As reported by Barb at SFO Mom, the announcement was made this past weekend in our parishes as to what changes will be made with in our deanery. While there were no surprises in the decision to merge our parish with the other parish in town, it still doesn't mean that I like it.
My parish was a mission parish of the other parish in town. It was formed almost 100 years ago when a group of people of Polish heritage broke away to create a parish to minister to the them and the large Polish immigrant population in our town. We happened to join this pariah when we moved to the area 17 years ago because we couldn't find the other parish. Plus, being the daughter of a first generation American of Polish descent, I was thrilled with the Polish festival where I could indulge in pirogi and filled cabbage and kielbasa some of the foods I enjoyed growing up. Plus, after being "confronted" by members of the other parish and being told that my parish was an "ethnic" parish and that theirs was a parish community, with out taking into consideration that I might be of that "ethnic" origin, I was put off by the attitude of the parishioners I met.
It has been 17 wonderful years of worshipping with this small, and now ethnically mixed community. My son attended school there from pre-school through eighth grade where he received a wonderful education. Unfortunately, because of dwindling enrollment and competition from other schools, the school closed in June of 2006. We have met so many wonderful people that we now call friends.
But ours is a world of change and now we embark on a big change and the merging of two very opposite groups - we the "poor immigrant" parish and they the "affluent" parish. It will be a challenge to blend ministries and organizations together. Both sides will have to learn the art of compromise and how to work together. And we will all have a new pastor to "break in." For me, it will be bittersweet as I will miss my parish as its own little community, but I will be supportive and work hard at what ever I am asked to do.
So like in a marriage, when two become one and the merger of lives and possessions take place to form one family, we too shall become one - a new parish - the product of a marriage of two parishes.
September 24, 2007
September 23, 2007
Well, he hasn't changed
The bright spot in the sadness of yesterday was seeing our son for the first time in three weeks. Wow, it made me realize just how much I miss him.
He hasn't change in physical appearance, but being on his own has certainly made him more outgoing. He has immersed himself in campus life and is involved in the campus radio and television stations, in student government and is hoping to join the crew team, a sport he has never tried. He is enjoying cooking at the stir fry bar in the student dining hall, along with being creative at the omelette station. And he seems to have made many friends, some of whom we hope to meet when we visit him.
He hasn't change in physical appearance, but being on his own has certainly made him more outgoing. He has immersed himself in campus life and is involved in the campus radio and television stations, in student government and is hoping to join the crew team, a sport he has never tried. He is enjoying cooking at the stir fry bar in the student dining hall, along with being creative at the omelette station. And he seems to have made many friends, some of whom we hope to meet when we visit him.
What a wonderful tribute...
Yesterday was the memorial service for my father-in-law and what a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man.
My father-in-law was married twice. He first wife passed away when their fourth child was still a baby. He married my mother-in-law and had seven more children for a grand total of 11 children - eight boys and three girls. He taught high school for over 35 years and after he retired, he taught part-time at two colleges for another ten years. During that time he touched the lives of many, many students and colleages alike.
Over 100 people attended the service and the speakers included a fellow teacher from one of the universities he taught at, the superintendent of the school district and the hospital chaplain who administered the anointing of the sick to him a few days before he passed away. In addition, my husband and his oldest brother spoke about their dad and my mother-in-law read a poem. Many tears were shed by not only the family, but many friends of the family members. A short video presentation was put together chronicalling his life that was truly a testament to a man who was loved and respected by so many.
My father-in-law was married twice. He first wife passed away when their fourth child was still a baby. He married my mother-in-law and had seven more children for a grand total of 11 children - eight boys and three girls. He taught high school for over 35 years and after he retired, he taught part-time at two colleges for another ten years. During that time he touched the lives of many, many students and colleages alike.
Over 100 people attended the service and the speakers included a fellow teacher from one of the universities he taught at, the superintendent of the school district and the hospital chaplain who administered the anointing of the sick to him a few days before he passed away. In addition, my husband and his oldest brother spoke about their dad and my mother-in-law read a poem. Many tears were shed by not only the family, but many friends of the family members. A short video presentation was put together chronicalling his life that was truly a testament to a man who was loved and respected by so many.
September 21, 2007
I Can't Wait
Tomorrow afternoon I will get to see my son for the first time since we dropped him at college. We will all be attending a memorial service for my father-in-law who passed away a little over a month ago. Our good friends, who live only about 20 minutes from the school will pick him up and bring him to the service. I am anxious to see if he has changed at all.
I wish we were getting to see him under more pleasant circumstances, but never the less, I am anxious to see him. And so is his dad and so are his grandparents!
I wish we were getting to see him under more pleasant circumstances, but never the less, I am anxious to see him. And so is his dad and so are his grandparents!
Jersey Girls Outing
On Wednesday, Barb, Christine and I met for breakfast at a diner near Christine's house. What a great way to spend the latter portion of a beautiful, sunny, almost fall day.
Although Barb and I had met before and made an instant connection, neither of us had met Christine before. Well that instant connection was there too. It didn't take long until we were sharing good conversation with our breakfast. We made a short walk to Christine's house enjoying the beautiful day. Just before noon, we headed back toward the diner to the Catholic church across the street from it and attended mass. Much to our surprise, Barb's mother-in-law was there too.
It was a lovely day and I hope we can do it again.
Although Barb and I had met before and made an instant connection, neither of us had met Christine before. Well that instant connection was there too. It didn't take long until we were sharing good conversation with our breakfast. We made a short walk to Christine's house enjoying the beautiful day. Just before noon, we headed back toward the diner to the Catholic church across the street from it and attended mass. Much to our surprise, Barb's mother-in-law was there too.
It was a lovely day and I hope we can do it again.
September 17, 2007
And so it begins...
Tonight is the first CCD class of the new school year. As I talked about in a previous post, I am again serving my parish as CCD coordinator. Tonight is the first night of class and we will begin the new school year with mass.
Of course after mass, we will have late registration for all the families who don't come to mass and don't get the bulletin, but still seem to find out when the first day of CCD is. I know this is not a problem that is unique to my parish, I wish there were an easy solution to this problem. I guess one would be to cut off registration on a certain date and not allow any late registrations except for families that are new to the parish. But this is not the case, so I must deal with what will probably be a mad house after mass of parents who "forgot" to send in their forms or "weren't notified" about registration. God forbid they come to church, get a bulletin and be informed.
But, as my parish will probably be merged with another parish in town, this will be the last year of CCD in our parish. It is my intention that this will be my last year of involvement as I would like to concentrate my time and effort into developing a program of Adult Faith Formation.
Of course after mass, we will have late registration for all the families who don't come to mass and don't get the bulletin, but still seem to find out when the first day of CCD is. I know this is not a problem that is unique to my parish, I wish there were an easy solution to this problem. I guess one would be to cut off registration on a certain date and not allow any late registrations except for families that are new to the parish. But this is not the case, so I must deal with what will probably be a mad house after mass of parents who "forgot" to send in their forms or "weren't notified" about registration. God forbid they come to church, get a bulletin and be informed.
But, as my parish will probably be merged with another parish in town, this will be the last year of CCD in our parish. It is my intention that this will be my last year of involvement as I would like to concentrate my time and effort into developing a program of Adult Faith Formation.
September 14, 2007
King Tut - how'd you get so funky
Yesterday, my husband and I and three friends traveled to the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia to see the King Tut exhibit. It was a wonderful day with excellent weather and good friends, filled with laughter.
What can I say about the artifacts in the exhibit except that when those Egyptians made something, they made it to last! That all those items lasted for so many years is amazing. And to be in such excellent condition - wow, it was an exhibit not to be missed.
Of course, when I planned the trip, I carefully chose to go in September figuring that with school just being back in session, there wouldn't be many school groups there and especially since we went late in the day. Boy did I make a mistake. The one thing that I didn't consider was the Jewish holiday which meant that most public schools in the area, and especially in Philadelphia, would be closed. Well, the place was packed. And I am not a big fan of crowds. So the lesson I learned was to look at the calendar more closely and check to see if the schools might be closed for reasons I might not think of.
What can I say about the artifacts in the exhibit except that when those Egyptians made something, they made it to last! That all those items lasted for so many years is amazing. And to be in such excellent condition - wow, it was an exhibit not to be missed.
Of course, when I planned the trip, I carefully chose to go in September figuring that with school just being back in session, there wouldn't be many school groups there and especially since we went late in the day. Boy did I make a mistake. The one thing that I didn't consider was the Jewish holiday which meant that most public schools in the area, and especially in Philadelphia, would be closed. Well, the place was packed. And I am not a big fan of crowds. So the lesson I learned was to look at the calendar more closely and check to see if the schools might be closed for reasons I might not think of.
September 10, 2007
We have survived
Wow, just like it was hard to believe that our son went from birth to 18 in about three days, it is hard to believe that he has been at college for a week already. I have tried to keep the phone calls to a minimum, calling only when I have something to say and not just to check up on him.
So far, he seems to be settling in. For the most part, his classes are okay. The professors range from a math teacher that he described as 95 to a crazy Economics teacher that expects them to learn everything at once. I think he expected college to be a piece of cake and not too much work. Silly him!
So far, he seems to be settling in. For the most part, his classes are okay. The professors range from a math teacher that he described as 95 to a crazy Economics teacher that expects them to learn everything at once. I think he expected college to be a piece of cake and not too much work. Silly him!
September 03, 2007
One Word Meme
Barb tagged me for this thought provoking meme.
Answer each question in a single word.
1. Yourself: Tired
2. Your spouse: Overextended
3. Your hair: Brown
4. Your mother: Faith
5. Your father: Amazing
6. Your favourite item: Racquet
7. Your dream last night: fishing
8. Your favorite drink: water
9. Your dream car: Corvette
10. The room you are in: Family
11. Your ex: None
12. Your fear: Drowning
13. What you want to be in 10 years: Travelling
14. Who you hung out with last night: Husband
15. What you’re not: Thin
16. Muffins: Chocolate
17. One of your wish list item: Hawaii
18. Time: Nine
19. The last thing you did: Dog
20. What you are wearing: shorts
21. Your favorite weather: Fall
22. Your favorite book: Firm
23. The last thing you ate: Kisses
24. Your life: busy
25. Your mood: Content
26. Your best friend: Husband
27. What you’re thinking about right now: Tomorrow
28. Your car: Highlander
29. What you are doing at the moment: TV
30. Your summer: short
31. Your relationship status: Married
32. What is on your TV: Trash
33. What the weather is like: Clear
34. When was the last time you laughed: Dessert
When I first saw this, I thought it would be easy - it was harder than I thought.
I tag Fr. Daren so that his empty moment will be filled with thought - sorry Fr. Daren, but not too many people read my blog.
Answer each question in a single word.
1. Yourself: Tired
2. Your spouse: Overextended
3. Your hair: Brown
4. Your mother: Faith
5. Your father: Amazing
6. Your favourite item: Racquet
7. Your dream last night: fishing
8. Your favorite drink: water
9. Your dream car: Corvette
10. The room you are in: Family
11. Your ex: None
12. Your fear: Drowning
13. What you want to be in 10 years: Travelling
14. Who you hung out with last night: Husband
15. What you’re not: Thin
16. Muffins: Chocolate
17. One of your wish list item: Hawaii
18. Time: Nine
19. The last thing you did: Dog
20. What you are wearing: shorts
21. Your favorite weather: Fall
22. Your favorite book: Firm
23. The last thing you ate: Kisses
24. Your life: busy
25. Your mood: Content
26. Your best friend: Husband
27. What you’re thinking about right now: Tomorrow
28. Your car: Highlander
29. What you are doing at the moment: TV
30. Your summer: short
31. Your relationship status: Married
32. What is on your TV: Trash
33. What the weather is like: Clear
34. When was the last time you laughed: Dessert
When I first saw this, I thought it would be easy - it was harder than I thought.
I tag Fr. Daren so that his empty moment will be filled with thought - sorry Fr. Daren, but not too many people read my blog.
An Empty Nest
Today was the day. We are now empty nesters. Not in the permanent sort of way, but at least for the school year.
It took many hours of shopping for the dorm room (well, at least for mom), careful selection of clothes and shoes (the child's job) and and packing the car with so much that we looked like the Clampett's heading off for Beverly Hills (except there was no rocking chair with Granny on the roof). And the only thing he forgot was his glasses. Of course, without his contacts in, he can't see past his nose, so forgetting these creates a bit of a problem. So the will be shipped off via overnight delivery so he won't over wear his contacts or sleep in them.
So now we must adjust to daily life with out the laughter, smart remarks and witty sarcasm of our son. But I know he will be happy to entertain his roommate.
It took many hours of shopping for the dorm room (well, at least for mom), careful selection of clothes and shoes (the child's job) and and packing the car with so much that we looked like the Clampett's heading off for Beverly Hills (except there was no rocking chair with Granny on the roof). And the only thing he forgot was his glasses. Of course, without his contacts in, he can't see past his nose, so forgetting these creates a bit of a problem. So the will be shipped off via overnight delivery so he won't over wear his contacts or sleep in them.
So now we must adjust to daily life with out the laughter, smart remarks and witty sarcasm of our son. But I know he will be happy to entertain his roommate.
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