Saturday, April 27, 2013

Two Fires

Right now, unattended, two fires are burning on the property. One is the campfire, where we burned our sins written on little slips of paper, an then made s'mores. The other is an alcohol and slat fire burning in a casserole dish in the grotto.

Sue and I just did a confirmation retreat for two teens who missed their regular retreat. I've never done a retreat for just two before! Lucky for us, they were engaged and willing to share when the occasion demanded it.

I smell of smoke. It really got in my hair I guess. I kind of like it. I like the earthy, salty, smoky kinds of prayer experiences. And sticky s'mores with ashes stuck in them. And those stupid cheap blue ballpoint pens that you have to force to write. And scraps of magazine clippings on the dining room floor. And pans with cold pizza cheese burnt onto them. It all spells teen retreat to me. It's me, being about My Father's business. It's the mission I'm given here. I'm glad to be here. It's like Catholic Heaven.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Piece of April

We had a few cool things happen this weekend. One picture is worth a thousand words, so I am saving about two thousand word here.

We had our second annual Couples Night. Sr. Sue cooked, since Diane couldn't make it. After the meal, they had a presentation from Don and Chris Paglia from the Archdiocesan Family Life Office.


During their presentation, the four of us pictured here washed all the dishes and pots and pans, which was quite a job. Then we had mass. and ended with wedding cake. Everyone had fun. We thought they'd never leave!

The other cool thing was the monthly Girls Cenacle meeting. We made "Spirit sticks." Usually the girls get to take their crafts home, but this time I needed them for our Pentecost mass next month at the Motherhouse. I promised to give them back to the girls if I get them back afterwards.


Sunday, March 31, 2013

Santa Fe

This is different, because I'm not at Trinita at this moment, but I'm feeling the connection. I'm in New Mexico on a semi-religious pilgrimage with a friend, Nancy S. We've had some really cool experiences at three different churches during this Holy Week.

I won't describe it  all here, just one moment. 8:00 am Spanish mass at the basilica of St. Francis in Santa Fe. A beautiful Easter mass, a packed Cathedral, two baptisms.  After all  the rituals of oil and water and  candles and clothing, the parents carried their babies slowly down the central aisle,  holding  them up to be blessed by the assembly. As I watched Nancy trace a cross on the baby's forehead, I felt the communion of saints. The link between a community of faith in Connecticut and one in New Mexico. The reality of the mystical body of Christ.

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Here Come the Turkeys

An oft-quoted description of the Catholic Church: "Here comes everybody!" Yup, and Trinita is a microcosm of the Catholic Church. Throughout the year, we have all kind of folks coming and going.

Well, except in January. It's a quiet month here. We've had some snow, and rain, and wind storms, but not a lot of action. Except for the turkeys. They come every day. 

Today we had an interesting break from cold bleak gray. It rained, then shot up to the 50s, and the sky turned blue. I looked out my bedroom window this morning and could count twelve of them over by Cabin One. Usually they are just poking around looking bored and brainless. But not today. Half of them were fanning their tails and rushing each other in feathery chest bumps. I was almost tempted to run out there and yell at them to break it up.

Ha. Maybe I get bored in January, too, if I am ready to discipline a flock of half-grown turkeys! Well, the break is over. Tomorrow, a big group of teens is coming from St. George in Guilford. It will be fun!