Ups and Downs

 For training, this was a challenging week, and the week has come to an end. It is 64 degrees in Boston and the sun is shining with its setting at 5:40 p.m. It feels like the bulk on winter weather is behind us and that spring is nearing.

I have to say that I am proud of the work that I did this week. I brought my car in for service on Monday and collected it on Friday. Ace Auto in Dorchester does a great job and they are a BC High family. If there was a week to be without a car, it was this week.

An aunt of friends had her funeral on Monday, the day of her birthday, and the family was extremely kind to pick me up and return me to the Jesuit Residence. I was ready to take the train so I did not make it difficult for them. Their aunt was the last of their parents' generation to pass and this was a significant moment. I was able to spend a lovely time with family for a luncheon afterwards. Since it was so late when I was able to get around to training, I just walked for an hour between 8:30 and 9:30 and since it was cold outside, I stayed indoors.

On Tuesday, I had a funeral in Melrose and I was able to beg a ride there and back. Before I went there, I had to prepare for my Vatican II class, which always goes so well. I enjoy being with these great students of theology. When I returned, I had to write Sunday's homily, which I post on Tuesday night for the blog, and for some reason, this was an easy homily to write because it was about the start of Lent and aligning our prayers with the people of Ukraine by going back into the memories of our ancestors and remembering the suffering they faced. That meant I was able to do my laps between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. so I stayed indoors because of darkness and coldness. 

After dinner, I had to prepare for the start of a new class on Wednesdays during Lent about Ignatian Spirituality for the contemporary world. I wanted to make sure I had enough materials prepared for the session, and it went very well.  

I also had the Compassionate Communications class on Wednesday night in which we spoke about mutuality in relationships and how to restore the balance if it has gone too far to one direction. Also, it was Ash Wednesday and we celebrated the Liturgy with the school. So, I ran directly after the session, around 7:45 so I could wind down before I went to bed.

I was able to run on Thursday after dinner, and my day was filled with coming up with a presentation and prayer for Ignatian Volunteer Corps in Providence, Rhode Island. Because gas prices were so high, we made sure to carpool to save on expenses.

On Friday, when I returned from Providence, I made sure to put finishing touches on an online retreat I was giving to a Worcester parish on (1.) looking at the ways we must mourn because of the stoppage that COVID caused, and (2.) to examine the blessings that came our way during these past two years. In April, we will look to the future to see what possibilities we can dream of for the way we do church. By this time, my knee was acting up, so I decided just to walk for an hour with an occasional lap of running. 

After the Saturday retreat, I took a two hour nap, then did an hour and a half of walking because my knee was in such pain. It gets that way when I do not rest enough. I also need to ice after each run. I expect that when I begin to lose weight, the knee won't hurt that much. Then I went to say Mass in Cohasset, which is always a meaningful experience. People seemed moved by the homily, especially the part about remembering the suffering of our ancestors.

Last night, I slept well and rose early enough, feeling well rested. My knee hurt less, and I went to the studio to paint. It was a good day of painting. Since it was 64 degrees, I left early and came home to run, so I mostly ran today with some walking and I finished about 5.5 miles. Tomorrow, I should be back to 6 to 7 miles. 

The marathon is only six weeks away. Pray for me.

A number of people asked me the best way to donate, and I give them these options in rank from best to least desirable.

1.  The Best Way to Donate.

Click on this link to the online donation form. You will see two big red buttons with the word "Donate" on them. Click on the link and follow the easy instructions. This will add your total to my fundraising page and it will generate a tax donation form for you.

https://www.givengain.com/ap/john-predmore-raising-funds-for-boston-health-care-for-the-homeless-program/      

2. The next best way to donate.

Send a check made out to: Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program

to this address: 

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
780 Albany Street, 

Boston, MA 02118

In the memo field, write "for John Predmore"

Lenten Ignatian Series

                                               Online Jesuit Studies

If you are reading this, join us.

 

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Wednesdays

 

Father John Predmore, S.J. is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

 

Topic: Lenten Ignatian Series

Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime

 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://bchigh.zoom.us/j/81870877216?pwd=ZjFPMU9RNi9FU3JDSWJJQ2FBOUloQT09

 

Meeting ID: 818 7087 7216

Passcode: 962075

 

 

            During Lent, we will hold online sessions for our BCH community to discuss contemporary issues in our shared Jesuit mission. The worldwide church is in the midst of a two-year synod in which we dialogue and learn how to walk together. Taken from the major themes of Father General Arturo Sosa’s book, “Walking with Ignatius,” we will examine the Jesuit themes given to the Society by Pope Francis. It encourages and invites all people to become involved in the dealings of the world as contemporary Jesuits and our colleagues live out the renewed mission. 

 

            All are welcome. Bring a friend. Come once, or come for the entire program. The program will begin with a prayer and end with a reflection, and the majority of the time will be discussing contemporary events that are crucial to our building up the Kingdom of God on earth. The program begins at 11:00 a.m. and ends at noon with times for questions and dialogue.

 

Walking with Ignatius Today

A Lenten Series

 

 

March 2 – Bold Living in Today’s World: Globalization, the pandemic, and a loss of vision to the common good has created cracks in our fragile social structures and creates new visions. 

 

March 9 – A New Dream for the Church – Solidarity: At Vatican II, the authority of the People of God has been emphasized, and dialogue is necessary as discern the signs of the times.

 

March 16 –  Showing People to God – The Spiritual Exercises and Discernment are fundamental to the spiritual life and offers freedom to people as they make life’s decisions.

 

March 23 – Walking Alongside the Poor, the World’s Outcasts – A concern to walk alongside the most needy has always been central to our understanding of our religious life.

 

March 30 –  Growing in Awareness of Our Common Home – Ecological awareness does not come readily in our society, and is a sensitive but necessary topic to consider. 

 

April 6 – Jesuit Education, A source of Freedom and Hope; Accompanying Young People – Enlightened Ministry involves a tension between a deep spirituality and developing the resources available to us. Holding that tension is part of the Jesuit charism. 

 

April 13 – Shared Mission, Dialogue and Openness – We are partners on a mission that is not ours but belongs to Christ. What shared mission looks like in a time of synodality.

 

 

 

Saturday, March 19th

Lenten Poetry: Steps on the Journey to the Cross

Director: John Predmore, SJ

Allow God to form and inspire your words as we reflect upon Lenten poems with exercises to creatively express the movements of our individual Lenten journeys. This two-day prayer experience begins on Saturday with a follow-up on Tuesday. 

 

 

Saturday, April 23th

Easter Glory Fills the Page

Director: John Predmore, SJ

Christ’s victory reigns. Creatively express yourself through hearing and creating poems of Easter triumph and joy. This two-day prayer experience begins on Saturday with a follow-up on Tuesday. 

Raising One's Head

Today's training just seems like a miracle because I had no energy to do anything strenuous. I had to go agere contra (to go against), one's inclinations in order to achieve the greater good. 

I had no nap yesterday and I presumed I would fall asleep quite early because of my energy expenditure, but I ended up falling asleep around 4 a.m. I knew I had an 11:00 a.m. mass in Cambridge, so I would sleep in until 8:00 or 8:30. I woke up exhausted.

Now, yesterday I had a burst of energy so for our community I made some vanilla pudding, banana bread, and salted caramel brownies. The day before I made two batches of pizzelles figuring I would stop by my family's this weekend. That's a lot of sugar for a weekend. I did eat two pizzelles, one on Saturday to see if they tasted okay and one of Sunday because they are tasty. One thing I like about pizzelles is that they are not saturated with sugar. I made then on Saturday because it was the anniversary of my mother's funeral and February is the month my grandmother, Maria, was born. It seemed right to keep a family tradition alive. However, I digress.

After mass, I went to work and spent time in the studio. It was a beautifully sunny day with temperatures in the low 40's and hardly anyone passed through the studios. As I sat in the studio, I could feel myself nodding off so I decided to leave so I could do my training. For the next twenty minutes we had a surge of people passing through the studio and that delayed my departure. When I left, I realized I was one of the few artists left in the building.

So, I went home and resolved to at least do some walking since I was too tired to do anything else. As I began, my mind kept telling me, "Make it to fifteen minutes, and then you can walk a bit." I turned on my podcasts and listened to a talk show about French sauces and ways to arrange the spice racks in a pantry. Though it was interesting, it proved to be a respite from the heaviness of the rest of the news.

Then I realized I was at 22 minutes and I decided to be in it for the long haul. I was last until half and hour and then I would walk a few laps before I resumed jogging again. The next five minutes seemed hard, but the news program change to travel talk and I was immersed in South Pacific Island travel, and then I was at 28 minutes. The show was continuing. It looked like I could reach 30 minutes, and then I would wimp out and walk a few laps.

I was then at 31 minutes, and I realized that is when the news channel comes on and it takes about 5 minutes before a commercial break. And then I was at 38 minutes, and there was no reason to stop running at this point. I might was well just continue on. The running seems to get easier after the 32 minute mark. I was so proud of myself. I did not think I could make an hour today because of my tiredness, but now I have bundles of energy.

Perhaps the best learning moment of the day was that I have to "raise my head." I've seen this over the past few weeks, but it made such a big difference today. If I run with my head down, I feel slow and lethargic, but if I raise my head, my posture is better and my attitude is better. My whole perspective is better and lighter if I raise my head and look around and energy seems to generate itself.

This is especially important in light of the news about Ukraine. I feel sad for the people and I worry about the Russian leader's response since he carries nuclear weapons. The world and the U.S. in incredibly fragile and I want to help people unify and see the blessings on the common good. We cannot focus upon our individuality without looking at our responsibility to one another and the common good. We have to keep our heads raised high and look for the best in one another. We have to look at opportunities rather than the problems and obstacles. We have to keep looking at one another as a sibling in our common humanity under God. 

This week I've heard from four people who are adamantly opposed to my fund raising efforts because they think that I have bitten off more than I can chew. They may hear "Boston Marathon" and think that I am competing as if I'm an elite runner. I hear their voices and yet I cannot give much energy to their disputes because I've already won. I raised over $21,000 for the homeless and that money is guaranteed even if I cannot run. I can walk half a mile and give up, or run 15 miles and walk eleven, or take the subway back to Boston after mile 3, or persevere the whole 26.2 miles. I'm not racing; I'm participating the best way that I can in order to provide relief for our less fortunate siblings in humanity. The race has already been run, so there are low expectations.

However, I'm participating in the marathon and I'm excited about it. I will do my best of behalf of my benefactors and the homeless, and now I get to carry the misfortune of the people of Ukraine with me as I go forward. Each step of the way is like a puff of incense rising to heaven, and this effort is part of my Lenten contribution. The marathon will be run on Easter Monday. I look forward to having a Cadbury egg early that morning to give me a sugar rush and to jolt me along the pathway. In our tradition, this is the day to bury our "Alleluia so we can pick it up again on Easter Sunday." The time for rejoicing will be ours, but for now, it is time to buckle down and to focus upon the journey. Our lives are but a journey, and we have to carry one another along the way, and it is more fun and more enjoyable as we do this together. As you support me, I hope to support the homeless and the people of Ukraine. Let's keep our eyes lifted so we can see God's glory in unexpected steps along the way. I'm grateful for your support. 

A number of people asked me the best way to donate, and I give them these options in rank from best to least desirable.

1.  The Best Way to Donate.

Click on this link to the online donation form. You will see two big red buttons with the word "Donate" on them. Click on the link and follow the easy instructions. This will add your total to my fundraising page and it will generate a tax donation form for you.

https://www.givengain.com/ap/john-predmore-raising-funds-for-boston-health-care-for-the-homeless-program/      

2. The next best way to donate.

Send a check made out to: Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program

to this address: 

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
780 Albany Street, 

Boston, MA 02118

In the memo field, write "for John Predmore"

A good week of training

It has been a good week of training despite the cold, nasty, changeable weather in Boston. I was able to run for an hour from Sunday to Saturday with Tuesday as an interruption. As I finished today, I realized how comfortable I was in running and how I could run even longer. It does not seem as laborious today as it did on Sunday.

Perhaps I should have been at this pace two months ago, but I'm an older man who is overweight and I have to take these matters reasonably and gradually. The long and short of it is that I feel good.

I like when it is a snow day because a teacher, Jeff, is in the gym when I do laps. He does the rowing machine and he does not have an ounce of body fat on him. His training regimen is precise and impeccable and I'm inspired by the rigors through which he puts his body - with ease and grace. Anyways, we both coexist in the same space, but just by being present we support each other. He is also a brilliant English teacher.

Boston's sidewalks are covered with snow. It is almost unthinkable, from a climate point of view, that in a month and a half, we will be participating in the marathon. The sun sets in Boston at 5:30 p.m. and in two weeks, we change the clocks forward to better adjust to the daylight.

As I run, I listen to podcasts on the dire situation in Ukraine and I'm inspired by the determination and resolve to defend their country from the Russian invaders. I believe peace is possible. War never needs to happen. Not today. Not ever. 

Onward and Upward

OMG. I cannot believe that I ran for an hour today because yesterday I could scarcely lift my legs. I ran for an hour (nearly six miles) on Sunday without walking any part of it, and I repeated it on Monday. Yesterday, seemed like drudgery and my knee was in mild pain and my muscles were sore. 

When I started running today, I felt rather good. I slept for 8 hours and I awoke pain-free. I do mean pain-free. I figured that I would try to run for an hour but that seemed aggressive after being sluggish the day before. When I got to 30 minutes, my mind was saying that I needed to walk a lap and then resume jogging, but then I looked at my watch and I had already gone 35 minutes, so I figured I would trudge along. 

I was listening to the stories about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and I was filled with sadness for the people of the region, but filled with energy because of the fortitude of Germany, the Baltics, the UK, the EU, and NATO. I have come to believe that war is never necessary and that everything can be worked out through diplomacy and sanctions. I am hoping and praying that calmer, clearer heads prevail, and that Russia respects the self-determination principles of Ukraine.

Well, now 45 minutes had passed and now I could not slow down for a walk when my goal of making an hour was within reach. I perspired a great deal too and my breathing felt a little heavier because of the humidity. Typically, the last five minutes are the longest, but they came so quickly. I felt so proud of myself for playing mind games to continue. Three of the past four days have been filled with a regimen of running steadily for an hour. It is easy to be a self-defeatist, but I had little tolerance for that in me today. I was happy to reverse the course of yesterday's lethargy.

And now I can look at tomorrow with some hope of continuation, and I look forward to a good night's sleep tonight. Let's see what I can do.

 A number of people asked me the best way to donate, and I give them these options in rank from best to least desirable.

1.  The Best Way to Donate.

Click on this link to the online donation form. You will see two big red buttons with the word "Donate" on them. Click on the link and follow the easy instructions. This will add your total to my fundraising page and it will generate a tax donation form for you.

https://www.givengain.com/ap/john-predmore-raising-funds-for-boston-health-care-for-the-homeless-program/      

2. The next best way to donate.

Send a check made out to: Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program

to this address: 

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
780 Albany Street, 

Boston, MA 02118

In the memo field, write "for John Predmore"

How to Donate

 A number of people asked me the best way to donate, and I give them these options in rank from best to least desirable.

1.  The Best Way to Donate.

Click on this link to the online donation form. You will see two big red buttons with the word "Donate" on them. Click on the link and follow the easy instructions. This will add your total to my fundraising page and it will generate a tax donation form for you.

https://www.givengain.com/ap/john-predmore-raising-funds-for-boston-health-care-for-the-homeless-program/      

2. The next best way to donate.

Send a check made out to: Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program

to this address: 

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program
780 Albany Street, 

Boston, MA 02118

In the memo field, write "for John Predmore"

3. If you simply cannot do steps 1 or 2, then do step 3.

Do this only in the last resort. What I will do when I receive your check is to put it in an envelope to Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program and will send it to the above address. We can eliminate the middle-person if you send the check directly to them. 

Send a check made out to: Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program

to:

John Predmore, S.J.

150 Morrissey Boulevard

Boston, MA 02125

Keeping Pace

 This afternoon I was very pleased with my activity. I jogged steadily for an hour and walked only as a warm-up and cool-down at the ends of the running. It felt so good to keep going. I could have run for a  longer period but I only scheduled myself this solid hour as part of my training regimen. I'll go a bit longer tomorrow during Presidents Day.

This week the outdoor temperatures should moderate and I'll be able to get outdoors, which feels much better with the fresh ocean air to greet my lungs. It is nice that the sunset at the Boston coast sets at 5:22 p.m. so it feels like spring is soon to arrive, though it has been very cold. We were hit with a snow squall during mass last night. When I went to worship, it seemed like a mostly clear night. When I left the church, I had over an inch of snow on my car.

My knee does not hurt me when I run. I can feel stiffness when I finish, which means that I have to stretch more immediately after a run. It is quite moderate and I take glucosamine each morning for my joint health. If I lose weight, I'm sure I will feel less pressure on my knee, but overall I feel good. I also noticed that if I get a good night's sleep, my joints feel fine. The problem is that I don't quite get 6.5 hours of sleep each night. I run out of time. 

I spoke with two high school classmates this week and they are urging me forward. They are as excited as I am. It is good to get their affirmations. I may practice for a 5 K with one of them; the other I will see this summer on the West Coast. I do want to get a virtual class reunion set up so we can catch up on each other's lives.

I am around $20,000.00 raised for the homeless, and I'm two months away from running the marathon. All seems to be falling into place, and I notice that I am getting excited about the day. Many friends have been great supports and many are giving me their wisdom from prior entries. 

I may be running on fumes and prayers by the end of the race, but anything we can do to help the homeless build a better life for themselves, then all the better. I'm just feeling grateful.

Here is the online donation form.

https://www.givengain.com/ap/john-predmore-raising-funds-for-boston-health-care-for-the-homeless-program/      

or you can send checks to:

 
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program

780 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118

In the memo field, write "for John Predmore"