This and That

Here's what we had for dinner last night: Caldito!  Caldito is a hamburger, green bean and tomato soup served over rice.  My mom used to make this and it reminds me of her.

Here is what is on my agenda today: laundry!  Miguel is packing for his trip east to start his sophomore year at University of Kentucky.  He leaves Friday.

Here are Phoebe, her friend Sarah and Miguel with some light reading.  We're such intellectuals!

Today is the feast of St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests.

‎"All our religion is but a false religion, and all our virtues are mere illusions and we ourselves are only hypocrites in the sight of God, if we have not that universal charity for everyone - for the good, and for the bad, for the poor and for the rich, and for all those who do us harm as much as those who do us good. " St. John Vianney

A Blessing For Our Departing Jesuit Volunteers

For Conor, Ian, Bridget, Brianna, Chelsea, Andie, and Lisa:

“Nothing is more practical than

finding God, than

falling in Love

in a quite absolute, final way.

What you are in love with,

what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.

It will decide

what will get you out of bed in the morning,

what you do with your evenings,

how you spend your weekends,

what you read, whom you know,

what breaks your heart,

and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in Love, stay in love,

and it will decide everything.”

--Pedro Arrupe SJ (1907-91)
28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus

Thank you and God bless you!

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Today I attended the second day of a four day training for catechists for our parish's Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program.  The program is Montessori-based and was founded by Sofia Cavaletti, an Italian scholar.

The classroom, or atrium, is set up in a beautiful, simple and accessible way for the children to explore and learn about their faith, the love of God, the Liturgy, the Bible, the liturgical year, the prayers, rituals and sacraments of the Church.

While I don't plan to be a catechist in our parish program, I will probably help behind the scenes in some way.

I will take some pictures of the atrium and show them in a later post.

New Jerusalem Workshop - Shameless Commerce Division

Well, despite the bad news of yesterday, today was a bit better.

I made some sample icon shrines and we mounted some icon prints on wood panels as examples to take to the Juneau Artist's Gallery, where we have applied to be among the artists who display their work.

Here are some of the images we have mounted on panels and in the prayer shrines:

St. Agatha, Patroness of Women with Breast Cancer

Korsun Mother of God

We also will be making panels of the Holy Family and the Wedding Feast at Cana.

Keep us in your prayers that the gallery artists want us to join their group!

Prayers, please: Update

Today I am asking for your prayers for my friend Darlene and her family.

Her son Kevin was attacked and is in the hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas.  He graduated in the same class as my son, and is only 19 years old.  He is in intensive care with severe brain injuries.

The family is making a difficult decision today, whether to continue life support.  They are in need of prayers for a miracle, and failing that, strength to deal with making their decision.

Please pray for them today.  If you can ask your friends to do the same, I know Darlene and her family will appreciate it.

Through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Our  Lord, may this suffering family be consoled and comforted.

Update:  Kevin died earlier today.  Thanks for your prayers and thoughts.  The family will continue to need prayers as they grieve the loss of their son and brother.

A houseguest, and a link!

Charles' student, Sharon, arrived on Saturday and has already posted a couple of times on her blog, On A Mission about her visit here!  Stop by her blog and visit!

Around the Neighborhood

Sometimes, when I am doing the most mundane things, such as driving out to the Mendenhall Valley to go grocery shopping, or walking to the post office to mail a package, or just weeding the garden, I am struck by the unbelievable beauty of where I live.

The other day, Charles and I took a walk around the neighborhood.  I wish I could say that these pictures are all of my garden, but most of them are of my of neighbors'.

This is Douglas Harbor - I love the evening light on the trees.

This is a State of Alaska office building down the street from our house - they have a nice garden too, and they provide picnic tables for their employees (and the neighbors).

Our former neighbor painted this Killer Whale on his garage - it makes a nice landmark when directing people to our house: "Turn right at the Killer Whale!"  Our friends James and Maura just moved in!

This is our house - we need new siding.  Note the requisite blue tarp over the wood pile (very Alaskan!).

The sign for the Douglas Community Garden, which is in our lower yard.  Local school children painted the sign.

Our modest crop.

More views of the garden.

Charles' studio.

Our spirea bush - it started out as a little sprig.  I am going to divide it this fall and put it in pots so it won't get destroyed when we side the house.

The view from our front yard.

When we got home, I made raspberry/blueberry/rhubarb mini pies!

I hope you enjoyed the tour of our neighborhood!