As I look at today's date, I realize that it is one month to "move in day" at Blessed John. Time is just flying by. This week at work and over the next couple weeks in life; colleagues, friends and family are scheduling celebrations to mark this transition in my life.
I continue to work through my latest checklist. I have all my bedding purchased, washed and packed. My insulin fridge has been purchased and tested. I have a clergy shirt and an alb coming as gifts. My immunization shots are scheduled.
I made a surprise visit to my Spiritual Director's parish last week. It was the parish's patron saint's feast and the parish was celebrating. I had a chance to sing with some friends in the choir there for evening prayer. I will need to keep this in mind, celebrate your patron saint on their feast every year.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Blessed John National Seminary
I got my letter from the seminary today telling me what to pack and what not to pack. There are no major surprises there. (Although where I am going to get a window air conditioner in this heat wave is an interesting problem.) I do have to make a trip back to my doctor for some routine immunizations. I'll have to schedule that in the next 6 weeks.
My boss at work has started passing the exit paperwork to me. In a little over a week, I will be leaving IBM (7 years) and the high tech field (30 years). I am glad that I am taking the month of August to do a mental reset. I have a few day trips planned and do hope to see lots of friends and family during that time.
My boss at work has started passing the exit paperwork to me. In a little over a week, I will be leaving IBM (7 years) and the high tech field (30 years). I am glad that I am taking the month of August to do a mental reset. I have a few day trips planned and do hope to see lots of friends and family during that time.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Wake and Funerals
Wakes and funerals still affect me. The memories of Carmen become very fresh. So it produced mixed feelings when I've received news of the death of two acquaintances in the last couple of days.
I knew one man from Toastmasters and we got along famously at the beginning, but after a few years he changed and became less friendly to many of his fellow Toastmasters. I did call him on it and he told me that he does not live with Toastmasters so he does not have to be nice to them. There is a wake, with a prayer service afterwards.
I knew the other man from my parish. He was a fixture at daily and Sunday Mass. I served with him on Cursillo weekends. He was a Knight of Malta. I watched him care for his wife for years before she died. He always had a pleasant word for all he met. All in all, a really nice guy. There is a wake at our church with a funeral Mass the next morning.
I will be remembering and honoring both of these men at their wakes. Two different lives, two different philosophies, but the world is a different place without them. I've recorded their names in my daily book of prayers.
I knew one man from Toastmasters and we got along famously at the beginning, but after a few years he changed and became less friendly to many of his fellow Toastmasters. I did call him on it and he told me that he does not live with Toastmasters so he does not have to be nice to them. There is a wake, with a prayer service afterwards.
I knew the other man from my parish. He was a fixture at daily and Sunday Mass. I served with him on Cursillo weekends. He was a Knight of Malta. I watched him care for his wife for years before she died. He always had a pleasant word for all he met. All in all, a really nice guy. There is a wake at our church with a funeral Mass the next morning.
I will be remembering and honoring both of these men at their wakes. Two different lives, two different philosophies, but the world is a different place without them. I've recorded their names in my daily book of prayers.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
This blog
I check the stats to see how many people are reading this blog on a regular basis. I don't know who you all are, but I do know that you are out there, reading along. I am grateful that my words are keeping you updated on my journey and perhaps inspiring somebody to follow along.
What I don't understand is the reading patterns. The most read page is my recent reading list. OK, I can rationalize that, I guess.
One other page in particular gets more hits than others. Why does Spiritual Autobiography Part 6 get more hits than other pages? Is there something controversial there? something insightful? something sacrilegious? Of course, putting the link in this post will continue to raise the hits if you follow the link, but please do. Read it again and tell me. What is that post saying to you?
What I don't understand is the reading patterns. The most read page is my recent reading list. OK, I can rationalize that, I guess.
One other page in particular gets more hits than others. Why does Spiritual Autobiography Part 6 get more hits than other pages? Is there something controversial there? something insightful? something sacrilegious? Of course, putting the link in this post will continue to raise the hits if you follow the link, but please do. Read it again and tell me. What is that post saying to you?
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Three entered and three left
Yes, this weekend three family members entered the house, spent the night, shared meals, activities and car rides. When it was all over, three left. Nobody was injured, everyone seemed OK.
What am I talking about? My dad, sister and brother in law and I lived together in my house for 1 day. Hey, it may not seem like a big deal, but it was a great experiment in my mind. If we're going to share a condominium in Maine, we need to make this work together. We did not do too badly considering the dynamic personalities involved. There will be some friction, I'm sure, but all in all, I have great hope for this working in the future.
It also seems that my prayers to Saints Joseph and Jude (and God) are working. My realtor has called to schedule a showing and there is another to be scheduled. All it takes is one buyer who loves this house and it will be sold.
What am I talking about? My dad, sister and brother in law and I lived together in my house for 1 day. Hey, it may not seem like a big deal, but it was a great experiment in my mind. If we're going to share a condominium in Maine, we need to make this work together. We did not do too badly considering the dynamic personalities involved. There will be some friction, I'm sure, but all in all, I have great hope for this working in the future.
It also seems that my prayers to Saints Joseph and Jude (and God) are working. My realtor has called to schedule a showing and there is another to be scheduled. All it takes is one buyer who loves this house and it will be sold.
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