As I've stated before on this blog and elsewhere, when it comes to the Chicago rivalry of Cubs vs. White Sox, I'm officially neutral, because I really don't care all that much about baseball and sports in general, with the one big exception being the Olympic Games. I find little excitement in the idea of sitting in front of the TV, or in a ball park, and watching people run around and throw a ball for 2-3 hours. I'd much rather read a book or watch a PBS program.
Nevertheless, I have influences working on me: The other three people in my core family root for the Cubs--and may I add that they all attended the first night game at Wrigley Field on 8-8-88. And I was born on the North Side of Chicago. So I have more reason to gravitate toward rooting for the Cubs than the White Sox--and passing through the South Side of Chicago, when going back and forth to Valparaiso University for four years, many times right by now-Guaranteed Rate Field--not so sure that name has a ring to it--didn't do much to sway me.
Because of these influences, 11 years ago I was kind of set again the White Sox winning the World Series, and I feel a bit ashamed because every team deserves a chance to win that championship title, and to revel in the accompanying celebration, even if it's a hometown team rivaling the one that the others in my family root for.
And then when the MLB play-offs got underway a few weeks ago, I couldn't help but latch on to the excitement of the Chicago Cubs making their way toward the World Series, especially as they got closer and closer. After all, it had been 108 years since their last World Series Championship, and it seemed that they were deserving of a chance to clinch that honor after such a long time. I could sympathize with the plight of the Cubs like any person could sympathize with someone who had been without experiencing something great in so long.
When the Cubs won the National League Pennant on October 22, I was in front of the TV watching the festive celebrations ensue. And I was there again in front of the TV to watch the National Anthem and start of the first World Series game at Wrigley field in 71 years. I kept cheering for them in my own way as they struggled through some setbacks against the Cleveland Indians, and then staged a comeback. And I fully acknowledge that the World Series was becoming a real nail-biter in Game 6, and then especially Game 7, when the Indians caught up to them in the home run score.
But I wasn't up waiting to see how Game 7 would turn out: I turned my light off at 11 PM, right at the time the rain delay was called, as I was going to be up early the next morning. (As an aside, the talk was that the rain delay was a God-send. Notably, when I watched the weather segment on the NBC 5 News at 5 PM earlier on Wednesday, Brant Miller mentioned that rain passing through Chicago that day might make it all the way to Cleveland.) But something was stirring in me as I lay in bed, preventing me from falling asleep fully, knowing something big might happen.
Less than an hour later, I heard noise in the neighborhood. Within a couple of minutes, I was headed to the TV, at the same time as my parents were there, to see confirmation that the Cubs, indeed, had won the World Series. It was certainly exciting to watch the jubilant celebration in full-throttle in Cleveland and in Chicago, then to watch the trophy and MVP award being presented, and hear the thoughts of players and even Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, who were feeling so overjoyed.
Then, it was something to watch the news the next morning and take stock of what had just happened, and to even hear a jubilant tone in my Mom's voice as she kept expressing her amazement at the big news. And it was incredible to take in snippets of the celebration parade and rally on Friday, and to hear a total of 5 million people took part along the parade route and at the rally in Grant Park. (I would have liked to have seen what the Chicago River looked like dyed blue, as that was one intriguing detail of the celebration.)
My sense of excitement is probably superficial because I wasn't following the Cubs much at all throughout the season, until the play-offs, perhaps rendering me a "fair-weather" fan, who just gets caught up in excitement.
But maybe in the midst of this exciting celebration, I feel something stirring in me deep down. I rejoice that the Cubs won the World Series because they are part of the identity of Chicago's North Side, which I consider part of my identity. I'm an Oak Park resident, but I still feel a sense of connection to Chicago and especially its North Side, also being fully aware of the interconnected relationship between Oak Park and Chicago, that one can't really fully embrace its identity without the other.
Six years ago this day, Saturday November 5, 2011, when I was at Valparaiso University, I went with a group of friends to see The Count of Monte Cristo at a theater in the Rogers Park neighborhood. When my friend and longtime roommate first told me he was organizing this trip, I jumped at the chance to go into the city. That day, after passing through Chicago's South Side on the South Shore Line, one of many trips I've made on that train route, our group boarded the Red Line and traveled through the North Side of Chicago, at one point, only about a couple of miles east of Swedish Covenant Hospital, where I was born. I certainly enjoyed the play, but what resonated most with me regarding this trip was to connect with Chicago, my birthplace, traveling the whole length of it, right into the North Side, close to the northern border of the city.
So I feel deeply connected with that place that's part of my identity, and the various facets of life there on the North Side, as one part of Chicago that contributes its own special elements to the patchwork quilt that is the City of Chicago.
So Go Cubs Go, and great job this season! May you and all the fans savor this incredible achievement, as all of us in and around Chicago celebrate this special place and all the elements that contribute to what it is.
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
For all us Saints
I feel a sense of delight because the date on the calendar today is November 1, which is All Saints' Day, one of my favorite religious holidays.
Certainly the days of the Triduum are a high point for me because they celebrate the pivotal events of the Paschal Mystery that are at the heart of our faith as Christians. The occasion of All Saints' Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate the manifestation of faith in the lives of the saints, the holy men and women of years past who strove to grow in relationship with God, and now praise Him in His glory. Each saint has a special story, conveying the same message of what it means to strive for God, unto reaching His glory.
But when I was attending Mass this evening, I was reminded of the one other big reason for celebration: We Christians in our life on Earth can aspire to be saints. And we don't even have to wait to reach Heaven. By striving to answer God's call for us to live holy lives, we can be saints now.
I had the opportunity to attend Mass this evening with students in my Tuesday evening Religious Education class. I always enjoy attending Mass with my students, and on this occasion, it was especially meaningful, in light of my role as a Religious Education teacher to live out the call to holiness by guiding my students in heeding that same call, and watch them grow in relationship with God.
Just about a week and a half ago, these young people experienced the sacrament of Confirmation. They made a profession of faith before the community of the Church, and were sealed by oil with the gift of the Holy Spirit. For this occasion of Confirmation, they had the opportunity to pick a saint's name--and as I told them, their recent celebration of Confirmation makes All Saints' Day even more reason for celebration.
Attending the two Confirmation Masses back on October 22 was a truly special and exciting experience. I don't have children of my own, and so being there, watching them one by one be sealed with the holy oil in Confirmation was like watching children being born, anew, into an enhanced way of life, confirmed in faith, symbolized by their oily foreheads. There was even one point during the communion procession, when these newly Confirmed approached the Presence of Christ Himself, that I almost choked up with emotion.
Witnessing the Confirmation of another group of young people makes me take stock of my own faith journey, powerfully impacted by my own experience of this sacrament, and watching this happen to a new group of young people triggers something deep down in my soul. And I marvel at the amazing ways God has worked in my own life in faith experiences since then, and how I can keep living it out, even in my role of supporting young people in growing in faith, nurturing them just as their parents, who brought them into the life of the church through baptism, are called to nurture them in their role as their primary catechists.
I sought to give those students in my Sunday class a gesture of encouragement and support earlier this week by bringing in my Uncle Bernie, my Confirmation sponsor, as a guest speaker, as a means to support them in living out the gift they received in Confirmation. I suggested we get together to mark the 11-year anniversary of my Confirmation, and when we settled on last Sunday's date, and a midday timeframe, I thought it would be nice to have him share his insights with my class. On the subject of saints, my Uncle Bernie is someone who I feel embodies what it means to be a saint this side of Heaven. He is so involved in serving others, especially youth, even those in difficult circumstances, both in his professional work with Chicago Voyagers, and in his many involvements in his parish, Holy Family in Inverness. He and I had an interview-style conversation before class, as he shared about what he does, and the broader meaning of service as the call we receive in the life of faith.
This was a great experience for me, because it brought my Confirmation full circle: I live out my faith supporting the students in my charge, having received support from those like my Uncle Bernie. And conveying this message of what it means to serve, and relying on the help of others to support us in faith was an opportunity for me to heed the call to serve, as an expression of faith.
Putting myself in this position as a teacher has enriched my life so greatly, just as any parent would say their own children enrich their lives. At the Confirmation Masses, during the time of the individual conferrals of the sacrament, I bounced around the sanctuary to acknowledge my students afterwards when they returned to their seats. Bishop Manz had sealed their foreheads with oil, and then used that same hand to exchange with each a handshake in the sign of peace. And then I shook their hands, and they used the same one they had used with Bishop Manz. So in the process of all these handshakes, I got some of that holy oil on my own hand. Truly, being present to these young people at this important moment in their lives has rubbed off as a blessing on me. Being a teacher compels me to be my very best, to set a good example for these young people, seeking to inspire them to grow in faith, just as I was inspired by the experience of Confirmation, doing it all for the glory of God. And it's amazing to think of the impact I've made, having two classes with a total of 37 students. That's quite a journey I've undertaken from 11 years ago when I was in their shoes.
So when I was attending the Confirmation Masses, and then visiting with the young people and their families during the reception out on the parish green in gorgeous weather, and even partaking of the privilege of being invited to have lunch with Bishop Manz--a delicious one at that--I realized I had so much to celebrate, my own journey, and witnessing a new group of young people take a bold step in becoming saints themselves.
Certainly the days of the Triduum are a high point for me because they celebrate the pivotal events of the Paschal Mystery that are at the heart of our faith as Christians. The occasion of All Saints' Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate the manifestation of faith in the lives of the saints, the holy men and women of years past who strove to grow in relationship with God, and now praise Him in His glory. Each saint has a special story, conveying the same message of what it means to strive for God, unto reaching His glory.
But when I was attending Mass this evening, I was reminded of the one other big reason for celebration: We Christians in our life on Earth can aspire to be saints. And we don't even have to wait to reach Heaven. By striving to answer God's call for us to live holy lives, we can be saints now.
I had the opportunity to attend Mass this evening with students in my Tuesday evening Religious Education class. I always enjoy attending Mass with my students, and on this occasion, it was especially meaningful, in light of my role as a Religious Education teacher to live out the call to holiness by guiding my students in heeding that same call, and watch them grow in relationship with God.
Just about a week and a half ago, these young people experienced the sacrament of Confirmation. They made a profession of faith before the community of the Church, and were sealed by oil with the gift of the Holy Spirit. For this occasion of Confirmation, they had the opportunity to pick a saint's name--and as I told them, their recent celebration of Confirmation makes All Saints' Day even more reason for celebration.
Attending the two Confirmation Masses back on October 22 was a truly special and exciting experience. I don't have children of my own, and so being there, watching them one by one be sealed with the holy oil in Confirmation was like watching children being born, anew, into an enhanced way of life, confirmed in faith, symbolized by their oily foreheads. There was even one point during the communion procession, when these newly Confirmed approached the Presence of Christ Himself, that I almost choked up with emotion.
Witnessing the Confirmation of another group of young people makes me take stock of my own faith journey, powerfully impacted by my own experience of this sacrament, and watching this happen to a new group of young people triggers something deep down in my soul. And I marvel at the amazing ways God has worked in my own life in faith experiences since then, and how I can keep living it out, even in my role of supporting young people in growing in faith, nurturing them just as their parents, who brought them into the life of the church through baptism, are called to nurture them in their role as their primary catechists.
I sought to give those students in my Sunday class a gesture of encouragement and support earlier this week by bringing in my Uncle Bernie, my Confirmation sponsor, as a guest speaker, as a means to support them in living out the gift they received in Confirmation. I suggested we get together to mark the 11-year anniversary of my Confirmation, and when we settled on last Sunday's date, and a midday timeframe, I thought it would be nice to have him share his insights with my class. On the subject of saints, my Uncle Bernie is someone who I feel embodies what it means to be a saint this side of Heaven. He is so involved in serving others, especially youth, even those in difficult circumstances, both in his professional work with Chicago Voyagers, and in his many involvements in his parish, Holy Family in Inverness. He and I had an interview-style conversation before class, as he shared about what he does, and the broader meaning of service as the call we receive in the life of faith.
 |
| Thanks to Rachel, my Sunday RE class aide, for getting this picture of my Uncle Bernie, left, and me |
This was a great experience for me, because it brought my Confirmation full circle: I live out my faith supporting the students in my charge, having received support from those like my Uncle Bernie. And conveying this message of what it means to serve, and relying on the help of others to support us in faith was an opportunity for me to heed the call to serve, as an expression of faith.
Putting myself in this position as a teacher has enriched my life so greatly, just as any parent would say their own children enrich their lives. At the Confirmation Masses, during the time of the individual conferrals of the sacrament, I bounced around the sanctuary to acknowledge my students afterwards when they returned to their seats. Bishop Manz had sealed their foreheads with oil, and then used that same hand to exchange with each a handshake in the sign of peace. And then I shook their hands, and they used the same one they had used with Bishop Manz. So in the process of all these handshakes, I got some of that holy oil on my own hand. Truly, being present to these young people at this important moment in their lives has rubbed off as a blessing on me. Being a teacher compels me to be my very best, to set a good example for these young people, seeking to inspire them to grow in faith, just as I was inspired by the experience of Confirmation, doing it all for the glory of God. And it's amazing to think of the impact I've made, having two classes with a total of 37 students. That's quite a journey I've undertaken from 11 years ago when I was in their shoes.
So when I was attending the Confirmation Masses, and then visiting with the young people and their families during the reception out on the parish green in gorgeous weather, and even partaking of the privilege of being invited to have lunch with Bishop Manz--a delicious one at that--I realized I had so much to celebrate, my own journey, and witnessing a new group of young people take a bold step in becoming saints themselves.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Celebrating Today, and for Throughout 11 Years
In great joy, I recall the day 11 years ago today when I stood before Bishop Francis Kane at the altar of Ascension Church, underneath the dome, and was sealed by sacred oil in the Holy Spirit, thereby becoming a Confirmed Roman Catholic Christian.
I felt a rush in me as I stepped away from Bishop Kane to return to my seat, accompanied by my Uncle Bernie, my Confirmation sponsor. Part of me really wasn't sure what to make of this moment, but I knew within me it was something big. And I certainly acknowledge that now that I look back upon the journey I have taken over these past 11 years. In fact, this day, October 15, the anniversary of my Confirmation, has become as celebratory a day as my own birthday.
Every year, I look to do something, large or small, to celebrate. Today, I celebrated in flashy style by accompanying a group of middle schoolers at Ascension Parish to the Holy Fire youth gathering at the UIC Pavilion, sponsored in part by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
I couldn't think of a more fitting way to celebrate, because it speaks to the most important part of my Confirmation experience, namely, in living out the faith that was confirmed that day. Only in being lived out does it take on its meaning.
Faith took on a whole new kind of meaning while participating in the ministry of St. Teresa of Avila Roman Catholic Student Center at Valparaiso University. (Notably, October 15, is the Feast Day of St. Teresa of Avila.) My faith was made powerfully anew during my college years, and upon graduating, I was riding a wave of a vibrant spiritual life. I decided to channel it by being present to young people coming to own faith for themselves, and inspiring them in these ways, through teaching Religious Education class, now for my fourth consecutive year.
That's how I've gotten involved in youth ministry-related matters, and was invited to accompany the group to Holy Fire today. A good deal of the first part was very much a rock concert-type event, with loud music to get the young people pumped up. But it started to give way to a message of empowerment, as the speakers, ranging to Cardinal-designate Blase Cupich, who offered remarks as his first public act following the big announcement, to the speaker Katie Prejean McGrady, who spoke on Jesus's invitation to us, based on the story in John 1 when two disciples of John the Baptist suddenly follow Jesus after hearing John's declaration, "Behold the Lamb of God". In an exchange with Jesus, He tells them, "Come and see." That carried over from the message conveyed by the musical group Ike Ndolo, who encouraged us with the message that God cares deeply about us as our Father, and created us specially in His image, a moment that made me rather emotional. Katie's message about Jesus's words "Come and see" was an invitation for us to seek after Jesus, to enter deeply into His presence, because He has come to be so close to us. That message carried over powerfully into a time of Eucharistic adoration, and then a celebration of Mass.
This event was designed to empower these young people to live out their faith in life at large. And the idea was emphasized that they're not just the future of the Church, but a vital part of the Church now, and there's so much they can do to be involved. And it's exciting for me to be part of that by passing on this great gift of faith handed on to me, especially in the experience of Confirmation, and inspire the next generation to step up now and take their place, because they are valued by God.
I'm truly grateful I can have these experiences like this gathering and teaching class week after week, so I can make meaning of my Confirmation. These are the times that make my Confirmation truly a celebration.
It was in that spirit that I returned to Ascension Church this evening for Mass, at the very hour 11 years ago when I had my Confirmation, sitting in the same pew, under the window of St. Teresa of Avila, and sharing my joy. It was an experience that left an indelible impression on me, so that certain details are frozen in my mind, like the pew where I sat, and the approximate time (6 PM), when I stood before Bishop Kane for the conferring of the sacrament--kind of like when Katie pointed out John mentioned the time the disciples had that exchange with Jesus in the story in John 1. That moment truly sent me forth for some awesome things. I may have not been able to imagine all that would happen in these 11 years as I sat in Church on Saturday, October 15, 2005, but the Spirit of God has certainly guided me on an amazing adventure in that time. And I take joy that He abides with me always, with more to come.
I felt a rush in me as I stepped away from Bishop Kane to return to my seat, accompanied by my Uncle Bernie, my Confirmation sponsor. Part of me really wasn't sure what to make of this moment, but I knew within me it was something big. And I certainly acknowledge that now that I look back upon the journey I have taken over these past 11 years. In fact, this day, October 15, the anniversary of my Confirmation, has become as celebratory a day as my own birthday.
Every year, I look to do something, large or small, to celebrate. Today, I celebrated in flashy style by accompanying a group of middle schoolers at Ascension Parish to the Holy Fire youth gathering at the UIC Pavilion, sponsored in part by the Archdiocese of Chicago.
I couldn't think of a more fitting way to celebrate, because it speaks to the most important part of my Confirmation experience, namely, in living out the faith that was confirmed that day. Only in being lived out does it take on its meaning.
Faith took on a whole new kind of meaning while participating in the ministry of St. Teresa of Avila Roman Catholic Student Center at Valparaiso University. (Notably, October 15, is the Feast Day of St. Teresa of Avila.) My faith was made powerfully anew during my college years, and upon graduating, I was riding a wave of a vibrant spiritual life. I decided to channel it by being present to young people coming to own faith for themselves, and inspiring them in these ways, through teaching Religious Education class, now for my fourth consecutive year.
That's how I've gotten involved in youth ministry-related matters, and was invited to accompany the group to Holy Fire today. A good deal of the first part was very much a rock concert-type event, with loud music to get the young people pumped up. But it started to give way to a message of empowerment, as the speakers, ranging to Cardinal-designate Blase Cupich, who offered remarks as his first public act following the big announcement, to the speaker Katie Prejean McGrady, who spoke on Jesus's invitation to us, based on the story in John 1 when two disciples of John the Baptist suddenly follow Jesus after hearing John's declaration, "Behold the Lamb of God". In an exchange with Jesus, He tells them, "Come and see." That carried over from the message conveyed by the musical group Ike Ndolo, who encouraged us with the message that God cares deeply about us as our Father, and created us specially in His image, a moment that made me rather emotional. Katie's message about Jesus's words "Come and see" was an invitation for us to seek after Jesus, to enter deeply into His presence, because He has come to be so close to us. That message carried over powerfully into a time of Eucharistic adoration, and then a celebration of Mass.
This event was designed to empower these young people to live out their faith in life at large. And the idea was emphasized that they're not just the future of the Church, but a vital part of the Church now, and there's so much they can do to be involved. And it's exciting for me to be part of that by passing on this great gift of faith handed on to me, especially in the experience of Confirmation, and inspire the next generation to step up now and take their place, because they are valued by God.
I'm truly grateful I can have these experiences like this gathering and teaching class week after week, so I can make meaning of my Confirmation. These are the times that make my Confirmation truly a celebration.
It was in that spirit that I returned to Ascension Church this evening for Mass, at the very hour 11 years ago when I had my Confirmation, sitting in the same pew, under the window of St. Teresa of Avila, and sharing my joy. It was an experience that left an indelible impression on me, so that certain details are frozen in my mind, like the pew where I sat, and the approximate time (6 PM), when I stood before Bishop Kane for the conferring of the sacrament--kind of like when Katie pointed out John mentioned the time the disciples had that exchange with Jesus in the story in John 1. That moment truly sent me forth for some awesome things. I may have not been able to imagine all that would happen in these 11 years as I sat in Church on Saturday, October 15, 2005, but the Spirit of God has certainly guided me on an amazing adventure in that time. And I take joy that He abides with me always, with more to come.
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Recognizing Librarianship Anew
Today, Dr. Carla Hayden was sworn in at a ceremony as the 14th Librarian of Congress. She was appointed by President Obama to succeed James Billington who retired last year.
From what I've read about her, she brings a wealth of experience to this position, having served in administrative capacities in the Chicago Public Library and the Enoch Pratt Free Library of Baltimore, for which she made significant strides in expanding their facilities and increasing their technological resources. She even kept the library open when riots broke out in Baltimore. She also served as President of the American Library Association.
Her appointment to this position also stirred controversy, as her confirmation vote in the Senate was delayed for some time, partly over concerns about her stance on limiting children's exposure to pornography on the Internet.
As President of the ALA, she upheld their stance on resisting filters on Internet. But more recently, she said that Internet filters function better now than in years past, and she is in favor of installing them, noting Internet pornography is not appropriate in the library.
Having discussed issues related to intellectual freedom in classes for my MLIS, I recognize that it's a slippery slope when it comes to filters and other efforts to block access to information. But I feel that the ALA needs to back off its overly-strong stance on resisting all efforts to prevent blockage of information, and dialogue more meaningfully with those who are keenly aware of the negative effects pornography has on society.
Technology is bound to be a major part of Dr. Hayden's work at the Library of Congress in the years to come, given how increasingly important it is becoming in libraries in general. It will be interesting to follow the work she does as the first female and first African-American to hold the position of overseeing the institution that serves as the Congress's research arm and houses a huge collection of books. (It will also be interesting to see how new legislation will play out that limits the terms of the Librarian.)
It was wonderful watching her swearing-in ceremony, because it was an opportunity not only to celebrate her achievement, but the wonderful resource this country has in the Library of Congress. So many of the remarks given, especially in Dr. Hayden's speech--given with such fin demeanor--referred to the positive impact that libraries make on people's lives by giving them access to a wealth of resources, which makes libraries part of the bedrock of our society. And the Library of Congress is at the forefront in this work by serving as steward of a great storehouse of knowledge and information resources. I felt a sense of delight knowing that I am part of making libraries what they are in my fulfilling my life's vocation.
It was wonderful watching her swearing-in ceremony, because it was an opportunity not only to celebrate her achievement, but the wonderful resource this country has in the Library of Congress. So many of the remarks given, especially in Dr. Hayden's speech--given with such fin demeanor--referred to the positive impact that libraries make on people's lives by giving them access to a wealth of resources, which makes libraries part of the bedrock of our society. And the Library of Congress is at the forefront in this work by serving as steward of a great storehouse of knowledge and information resources. I felt a sense of delight knowing that I am part of making libraries what they are in my fulfilling my life's vocation.
Best wishes to Dr. Hayden as she starts her work.
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
9-11 Forward to a New Generation
It was a pleasant-weather Tuesday like today 15 years ago on September 11 when terrorists struck a devastating blow at the United States in the worst attacks in modern US history.
I was only 10 years old on that day, and the day's proceedings are seared in my memory, so that I can recall them as if they happened yesterday. I remember clearly how the very foundations of the world shook violently as we realized we were vulnerable in a manner we didn't realize was even possible, and we entered a darker age with so much effort focused on fighting terrorism.
Now that 15 years have elapsed since that terrible day, there's a large group of people now who have no memories of that day, and well into their teen years, along with all the other children younger than them. It's gotten me to the point where I have wondered what the best way is to convey to these young people what happened on that day, knowing full well that what they hear from people who have clear memories of that day will form their understanding of it.
Looking back, I was at the tail end of those who were at an age old enough that we could be told fully what happened. I imagine for children younger than me at that time, adults would have had to show much more caution in conveying to them what happened.
That was on my mind Sunday evening when I was at Ascension for the first meeting of the youth group for high school teens. Matt Goto, the Ascension Youth MInistry Coordinator, and his wife Michi, were leading the gathering, with some other adults present. After some dinner and fellowship, the Gotos started leading a discussion on September 11, 2001. They showed a History Channel video that gave a timeline overview of what happened in New York City.
After the video, Matt got up in front of the high school teens--and all of them there were either toddlers when September 11 happened, or hadn't even been born--and asked them how the events of that day, as shown in the video, made them feel. Their answers reflected what we all felt that day: shock, horror, "numb".
He then asked them how they thought the people on the planes felt, and mentioned how our lives are short, and anything can suddenly bring them to an end. He then asked them how the terrorist hijackers felt, who were driven by religious motives to do what they did. Then, referencing the readings for that Sunday's Mass, he asked them about the possibility of forgiveness toward the terrorists, and then drawing it closer to home, asking them if they could forgive their siblings when they do something that irritates them.
After this discussion, we went outside and gathered around a fire pit for a prayer service, lighting small candles to hold. Gene, on staff at Ascension Parish as a liturgist, selected some readings for this prayer service from the readings for Funeral Masses, which speak to the reality of death, but the hope we have that in God, death leads to something larger than our present reality. After the readings were proclaimed, we shared our thoughts about them.
As we talked, a woman passing by stopped, and after a few moments observing us, asked what we were doing, and we invited her to join us. A few minutes later, a woman saw us, walked away, and then brought three others with her, who I presumed were her husband, son, and daughter, and then joined us as we offered intercessory prayers: We prayed for the victims, the terrorists, and for peace in our world and our hearts.
I thought back to September 11, 2001, when churches all over held prayer vigils. I heard a story about one vigil at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park. A store across the street from that church closed early that day, and the supervisor brought all the employees over to the church to join in the prayer. 15 years later, this was exactly what happened as the youths and the adults gathered in prayer along Van Buren Street. What an incredible message to send to the teens gathered there about how genuinely living out faith in the world makes an impact.
Indeed, on a very somber anniversary, amplified even more by a tragedy in my family that occurred 5 years ago, this gathering at Ascension on Sunday evening filled me with a sense of hope. There's so much evil in the world, and there's so much we can't control. But peace is still a reality we can strive for, as we take the time to come together as the people of God and seek His face, knowing He can fill our hearts with peace as only He can. And when our hearts are filled with peace, we can then share that peace with others in our daily lives, turning away from our attitudes of ill will when others do mean things to us, and extend peace, as God does to all sinners. That's the foundation that builds peace in the world.
It fills me with hope that we take the time to help young people through these difficult discussions, and help them see the face of God in it, even in the midst of evil. Because our faith teaches us that the power of God is greater than anything wrong in this world, and His Righteousness ultimately will triumph, so long as we entrust ourselves to Him.
Faith is a great gift I have received, and it's a joy to participate in these moments, just as I do in Religious Education, passing the faith on to the next generation, to help shape them to follow this way that leads to life vibrant and triumphant.
I was only 10 years old on that day, and the day's proceedings are seared in my memory, so that I can recall them as if they happened yesterday. I remember clearly how the very foundations of the world shook violently as we realized we were vulnerable in a manner we didn't realize was even possible, and we entered a darker age with so much effort focused on fighting terrorism.
Now that 15 years have elapsed since that terrible day, there's a large group of people now who have no memories of that day, and well into their teen years, along with all the other children younger than them. It's gotten me to the point where I have wondered what the best way is to convey to these young people what happened on that day, knowing full well that what they hear from people who have clear memories of that day will form their understanding of it.
Looking back, I was at the tail end of those who were at an age old enough that we could be told fully what happened. I imagine for children younger than me at that time, adults would have had to show much more caution in conveying to them what happened.
That was on my mind Sunday evening when I was at Ascension for the first meeting of the youth group for high school teens. Matt Goto, the Ascension Youth MInistry Coordinator, and his wife Michi, were leading the gathering, with some other adults present. After some dinner and fellowship, the Gotos started leading a discussion on September 11, 2001. They showed a History Channel video that gave a timeline overview of what happened in New York City.
After the video, Matt got up in front of the high school teens--and all of them there were either toddlers when September 11 happened, or hadn't even been born--and asked them how the events of that day, as shown in the video, made them feel. Their answers reflected what we all felt that day: shock, horror, "numb".
He then asked them how they thought the people on the planes felt, and mentioned how our lives are short, and anything can suddenly bring them to an end. He then asked them how the terrorist hijackers felt, who were driven by religious motives to do what they did. Then, referencing the readings for that Sunday's Mass, he asked them about the possibility of forgiveness toward the terrorists, and then drawing it closer to home, asking them if they could forgive their siblings when they do something that irritates them.
After this discussion, we went outside and gathered around a fire pit for a prayer service, lighting small candles to hold. Gene, on staff at Ascension Parish as a liturgist, selected some readings for this prayer service from the readings for Funeral Masses, which speak to the reality of death, but the hope we have that in God, death leads to something larger than our present reality. After the readings were proclaimed, we shared our thoughts about them.
As we talked, a woman passing by stopped, and after a few moments observing us, asked what we were doing, and we invited her to join us. A few minutes later, a woman saw us, walked away, and then brought three others with her, who I presumed were her husband, son, and daughter, and then joined us as we offered intercessory prayers: We prayed for the victims, the terrorists, and for peace in our world and our hearts.
I thought back to September 11, 2001, when churches all over held prayer vigils. I heard a story about one vigil at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park. A store across the street from that church closed early that day, and the supervisor brought all the employees over to the church to join in the prayer. 15 years later, this was exactly what happened as the youths and the adults gathered in prayer along Van Buren Street. What an incredible message to send to the teens gathered there about how genuinely living out faith in the world makes an impact.
Indeed, on a very somber anniversary, amplified even more by a tragedy in my family that occurred 5 years ago, this gathering at Ascension on Sunday evening filled me with a sense of hope. There's so much evil in the world, and there's so much we can't control. But peace is still a reality we can strive for, as we take the time to come together as the people of God and seek His face, knowing He can fill our hearts with peace as only He can. And when our hearts are filled with peace, we can then share that peace with others in our daily lives, turning away from our attitudes of ill will when others do mean things to us, and extend peace, as God does to all sinners. That's the foundation that builds peace in the world.
It fills me with hope that we take the time to help young people through these difficult discussions, and help them see the face of God in it, even in the midst of evil. Because our faith teaches us that the power of God is greater than anything wrong in this world, and His Righteousness ultimately will triumph, so long as we entrust ourselves to Him.
Faith is a great gift I have received, and it's a joy to participate in these moments, just as I do in Religious Education, passing the faith on to the next generation, to help shape them to follow this way that leads to life vibrant and triumphant.
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Popcorn and Porter County
It's time again for the Popcorn Festival in downtown Valparaiso, annually held on the Saturday after Labor Day--and this festival is #93 on my Indiana 200 list. Ah, I have good memories of heading west of campus to participate in the festivities. To start off, there's a parade (#94), featuring community organizations from Valparaiso and all over the region of Porter County, many of them incorporating popcorn in their efforts to speak to the year's festival theme. Following the parade, I'd usually amble by the various booths flanking the Porter County Courthouse sqaure (#95), and spilling into the other streets of downtown Valparaiso, even onto Lincolnway, which is the local stretch of the famed Lincoln Highway (#96).
The festival commemorates local businessman Orville Redenbacher (#97), who sits fixed in place as a statue (#98) on a bench just west of the courthouse, which was installed more recently.
Nearby in downtown Valparaiso is a fine establishment, Valpo Velvet ice cream (#99). I remember eating it for dessert at Strongbow Inn (#100), a fine restaurant that sadly closed last calendar year. They served many wonderful dishes featuring turkey. Just a little ways west on US 30 is the Broadway Cafe (#101), just beyond the edge of the campus of ValpU.
Downtown Valparaiso is also home to Don Quijote, a Spanish restaurant (#102).
Valparaiso gets its name from a city in Chile on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Just offshore in the Pacific there was a battle (#103) during the War of 1812, in which William Sidney Porter (#104), serving in the US Navy and in command of a ship, fought with a British ship. His name was given to Porter County, of which Valparaiso is the county seat.
I found this out from reading a booklet I picked up at the Valparaiso Branch of the Porter County Public Library System (#105), which is a wonderful library that has all the amenities of a town's public library, great collections, and certain sense of coziness as well. I was even impressed to see a display of important documents from United States history on a wall near an entrance.
Walking from the ValpU campus to downtown Valparaiso, one notices the rises and dips in the land, which are also prevalent on campus, with some buildings built into small hills. All these are features of a geographic moraine (#106), marking what was once the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Speaking of geographical features, 15-20 miles into the natural wonders of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (#107), on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, which I spoke of extensively in my blog post on the Centennial of the National Park Service. The Indiana Dunes lakeshore is itself marking its 50th anniversary this year in 2016.
It was nice to have the opportunity to attend a lecture by former Indiana Dunes NL Superintendent Constantine Dillon (#108), who helped me become aware of the great wealth of biodiversity in the lakeshore area.
The lakeshore has several beaches, including Kemil Beach (#109), West Beach (#110), Porter Beach (#111), Dunbar Beach (#112), Lake View Beach (#113), Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Beach (#114) by the Riverwalk (#115), Central Avenue Beach (#116), and Mount Baldy Beach (#117), right by Mount Baldy (#118), over in LaPorte County near the lakeshore's eastern border. There are 15 miles' worth of beaches. Porter Beach is where I ventured one day to experience the winds of the Superstorm Sandy weather system.
Besides the beaches, there are many other natural areas: Miller Woods (#119) in the western part of the park that extends into Lake County and the eastern Gary neighborhood of Miller, Inland Marsh (#120), Mnoke Prairie (#121), Cowles Bog (#122), Heron Rookery (#123), the Great Marsh (#124), and Glenwood Dunes (#125). There are 50 miles of trails that extend all over the beaches and other natural areas.
And there are some historic buildings, too: There are the Bailey Homestead (#126), and the Chelburg Farm (#127), which is the site of an annual apples festival (#128), and an annual maple syrup festival (#129). I once walked by it while staying at the Spring House Inn (#130) for a retreat in the town of Porter (#131), nestled in some of those wooded areas.
Over by Beverly Shores (#132) are the 5 homes from the Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago in 1933-1934. I have had the chance to participate twice in the annual tour of the 5 homes (#133): Wieboldt-Rostone House (#134), the Florida Tropical House (#135) with great views of the beach, the Cypress Log Cabin (#136) whose owner has done a superb job with the interior decorations, the House of Tomorrow (#137) which doesn't have any person restoring it yet, and the Armco-Ferro House (#138) with great views from a solarium on top.
The drive along US Federal Route 12 through the National Lakeshore areas is scenic (#139), providing a similar view as the South Shore Line (#140) tracks along the same corridor, as it goes from Chicago all the way to South Bend.
Nestled in the National Lakeshore is Indiana Dunes State Park (#141). It also has a nice beach, a historic bathhouse (#142), and many trails that take visitors through the wooded areas of the dunes further inland from the beach. There are also some tall dunes there, like Mount Tom (#143).
Nearby is the Dune Park South Shore Line train station (#144). I would board the South Shore Line at this station when headed home, or into downtown Chicago. It was so nice each time I went home to see the progression of the seasons in the trees of the Dunelands going from summer greens to autumn colors and then winter bareness (#145).
The Dunes Park station serves the Dunes nature parks, and nearby Chesterton (#146), a gateway city for the Dunes lakeshore areas. Another gateway locale on the northwest edge of Porter County is Portage (#147). Passing through Portage is US Federal Route 6, which is the local alignment for the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Highway (#148). It is a lovely drive through the northern part of Porter County, that I have used a few times when heading out of Valparaiso due north. Another important north-south road is Indiana State Route 49 (#149), which has its northern terminus at US 12, near the Dune Park train station, and heads south to Chesterton, Valparaiso, and Kouts, to its terminus in Jasper County. Kouts is known for its annual Porkfest (#150).
Sitting just beyond the western edge of Porter County is the city of Hobart (#151), and nearby is the County Line Orchard (#152), a well-known spot to ValpU students and locals. Getting to Hobart from Valparaiso takes one along a lovely drive through rural farm areas along Indiana State Route 130 (#153).
Indeed, there is so much rural land surrounding Valparaiso in Porter County. Another lovely rural locale is the Boone Grove (#154), to the south of Valparaiso, which, as its name suggests, is a grove of trees, through which a road passes.
It was nice getting to know the geography of this area while studying at ValpU, as well as its unique weather: Because of this area's position relative to Lake Michigan, it lies within the Indiana Lake-Effect Snowbelt (#155), which covers a good portion of Northwest Indiana from Lake County eastward toward South Bend. When the conditions are just right, cold winds blowing from a northerly or northwesterly direction over the lake for a good stretch, the snow can really fall fast and furious, often in very concentrated bands. These local specialties, whether lake-effect snow or popcorn, sure added a nice touch to spending time in the area.
The festival commemorates local businessman Orville Redenbacher (#97), who sits fixed in place as a statue (#98) on a bench just west of the courthouse, which was installed more recently.
Nearby in downtown Valparaiso is a fine establishment, Valpo Velvet ice cream (#99). I remember eating it for dessert at Strongbow Inn (#100), a fine restaurant that sadly closed last calendar year. They served many wonderful dishes featuring turkey. Just a little ways west on US 30 is the Broadway Cafe (#101), just beyond the edge of the campus of ValpU.
Downtown Valparaiso is also home to Don Quijote, a Spanish restaurant (#102).
Valparaiso gets its name from a city in Chile on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Just offshore in the Pacific there was a battle (#103) during the War of 1812, in which William Sidney Porter (#104), serving in the US Navy and in command of a ship, fought with a British ship. His name was given to Porter County, of which Valparaiso is the county seat.
I found this out from reading a booklet I picked up at the Valparaiso Branch of the Porter County Public Library System (#105), which is a wonderful library that has all the amenities of a town's public library, great collections, and certain sense of coziness as well. I was even impressed to see a display of important documents from United States history on a wall near an entrance.
Walking from the ValpU campus to downtown Valparaiso, one notices the rises and dips in the land, which are also prevalent on campus, with some buildings built into small hills. All these are features of a geographic moraine (#106), marking what was once the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
Speaking of geographical features, 15-20 miles into the natural wonders of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (#107), on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, which I spoke of extensively in my blog post on the Centennial of the National Park Service. The Indiana Dunes lakeshore is itself marking its 50th anniversary this year in 2016.
It was nice to have the opportunity to attend a lecture by former Indiana Dunes NL Superintendent Constantine Dillon (#108), who helped me become aware of the great wealth of biodiversity in the lakeshore area.
The lakeshore has several beaches, including Kemil Beach (#109), West Beach (#110), Porter Beach (#111), Dunbar Beach (#112), Lake View Beach (#113), Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Beach (#114) by the Riverwalk (#115), Central Avenue Beach (#116), and Mount Baldy Beach (#117), right by Mount Baldy (#118), over in LaPorte County near the lakeshore's eastern border. There are 15 miles' worth of beaches. Porter Beach is where I ventured one day to experience the winds of the Superstorm Sandy weather system.
Besides the beaches, there are many other natural areas: Miller Woods (#119) in the western part of the park that extends into Lake County and the eastern Gary neighborhood of Miller, Inland Marsh (#120), Mnoke Prairie (#121), Cowles Bog (#122), Heron Rookery (#123), the Great Marsh (#124), and Glenwood Dunes (#125). There are 50 miles of trails that extend all over the beaches and other natural areas.
And there are some historic buildings, too: There are the Bailey Homestead (#126), and the Chelburg Farm (#127), which is the site of an annual apples festival (#128), and an annual maple syrup festival (#129). I once walked by it while staying at the Spring House Inn (#130) for a retreat in the town of Porter (#131), nestled in some of those wooded areas.
Over by Beverly Shores (#132) are the 5 homes from the Century of Progress World's Fair in Chicago in 1933-1934. I have had the chance to participate twice in the annual tour of the 5 homes (#133): Wieboldt-Rostone House (#134), the Florida Tropical House (#135) with great views of the beach, the Cypress Log Cabin (#136) whose owner has done a superb job with the interior decorations, the House of Tomorrow (#137) which doesn't have any person restoring it yet, and the Armco-Ferro House (#138) with great views from a solarium on top.
The drive along US Federal Route 12 through the National Lakeshore areas is scenic (#139), providing a similar view as the South Shore Line (#140) tracks along the same corridor, as it goes from Chicago all the way to South Bend.
Nestled in the National Lakeshore is Indiana Dunes State Park (#141). It also has a nice beach, a historic bathhouse (#142), and many trails that take visitors through the wooded areas of the dunes further inland from the beach. There are also some tall dunes there, like Mount Tom (#143).
Nearby is the Dune Park South Shore Line train station (#144). I would board the South Shore Line at this station when headed home, or into downtown Chicago. It was so nice each time I went home to see the progression of the seasons in the trees of the Dunelands going from summer greens to autumn colors and then winter bareness (#145).
The Dunes Park station serves the Dunes nature parks, and nearby Chesterton (#146), a gateway city for the Dunes lakeshore areas. Another gateway locale on the northwest edge of Porter County is Portage (#147). Passing through Portage is US Federal Route 6, which is the local alignment for the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Highway (#148). It is a lovely drive through the northern part of Porter County, that I have used a few times when heading out of Valparaiso due north. Another important north-south road is Indiana State Route 49 (#149), which has its northern terminus at US 12, near the Dune Park train station, and heads south to Chesterton, Valparaiso, and Kouts, to its terminus in Jasper County. Kouts is known for its annual Porkfest (#150).
Sitting just beyond the western edge of Porter County is the city of Hobart (#151), and nearby is the County Line Orchard (#152), a well-known spot to ValpU students and locals. Getting to Hobart from Valparaiso takes one along a lovely drive through rural farm areas along Indiana State Route 130 (#153).
Indeed, there is so much rural land surrounding Valparaiso in Porter County. Another lovely rural locale is the Boone Grove (#154), to the south of Valparaiso, which, as its name suggests, is a grove of trees, through which a road passes.
It was nice getting to know the geography of this area while studying at ValpU, as well as its unique weather: Because of this area's position relative to Lake Michigan, it lies within the Indiana Lake-Effect Snowbelt (#155), which covers a good portion of Northwest Indiana from Lake County eastward toward South Bend. When the conditions are just right, cold winds blowing from a northerly or northwesterly direction over the lake for a good stretch, the snow can really fall fast and furious, often in very concentrated bands. These local specialties, whether lake-effect snow or popcorn, sure added a nice touch to spending time in the area.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
A Party that Keeps on Going
Rio de Janeiro keeps the show going with the start of the 2016 Paralympic Games today, keeping the prevailing party atmosphere going that befitting the culture there that was prevalent throughout the Olympic games last month.
With every Olympic event, there are always some spectacular feats of human ability on display. Equally amazing are the displays of the host city's culture. Similar themes carried over from the Olympics opening ceremony to the closing ceremony. Some of the highlights for me were the colorful dancers, and the Carnival-themed festiveness, with lots of fireworks to go around, which went off constantly throughout the ceremony. Much of the performing happened even with rain falling, which didn't appear to cause any kind of concern as the performers showed themselves to be having a good time. Then there was that impressive planned rain during that one number by a well-known Brazilian singer, one of many songs sung to highlight Brazilian pop culture.
I liked how there was a choir that sang the Brazilian national anthem, singing it so grandly, in contrast to the simple grandeur of the solo guitarist performing it in the opening ceremony. In both cases, the national anthem demonstrated itself to be a song espousing a strong sense of pride for the land that is Brazil. In the closing ceremony, it was quite something to see the colors of the Brazilian flag projected onto the arena floor. And the Brazilians made their statement again about their role in aviation history by showing again Alberto Santo Dumont, who they say is the one who invented the airplane, before the Wright Brothers' first flight in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
But the ceremony also gave the worldwide audience the chance to look ahead to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. I was enthralled by teh montage showing the sports culture in Japan. And I was intrigued by the montage with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mario, the video game character. It will be interesting to see the full show Tokyo puts on in 2020.
In the months leading up to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, news headlines spoke to concerns over the city's ability to pull off the Olympics event, given the problems plaguing them. But at the closing ceremony, it was clear those problems hardly posed an issue in Rio de Janeiro putting on a fabulous event. Perhaps the same will be said of the Paralympic Games, as I saw some headlines expressing similar concerns. In the spirit of having a good time, it was fitting that upon the extinguishing of the Olympic torch at the closing ceremony, the Samba music and dancing got going alive and well, as if it would last all night long.
With every Olympic event, there are always some spectacular feats of human ability on display. Equally amazing are the displays of the host city's culture. Similar themes carried over from the Olympics opening ceremony to the closing ceremony. Some of the highlights for me were the colorful dancers, and the Carnival-themed festiveness, with lots of fireworks to go around, which went off constantly throughout the ceremony. Much of the performing happened even with rain falling, which didn't appear to cause any kind of concern as the performers showed themselves to be having a good time. Then there was that impressive planned rain during that one number by a well-known Brazilian singer, one of many songs sung to highlight Brazilian pop culture.
I liked how there was a choir that sang the Brazilian national anthem, singing it so grandly, in contrast to the simple grandeur of the solo guitarist performing it in the opening ceremony. In both cases, the national anthem demonstrated itself to be a song espousing a strong sense of pride for the land that is Brazil. In the closing ceremony, it was quite something to see the colors of the Brazilian flag projected onto the arena floor. And the Brazilians made their statement again about their role in aviation history by showing again Alberto Santo Dumont, who they say is the one who invented the airplane, before the Wright Brothers' first flight in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
But the ceremony also gave the worldwide audience the chance to look ahead to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. I was enthralled by teh montage showing the sports culture in Japan. And I was intrigued by the montage with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mario, the video game character. It will be interesting to see the full show Tokyo puts on in 2020.
In the months leading up to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, news headlines spoke to concerns over the city's ability to pull off the Olympics event, given the problems plaguing them. But at the closing ceremony, it was clear those problems hardly posed an issue in Rio de Janeiro putting on a fabulous event. Perhaps the same will be said of the Paralympic Games, as I saw some headlines expressing similar concerns. In the spirit of having a good time, it was fitting that upon the extinguishing of the Olympic torch at the closing ceremony, the Samba music and dancing got going alive and well, as if it would last all night long.
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