A Restful Week

I feel a sense of accomplishment this week. I realize I use time well. I spent Monday working on a Children's Missal so they can follow along during Mass. I was pleased with how little time I needed to complete the work. It took me a full day, but I suspected there would be loose ends to tie after the main work was done. However, the product came out fairly well. I had 100 copies printed and to my surprise, several adults want a copy for themselves. I feel a great sense of producing something worthwhile and tangible.

It did make me realize that people really do want to hold onto something Christian in their faith. As I already have a collection of poems, I am intent on producing a book of prayers that include many decent ones from the saints and from the Ignatian and Jesuit traditions. I'm sure it will be a big hit. It will promote the Jesuits in the area because if Jesuits are going to be in a parish setting, we must be distinctively Jesuit in our spirituality or else, why are we here?

Since I had some free time, I reviewed and edited a chapter by a Jordanian friend who wants to get his Ph.D. I thought I would take some of my free time and dedicate it to this, but when I did, I felt like my free spirit had worn off. It took me over four hours to review 11 pages of text and this was the smallest of the files. I feel badly for the man because English is not his first language and I only corrected the grammar, not the content. It reveals to me how important language is and that I am insufficient in only one language.

I sat with some Italian sisters last night. I know words and phrases and I have interest in learning Italian, Spanish, German, as well as Arabic. I would feel much more competent because I only speak in sign language and gestures to most people.

I received a few emails from some Indian workers in Amman and while I admire their upper-level English words and phrases, I'm often perplexed in figuring out what they really mean to say. I can tell their education was pretty good, but I never know if we are communicating well. Yes, I do know. We are not, but we try as best we can.

I am working on compiling a small hymnal for the church. This is a big effort, but it will be worth it. I am hiring a group that will teach musical fundamentals to the parish. I'm excited about that, but also a bit wary about how it will work out. I trust the Spirit in this endeavor. I'm told people like what I am trying to do with the music, which encourages me.

This morning, I met with two couples who are planning their marriage. It is such fun to be a part of their preparation time as they dream about the rest of their lives. They are very good-souled people.

I have resumed my ministry of food once again. I bought some of those new silicone baking pans and they work quite well. I like the concept. I made gingerbread the other day and gave it to two lay Teresian associates and today I will bake a yellow cake with chocolate frosting for someone who just had a birthday and I'll make some cookies. When I bake, I eat less because I know what it tastes like so I don't need to indulge. Since I'm half-Italian, I like to see the smile on people's faces when they realize something was created in their honor.