Saturday, April 20, 2013

Boston Marathon Bombings

It has been a long slow two weeks for me.  Many of the men had a hard time getting back into the swing of things after the 10 day Easter break.  I was certainly included in that, doing just the minimum to keep up with my studies and not much else.  I found myself spending hours playing on-line poker (not real money, relax) and chatting with the other players there.  It was a good place to lose myself each night.

Then the news struck about the bombings in Boston.  I was immediately thrown into a deep depression.  The tears were close to the surface for a couple of days and flowed easily as I was chatting with my poker buddies.  I had no idea that I had such an emotional connection with Boston.  It is not my hometown, I don't visit it that often, but I guess it is part of me.

The shutdown of Boston and surrounding towns is over, the crisis is over, the feelings are starting to fade. What do I make of all of this?  If I ever had a doubt about Boston or Maine for my diocese, I think the answer is now obvious.  Boston is my home.  I did not feel this way about 9/11 or any other crisis, but when it hit Boston, it hit me.

Where do I go from here? Well, first of all, I'm back studying and doing homework that can be done, not needs to be done.  I'm curtailing my on-line poker presence to a limited time on weekends.  But most of all, I'm wondering about my new found home in Boston.  I think I need to go visit my home a little more often.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Last 4 weeks

We start up again today after our Easter break.  We have 4 weeks remaining until summer.  No word yet on my summer placement. 

Spring is in the air, focus could be tough for the next few weeks.  Fortunately, the schedule looks reasonable.  We have 3 papers and 3 finals before we head out for the summer.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Prayer for a choir at the Easter Vigil

For these three nights we have gathered to pray and worship.
On Thursday, when Judas left, we "watched and prayed"1
On Friday, when Peter denied you, we "came and saw"2
Tonight we prepare to rejoice at the marvel of your resurrection.
With joyful hearts we proclaim what we have not voiced for these 40 days.
We are an Easter people and Alleluia is our song.

1 Taize - Stay with Me
2 Kendzia - Pieta