Still Walking in Her Footsteps

The beginning of March has two notable occasions:  Nebraska's Birthday/Statehood Day is on March 1.  Two days later on March 3 is the Feast of St. Mother Katharine Drexel, who founded St. Augustine Mission in Winnebago, NE. 

This mission was one of many institutions she helped start because of her heart to serve the needs of African Americans and Native Americans.

Among the most profound experiences of my life was going on a service trip to that mission during the Spring Break of my final year at ValpU.  It was the opportunity of a lifetime to walk in the footsteps of St. Katharine Drexel and help support the work of the mission.

Since I have had my own vehicle, I've had opportunities to return and reconnect with St. Augustine Mission.  March 2024 provided a great opportunity to walk again in the footsteps of St. Katharine Drexel on her Feast Day, which was on a Sunday this year, just as it was 11 years ago when I first went there.

Walking in St. Katharine's footsteps on the morning of Sunday, March 3, 2013, my group and I head to Mass at the St. Augustine Church.

Walking in the footsteps of St. Katharine at St. Augustine on the morning of March 3, 2024, on the way to Mass

I departed shortly before 11 AM on Friday, March 1, 2024, eager to get on the road and head west since I planned to arrive later that day in Nebraska on its Statehood Day.  (Please note that all times in this post are in CST.  And all photos are mine, unless otherwise stated.)

About an hour later, shortly after getting on I-80 westbound, my route for much of the drive, I saw a sign for Naf Naf Grill.  Figuring there would be good options for meatless Lenten Friday lunch there, unlike most other places along the interstates, I quickly changed my plan to have breakfast for lunch at Cracker Barrel and exited, heading straight for the Naf Naf Grill in the Love's Truck Stop near Morris--please see photo directly below.  I enjoyed the falafel pita wrap.

My falafel wrap

By 1 PM, I was back on I-80.  A couple of hours later, I reached Iowa, and I soon made a quick stop at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop to get some pins from their wonderful gift shop.  I did my best to tune in to Relevant Radio after that stop to join the daily Divine Mercy Chaplet prayer that airs Monday through Friday live from 3:00-3:30.

Upon reaching Des Moines, I followed the I-235 route and got a splendid view of the Iowa State Capitol awash in the late afternoon sun.  And I saw a spectacular sunset as I continued through western Iowa as the golden orange sphere of the sun dipped toward the top of the rolling hills.

The sunset

It was after 7 PM when I crossed the Missouri River into Nebraska.  When I reached Winnebago, I kept heading north to South Sioux City where I got dinner at the Crystal Cafe:  I had French toast, which is featured in the photo below.  

Then I headed back south, and by 9:30, I pulled up at the St. Augustine rectory where I greeted Father Mark and celebrated Nebraska by opening a Kool-Aid to drink before settling down for the night.

Father Mark took this photo of me as I pose with Kool-Aid.

The next morning, Saturday, March 2, I was on my way by 8:30 or so for a day that would take me all around eastern Nebraska.

After driving for a little more than an hour through eastern Nebraska fields, I arrived at the Immaculata Monastery and Spirituality Center in Norfolk right about 10 AM, in time for the start of a Day of Prayer.  It's a motherhouse for Benedictine sisters.  A few days before my trip, I got an e-mail from them with an invitation to attend this Day of Prayer.  It was led by Sisters Hilda and Michael Mary.  They offered some reflections on prayer and how to live a quiet life, including the idea of benevolent glancing.  We then had time to reflect on a small display at our spaces at the table and then about half an hour of quiet prayer in the building.  I ended up over in the chapel.

The adoration chapel

I was drawn to this image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The table top display

We returned to our meeting room to reflect on our prayer time, and then went to the Chapel and joined the sisters for the midday prayer.  Afterward, we gathered back in our room for lunch, which featured sloppy jo sandwiches, as is shown in the photo below.  It was a great time to continue the fellowship in our wonderful group.

By 1:30, I was on the way southeastward toward Omaha, largely driving US Route 275.  I drove through fields, like in the photo below, and periodically entered a town.  

Around 3:15, I stopped at a Love's Truck Stop, and I discovered some wonderful postcards there that I bought to send.

By 4 PM, I had arrived at St. Peter and Paul Church in south Omaha.  I made a point to visit and pray for Cardinal Cupich, since he would turn 75 later in the month on March 19, and he attended this church while growing up.

The sanctuary of St. Peter and Paul Church

Following a quick stop at the South Omaha Library, I went to Sacred Heart Church on the North Side of Omaha to attend Mass celebrated by Father Dave.  I was so pleased to see his flute-playing as we spent time reflecting on a question he posed before Mass started, about how we've seen God's grace in our lives--I think that was the gist of it, and I recall it was related to the story of the woman at the well in John 4.

Toward the end of Mass, at announcement time, Father Dave specifically singled me out and asked me to stand as he introduced me to the congregation and told the back story of how we met at St. Augustine Mission.  I was glad for his sense of hospitality in introducing me to the congregation.  It was nice afterward to chat with him.

A fellow parishioner took this photo of me on Father Dave's iPhone following Mass.

Rounding the top of the sanctuary, it reads, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son."

Looking toward the altar inside Sacred Heart Parish

Father Dave's flute

The evening was so pleasant out as I gazed west at the sunset.  

Outside Sacred Heart Parish in the light of the sunset, shown above and below

Before leaving Omaha, I made it my business to enjoy a Nebraska specialty, a Runza sandwich, featured in the photo below.

I was majorly delayed getting back because Avila's back right tire blew out.  I was grateful for an Iowa state patrol officer who did her best to help me, and then for an auto repair person who arrived after a long wait, during which Roy kept me company and I admired the night sky full of stars in western Iowa.

The next morning, Father Mark offered to take me out to breakfast at the Crystal Cafe while Avila got a new tire.  I enjoyed a pancake with a piece of ham and an English muffin, shown in the photo directly below.  It was great catching up with Father Mark.  The tire work was done just as we were about ready to get up from our table.

I rested before 11 AM Mass.  It was a full crowd because a group was there that weekend for a Hispanic retreat.  St. Katharine's photo was featured prominently near the front of the church.  Father Mark noted at the end of Mass that only God could bring together a crowd like the one present.  He specifically mentioned the Hispanic group--and even gave a short homily in English and Spanish.  He also singled me out as someone who came from Illinois.  During Mass, I thought back to how special it was to be there for her Feast Day 11 years ago, which powerfully set the tone for our week of service.  At the end of Mass, it was profound to pray the prayer for the canonization of Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk, a Lakota man who served as a catechist.

Display for St. Mother Katharine Drexel inside the St. Augustine sanctuary

During the afternoon, I had a light lunch, rested, and took a short drive to Rosalie to reconnect with the profound experience of the sweat lodge ceremony in the backyard of Nathan's house.  He came out front at one point while I walked along the street and I chatted with him briefly.

Road into Rosalie

At 6 PM, I was back at the St. Augustine Church for the weekly Ecumenical Lenten Prayer liturgy, bringing together congregations from the various churches in eastern Thurston County.  Father Mark used a penance/examination of conscience liturgy for our time of prayer.  In his message, he reflected on how we're sinners in need of God's grace, and God seeks after us to restore us.  Afterward, we went to the lower level of the church to enjoy fellowship over a large variety of desserts, as is shown in the photo below.

Around 8 PM, I returned to the rectory to have a light dinner and then settle down for the night.  I also made a point to admire the vast array of stars in the night sky.

I was up early the next morning to attend 6:30 Mass, celebrated by Father Mark Bridgman, the associate priest, joining the Benedictine sisters.  

The St. Augustine Church in the early morning light on Monday

Then I returned to the rectory for breakfast and one final chat with Father Mark before I got everything together in Avila and began my journey back east.

I stopped to mail some postcards at the post office in downtown Winnebago, and then made another stop at the Earth Lodge Scenic Overlook to admire the view of the Missouri River before crossing it into Iowa. 

Looking toward the Missouri River

Path toward the Earth Lodge Observation shelter

Along I-29, I stopped at rest stops to get photos of the Loess Hills, and then again along I-880, where I also could see the Omaha skyline in the distance.

Looking east along I-880

Looking toward the northeast near I-880, with the rolling hills going into the background

The skyline of Omaha is in the distance

Upon reaching the Des Moines Metro Area shortly after noon, I stopped in Clive for lunch at Cracker Barrel.  Because I had signed up recently for the Pegs Reward program, I got beignets as a welcome treat.

I got the hamburger steak as my entree with mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli, and biscuits. The beignets are to the left.

It was a fine time enjoying the views of the wide open Iowa fields as I continued east, while finishing an audiobook about Andy Griffith and Don Knotts that I had been playing throughout my trip.  Conditions were clear when I entered Illinois, and remained so as I neared the outskirts of Chicagoland, even with storms nearby.  Soon after getting off I-55, I stopped at Novi's in Berwyn to get an Italian style beef sandwich to celebrate the City Charter of Chicago on March 4, 1837, which I had for dinner when I arrived back at homebase.

Final mileage upon arriving back at homebase

The one aspect of my St. Augustine Mission experience that resonates with me so deeply is connectedness, which is an integral part of Native American spirituality, and Roman Catholic spirituality, too.  We are connected with all the holy men and women of faith who strove to be faithful to God in their lives, and now intercede for us in the realm beyond this earth.  The Native Americans acknowledge a sense of connectedness with the seven generations before and after them.

Being at St. Augustine for a week of service inspired me in faith in conjunction with my participation in the community of St. Teresa's during college.  I've carried the impact of renewed zeal for faith throughout my post-college years.  As I continue seeking to live with purpose, going back to St. Augustine reacquaints me with the strong sense of purpose I gained there, and I rekindle it in my life at present.

Each visit back has been an opportunity to reconnect with some aspect of the original experience.  This trip was a chance to reconnect with my experience at St. Augustine and St. Mother Katharine Drexel.  She has an incredible life story, and motivated by her heart to meet the needs of others, she sought to put faith into action.  It was fitting to have this trip during Lent, a time when we focus more deeply on our relationship with God and how we can be renewed in it and this trip was truly steeped in a sense of spirituality, especially with all the faith activities I did, visiting various churches and the day of prayer at the Benedictine motherhouse.  In light of the spirit of St. Augustine Mission, I am reminded of the importance of my mission in life to serve in the name of God as a way of life.  This way of life keeps me connected with God, His Church, and the world at large.

All my relations.

Father Mark photographed me by St. Katharine Drexel's image in the St. Augustine sanctuary on her feast day.

Dear 1036: the Sunroom in Back

Dearly Beloved 1036 Clarence,

It's March, the threshold of spring.  My thoughts turn to memories 20 years ago when Mom and Dad had our sunroom attached to the back of the house.

We used to have a deck there.  We enjoyed so many wonderful meals in pleasant weather.  I also liked kicking around a soccer ball on the open deck.

At one point, we would put up an awning to keep it enclosed.  Rainwater would pool in a corner, and I liked taking a broom and pushing the awning up so the water would cascade.

Then, with inheritance money from Uncle Arnold, the sunroom was added.

I'm fairly certain it was in place by mid-March.  One evening, I set up the card table out there with a folding chair and did schoolwork, even though the carpet wasn't installed yet.

The following month, on Resurrection Sunday, we had extended family come by because they were so eager to see our new room.

We had so many great meals there, and wonderful gatherings in the warmer months.  It was a sure sign of spring emerging when it was warm enough to eat in that room without needing the heat.

At the start of Thanksgiving Break during my 2nd year at ValpU, I greatly delighted in arriving home with Zach, who spent the night before heading on his way to northern Wisconsin the next day.  As we settled down, we debriefed Mom and Dad about the hectic week that led up to break.

The large windows had great views of the plants in the backyard, and even the sky scenes with sunrises and moonrises.

Also, 11 years ago this month, I was in that room for nearly 2 hours watching live TV coverage when Pope Francis was elected on March 13, 2013.

I am truly stirred by these memories, and surely more that shall arise as I ponder the special nature of that added room.

In these memories, I know that you shall not fade into the background, but remain deeply in my heart.

On this day when we commemorate the institution of the New Covenant in the Eucharist--from the Greek word for thanksgiving--I, in the spirit of Psalm 116, offer thanks to God for you.

We are ever connected:

All my relations.

(A new phrase I carried home 11 years ago this month from a week at St. Augustine Mission.)

With much gladness and gratitude for you,

God's blessings,

Paul

The room was filled with morning sunlight on what was surely a pleasantly warm day.

A sign of moving toward spring as snow melts in the backyard, with the backroom in full view.

The Jesus Year

Lent is meant to be a time to think more deeply about our relationship with God.

So it was only fitting that a rather notable remark was made in a conversation I had during a Lenten faith-sharing group.  I mentioned I would be absent soon because I was going out of town for my birthday weekend.

Someone asked how old I would turn.  Upon replying 33, Molly in the group remarked it would be the "Jesus year", since that is what the Christian tradition established as how long Jesus Christ lived on Earth.

So while 33 might not be a typical milestone birthday, Molly's remark definitely gives me something to consider.

I'm reminded of a plaque I got 11 years ago when I graduated from ValpU.  It says, "Who you are is God's gift to you.  What you make of yourself is your gift back to God."

In other words, I think about one of the phrases the priest uses at the conclusion of Mass: "Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life."

When I think about what it means to be gift, especially in light of Pope St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body, I see that I can derive a strong sense of purpose by giving of myself, making something of this gift of life.  Giving is a way to make Christ present in the world.

I listened to an insightful Lenten reflection at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which focused on the idea of sacrifice.  It's well worth your time to spend 14 minutes viewing it.  For the purpose of this blog post, I will summarize two major principles.  Sacrifice is not about the drudgery of giving up something, but is ultimately meant to be for the good of others.  And similar to the relationship of the Three Persons of the Trinity, we are meant to sacrifice as a way to give to others, which is our true purpose in life.

Truly I've found so much meaning in the ways I give, especially with my Religious Education students over the past 11 years.  It's going to be quite an adventure as I continue delving more deeply into my purpose by what I have to offer in this new year of my life and beyond.

And so while March 16 is my birthday, it is a day that finds meaning because of all the people who are part of my life, making that day and all the other days special.

The Leap of 2024

Here we are again, perhaps jumping for joy on this Leap Day.

As we reach this once-every-4-year occasion, I reflect back on the past 4 years.  And I realize there have been many instances when I reflected on what's most valuable in life.

There's great power in our relationships, with family and friends.  So much of my family life is in terms of what happened at 1036 Clarence Avenue, which continues to provide me opportunities for reflection and even celebration.  In so doing, I've reinforced my sense of appreciation for living in Oak Park for so many years, as a unique spot in the larger patchwork of Chicagoland in the Great Lakes region of the United States, and for what my hometown has to contribute to the whole of the USA.

I've built my appreciation for what the USA is and its values through regular visits to Washington, D.C.  And I've enjoyed seeing other areas of the USA, like when I got some good laughs in Jamestown, NY, and had a varied weather experience in southern California from Huntington Beach's ocean-laden mild air to the extreme summer heart of Death Valley.  I still feel a sense of awe in the uncertainty of what words to use in describing the Grand Canyon, but totally convinced it is the quintessential natural wonder and a true national treasure.

I'm glad for the friendships I have, including with college friends that continue to span the miles and the years.  We've supported each other through challenges in our own lives and celebrated memorable occasions, like weddings.  I had so much to reflect on when I crafted my best man speech for Zach and Heather's wedding.  I certainly experienced a microcosm of life when I went to Las Vegas for the wedding of my cousin Jessica and her husband Kevin.

Furthermore, I think of relationships in terms of institutions, like the Church, where we connect with God through the people we know at Church.  Our times find meaning because God sanctifies time.  In each day, I see reason for purpose and even rejoicing.  I continue to derive purpose from handing on the great gift of faith to my Religious Education students, so that faith is something dynamic, constantly on the move.

Indeed, in my life, I see that there is so much of great value that it never fades into the background, but remains in my heart, giving me purpose.

Dear 1036: Tom the One and Only

Dear 1036 Clarence,

First of all, I'm glad that when some of our mail ended up at you, the new owners were kind enough to reach out to me about it.  And I was glad that when I stopped by for it, they let me come in for a moment as they gathered the stack.

As I muse on memories, I think about Tom Skilling, who retires as WGN-TV meteorologist today after more than 40 years.

My memories stretch back to when we used to get The Chicago Tribune, and he contributed content to the weather page.

When I was home during the week for a day off from school, I enjoyed turning on the WGN TV Midday News and watching Tom's weather segment.  I liked his enthusiasm for the details he shared about the weather.

I remember my Great Aunt June admired him.  When she was at Christmas Day dinner in 2012 at 1036, I showed her a photo of Tom and me from just earlier that same month, and I watched her light up as she said, "Oh, for Heaven's sake!"

Later, on June 27, 2013, after some rain in Oak Park, I took this photo from the back of the house of a rainbow and sent it to Tom.  He replied back to say how great the photo was and how much he appreciated that I sent it, like so many others who sent photos.

He's truly a one-of-a-kind TV personality.

I was in front of the TV that was in our backroom for so many years to watch his heartfelt final sign-off remarks.

Now he's entering the realm of memories, not to be too soon forgotten, just like you.

Indeed, with vivid memories of you, I declare that you shall not fade into the background but shall remain deep in my heart.

We remain connected:

All my relations.

God's blessings,

With gladness and gratitude for you,

With abiding love for you,

Paul

More than a Dentist: Dr. Grace Esposito

The end of 2023 brought the retirement of my dentist, Dr. Grace Esposito.  According to her records, I first went to see her as a little boy on December 5, 1995.

The story from my family is that my grandfather, Papa Martin, needed some dental work done in a more urgent fashion.  So he found Dr. Esposito, whose tagline was "Gentle Dentistry".  Eventually, the rest of our family started coming to see her.

I practically consider her a family friend.  She watched me grow up and once I got taller than her, she would remark at every appointment about how tall I've gotten and her memories of when I was so little.  Those were the days when Mom would schedule check-ups for herself, my brother, and me all together.  Later, I would schedule them on my own time.

While sometimes dental work could be intimidating, like getting the plaque off in routine check-ups, or even the more involved process of getting shots to numb me before extraction of teeth, she had some bells and whistles in her approach which truly made me enjoy going to dental appointments at her practice.

If I behaved during my appointment, when it was time to depart, she would give me the opportunity to pick out something from her prize drawer.  For routine check-ups, if I was without cavities, she would take my picture next to one of the stuffed animals she had thronging a bench and then I would be up on the wall for the "No Cavity Club".  My photo would remain there until the next appointment and I could get a new one if I had no cavities.

In all the years I've gone to see her, I have never once had a cavity, as she can confirm.  She can also confirm that I had a supernumerary tooth, which she removed since it only served to give me the chance to tell an unusual fact about myself, which I can still do.

When I got taller than her and outgrew the prize drawer and the No Cavity Club, I got to be in the Loyalty Club.

Indeed, I've kept coming back, even when she entered semi-retirement, because I've felt a good sense of connection to someone who's done a great service in taking care of my teeth.  And I congratulate her on retirement as she caps off a great dentistry career.

Thank you, Dr. Esposito!

Gina's the Great

When the weather started warming up, Gina's Italian Ice would open and start scooping lots of delicious, fruity ice flavors.

Here's my first Gina's Italian ice of the final season in 2023--I think it was guava.

In recent years, I came to enjoy Gina's even more, especially as they created a larger variety of flavors, like mango, guava, and country lemonade, a combination of peach and lemon.  I would go there often to make my way through many of the flavors.  And I became so much of a regular that usually at least once every season, Gina or her son--I think his name is Mike--would give me an Italian ice on the house.

Gina's drew a significant fan base in the local area, and she was loved to the end.  My brother and I stood in a long line for 40 minutes on its final day of the last season, Sunday, September 24, 2023, concluding over 40 years in business.  And then they ran out of not just the Italian ice flavors, but also the ice cream they served, too.

We hadn't quite reached the Gina's location on the sidewalk along Roosevelt Road when they dished out their final scoop.  Yet I wanted to go inside and give them a note to thank them.  Inside, I noticed dregs of Italian ice on the sides of the buckets.  I asked for a spoon of dregs.  At first, Gina's son tried to convince me otherwise, saying I wouldn't be getting the true Gina's quality of product for my final experience of it.  Aware that I had already enjoyed full cups of Italian ice twice earlier that month, I insisted on getting at least a spoon on the last day.  So he relented, and one of the servers gave me two spoons with a red flavor, one for me, and one for my brother.

I am so grateful for the many wonderful memories at Gina's.  It was a nice family outing for our foursome on a warm summer day to walk about 5-10 minutes to get a sweet treat.  Relatives in my extended family enjoyed it, too.  When my Aunt Terri transitioned out of the Chicago area, she looked forward to stopping at Gina's when she came back for visits.

My Grandma Dottie enjoyed it, too.  One time, she came to visit us on Labor Day in Oak Park.  On a later day, she told my Mom that traffic was so good going back to her residence that she almost turned around and head to Gina's.

When our family got word that she was near the end of her life, I went to visit her, and I took some lemon-flavored Gina's Italian ice.  After waking up a few minutes following my arrival in her apartment, I gave her some of the treat.  And that was the last visit I had with her before her passing a few days later.

And then, a few days afterwards, my good college friend Matthew came to visit and I offered to take him to Gina's, remarking when I showed up at the window that I brought a friend, which I did on other occasions, too.  During a summer during my college years, came to visit, and I took him there.

This past May, Heather and Zach came to visit and they took me up on my suggestion to get Gina's after we had dinner--in the photo below, by either Mom or dad.

Yes, indeed, I have so many great memories of Gina's of enjoying good flavors and doing so in wonderful company.  I'll be delighted to carry them with me always.