helm of the Diocese of Hamilton, and the newcomer is indeed coming from the Rock.

With apologies to those who must now mourn the loss of such a great leader, and with anticipated joy for those who will welcome him into their midst in the coming months.

Better late than never

Sorry to keep you waiting folk, but today has turned out to be a very busy, but good day.  Whereas yesterday was a relatively relaxed opportunity to visit the surroundings and to enjoy some of the sights, today was jammed with not one, not two but three sessions (one of which was the requisite AGM that we hold every year), and then a social (you know the kind that is celebrated when good friends have spent some time together and then must part).

Continuing the theme of Serving Well ... Taking Responsibility, this morning gave us an opportunity to learn from two men who have at least some (and probably a lot more than some) experience in the field of financial planning.  The theory is that we priests spend a lot of time caring for others' well-being but often pay little or no heed to our own, financial health being one of those aspects.

Admitedly, our guests found it somewhat difficult to present the normal run of the mill exposé because we just don't fit the mould, but then again that gave them a challenge, and probably put them in some uncharted water, and that's not always a bad thing.  Retirement planning, including setting goals for ourselves, and planning our investments so that we might just have enough money to make our goals realities ... is just not something that many of us have thought a whole lot about.  However, without at least some thought and perhaps a bit of foresight, we would run the risk of finding ourselves penniless (or pretty close to it) and I for one am not convinced that I'd be too comfortable with that.

In addition to retirement planning (which includes estate planning and thoughts about Last Wills and Testaments, as well as Powers of Attourney and Health Care Directives, not many of us have truly taken the time to understand such tools as Critical Illness insurance, Long Term Care insurance or even insurance against the occurence of Catastrophic events such as serious and life-threatening disease.

All of this is only part of taking responsibility for ourselves and for our own evenualities.

Another aspect is the whole arena of gerentology and aging successfully.  With the help of a local gerentologist, we were invited to consider various strategies for understanding the process of aging, the importance of regular exercise, diet and other factors such as social networks and their impact on the prospects for living life fully, not merely for long-term survival.

This latter session fits hand-in-hand with the session on the Canada Food Guide and healthy eating and dietary practices which we saw earlier in the week.  In a sense, all these facets are connected.  The trick is understanding them, and the role they play and the overall effect they can have on our lives.

Now for something different

The middle day of our conference is usually a much lighter day.  In this case, the morning was spent at Holland College, particularly with one of their faculty from the Culinary Institute of Canada.

One of the truths about clergy who live on their own (and most of us do) is that very few of us pay attention to nutrition requirements when we're on the run.  Today's session was about demonstrating (through an observation session) that it's not difficult to put together meals that are nutritious.  What's important is that we pay attention to ingredients, and that we are purposeful about planning for good nutrition.

The cooking part is easy.  All it takes is a bit of imagination combined with a willingness to be patient with the cooking process.  Learning these lessons comes easier to some than to others, but today's sesson definitely demonstrated that it's possible for everyone to do some simple things that will make life a whole lot easier.  If nothing else, it also planted the seed within some of us to check out the programs that might be available in our local areas, even just for interest sake.

The continuing education experts tell us that taking time for outside interests actually improves our chances for safeguarding if not furthering our own development.  One step at a time, it's possible.

Continuing education

Sorry folks, but I need to get caught up.

First, back to last night's happenings around these parts.  It's rare that we have formal evening sessions during this gathering, but sometimes, because of time constraints or scheduling restrictions, it IS necessary.  Enter last night's happenings.

The evening session last night was animated by Dr. Audrey Penner, Ph.D. (Ed.) who is the coordinator for Continuing Education at Holland College.  As mentioned in previous posts, this week's workshop is about demonstrating to those present how it's possible to conduct a workshop (or a series of workshops) calling upon local talent to share their nuggets of wisdom with us.

In this case, Dr. Penner shared a number of insights with us about the role of Community Colleges vs. that of Universities which may be located in our cities and towns, but perhaps most remarkable to this listener were some of the statistics she presented, including the finding that across Canada, 44% of all students in post-secondary education have problems with literacy.

Another epiphany was the discovery that the role of Community Colleges is about anticipating the needs of their respective communities and finding ways to respond to the educational needs, at times even before the needs can be expressed.  Also, the understanding of continuing education not only in terms of formal education but most specifically in terms of any 'informal education' that helps us to better understand ourselves and to further our interests.  Reasons for pursuing education are varied, including the source of our motivation, whether that be internal (an understanding that I am personally responsibile for decisions that affect my future) or external (a belief that others will decide whether I have what it takes to move ahead).

People who are internally motivated usually will have a much better understanding of the importance of continuing education, something that we should all do, on an ongoing basis, whether it be by formal or informal means.

Getting it right

The theme for this year's gathering is Serving Well ... Taking Responsibility.  This is a much more practical session than others we've had in recent history.  Whereas other such meetings have been characterized by brainstorming sessions and writing teams, this one is made up of being real.

The NFPC publication entitled Priestly Wellness outlined some very concrete suggestions for individual priests to take stock of their 'health'.  Following on these suggestions, we are now modeling a workshop that can be facilitated based on the modules of the Wellness document, using local talent.

Today's sessions have included a lively exchange with Angela Gallant, a Clinical Nutritionist who helped us to review Canada's Food Guide and to understand how to use it, and an afternoon session with Dr. Steve O'Brien, who answered some of our questions about general health and wellness, as well as exercise and it's effect on overall health.

These have both been very informative sessions, filled with fun, facts, figures and their fair share of questions and answers.  Now the hard part begins: knowing all this, it's up to us to put it into practice in our own lives and to share this good news with others we work with, know and love.

All on a map

As part of the proceedings, we asked each person present to stand has the names were read.  In addition, the places where each person began a journey in the past few days was mentioned, and noted on a map (using pins of various colours).

They have come from all over this land: from as far away as Victoria, Nelson, Prince George and Vancouver; from Grouard-McLennan, Saint-Paul and Edmonton; from Regina, Prince Albert and Saskatoon; from Winnipeg; from Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Pembroke Alexandria-Cornwall, Ottawa, and Toronto; from Saint John, Moncton, Halifax, St. John's, Grand Falls and Corner Brook and Labrador; and of course from Charlottetown.

The map will remain for the rest of the week, as a visible sign of the diversity of those who grace our tables.  Now that we're here, the work can begin, always tempered with just the right amount of play, just for the sake of balance.

Welcome the newcomer

She sat at the registration table today with othes who had accepted the task of bidding welcome to those who arrived for this week's gathering.  Together, they chatted, among themselves and with every new comer as they stood as sentenels over the welcome packages and put the finishing touches on the name badges which would be used for the rest of the week.

Name badges are little details, but watching these ladies at work would convince anyone that it was the most intricate of operations.  One of them would separate the freshly printed tags, another would place them in their plastic sheaths, and the third would thread each badge with its share of cord, making sure to tie each one with a knot.

Stories were shared between friends old and new, with strangers who have come to visit 'from away'.  It was obvious that they were enjoying their time and happy to be of service.  Hospitality is all about the little things: about the ones who take the time to separate the tags, to place them ever so gently within their cases, to tie each one just so, all so that they can be worn with pride for the coming days.

People like these don't often get much public recognition (nor do they often seek it) but they are the ones who must be recognized, because these are the little acts of kindness that make all the difference.

Profound happenings

I had the profound understanding while celebrating Mass this morning that a bunch of human beings were standing together, uttering words, but partaking in something much bigger than any of us could ever hope or imagine.

Perhaps a part of it started as I deepened my meditation on the paradox of poverty.  Having prepared a homily on the reasons for money mattering, I was led to another level of understanding that it has often been the ones in my life who have nothing by earthly standards (either because of choice, such as priests who take vows of poverty, or because of circumstance) who seem to be the richest in their appreciation of what they have.

There are many other such paradoxes if we have the eyes to see them.  This morning for instance, I poured a small amount of water over the heads of two infants, while understanding (albeit in a limited way) that what God was doing was washing away their sin: something much more profound than simply wiping away the dirt from their foreheads.  I also placed a sign of the cross on each of the children's foreheads, even as I understood that God was claiming them as his own beloved and sealing them by means of a drop of oil on their chests and on the crowns of their heads with a prize much more valuable than royalty.

Then of course I had the privilege of distributing the body of Christ to those who were present.  I wonder if any of them had a similar understanding of the magnitude of this gift, and how very small the part is that we play in fulfilling the plan of the One who has given us this and every other gift.

Significant moments

One of my contemporaries once remarked that priests have the extraordinary privilege of being present at the most significant moments of people's lives.  For people of faith, we are present when they are welcomed into the family of faith (at baptism), when the decision of others is confirmed by each pilgrim him- or herself, at the time when they first meet the merciful God (in Reconciliation), when they receive the divine gift of the Eucharist, when they are suffering and need the healing power of a sacramental Anointing, even when they speak their words of love to one another.

Today was a day for such moments, and in this case they are related by physical space.

I always remember this insightful comment when I enter a hospital (as I did this afternoon), having been called to the bedside of one who faces the uncertainty of life changing reality.  These are moments of grace, spent at times with one and only one person, at others with family and friends gathered around, even as they seem to stand aside uncomprehendingly as the sacramental presence of the Savior is celebrated.

Later today, I had a moment to connect by phone with another aquaintence who was present at his wife's funeral today.  As we spoke, I could hear the uncertainty still in his words, but beneath all the questions, there is still, quiet faith, and this makes all the difference.

Wisdom of the ages

For what shall we give thanks tonight?

Well, I had supper tonight with two of the oldest (if not THE oldest parishioners).  In fact, just two days ago, they both celebrated their birthdays.  One is now 94 years old, and the other is 99!  Hearing them speak tonight about having retired long before I myself hit the job market helped me to appreciate how much experience, how much love, and how much faith I was privileged to sit with.

We agreed to share a meal together to celebrate their birthdays, but I'm not sure that the birthday was the most important thing.  In fact, it was all about just sitting together, telling stories and enjoying some good food.  These two are full of faith, fun and have just the right amount of frolick still left in them to make life worth living.  Perhaps that's the secret to their many years.  They joked about so many things that I had a hard time keeping up with them.

Once the meal was complete, I suggested that we take a drive, to the former town of Creighton Mine.  I myself have heard about this place for years, but have never visited (until today), but one of my companions lived for years just a few miles away, so it was a great privilege for him to show off his old haunts, and to tell me about the little store that he and his wife ran in the nearby town of Naughton.  This is the stuff of legend.  Stories as they were told tonight are worth money.  It's hard to imagine that so many people who have such wonderful stories to tell are too often ignored by generations who could learn so much.

It was evident that this night could have gone on for ... days, but all things must come to an end.  In this case, I for one am happy to know that there is always another opportunity to spend time with these wonderful people.

Pushing the limits

He came in this afternoon, accompanied by others who we normally refer to as 'friends' or 'young people'.  While they all fit into the customary measure of the second criteria, we can't be convinced that the first holds true too.  Nevertheless, this was the first time we had met him, and it wasn't long before we began to hear fragments of his story.

He's a street kid who'se known the pain of losing his father.  We're not sure what the story with his mom is, nor do we know whether there are any siblings.  What's sure is that he presents as a very insecure young man.  By his own admission, he'd been forced to come to our kitchen, and although he put in his time, I'm not convinced he was truly happy to be here.

Later in the day, when I happened by just at the time of supper service, he was still trying to prove himself.  I wonder whether he's even aware that at least some of those who observed his choices and movements today knew that he was trying very hard to fit in.  Pushing the limits is nothing new.  It is in fact a very tell tale sign that he's a very needy person.  The question is how to allow him to find his place, to be himself, and to trust that life is worth living.

These kinds of questions can be asked for all of us.  There are times when we are all insecure about our choices, and about the possible outcomes.  Learning to take the risks though is an essential part of finding peace.  Thanks for today's lesson.

People helping people

For what shall we give thanks today?

Since the morning began in an airport, I must be thankful for those who made me wait (for clearance through the security and for admission aboard the flight).  These moments were filled with their own anxieties as time was running out before the flight in question would leave the ground, but considering the responsibility for security placed upon their shoulders, the wait was definitely worth it.

Later in the day, I met with parishioners who have agreed to help with the planning of liturgies in the parish.  These people willingly share their talents and gifts to help others who come to pray with us find a place of welcome, a place to be quiet, a place to meet friends, a place to speak whatever is on their hearts before a God who promises always to listen.  Creating an environment that is condusive to prayer is not an easy thing, and paying attention to people's needs (myriad that they seem to be at times) adds its own level(s) of challenge, but together we do our best to put the building blocks in place.  When all is said and done, we must let the truth of the moment speak and the Divine have His own way.  That's perhaps harder to do than it might seem.

Just waiting

For what shall we give thanks?  This is the phrase I've added to the blog (at least the editing page) as a reminder to myself every time I get to this stage that I must find something for which to express my gratitude.

Today, I found myself in a hospital setting, sitting with some loved ones, waiting for a chimo treatment to be administered.  Admittedly, since we arrived at the hospital shortly before 8:00 am, it was a bit unnerving to say the least to find ourselves still waiting at 10:30.  By that point, the preliminary tests had been completed, but the treatment hadn't yet begun.  Then again, a quick glance around, and knowing that everyone else in the room was facing the same questions: a desease that can have as many permutations and combinations as crowds have faces; the stark reality that for some of these, there is no cure, only management techniques ... pretty serious stuff which is much more life changing than just a few hours of imposed waiting.

When all was said and done, the treatment in question was indeed administered, the patient slept and the bystanders waited.  As we left the building, I couldn't help thinking that I was truly thankful for having had this opportunity: to sit quietly, to read, to spend time with loved ones, and to just 'be' there.