All Aboard for Trains!

I don't make much of a secret my enamorment of trains.  If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I took a train trip to North Charleston, SC, the second of two in 2013, with the other one being to Austin, TX in January.  There's a certain charm to using trains to traveling about this great country.  It's a mode of travel that allows me to really experience it.  (I also like using light rail train systems in various US cities I've visited.)

So that's why the second Saturday in May is a fun day for me, when National Train Day comes chugging in.  This year was the 7th annual National Train Day, and I've been to almost all of the events held on this day at Union Station since the first one held on Saturday, May 10, 2008.

At Union Station at the opening remarks for this year's event, Tom Carper, who sits on the Amtrak Board of Directors, spoke well to the theme of this year's event: Trains Matter.  He talked about how railroads helped build up numerous cities throughout the US in years past, and how they still play an important role in moving people around today, especially in a region like the Midwest.  A commissioner with the Chicago Department of Transportation also spoke and said that nearly 120000 people board or alight trains at Union Station every day.  As far as those numbers are concerned, that ranks it up there with the top 10 busiest US airports, and that's more people than pass through Midway Airport.

Following the opening remarks, I went to look at the train equipment displays, which featured various cars used on Amtrak passenger trains.  It was a great chance to see some spaces I wouldn't have much access to, like the kitchen in the lower level of the dining car, and the sleeping car accommodations.  There were also some luxury vintage rail cars on display for people to walk through.

Sleeping car accommodations

Above and below: views of the kitchen, in the level beneath the dining car

Something else fun I did this year was take a ride on an Amtrak National Train Day excursion train.  The train traveled out into the rail yard south of Union Station, onto the tracks that head southwest toward St. Louis, and then south onto the tracks that cross the South Branch of the Chicago River, near Ping Tom Park.  We then went all the way back into Union Station, and out the other side onto the tracks that head north, toward Fox Lake, Milwaukee, and beyond, before going back into the south rail yard and then back to the platform.

All the while, an Amtrak staff person was giving commentary about the operations of Amtrak trains, such as the logistics of the track signals, and the various facilities used in the south yard to maintain them, like where the trains get washed.

She also spoke about the importance of trains today.  And it's vital to have a transportation option like trains to move people around the country, when, for example, flying falls short.  It's certainly good to have this option, in case of a situation when aviation operations have to suspended, like we saw in the days right after September 11, and in 2010 when Eyjafjallajokull erupted.  And it's good just to have it as another mode of transportation.  She also said trains provide a great way to connect with fellow passengers and enjoy the journey.

There is indeed a certain sort of magic and charm to train travel.  You hop on, sit in a nice, comfy seat, and just relax, while taking in the sights along the route.  And there's a certain sense of community that the train fosters, as it allows for people to move around comfortably while spending a number of hours together.

While it's true that my passion for trains is fueled in part by an aversion to air travel--at least for domestic trips--it's also motivated by an appreciation for the way trains allow me to really see the country I'm going through, to be able to appreciate the journey, and not be so focused on getting to the destination.

I look forward to seeing how leaders and other citizens work together to enhance the rail infrastructure in the United States so that it can continue being an important part of moving people around.  And I look forward to more opportunities to experience the thrill and charm of riding the rails and soaking in this great country.

Thanks to the kindly conductor, whose nametag read "R. Jimenez", who offered to take pictures of people riding the NTD excursion train

Fitting Tribute, Now Silver

On Sunday, May 25, 2014, the 25th National Memorial Day Concert was held on the west lawn of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

I've made a point to watch this concert every year on the Sunday before Memorial Day (observed) for the last decade or so.  It is a masterpiece in offering tribute to those who have served this country in the armed forces and paid so dearly, having given the ultimate sacrifice, or living the rest of their lives dealing with the effects of major injuries.  The concert includes the telling of some of the stories of these people, narrated by famous actors.  They do such a good job bringing dignity to these people and their families, who represent who represent just a few of those who have been touched by war's effects.

The musical pieces also offer moving tribute to the soldiers, especially the prayer that is sung, which, over the years I've viewed the concert, has been the "Our Father", the Schubert rendition of Ave Maria, and "Pie Jesu".

There is also opportunity to give recognition to those who serve with the medley of the songs of the branches of the Armed Forces.  And there's usually the inclusion of some very lively music from the era of World War II, like the USO-style musical number during this year's concert.

This concert does a superb job in helping us remember the sacrifices made by members of the US armed forces in service to this country, and the struggles for the injured to live their lives, and the families who participate in the sacrifice along with them.  It is important that we remember what sacrifices have been made for this country, so that we can rededicate ourselves to the work of creating a truly great and righteous United States of America for all people to live in, in this the peace won for us.

One Year

One year has elapsed since my graduation from Valparaiso University on Sunday, May 19, 2013.  It was the day I became an alumnus of that inestimable and beloved institution, and the event that inspired the launch of this blog.

What a year it's been!  And how wonderful to have the opportunity to use this blog as a means to chronicle what's going on with me, so that those I know well from my ValpU days can continue following what's going on with me, as well as using it as a canvass to express my other musings on the happenings in the world.

At this point in time, I'm certainly thankful for the job I have.  It's pretty straightforward work, but there's many interesting moments.  While making hundreds of phone calls a day, I've talked with CEOs, police officers, school district superintendents, and people who work at other well-known companies, like Coca-Cola and Best Buy.  All the while, I criss-cross the country--it's like going on a trip while sitting in place for a few hours each day.  I'm glad that it has provided me a good way to start out my post-college career.

But I hold firmly that my life isn't just about the job that gives me a paycheck.  And there's a lot that has happened with me beyond work.  Throughout this year, I've done a little traveling, been on live television, stood up for important causes, and explored sights in Chicagoland.  (The weather has also provided me some interesting things to observe.)

And after being away on a long-term basis for 4 years, I have also been able to reconnect with this place I call home in Oak Park, and with my family, day by day.  I've enjoyed the many times I've spent with extended family, too.

My college years gave me a new found appreciation for, and deepening of, my faith life.  In this past year, I am so fortunate to have had plenty of opportunities to channel that deepened faith life with involvement in church ministries.  Indeed, I need two hands to count all those ministries I'm involved in: lectoring, the Art and Environment Committee, Eucharistic ministry, serving as thurifer, joining in RCIA meeting discussions, Religious Education, and Confirmation preparation.  The first two are ones I've been involved with for many years.  The others have come up more recently.  The last two have been especially meaningful channels for my expressions of faith.  They've also allowed me to take stock of my personal growth, and how I can manifest my maturity while putting my understanding of faith in dialogue with the teens I'm guiding teens in their own respective faith journeys.  In my heart, it is undeniable that my involvement in church ministries is an important part of my life, and is something I will definitely plan on continuing to include among the many things I do.

In this past year, I've also really enjoyed being a ValpU alumnus, and those opportunities I've had to meet with other alumni, in which I sense that special connection.  One enjoyable opportunity I've had is the Christ College alumni reading group I've met with during this "spring semester" period, which is one of the ways Christ College keeps alumni engaged with the CC community.  These monthly meetings have been a great way to discuss some literature in an intellectual way, and chat about our lives, and things about campus, past and present.  What's great is that I have a connection with these people I had never met before by virtue of our shared experience of once being students on campus.

Being an alumnus makes me realize that, in a way, I've never really left the university community.  I fully understand that I have simply changed my role to participating in a new way.  I am no longer a student on campus day after day, involved in studies and other activities.  But I still remain involved in what happens on campus, the heart of this community.  I still follow what's happening on campus, and touch base with my friends who continue with their time there.  It has especially been a pleasure to return to campus on a few occasions to visit with people there.  The strong bonds I formed with people, in the midst of various circumstances, allow me to settle back in with people as if I've never parted from them.

By viture of these strong bonds, I still feel deeply connected to the community.  There's almost something mysterious and mystical about those connections I retain with Valparaiso University, in a way that's kind of hard to explain.  I find myself constantly thinking about the friends I made, even praying for them.  I still care about them, and what's happening with them as they live their lives as students.  I feel somehow present with them, as if I haven't really parted from them.  It makes me realize what I sensed during the graduation ceremony one year ago, and what made it an emotional time:  Something very profound happened during those four years on the "Fields of Valparaiso".  The impact the experiences and people had on me stay with me constantly, having shaped who I am as a person, and how I live my life in the present.  I ponder these things all the time, unceasingly drawn to them.

That is why I have much reason to celebrate one year later.  I had an extraordinary experience there at Valparaiso University, and it is something I carry with me every day, in a deep way.

An Example Especially Shining

May 18 is the birthday of St. Pope John Paul II, the first birthday since his canonization on April 27, 2014.

He was born in 1920 as Karol Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland.  And he has quite a life story.

With a lot of famous people, I became only aware of their stories and significant contributions in the world upon hearing news reports of their deaths.  But that was a trend that started to change, for with John Paul II, I became fully aware of his story in October 2003, when he marked the 25th year of his pontificate.

He certainly took the papacy into an enhanced role.  He took an active role in standing against communism.  He also traveled all over the world, meeting with the masses and reaching out to embrace the people in a whole new way.  (Much of this came in the wake of Vatican II and the changes in brought about in the Roman Catholic Church.  St. Pope John XXIII was the one who convened the conference.  While I am not as familiar with his life story, I know that my experiences in the Roman Catholic Church have been shaped by what he did.)

The one thing that really stands out to me about St. Pope John Paul II is the way he displayed a profound respect for humanity.

One of the first stories I encountered about him, a few years before his Silver Jubilee, was about the attempt on his life in 1981.  Some time after he had been wounded in an assassination attempt, he went to the prison where his would-be assassin was being held to meet with him, to offer him forgiveness.  That is a powerful example of what forgiveness means in the life of faith.

This was one of the stories featured in a movie that came out on CBS not long after his death in 2005.  But there was another story in the movie that stood out to me even more, which happened earlier in his life.  In the midst of World War II, when the Nazis controlled Poland, and placed restrictions on church practices, Karol Wojtyla decided to become a priest.  He and his fellow seminarians had to study for the priesthood in secret because the Nazis forbid ordinations.

The movie shows a scene where he and his friend are out at night, sneaking around, though I don't fully remember why.  Karol is shown stooping over a Nazi soldier, asking God to offer him forgiveness as the guard lay dying, having been mortally wounded by his friend with a knife.  The friend did this, reasoning the soldier was in the way of what they were doing.

Then, Karol rebukes his friend for what he did.  His friend retorts that the two he killed were Nazis.  Karol replies, "They were human beings."  That scene struck me in a deep way: to think that even in a harrowing time as this, Karol could see past the evil connotation of these Nazi guards, and see them as fellow human beings, who deserved respect and the love of God.

That inspired me to want to cultivate a deeper respect and love for fellow people, seeing them as God sees them, through the eyes of faith.

So we give thanks to God now that Pope John Paul II shines Above as a great example for us as, having been declared a Saint in the presence of God Almighty.

The Paschal Mystery Version 2014

We are in the midst of the Easter Season.  During this time, the neophytes who were baptized on Holy Saturday night are continuing their faith formation in what's known as the Mystagogia period, as they ponder the mystery they celebrated during the Triduum and at their baptism.

And I find myself pondering this mystery, having been renewed in it so powerfully.  The Paschal Triduum is definitely my favorite time of the liturgical year.  These three sacred days are at the heart of what it means to be Christian, and that's why I value so greatly the opportunity to participate in the liturgies that allow me to experience once again Christ's Paschal Mystery, which is not something that happened to Christ once upon a time many years ago, but is something happening all the time in the lives of His people.

I have heard it said that the best way to observe the Triduum is to let the liturgies speak for themselves.  As I think about that insight, I ponder how God spoke to me through this past Triduum 2014.  I certainly have my favorite moments that I especially look forward to each year during the Triduum.  But for this reflection, I shall focus on a few select moments when something spoke to me in a new way:

On Maundy Thursday evening, I felt myself uplifted with the opening hymn, "We Should Glory in the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ".  The lyrics fully speak to what is celebrated in these three days.

Then came the foot washing liturgy.  Somehow, this year, witnessing this ritual allowed me to see it anew as a powerful symbol for how we serve one another in the love that Christ commands of His disciples.  It is a symbol lived out in the many ways we serve, and that made me think about all the opportunities I've had to serve in the parish community and elsewhere in the past few months.

The other song sung during this Mass that is one of my Triduum highlights comes at the conclusion: "Pange Lingua" is sung when the consecrated bread is carried in procession to the side altar tabernacle.  The song acclaims Christ's sacred body, which is part of the New Covenant in which we stand.  Hearing the hauntingly beautiful and mystical melody flowing with the words that spoke of the New Covenant in Christ's sacred body and blood struck an emotional chord in me enough that I felt tears well up in my eyes.

The next day, on Cross Friday, I went over to St. Mary of Celle Parish in northern Berwyn in the afternoon for their liturgy commemorating the Passion of Christ.  I would go to this same liturgy at Ascension later in the evening that day, but at this afternoon liturgy, the principle part of the service was a reenactment of the Passion of Jesus Christ.  St. Mary of Celle is a bilingual parish, so the words of the Passion were in both English and Spanish, as was the rest of the service.

It started out in the Church, with the agony in Gethsemane, and then up until the condemnation of Jesus, and His being led out to Calvary.  At that point, everyone in the Church went outside, and then followed Jesus with the Cross as it rounded the streets around the parish.  There were stops made along the way for readings, prayers, and songs, which were in accordance with some of the Stations of the Cross.  A car moved slowly along in the procession, where the musicians were positioned inside, and speakers sounded out their music.  This procession, in following the way of the Cross, spoke greatly to how we live the Paschal Mystery for ourselves in our present age, in our own lives.

We then went back into the Church for the scene of the crucifixion.  After the reenactment ended, we had the opportunity to venerate the Cross, the same one used in the crucifixion reenactment, representing the instrument God used to win our salvation.

The participants in the reenactment did a masterful job, especially given all the logistics involved in using both the church sanctuary and the surrounding streets to stage it all.

Later, in the evening, I went to the Liturgy of the Passion of the Lord at Ascension.  I was one of the readers for the Gospel proclamation, which is the Passion narrative from John.  As I always do when I have a lectoring engagement, I take time to look over the reading,  and practice it, taking heed of suggestions for proclamation in my lector workbook.  I proclaimed the part of John 18 from the verse 1 until Jesus was led away from the Garden.  I looked over the suggestions, and colored the tone of words and gave the words other dynamics as I prepared.

The next night, at the reception after the Easter Vigil, a woman came up to me and complimented me on my reading on Friday evening.  She then added that the story of Jesus's crucifixion is a hard one to deal with, but the way it was read helped in processing it and gave it meaning.  And that is exactly what I sought out to do, add meaning to this sorrowful, but important story.  Jesus could not rise from the dead if He didn't die first, which is why Easter Sunday can't be appreciated without Good Friday.  Furthermore, the commentary in the lector workbook enlightened me about John's overarching purpose in His Gospel, which is reflected in the way the Passion narrative is crafted.  John takes the perspective that Jesus was fully aware of His part in God's plan of salvation, and willingly accepted it, mounting up on the Cross as if He was sitting down on His throne.  Some of the other verbage in John's Passion narrative shows that Jesus is fully aware of what's happening, and fully accepting of it.  (That's why the Passion narrative in John doesn't include the agony in Gethsemane.  The synoptic Gospels include that to show how Jesus had to struggle to accept His sufferings as part of God's plan.)

The other part of Friday's liturgy that struck me anew was the very solemn nature of the Intercessions.  They are very ritualized, and I felt moved inwardly as I went through the gestures of kneeling and standing, singing the chant of Kyrie Eleison, and hearing the chant of the second part of the prayers by Father Bob, the presider, after the reading of the first part of the intercession.

At the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, I noticed how dark the church remained right up until the Epistle reading from Romans, which I hadn't every really noticed as much before, thinking the lights came on more gradually.  We were truly anticipating the coming of the Great and Glorious Light.

After the reading from Romans, there was a silence.  I actively waited in it, knowing that something great was about to happen; so I really took in that silence.  Then, the church bells started ringing, and the congregation rose as David Anderson, the music director, started up leading us in the Great Alleluia acclamation.  Hearing that drawn out "Alleluia" struck an emotional chord in me strongly, and tears welled in my eyes.  We had come again to that great and joyful moment of celebration, acclaiming Christ Risen, who once was dead, and we ourselves, once dead, and in the process of dying to ourselves through Lenten practices, rising to Life Anew in Him.

Later on in the service, the pastoral associate, a great guy named David Philippart, asked my Dad and I to help pass out the baskets for the collection.  That took me to the back of Church, where all the money is put in one big basket, and then taken up with the elements that are to be consecrated.  The four newly baptized adults were in back, ready to take up the gifts.

I had gotten involved with their journey toward the font when David P. had invited me as fully communicated Roman Catholic to come to their faith formation meetings on Sundays to join in their discussions of the Scriptures and faith.  It was a distinct pleasure getting to know them along the way, and then to see them receive the sacraments of Initiation in that great celebration on that Holy Saturday night, becoming new Creations in Christ.  So I made good of this opportunity to hug them as a sign of congratulations and welcome into their new Life in Christ in His Church.  In the midst of all the ritual and pomp of the Triduum liturgies, this was one of the more personal moments that I relished.  (Earlier that day, when I attended Morning Prayer, all those present gathered around the altar, and then laid hands on the heads of the elect, as a sign of support and blessing.)

Later on in the service, I served as a Eucharistic minister.  As someone who recently started in this ministry, it was special to have this opportunity to participate in ministering the elements that are part of what we saw now as a great victory feast, having celebrated Christ's Resurrection.

The next morning, on Resurrection Sunday, everything was so alive at Church.  There was excitement in the air, and even the Church seemed to be more full of light than usual.  Even those who had been at Church for so many hours over the past few days and were exhausted from the night before were upbeat.  And the weather outside made it feel all the more delightful.  It was a beautiful celebration, so full of a sense of aliveness.  And I was pretty active, serving as thurifer, swinging about the thurible with the incense as we offered our praises to the victorious Risen Christ.  (When I went up for Communion, David P. handed me the cup ritually, and after I partook, he told me to go minister it.)

In the recessional, I carried one of the special parish banners out.  When the three of us banner-bearers reached the back of Church, we paused, not really sure where to go next.  Then one of the others said we should go outside.  So we did, and stood there at the doors as the jubilant throngs streamed out into the wonderfully warm, sunny morning.  Father Bob, who presided at the Mass I attended, handed out candy to the children, and there was another Franciscan priest there, in his habit, and donning bunny ears on his head.

In the midst of all these celebrations, a thought came to my mind:  In His unfolding plan of salvation for us, celebrated so intensely and richly during these three days, God truly showed His great love for us.  Love was truly present when Christ gave us of His Body and Blood.  Love was truly present when Christ suffered and died on the Cross.  Love was truly present when Christ rose again to new life.  Christ took His part in this plan of salvation that had been unfolding since sin entered the world, and brought it to a sense of fulfillment, and love was truly present.

Now alive in Life Anew with Christ, we possess this love within us, even as the Holy Spirit moves in us to love as God loves, which we have the opportunity to celebrate as God's promise and gift to us later on during the Feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost.

Love is truly at the heart of this great mystery, which has freed us from sin, and now given us this new life, now in Christ, who is God, who is Love.

So as the words of the opening antiphon for Maundy Thursday so powerfully acclaim, we glory in the Cross of Jesus Christ, our Savior, because He is our Life and Resurrection, who has truly saved and freed us.

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

A significant date has come and gone for the people of Illinois.

On May 1, 2014, the Independent Maps campaign, sponsoring an amendment to the Illinois state constitution, submitted the paperwork to the Illinois State Board of Elections to get the measure on the ballot in November 2014, including over 532,000 signatures, well over the minimum of 298,000.  The amendment, upon approval by Illinois voters, will create an independent commission charged with the task of redrawing the legislative districts in Illinois every 10 years.

From December to April, I took my part to help the campaign by collecting signatures.

When I first heard about the efforts of this campaign to get the Illinois State Constitution amended to change the process of legislative redistricting, I was very pleased, and I thought it was a fantastic idea.  I saw it as an effort to take this task away from partisan interests and give the voters more power in their own government.

I was eager to sign the petitions being circulated to get the amendment up for a vote in November 2014.  But then I looked to do more.  So I requested petitions from the campaign so I could circulate them myself.  Thinking that each sheet had 10 signature spaces, I requested 3, so I would collect 30 signatures.  As it turns out, each sheet had 15, so I had to get 45.  But then, because of a goof-up with the request I sent to the campaign, I ended up with 7 petition sheets.  I gave a couple to a neighbor who enthusiastically wanted to circulate some himself.

All in all, since December, I managed to get 75 signatures.  It was a good opportunity for me to get out and about seeking people who would sign.

A few instances, I went out in the general public to get signatures, which was how I brought it to the attention of the aforementioned neighbor.  A lot of the signatures I got from asking people in my own circles, including family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and others I know in the community.  It was a good opportunity for me to talk about the campaign with people, refining my communication skills as I explained to people what the campaign is about, and what impact it could have, not to mention work on promoting something I feel strongly about.

It was also interesting to watch people's various reactions.  One person openly expressed skepticism that this would do anything--but agreed to sign it anyway.  Some people shrugged and then signed, not really understanding what effect this would have. Others were glad to sign the sheets I had.  And still others readily agreed with the idea behind the campaign and eagerly signed.

After all the efforts to get signatures, I sensed a grand feeling within me walking into my bank to get the petition sheets notarized--another opportunity, that of the process of notarizing documents.  A couple of days later, I mailed those sheets to the campaign headquarters to be counted along with thousands of other signatures.

So the campaign has made an important advance.  Now it's on to the work of promoting it so that the voters of Illinois will approve it come November.  So be on the look out for it.  In the meantime, you can find out more information at independentmaps.org.

Throughout it all, I can say it has been great to be part of an effort where people are motivated to solve a problem with a real, substantial solution.  It's about the people shaping their government to be truly theirs, because that's the American way.