To see photos of my trip to Belfast, Maine in mid-March and Worcester's Holy Cross, please click on the link below:
Pics of Belfast Harbor and Worcester's Floating Sculpture
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Critters
The past few days we have had cloudless skies and bright sunny weather with temperatures in the 50's (Fahrenheit) and it is helping new life come out. Small insects are visibly crawling around; spiders seem to be abundant already; crickets are chirping loudly each night and early dawn. All sorts of birds are returning. Robin redbreasts are chirping up a storm. Our two Canadian geese are back and the seagulls are obiquitious. The swans are only seen one at a time, which means that the other is taking care of the eggs that will soon hatch the signets. Frogs and turtles are around. I don't like it when the turtles eat the young signets. It is sad.
As I was getting into my car to take a short drive to the market this evening, I could hear yelping and howling in the nearby forests. The small critters are hungry. Young rabbits are chasing one another and the squirrels and chipmunks are frolicking once again. Even domestic cats are sensing the burgeoning life in the wild. During my short drive, I could see the eyes of cats before I could see the cats' bodies. Mostly they look as if they are on the prowl.
I'm rushing to get some work done at the Stations of the Cross. The clearing is now quite wide and I'm hoping that the strong sun will dry out the marshy forest floor. The sun can now reach areas that has not seen direct sunlight in years. Fortunately, ticks are not out yet, but I expect them anyday. I'm doing some fine detailing on the path's edges. It is coming along nicely.
The fragrances of this time of year tell me that we ought to be celebrating Easter, but when it comes, it will come if fragrant glory with bright colors and sprigs of green everywhere. With temperatures expected in the 60's all week, we are on our way to having plants and flowers burst forth.
I wish Lent was over.
As I was getting into my car to take a short drive to the market this evening, I could hear yelping and howling in the nearby forests. The small critters are hungry. Young rabbits are chasing one another and the squirrels and chipmunks are frolicking once again. Even domestic cats are sensing the burgeoning life in the wild. During my short drive, I could see the eyes of cats before I could see the cats' bodies. Mostly they look as if they are on the prowl.
I'm rushing to get some work done at the Stations of the Cross. The clearing is now quite wide and I'm hoping that the strong sun will dry out the marshy forest floor. The sun can now reach areas that has not seen direct sunlight in years. Fortunately, ticks are not out yet, but I expect them anyday. I'm doing some fine detailing on the path's edges. It is coming along nicely.
The fragrances of this time of year tell me that we ought to be celebrating Easter, but when it comes, it will come if fragrant glory with bright colors and sprigs of green everywhere. With temperatures expected in the 60's all week, we are on our way to having plants and flowers burst forth.
I wish Lent was over.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Spring Odors
Yesterday, I took a long walk along Gloucester Harbor. The fragrance of earthiness is breaking into the atmosphere. Daffodils and tulips are plunging their way out of their winter tombs and not even a mighty snow will dissuade them from their ascent to glory. Reds are visible in the spiny vines that line the roadways. Glowing greens tells us that picker bushes are beginning to make their move. The warming sun is making the tree buds potent. While all seems still, life will burst forth in three weeks. Even this morning, I came across another sign of spring as I wiped a spider's web off my forehead as I checked out the path to the Stations of the Cross.
Traffic in increasing. A greater number of cars swing suddenly into the parking lot of Niles Beach without the courtesy of any intentions of doing so. Walkers are returning and they have picked up their pace. Ocean lovers trespass our property with their parked cars so they can get get a nostril-full of ocean air. Dog walkers generously leave their unwrapped offerings behind because nature is so vast on the Point.
I had a break-through yesterday with the Stations of the Cross. An area that was extremely choked with vines made a few stations impassable. For days, I have been chipping away at this entanglement making it look a little less daunting each time. Yesterday, I removed the remaining large trunks so I can remove the broken trees. A pathway will be restored. More clearning is needed, but I have reached the tipping point. As soon as the rains stop, I'll clear the rest and the land will be passable again. I am not foolish in thinking the vines will not grow back; I know I will be diligent in pruning.
On Friday night, I watched a French film called, "Les Choristes (The Chorus)." My fellow tertians watched it during our time in Australia, but I was never able to get around to watching it. I wished I watched it with them because I wanted to talk with someone about it afterwards. It is powerful. It is much like "Mr. Holland's Opus" in that it shows the transformative power of music to bring joy to a broken person and dreams to fulfillment. It is a theme that shows up again and again, but the story is a wrenching one. I recommend it. It was released in 2004.
On Saturday, I attended a healing workshop at Boston College. I was struck by the generosity of BC to host this at no cost to the participants. Three hundred people attended. Each workshop had quality presenters. It seems Boston College is moving towards its goal of becoming the national center for theological and pastoral studies. I am proud of their work to be involved in the lives of dedicated ministers.
Yesterday, Eastern Point Retreat House held a day of recollection for married couples. Diana Villegas was the presenter. It gave the spouses a chance to reflect upon their spiritual lives together and the role prayer plays in keeping them "beholding" God and one another.
I attended a concert at St. Paul Church in Harvard Square that featured three choruses and an ensemble. Since it is late-Lent, they performed J.S. Bach's St. John's Passion. I was so happy for the director because over 500 people attended the concert. Support came from all over. The soloists were phenomenal, especially the Evangelist who narrated the story. The power of music and poetry has enormous power for the spiritual life.
I topped the day off with dinner and dessert with two Jesuits friends who are tertians in the New England program. I had quite a restorative weekend.
Traffic in increasing. A greater number of cars swing suddenly into the parking lot of Niles Beach without the courtesy of any intentions of doing so. Walkers are returning and they have picked up their pace. Ocean lovers trespass our property with their parked cars so they can get get a nostril-full of ocean air. Dog walkers generously leave their unwrapped offerings behind because nature is so vast on the Point.
I had a break-through yesterday with the Stations of the Cross. An area that was extremely choked with vines made a few stations impassable. For days, I have been chipping away at this entanglement making it look a little less daunting each time. Yesterday, I removed the remaining large trunks so I can remove the broken trees. A pathway will be restored. More clearning is needed, but I have reached the tipping point. As soon as the rains stop, I'll clear the rest and the land will be passable again. I am not foolish in thinking the vines will not grow back; I know I will be diligent in pruning.
On Friday night, I watched a French film called, "Les Choristes (The Chorus)." My fellow tertians watched it during our time in Australia, but I was never able to get around to watching it. I wished I watched it with them because I wanted to talk with someone about it afterwards. It is powerful. It is much like "Mr. Holland's Opus" in that it shows the transformative power of music to bring joy to a broken person and dreams to fulfillment. It is a theme that shows up again and again, but the story is a wrenching one. I recommend it. It was released in 2004.
On Saturday, I attended a healing workshop at Boston College. I was struck by the generosity of BC to host this at no cost to the participants. Three hundred people attended. Each workshop had quality presenters. It seems Boston College is moving towards its goal of becoming the national center for theological and pastoral studies. I am proud of their work to be involved in the lives of dedicated ministers.
Yesterday, Eastern Point Retreat House held a day of recollection for married couples. Diana Villegas was the presenter. It gave the spouses a chance to reflect upon their spiritual lives together and the role prayer plays in keeping them "beholding" God and one another.
I attended a concert at St. Paul Church in Harvard Square that featured three choruses and an ensemble. Since it is late-Lent, they performed J.S. Bach's St. John's Passion. I was so happy for the director because over 500 people attended the concert. Support came from all over. The soloists were phenomenal, especially the Evangelist who narrated the story. The power of music and poetry has enormous power for the spiritual life.
I topped the day off with dinner and dessert with two Jesuits friends who are tertians in the New England program. I had quite a restorative weekend.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Slogging Throught It
I have good memories from last night's storm as I arise this morning. I sat in the fireplace room of the retreat house and lit a gentle fire. I only placed two logs in the fireplace so the fire could set a nice mood. Too often, retreatants will set a large, fast, furious fire, but those to me are not as interesting as the gentler ones.
The house was empty and quiet. It was the first time as fire was lit in the house when retreatants were not around. After this week of directing, I looked forward to that space alone. I live in silence all the time, and you learn the different qualities of silence only by being in the silence. In this one, I could just relax and let go.
I read a book that I have been slogging through since September. It is an engaging book but sometimes you are meant to read a particular book at a particular time. It gave me great enjoyment just to let myself be pulled along into the story. Now I have excitement to finish it soon. I enjoyed my recreation.
The rain came down in big droplets and they clanged on the roof and the patio stones. Soon, the drops became smaller and their sound was less noticeable. It hadn't begun to snow until after I went to bed and fell asleep, but the anticipation of it was soothing. It felt like I had permission to sleep in. I was carefree with no place to go. It was like having a snowday.
To no surprise, I awoke to a front lawn that was covered with heavy, wet snow. It was only about 1/4 of an inch thick. This type of snow won't rattle the crocuses, daffodils, or tulips. It is an easy snow to take. I remember the April 1st blizzard of 1997. I thoroughly enjoyed the extra time that day gave me. This snow will be gone tomorrow when the temperatures reach 50 Fahrenheit. I already put away my gloves, scarves, and hats in defiance of winter.
Spring is comnig. Easter is just three weeks away. All is O.K.
The house was empty and quiet. It was the first time as fire was lit in the house when retreatants were not around. After this week of directing, I looked forward to that space alone. I live in silence all the time, and you learn the different qualities of silence only by being in the silence. In this one, I could just relax and let go.
I read a book that I have been slogging through since September. It is an engaging book but sometimes you are meant to read a particular book at a particular time. It gave me great enjoyment just to let myself be pulled along into the story. Now I have excitement to finish it soon. I enjoyed my recreation.
The rain came down in big droplets and they clanged on the roof and the patio stones. Soon, the drops became smaller and their sound was less noticeable. It hadn't begun to snow until after I went to bed and fell asleep, but the anticipation of it was soothing. It felt like I had permission to sleep in. I was carefree with no place to go. It was like having a snowday.
To no surprise, I awoke to a front lawn that was covered with heavy, wet snow. It was only about 1/4 of an inch thick. This type of snow won't rattle the crocuses, daffodils, or tulips. It is an easy snow to take. I remember the April 1st blizzard of 1997. I thoroughly enjoyed the extra time that day gave me. This snow will be gone tomorrow when the temperatures reach 50 Fahrenheit. I already put away my gloves, scarves, and hats in defiance of winter.
Spring is comnig. Easter is just three weeks away. All is O.K.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Bearing Down
The old saying goes, "March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb," but today will not be the case. In fact, we are due to receive 6-12 inches of snow tonight into tomorrow. It makes for a nice April Fool's Day joke by Mother Nature upon us. However, the snow won't stay around long at all. Temperatures are to be near 50 over the weekend and into next week. We might as well just sit back and enjoy this one. Winter is coughing one last breath. Spring can come. I'm happy to turn the calendar's page.
In that spirit, the Boston Red Sox begin their new season tomorrow. Spring is surely here - even though they will be far away from Fenway Park. They travel to Dallas-Fort Worth to play the Rangers.
We finished a retreat this morning. Though it was a light one, I needed a two-hour nap at the end of it. So much energy is wrapped up in caring for others that it takes its toll on my energy. It was peaceful around the retreat house when the office staff went home. The silence was so enveloping. I made myself a cup of French Vanilla coffee and sat in the silence.
We are getting ready for Holy Week. We have one more 8-day retreat that begins next week and then we slow down for Holy Week services. The pace will not be frenetic and I'll have a chance to feel engaged in Christ's movements. I'm hopeful that it will be a reflective time where I can process all the things that went on within the past year.
My project of clearing the vines at the Stations of the Cross is progressing. It is difficult work. I have opened up much space so that the sun and wind can get into the thicket of bushes to dry it out. Many picker bushes are now cleared and the property looks really nice. A thick area of bittersweet vines is almost impassable in some areas. I take a little piece away each day. It doesn't seem like I am making a great dent though I exert so much effort, but over time I can see some slight improvement. Once I break through a certain area, the worst part will be over. I'm delighting in the smaller areas that seem to be thriving with the sun that hasn't reached the area in years. Why do I take on such projects?
This weekend I'll attend a conference on Reconciliation at Boston College. I suspect it will be very engaging. I'll also catch up with some good friends and take in a concert: St. John's Passion.
In that spirit, the Boston Red Sox begin their new season tomorrow. Spring is surely here - even though they will be far away from Fenway Park. They travel to Dallas-Fort Worth to play the Rangers.
We finished a retreat this morning. Though it was a light one, I needed a two-hour nap at the end of it. So much energy is wrapped up in caring for others that it takes its toll on my energy. It was peaceful around the retreat house when the office staff went home. The silence was so enveloping. I made myself a cup of French Vanilla coffee and sat in the silence.
We are getting ready for Holy Week. We have one more 8-day retreat that begins next week and then we slow down for Holy Week services. The pace will not be frenetic and I'll have a chance to feel engaged in Christ's movements. I'm hopeful that it will be a reflective time where I can process all the things that went on within the past year.
My project of clearing the vines at the Stations of the Cross is progressing. It is difficult work. I have opened up much space so that the sun and wind can get into the thicket of bushes to dry it out. Many picker bushes are now cleared and the property looks really nice. A thick area of bittersweet vines is almost impassable in some areas. I take a little piece away each day. It doesn't seem like I am making a great dent though I exert so much effort, but over time I can see some slight improvement. Once I break through a certain area, the worst part will be over. I'm delighting in the smaller areas that seem to be thriving with the sun that hasn't reached the area in years. Why do I take on such projects?
This weekend I'll attend a conference on Reconciliation at Boston College. I suspect it will be very engaging. I'll also catch up with some good friends and take in a concert: St. John's Passion.
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