Found, Lost and Rewarded

I learned today that we lost a friend.
Each Sunday, as I entered our place of worship, I could count on my special greeting, "Hi Sweetie!".  It came from one of our street people, who each Sunday posted himself by the stairs of my spiritual home, dispensing greetings and receiving coins from those who knew him. 


This spring he was proud to show me a photo of his grandson, whom he had only recently met. A man who had been lost had been found by his family. A man who was once nameless and homeless, now found a  home as part of our Parish family.

Just weeks ago the children prepared and delivered a special gift for him.

This man whose living example was a gift to us has returned Home, receiving his reward.

Thank you Lord for the gift of Lee.  He will remain forever in our hearts. 

Beauty Beneath

Nature, light, shadow...gifts from the creator. 

Thank you!

Good Shepherd at Work

This week I had a most unexpected experience. While working with families to help their children prepare for the sacrament of reconciliation I took the opportunity to take the parents aside to discuss faith, while the children learn about the concepts of life, love, joy and hope (with other leaders).

I had my sacred space set up before parents walked in.  They gathered around the table and I introduced the exercise.  I had 12 sheep and a shepherd on the table. I had planned an adult version of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

While I prepared for this evening, I  had found three different pieces of the Good Shepherd parable in my children's lectionaries.  This allowed us to read, reflect and then go to the next section (book). So we had three discussion/reflection opportunities.   This was a very quiet group. I would ask a question and then rephrase it and still not get much of a response. Silence was my best friend. 

When we were done, I discussed the next activity - I gave parents a note book and encouraged them to reflect on the Good Shepherd and the message for them as parents of children preparing to receive the gift of Reconciliation for the first time. Wow!  The silence had left them loads of time to think - some people wrote volumes!  I also left a sheet of stickers with bible based sayings around forgiveness that parents could use to label their notebooks - those were really well received! Then I gave parents a blank game board.  I encouraged parents to fill in blanks on the board with things they could do with their child to promote the experience of the Good Shepherd in their lives. Parents were given pens, crayons, stickers etc. Parents quietly created creative and 'full' game boards.  They had so many great ideas of things to do with their children.

Then I reunited parents and children, gave them game instructions and playing pieces and encouraged them to play. Again wow!!!  Parents and children played, discussed and reflected together.  it was amazing to watch the sharing of some pretty deep stuff. Then...I saw some parents offer their notebook for their child to read or parents read from their notebook to their children. Shivers!!!

This was an incredible experience to witness and be part of. I read three stories, Christ did all the work!

Late Harvest

A warm fall has extended the growing season and even tricked our plants into more growth.  While I picked an enjoyed these fruits, new blossoms promise more good things to  come.

On Happiness

The Truth about Cranberries

Despite popular belief, the famed treasure of Thanksgiving celebrations, the cranberry does not grow in water. In fact, it grows on hardy low-lying vines in sandy soil.

The berries are white when ripe, but turn to the familiar red when exposed to cold temperatures.

Ripe berries have air chambers which allow them to float, so farmers flood their field and use specialized equipment to gather the berries.

This season, as you gather with families and friends to give thanks, remember also the express gratitude for this special North American treat.

Falling

Today, as I was teaching skating one of the little ones was talking about falling, specifically how she falls and gets back up.  So I replied that even the big skaters fall. Then she asked if I fell. I replied that I am afraid to fall because I do not want to break anything.

And she answered, " Yeah, if you fall, you could break the ice and make a big whole and everyone will fall in."

Thank you God for the gift of humour!