Christmas day was filled with family, friends, food and gifts.  The very best gift this year though arrived a few days after Christmas when we received good news regarding my mother's health.  Working with children whose mother's have died, or in a few cases abandoned them, certainly helps to deepen my appreciation for my own  mother and all of my family.  It was a gift that I could be here with my own family (both immediate and extended) and connect with some friends during these days.  

As the calendar year draws to a close, I want to say thank you to everyone who has been supportive and encouraging of me and of my ministry during this year.                

Happy New Year! Many blessings!                  

Lakay (home)

 The suitcase that contained very little during the flight I took last week, is now filled with pants that my congregation has purchased for children at the orphanage.  My days in New Orleans have filled me with a sense of joy, and a deep appreciation for the sisters in my congregation and for many friends that I have here.

In reflecting upon the Christmas story, I think about Mary and Joseph being so far from home, essentially homeless when Jesus was born.  On Saturday I had the opportunity to attend a rally here in the New Orleans in support of welcoming Syrian refugees into the state and country.  Very moving stories were told.  Leaders of various faith traditions spoke using different words to express the same message of compassion and love, and our call to welcome the stranger.

I found myself again reflecting on the concept of "home."  There are many different places I refer to as home, sometimes even in the same sentence.  I might say something like, I need to go home and pack so that I will be ready for my flight home.  One minute I refer to New Orleans as home, the next I might be thinking of Haiti, or Rhode Island.  There are so many places where I am welcomed, where I am comfortable, where there are people I love, where I am at home.  I think of Mary having to give birth in a place that could not have felt at all like home, and was not intended to house humans.  I think of the children at the orphanage, some were happy to go to visit their relatives, but a few did not appear to me to be.  I think of the refugees around the world, no longer feeling safe or unwanted in their original homes, and feared and unwelcome by so many.  I am privileged to have so many homes.  This is not a privilege that I have earned; I am no more deserving of it than the child whose relatives only reluctantly allow him into their house for school vacation, the homeless people I see wandering though the New Orleans'French Quarter or of the refugees staying in my previous congregation's mother house in Germany.  My my desire that everyone everywhere have at least one safe adequate place to live deepens as does my gratitude for the various places that I consider home.      

There is a paradox in this for me though too, which is the reality that when one has multiple homes, when one has been influenced and formed by various cultures, places and peoples while one can have many homes, at a different level no place is really a prefect fit, no place is perfectly home. At times I feel this, but ultimately my sense of gratitude is much stronger than fleeting feelings of loneliness.  Perhaps this should be a separate blog entry for another day, because right now I need to finish packing so I can say my farewells to the sisters who are home, before I begin the next part of my journey to another place I call home.  

Merry Christmas!  Many blessings!          

Brief Update

Today we celebrated Christmas at the orphanage.  The party included music, singing, dancing, delicious food, and Christmas gifts for the children and employees.  Everyone seemed to have a great time.

Tomorrow the children leave for vacation.  They will go to visit their relatives and return early in the New Year.  Although I had to make my travel plans before I knew exactly when the children would leave and return, it worked out that I am leaving the same day as the children and returning to Haiti the same day they return to the orphanage.

I will see some of you soon.        

Year of Mercy

Last week, during English class one of my students, a Holy Cross novice, asked me what I was going to do for the Year of Mercy.  While I was impressed by his willingness to start a conversation in English (as I had of course encouraged him to do) I was momentarily taken aback.  I had to admit to myself and to my students I had not given any thought at all as to what I was going to do to mark the year of Mercy.  Of course I had heard that Pope Francis had declared this a Jubilee Year of Mercy.  Certainly that seemed like a good idea to me, after all the world desperately needs to be more merciful and forgiving.

This morning during the lively liturgy I attended at a parish at Immaculate Conception Parish Church in a nearby neighborhood to celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception we were reminded that today marks the beginning of the Year of Mercy.  Yes, I thought again how this is a good idea, because that is what the world needs right now.      

Later in the morning I opened my email to find my friend, Petra's latest blog entry.  https://mercypelago.wordpress.com/2015/12/08/the-poem/  Her poem led me to reflect on the reality of mercy, the gift of mercy, the need for mercy.  Mercy is not just some abstract idea; it lives in concrete realities, in relationships, in choices and in specific actions.

How easy it is for me to say that the world needs to be more merciful and more forgiving.  How easy it is for me to read the headlines of world news reports and decided that certain people (like Donald Trump for example) need to be more loving, forgiving, and merciful.  It is easier to see the need for mercy in our trouble world than to admit that it is very much needed in my own life.  Can I allow God's loving mercy to penetrate the dark sinful places in my own heart?  Can I be more merciful, more forgiving more patient, with the child who tries to steal the play dough?, with the sister who has ideas about child development that differ from my own?, with strangers who ask me for money?,  in my everyday interactions with those with whom I live and work?  in my correspondences and conversations with community, family and friends near and far?  

Wow, I have a lot to do during this Year of Mercy!  
This is not even what I had expected to write about this week.  
Take care.  Many blessings!            

Thanksgiving and Advent

Thanksgiving

After morning prayer and breakfast last Thursday I decided to start my Thanksgiving meal preparations with the pumpkin pie.  Even though I was using canned pumpkin and a Jiffy brand mix for the pie crust, preparing the pie was not really "as easy as pie." (Where does that expression come from anyway?)  I found myself struggling to open the cans because the hand held can openers that we have are not especially sharp.  Eventually I had cut around enough of the can that I figured I could use a knife and my hand to ply the rest open; and I did but not without cutting my left index finger.  The cut was not terrible by any means, but required cleaning and searching for a band-aid  as well as wiping a trail of blood from the tile floor, which required searching for a rag, while trying to to create more trails of blood.  The convent cook  was kind enough to light the oven for me.  The directions on the back of the pumpkin can said to bake the pie at a specific higher temperature for 15 minutes and then decrease the temperature also to a specific temperature.  The knob for the oven did not have numbers on it.  The employee told me I should leave the knob in a certain place, there was no oven thermometer, so I had no way of knowing the temperature.  I also did not know that you need to close the over door very gently or the gas flame underneath would be extinguished.  The second time the oven needed to be lit for the pumpkin pies, I watched as the cook used a lit candle, got here whole body on the floor to reignite the pilot light for the gas stove, actually believing that I would then be able to do it myself later if needed.  The package said that pumpkin pies would take an hour to bake; they took over two and one of them was not perfectly set when I decided to remove them because I wanted to put the turkey in the oven, having no idea how long it would take to cook a medium size turkey at an unknown temperature.

In addition to the food provided by Agape Airlines, I decided to supplement the meal with carrots and mashed potatoes that were fresh.  Actually in my opinion, the carrots here are often even more flavorful than the "fresh" carrots you can buy in most American grocery stores.  I would have loved to have mashed parsnips in with the carrots as my Irish grandmother always did, but I have yet to see a parsnip in Haiti, when I have prepared this in American Convents some sisters found it odd, and I don't even know the Creole word for parsnip, so decided not to even try.  Even though mashed potatoes may not be my most favorite food, for a large holiday meal they seemed essential.  While cooking the potatoes and carrots on the stove, one of the employees came by to show me how to turn the burner off; I was starting to wonder if I was seeming as incompetent a cook as I was feeling, but then I realized that the knobs on the stove are in English and she probably does not have a modern oven with a stove-top like ours at her home; this was in fact a very thoughtful gesture because I am sure someone had to show her how to turn it off.

When I took the turkey out to check it I must not have closed the oven door gently enough because the oven stopped working again.  By this time the employees who work in the house had left for the day and it just so happened that none of the sisters were home, which is unusual.  By some miracle the turkey was finished; I was sure that once we cut it I would discover that it was either too dry or that there would be parts that were under-cooked, but thanks be God this was not the case.  While the turkey was cooking I was preparing bread to go into the oven.  It was rising nicely and I was looking forward to freshly baked warm bread.  My several attempts at lighting the oven all proved fruitless; the knob did not turn the way I expected it to, so it seems no gas was going into the oven.  When sisters started to arrive for the meal, I asked both those who live here and those coming for the food,  to help me light the oven.  Despite several attempts, by a few people the oven remained cold.  Perhaps only the cook who works here knows how light it.  The bread dough had risen and then fallen and would become a flat bread at the orphanage convent for the following morning's breakfast.  There was no butter for the bread anyway, because when I requested real butter (expecting a pound), someone went to four stores in Cap Haitian in search of real butter with no luck, they purchased a single stick of Parkay (despite what the television commercials that I unfortunately still remember from my early childhood said, they are really not the same thing.)  When I think of how I found preparing this meal to be so challenging that I was beginning to question my cooking competence, I am also aware that here at this convent we  have  more modern appliances and conveniences than the vast majority of people in this country.  Last Thursday too, thanks be to God the electricity and running water were cooperative for most of the day.  I was also supposed to set up for 5:00 pm liturgy here at the convent, but while trying to start the oven, open the can of cranberry and prepare the stove top stuffing in the microwave, quickly bathe and change out of my clothes that by that time were sprinkled with various foods, I had neglected to prepare the chapel for the mass, but the sisters who came assisted.

Some people were late for the meal because they had to attend a class or had ministry responsibilities followed by car troubles.  The postulants and their director were out of town for a inter-congregational program in the capital, and another sister who lives here was doing business in the Dominican Republic.  We were three Haitian sisters, two French Canadian sisters, two American sisters, a young Haitian women who is doing in an internship at the orphanage discerning entering the Sisters of Holy Cross, the orphanage driver, and one of the oldest children who lives at the orphanage since she had needed a ride from school that evening.

During the meal, people were telling stories. We all laughed a lot. Everyone appeared to be enjoying the food and more importantly truly enjoying one another.  There was a moment where I experienced a sense of consolation and realized that this meal was in fact well worth the effort.  Fortunately there are many moments like that here in Haiti, moments of connecting with a child, joking with a co-worker or sister, seeing even the slightest hint of possible progress, healing or growth in grieving or traumatized child, moments that make the unexpected challenges all worth while.  Like cooking, sometimes there are things I have done well in the past , things I could say easily in English, things that are as "easy as pie" at home, that are terribly difficult or at least a bit more challenging here, but then always the moments come, the moments that make it all worth while.  Moments when I sense that God is actively in our midst.  I am especially grateful for those moments.

Advent
The liturgical season of Advent is already upon us. I love the Advent themes of hope, anticipation, waiting, darkness/light.  It is a little easier to enter into the season of Advent here, since there is less of the commercial Christmas craziness.  In fact the closest thing to a Christmas decoration I have seen are the beautiful poinsettia plants that recently began blooming in our yard.  May you find time and space to enter into this sacred season of Advent.  

        

When I was taking pictures of the plant a beautiful butterfly came by.  I really think of the butterfly as a symbol of Eater/Resurrection, not Advent, but in reality in each day of each of our lives we probably experience the themes of the entire liturgical calendar.   Blessed Advent!    

 
               

Bon fèt Thanksgiving

Although today is Tuesday, I am going to work although I decided to go in a little later than usual.  I will do my Thursday therapy groups with the children today and my English students will come on Wednesday instead of Thursday this week.  

Agape Airlines, the organization we use to get mail from the United States, provides the missionaries using their service with food for Thanksgiving.  On Thursday I will prepare a Thanksgiving meal to share with the sisters.  If we had not been offered the food, it may not have occurred to me to celebrate Thanksgiving here, but am I actually feeling excited about it.  

Perhaps 'll write more late in the week. I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.  I have so very much to be grateful for.  Gratitude is something I experience so often in the lives of people here.  Haiti has greatly increased my sense of gratitude.  Always there is something or someone to be thankful for!

You who take the time to read this, my family, friends, community members know that I give thanks to God for the gift of you!

   The turkeys in our yard are very grateful that Thursday is not a Haitian holiday, and that our Thanksgiving bird was donated from the United States.

Happy Thanksgiving! Many blessings!

In a month the children will again go to visit their relatives during the school vacation.  Last week I had the opportunity to have a conversation with a relative of a child.  While I am not comfortable sharing details out of my ethical commitment to client confidentiality, I can say that hearing the story opened my eyes to the challenges faced especially by senior citizens who at the death of a loved one suddenly find themselves caring for children, often without adequate means to do so.  Elderly people who have suffered greatly, who care deeply, and give generously are the quiet often unnoticed heroes in our midst.  

Have a good week.  Take care.  Many blessings!    

    

      

Timoun Lekòl and Postulants

Timoun Lekòl

Last week the elementary school children did not have school at all because of teacher training.  Nobody had school on Friday because of protests in the city, which it seems are common (perhaps even expected) following announcements of election results.  Yesterday schools in the area were closed due to the fear that there would be protests, however to the best of my knowledge there were not any locally.  The days have a very different feel to them when they children do not have school.  The sisters make sure the children do not get behind on their lessons when school is closed by scheduling time each day for lessons and homework.    


Postulants
On Sunday the three young women who moved into this convent, entered the Sisters of Holy Cross as postulants.  There was a lovely prayer service here at our house that afternoon.  Each of the postulants had a chance to introduce herself to the congregation,by sharing her life story.  I would have liked to have understood more of what they said, (the prayers and sharing were primarily in French.)  Somehow, despite the language barrier I did manage to clearly understand when they spoke of their preferences of foods, colors and music during their talks.  The prayer service was followed by a celebration.  Even after all of the other sisters left those of us living here continued the fèt.  It is a truly a gift to celebrate new life in the family of Holy Cross.

Family of Holy Cross

This week provided me with ample opportunities to connect with and deepen my appreciation for the larger family of Holy Cross.

English Class

On Thursday morning I started teaching the three novices of the Congregation of Holy Cross (priests/brothers) and their novice director English.  Each of them had learned some basic English skills in school, so we were not starting at zero.  They seemed motivated to learn and I really enjoyed teaching them.  They will come each week.

Associates

The lay associates for the Sisters of Holy Cross gathered at the convent where I live over the weekend for a meeting.  It was enjoyable to chat with them while eating meals or washing dishes together.  On Saturday night, they filled the house with music and laughter.  There was a lovely liturgy here on Sunday morning during which two associates deepened their commitment to the associate program and  to the mission and spirituality of Holy Cross.  Some of the children from the orphanage came for the mass as well. I felt a sense of awe when considering how large the whole family of Holy Cross really is, especially when you consider all of the lay people who are associates or collaborators in our mission in all of the various places throughout the globe, where the four congregations strive to live out the mission and vision of our founder in today's world.    

All Soul's Day

Yesterday was All Soul's Day, which is a holiday here in Haiti.  There was a liturgy held at the men's high school.  After the liturgy we processed to the cemetery where one Marianite of Holy Cross, several Sisters of Holy Cross and several priests and brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross, as well as some St. Joseph Sisters are buried.  There was a blessing of the cemetery and flowers were placed on the graves.  After the prayers the men's congregation served breakfast.  During the meal I chatted with several people, including my new English students.

This is the tomb of the  Marianite sister who died while ministering in Haiti.  

From the cemetery and high school, there is a great view.
Have a good week.  Take care.

     

Truck and other updates

The biggest news at the orphanage is the arrival of the much needed long anticipated new pick-up truck.  The old truck frequently had problems, was costing much to repair and was not always reliable.  The children were excited to go for a ride in the new truck even if they did not leave the yard but simply circled the house of the younger children.  The fundraising committee did a lot of work last year to request the funds and many generous parishioners of various churches in New Hampshire made the purchase possible.  We are grateful!  There may even be a brief video of the truck circling the house on the Mary Gate of Heaven Facebook page.

From what I have heard the Haitian elections, which took place on Sunday, were peaceful in most places in the country.  Those I live and work with reported no problems with voting. Interestingly, Haitian Catholic religious (sisters, brothers priest) are apparently allowed to vote wherever they are without having to formally take steps to register in the locality where they are currently missioned. 

My absentee Louisiana ballot did not make it in time for the local elections there due to changes in the schedule of the missionary airline which we rely on for sending and receiving mail to the United States. 

A choublak flower in the rain

It has been raining occasionally, sometimes in the evening or during the night.  The air is not so hot now (compared with a few weeks ago) especially in the mornings and evenings.  After the rain there is considerably less dust in the unpaved streets.  It was great running weather this morning!  

Have a great week.  Many blessings!  

  

     

  

   

Dimanch, Eleksyon, Fòmasyon, Zandolit

Dimanch
Once a month on Sunday family members of the children at the orphanage are encouraged to come to visit.  A highlight of my week was seeing a elderly grandfather play on the orphanage merry-go-round with his two young grandchildren.  The smiles and each of their faces brought joy to my heart, and a smile to my face, in the midst of a challenging day at the orphanage.  

That same day, three young women, soon to officially enter the Sisters of Holy Cross as postulants moved in to the convent where I am living.  I appreciate the new life and energy they bring to the house.

Elections
Today I filled out my absentee ballot for Louisiana local elections.  Hopefully it will arrive on time for the primary otherwise it is the same ballot used for the general election; the directions are to  number your preferences so that the same ballot can be counted in the general election.  I had to spend time on-line researching who to vote for since I have not been keeping up with Louisiana politics at all.  In the evenings after we finish washing the dinner dishes and before 8:00 night prayer (or sometimes after if I am not too tired) I try to listen to NPR on the internet to at least get the headlines of the national news in the US.  I also try to read news about Haiti on the internet.  In reality, I am not following things here or there as closely as I would like, just getting a general sense of what's going on.  There are elections coming up here in Haiti.   There are over 50 candidates running for president; while it can be good to have choices, I don't know how people choose from so many.   While I had to search for information on the Louisiana local elections, I receive information or at least advertisements frequently on my facebook feed and occasional telephone text messages promoting candidates I can't vote for.    

Fòmasyon
Yesterday morning while the children were at school, I did a brief presentation for the workers who care for the children at the orphanage, to explain the work that I do with the children.  They were very receptive and asked some good questions.  I felt energized after being with them.  In many places in the world, it seem to me that those who do the most direct day to day care of children (or other vulnerable populations) have the most important jobs in the world and yet are often under appreciated and unfortunately rarely compensated well.
 
Zandolit
Some people have commented that they like when I post pictures.  Here is one of the several lizards that hang out  on the outside of my screen and hopefully catch and snack on  mosquitoes that would try to enter through the holes.  I am grateful that they are there.  I also really like the word for lizard in Haitian Creole, "zandolit"; it just sounds cool!

           
Thanks for taking the time to read my weekly update.  Have a good week.  Take care!  Many blessings!

Angle

English 

Since I titled the last two blog entries French and Creole, I might as well continue the language pattern.  I have resumed teaching English to a family member of an employee at the orphanage, for just one hour a week.  The other student I had last year, is now working at a school in another town, so it does not work out for her to continue class right now.  She did come by to visit me at the orphanage over the weekend. I was glad to see her and happy that she is doing well.    

Occasionally I encounter people who want to practice their English and I like to oblige, aware of how when I am in the US I greatly appreciate opportunities to practice Creole.  

Class

Currently, I am taking an online continuing education course through the Family and Play Therapy Center in Philadelphia.   The course is entitled Mindfulness Based Family Play Therapy with a Major Component in Advance Child Development.  I am so grateful that during the first two sessions, I have had an excellent internet connection.  It is wonderful to be able to continue to learn and connect with others when I am so far away.   While the class is excellent and informative some of what is presented  is difficult to apply to my current situation since I have so little information about the specific experiences the children had before they came to the orphanage.  It is amazing that I can be  in Haiti and participate (even ask questions and receive responses) in a quality continuing education program in Philadelphia.  The program gives a very generous discount to people living in different countries depending upon the economics of the country (Haiti gest a 75% discount.)  Here is the link:        http://www.fptcenter.com/

I hope you are all doing well.  Take care.  

       

Franse

While my Creole listening comprehension in certain situation is still at least sometimes still a struggle, I often find myself in situations where it seems I am expected understand a language I do not know.  Nearly all of the time, in most of Haiti, Creole is the language used for everyday communication.  French is the language often used by government, most schools and in many formal situations.  The sisters here are committed to ensuring that the younger sisters can speak French well, so often at the dinner table French is used.  If I listen intently for words that are the same as Creole or English and most of the time I do have a sense of what the general topic is, sometimes I actually understand a complete sentence and rarely even a few details, and of course at other times I am quite clueless.  One day I can more or less follow a conversation about autism in French, and soon after needed to ask just to get a sense of  the topic of the conversation is, when someone was talking about a car accident.  

In the convent, liturgy and prayer are typically primarily in French.  When we go to the cathedral for morning mass, it is in french.  Sometimes we go to daily mass at church in a nearby neighborhood, where the liturgy is mostly in Creole.  I am glad when we go there; I prefer smaller neighborhood churches to big cathedrals anyway.  The other morning, though I did have a little difficulty understanding some of the liturgy even though it was in Creole, because the roosters crowing outside were  drowning out the voices of the readers and priest.  

I have learned a very little bit of French, like the most common mass responses.  In fact one morning when the priest started in Creole, I was not all of the way awake (it was 6 am and still dark out) I actually responded with"Et avec votre spirit" (French for and also with your spirit), when I should have said, "E avèk ou menm tou",  (Creole for and also with you.)  A year ago, when I first arrived in Cap-Haitian, I would frequently do the opposite (respond in Creole when the priest was speaking French.) 

The sisters here had an assembly over the weekend.  On Saturday evening I went to their mass and had supper with them; I always enjoy connecting with the larger community and seeing some of the sisters who I neither live or work with.  

The children are doing well.  I continue to enjoy my work with them; it is a privilege to watch them learn and grow.  This living arrangement is working out well.  Hopefully all is well with you.  Take care.  Many Blessings!          

Kreyòl

It has been more than five and a half years since I began to learn Creole.  Of course for nearly three of those years, while living in New Orleans, my simple and realistic goal was not to loose the Creole I had already learned. The truth is my Creole has improved a great deal over the years, and the truth is I still make frequent mistakes and sometimes need to ask people to repeat themselves and at times people need me to repeat myself.  There are times when I feel confident regarding my ability to communicate, even if imperfectly.  Some days I can easily switch from thinking in English to having conversation in Creole and at other times my ability to code-switch is anything but smooth.  My vocabulary seems inconsistent in that sometimes I realize that I don't know the word for a very ordinary everyday object, and yet on occasion Creole speakers who know me have been surprised that I know certain other words. For example, one sister was surprised that I know the word for homosexual (masisi); and yet until yesterday I did not know the verb to "melt" (fonn.)  There are words that I mix up; words a native speaker would not likely confuse, for example I recently caught myself using the word for "lazy" (parese)  when I actually wanted to use the word "hurry" (prese.)  I used to have that problem with "sun, and "shoes," (solèy and soulye.)  Sometimes I feel a sense of awe that I have actually learned a second language and at other times I feel embarrassed that after all of the this time and all my effort my skills are not at least a bit better.

The strongest emotion I have regarding learning Creole is gratitude.  I am grateful for the stories I hear, for the relationships that I form with children, workers, sisters and friends.  My life has been enriched by the people I communicate with both those I have come to know well, and  through many brief interactions with individuals I may only encounter once.  As I walk down the street, I am grateful that I can greet and briefly chat with a neighbor whose smile radiates contagious joy.  Being able to communicate, in another language, even if imperfectly, has brought a whole new dimension to my life.  It is like growing an extra ear, another mouth and an additional eye. It has given me a new way to think, to hear, to see, and to express myself.  I suppose my mistakes keep me humble and increase my compassion for others who struggle with language learning; I can learn to be grateful for the mistakes and the struggles for in a sense they too are my teachers.


While I see my blog as more of an update for family, friends and community who are curious about what I am doing, and not a fundraising page, people sometimes ask how they can help, so here is an opportunity.  The sheets on many of the children's beds are quite worn.  If you visit the Mary Gate of Heaven facebook page, you will see that we have posted a request for sheets.   The orphanage fundraising committee in New Hampshire could use some assistance with funds to purchase new sheets for the children. If people would prefer to send new twin bed (Jersy knit) colored or printed sheets they will include them in the next shipment.  Both checks and sheets can be mailed to:
 Sisters of Holy Cross 
Claire Daneau Legacy Fund 
377 Island Pond Road 
Manchester, NH 03109.

Thank you!  Mesi Anpil!

Have a good week.  Take care.  Many blessings!


    

They have arrived: Children, Running water and Visas

Much has happened since I last wrote.  The children returned and seven new children joined the Mary Gate of Heaven Orphanage family.  I was happy to see the children, and many of them seemed happy to see the staff, the sisters and one another.   Some have grown taller and matured a bit during the summer months.  I can't even imagine what it must be like for the new children, especially the youngest among them, who suddenly find themselves separated from the people they have always known, surrounded by strangers in an unfamiliar place.

Last week, I had a chance to meet with each of the children briefly individually. On Sunday I started doing groups with the older children and began groups with the younger children yesterday.     During groups, I simply do a brief lesson or activity with them usually about feelings, or conflict resolution, or a relaxation exercise, skills to help with emotional regulation, or read/tell a story that might have therapeutic value for them.  Then they are invited to play or do an artistic/creative activity of their choice. When working with groups, I don't feel I am giving them the same quality of services they would get individually,sometimes I feel I am simply providing a space for them to be creative, and hope that the experience I provide is healing or at least helpful.  Sometimes I am amazed at how the play or art project does seem to reflect or express something about their life that they might not otherwise be able to say.  I feel privileged to be able to journey with children in this way.

Saturday will be my day to see children who are identified for individual therapy.  Tuesday is my day off.  Most likely that will be the day I update this blog.  

It seems to be healthy and helpful for me to leave the orphanage lakou at the end of the day and come home to another convent.  The short walk or bike ride from one place to the other provides me with a much appreciated transition.  When I arrived home on Sunday, dripping with sweat, I automatically started bailing water from the large blue drum into my kivèt (wash basin) to bathe, when I decided to check if the water had been repaired during the day. When I turned on the faucet I smiled to see water coming out, and I thought, "Wow! Nou gen dlo!."  Once again we have running water much of the time, as we had before the pump broke; we don't have it all of the time because we don't have electricity all of the time and the pump is dependent upon electricity.  Now, when it is running we can easily fill buckets and barrels to use when it is not running.  Going without something even just briefly seems to increase my appreciation for it!  Next time you turn a nob and water comes out, smile!    

There are four postulants who are living here, who were scheduled to have left in June for Canada and then for Peru to start their novitiate, but have remained in Haiti waiting for visas.  Last week their visas were denied.  Then yesterday, we learned that a couple of Canadian sisters had gone to the embassy to advocate for the sisters, and that the visas were finally approved!  We celebrated at dinner last night.  They may leave as soon as next week; I have enjoyed living with them for this short time and will miss them.

              

Dlo (water)

Last Sunday evening, after updating this blog, I attended the first vow ceremony of two young Holy Cross men.  The liturgy was wonderful (it was in Creole) and the fèt that followed was quite enjoyable.  It is truly a gift to be able to connect with the larger Family of Holy Cross.

 

For nearly a week we have not had running water in the convent where I am living.  There is a working faucet outside.  Water is carried in buckets into the house filling large drums; convent employees do a great deal of the transporting of water for us.  We are fortunate that we have water in our yard and don’t have to travel significant distances in search of it and very fortunate that we have helpful employees.  Often I see people, frequently children, walking in the streets carrying containers of water; many have to do this daily; they don’t have water in their yard, never mind pumps carrying running water in their homes.  Our pump will soon be repaired or replaced.  I have learned to bathe with water from a bucket.  Knowing that someone will have to carry water in order to replenish the supply, I am increasingly aware of how much water I use.  While I would prefer to have running water, and the temporary situation is inconvenient, it reminds me not to take water for granted and that having running water inside a house is actually a luxury, one I have very often taken for granted.    

Tomorrow the children will return.  I am really looking forward to seeing them.  

I hope you are all well.  Take care!  Many blessings!    

return

While turning my American cell phone off after boarding the plane in Miami and turning my Haitian cell phone on when the landing in Cap-Haitian I am mindful of whom I contact more easily, and who it is harder to reach, it is a letting go and a welcoming, a good-bye and a hello. The same is true when I leave Haiti for the US.  This simple act is a ritual signifying my passage between countries and cultures. 

The children were scheduled to return to the orphanage today, however on Friday I learned that school is not going to start for another week, and that the children’s relatives had already been contacted and told to bring them next Sunday instead.  It has been good to see the sisters and the workers and catch up a bit.  I have used these days to organize the playroom, integrating the additional toys I brought and rearranging the furniture, hopefully making it more conducive for imaginative play.  For various reasons, a few of the children have been by to visit the orphanage during the days there.  My heart was happy to see them, and those I saw looked well, thanks be to God!    

So far it has overall been a positive experience living at Leocaide Convent.  During my first full day here, the male novices of Holy Cross arrived and began a few days of silent retreat.  While they were here we ate our meals with them in silence.  Two of them will profess first vows later today.  This house is in the midst of transitions as the Canadian sister who lives here has not yet returned, and there are women who I thought had gone to Canada and Peru to start there novitiate but due to delayed visas they remain in Haiti.  (We had a farewell in June for one of them who worked at the orphanage last year; I had been wondering how she was making out with her travels and was quite surprised to find her here when I arrived.)  There are some young women who will move in in October and begin their postulancy; two of them are living/working at the orphanage until that time.  

This is a big house. I love that it seems to have been designed with many skylights and windows maximizing use of natural light, very helpful during the day, since there are time when the electricity is not on.    It is difficult to get a decent picture of the house; I will share my attempts here. Pictures of some of the plants and animals on the property are probably more interesting.  Enjoy! 

      

Notice the butterfly. 

See the bananas.   

 This helps me to feel at home here because an identical bust of Fr. Moreau (founder of  Holy Cross congregations)  can be found at a convent I lived in in New Orleans, and there was copy of the very same painting in the convent I lived in Philadelphia as a Sister of the Holy Redeemer.  

       Happy Labor Day to everyone in the United States!  

Following a week long retreat in New Hampshire, I had the privilege of meeting a wonderful group of women who do a lot of fundraising for the orphanage and two who sew pretty dresses for the girls.  Being with them, really gave me an even deeper appreciation for their dedication and commitment to the children at Mary Gate of Heaven Orphanage.  Certainly we could not provide for the children we serve as well as we do without them.      

Personally, many of you who read this, who pray for me, and are interested in what I do, who email occasional words of encouragement, or who I simply know are supportive of what I am doing, you enable me to do the work that I do in Haiti.  Thank you!

When I was at home with my family, getting ready to come home to New Orleans, in preparation of returning home to Haiti, I realize again how I truly have so many places that are home to me.  Having worked with people experiencing homelessness, and with children who lack families which are able to care for them, I am aware of how fortunate I am, and though no merit of my own.  

Please pray for me as I prepare to return to Haiti next week, and as today I celebrate and give thanks to God for the gift of my life and that of my twin sister. Be assured of my gratitude and my prayers.  Thank you!  
Mesi anpil!  

    

Traveling

Since my last post I have spent time in several states, met  new people, connected with old friends, raised some money for the orphanage, attended some great play therapy continuing education programs, spent time with family members, current and former community members, and friends, swam in Narragansett Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and in Boston Harbor, camped, traveled by plane, train (Amtrak, SEPTA and Boston T,) bus (Greyhound/Peter-pan and Boston T,) car, foot, bicycle and ferry, among other activities.  I am grateful for this time and for each and every person I have encountered. Thank you!     

Sunset on Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA

I hope that the children in Haiti are enjoying their summer vacation.  Certainly they would not have the kind of opportunities I have had but hopefully they are safe and have enough to eat, feel loved by someone and maybe can enjoy the beauty of Haiti.  They are in my thoughts and prayers.         

Kouri

A week ago yesterday, I went for a short run early Saturday morning near the convent where I stayed for the last few days I was in Haiti before returning to the US for the summer break.  Here is a poem I wrote about my brief encounter with a Haitian American woman, who was in Haiti visiting family and out running along the same road that morning.

Running on the same side of the road in opposite directions, 

we meet.  

I greet you in your native tongue, as you greet me in mine.  

You currently reside in the country of my birth, and I in yours.  

Our encounter brief, our connection deep,

Our conversation flows naturally 

between the two languages we both now can claim. 

though strangers, spontaneously we embrace,

then continue running

on the same side of the road in opposite directions.  

This morning as I ran through the streets of New Orleans, I passed a group of men, speaking Haitian Creole on the sidewalk by their parked taxi-cabs.  I said "bon jou," asked how they were, wished them a good day as I continued on my way.  

It is good to be back in the states. Since arriving very late Tuesday night, I have been able to visit with many Marianites here in New Orleans and in Opelousas Louisiana yesterday.  I am so grateful that I have a little bit of time to catch up and visit with people.  

Of course, I have been in the throes of reverse culture shock.  Sometimes especially the first couple of days, I would randomly respond in Creole for example when a sister knocked on my bedroom door.  A guy asked me for directions in New Orleans and since I did not understand his imperfect English, out of habit I caught myself beginning to respond to him in Creole; he was probably Latino, and clearly not Haitian.  When I was not sure where he was asking for directions to, he asked me if I live here; most likely he was simply wondering if he should be asking me or someone else for directions.  I probably looked even more puzzled as that simple questions seemed more complicated than the straightforward "yes" or "no" response anyone would expect.  I could not give him directions but I had empathy for him.  

I found myself admiring the roads, since they are paved and have sidewalks and then realized that nobody else walking, biking or driving, in New Orleans' Ninth Ward is likely to be the least bit impressed by the condition of these streets.  I also noted the lack of goats; I have not yet seen a single kabrit, not in the street, or in anyone's yard, not even tied to the roof a tap-tap, which are also notably absent.  Sometimes I have to smile at my own thoughts.     

During the next month and a half I will update from time to time, but am not committing to my usual weekly goal.  I hope you are enjoying the summer.  Take care.  Many blessings!     

  

Activities and Travel in Haiti

I am writing this on Saturday July 4^th, although since there is not an internet connection at the convent where I am staying, I am not expecting that I will be able to post it any time soon. 

Last Saturday evening, those of us who were still residing at the orphanage convent, attend a liturgy with the men of Holy Cross.  The liturgy was the ordination mass for two new priest, the celebration of their congregation having been in Haiti for 70 years, and the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.  I was very touched during the ordination when every member of the Congregation of Holy Cross (men’s congregation) blessed each of the two young men, just before they were officially ordained, and then soon after each one greeted the new priests with welcoming hugs and handshakes.  It was a joyful (and quite long) celebration.  I am grateful for having attended.

Early on Monday morning, I closed my room at the Orphanage convent.  That day along with two sisters (one Haitian the other Canadain) a Canadian volunteer, and a driver, I made the trip to Portauprince.   Very soon after leaving the city limits, just as we were beginning to ascend the first mountain, the jeep stalled, for the first time.  Every now and then it seemed to suddenly stop, but most times it started again after a brief pause, only on a couple of occasions did starting it require that the chauffer open the hood and make some kind of adjustment.  We stopped for a while to rest at the beach house of the Sisters of Holy Cross.  I was grateful to walk the beach in the middle of the long journey and for a final conversation with the young woman who had been volunteering at the orphanage for a few months, whom I will miss.  When we arrived in Portauprince, they dropped me off at St. Damien Hospital.  I enjoy a catching up with a friend that evening.

The following morning, after mass, (which was a funeral) I visited the children at St. Anne and St. Louie.  The young girls at St. Anne enjoyed playing with my hair, as they had done frequently when I worked there.  The group of children who have disabilities now also residing there seem to be integrating well into the house.  One little girl who has been living at Kay St. Ann since before I left was tenderly sitting with achild, probably not much younger than herself, who appeared to have visual and intellectual disabilities.  “Is that your friend?”, I asked in Creole of the girl who held the smaller child.  While she was nodding in agreement, another young child responded, “Frè ak sè nou ye,” which means, “we are brothers and sisters.”   The children there are not just friends, they are family to one another. 

That afternoon, I traveled with others who were heading to St. Helen,  the large NPH orphanage in the mountains of Kenskoft.  Often I have wondered about the group of children who were brought there nearly four years ago now ( http://kmnhaiti.blogspot.com/2011/08/ke-kontan-ke-kase-happy-heart-broken.html  )  I am glad to report that they are doing well.  I was very happy to see them.  One child reminded me that I was present when she was baptized ( http://kmnhaiti.blogspot.com/2011/05/happy-mothers-day-to-my-mother.html )  Another, recalled a little exercise I had started one day when I was first at Kay St. Anne, when I felt the children would benefit from a little activity. A few of the children were so young when they resided at St. Anne that I did not expect that they would consciously remember me.  I introduced myself to them, telling them that I knew them when they were babies.  The next day, as I was walking into a celebration that had been planned for an employee’s birthday, one of those little children took me by the hand.  While waiting for the program to start, I chatted with her; she seemed to like that I remember when she learned to walk.  At some point during the prayer, and performances, she briefly fell asleep leaning against me.  While awake every now and then she would look up at me and smile.  

  

On Thursday I obtained my passport with the exit visa stamp in it and then returned to my friend’s home behind the hospital in Tabarre.  That afternoon, I was again able to spend a little time at FWAL.  Friday morning, after mass, I went to the bus station.  Very soon after departing the station, just as we were approaching to rotary by the entrance to the Portauprince airport, the bus had a very minor accident when it scratched a small pick-up truck.  We were delayed a bit, and probably caused a blokis (traffic jam.) I watched through the window as many cars rode on the sidewalk to go around the accident.  Soon enough we were on our way.  I returned to Cap-Haitian, to the convent where I plan to reside next year, feeling very grateful for many experiences and many people, and also feeling a little tired.  

One hello among many good-byes

This week has been a bit quieter that last.  On Wednesday evening at about 5:15 the last of our children, having finished their state exams earlier that day, said good-bye and headed out.  On Thursday after attempting to make our last class special, which ended up making it longer, I wished my two English students a happy summer; I have enjoyed teaching them and will miss them.  The French Canadian sister left for vacation and meetings in Canada that day as well.

In some ways, it is nice to be on a school year calendar.  It provides a sense of closure and a clear new beginning every year, a gift, which ones does not get working in many other (especially residential) social service settings.  Now I am trying to stay focused on the tasks of cleaning the playroom, organizing papers, packing for upcoming trips, and moving my personal belongings to a different convent. The plan is for me to continue to work here during the next school year, but to live at another nearby Holy Cross convent, the one I spent many Tuesdays visiting for my day off during the past few months.  I will be moving my belongings there soon, and will stay there briefly before I say good-bye for the summer.

In the midst of many orevwas, there was one hello that occurred this week.  A second cow on our property gave birth.  Here is a picture of the newest calf along with the one we welcomed at Easter time.  

Good-byes, 2 little trips, and Visa

Orevwa  

On Monday we said farewell to most of the youngest children, as they departed for their summer vacation, with family members of relatives. Goodbyes are often difficult especially for children who have experienced so much loss.  Some seemed happy to go and visit their relatives; others seemed as though they might prefer to stay.  There are still several older children on campus who will be gradually leaving during the coming days.

That same day, we also said good-bye to the young woman from Canada who had been volunteering with us since December. 

A Haitian Holy Cross postulant who has been living and working here since before my arrival left on Friday to begin her journey first to Canada and then to Peru  where she will participate in the Sisters of Holy Cross international novitiate.  She has been a wonderful presence here, a very thoughtful and responsible young woman.  I will certainly miss her as will the children, sisters and employees.  On Thursday we (the sisters, a lay volunteer and our driver) went to a restaurant in the city for her farewell.  It was an enjoyable community outing.   

Our lakou (yard), and convent have such a different feel to them with so many people having left.  I miss them already.

De ti vwayaj

The Citadel in the distance

On Tuesday, a volunteer from Canada and I went to the Citadel.  When we visited in December, http://kmnhaiti.blogspot.com/2014/12/updates-citadel-and-merry-christmas.html with a large group of high school students, we were directed to wait at the top of the mountain for everyone to arrive before entering the actual Citadel, and then as we were entering we were told we had 15 minutes before we would need to begin our descent down the mountain.  The volunteer who accompanied me had spent time at a Holy Cross Convent very near the foot of the mountain, before coming to work here at the orphanage a couple of months ago.  As we were starting our journey a couple of local people she had met while living there, including the teenage daughter of one of the women who works at that convent, decided to join us.  As we passed people she knew along the route they asked her if she was our (tour) guide, and each time she smiled. I was glad that they came along. I enjoyed the long walk as well as learning more about the history of the Citadel and history of Haiti.  It was truly a great day. 

from a window in the Citadel 

Inside a tower of the Citadel 

In the Citadel 

On Wednesday we had a day at the beach for all who work at the orphanage.  In two crowded (by American standards) mini-buses, we made the trip over a mountain to the beautiful coast.  Soon after arriving we enjoyed a spaghetti feast for our breakfast.  People swam and splashed in the water, played cards and dominoes at the tables in the shade of a gazebo.  We snacked on fresh coconuts, first drinking the refreshing juice through a straw then banging them open to enjoy the fruit.  We had a wonderful lunch of rice and beans, chicken and vegetables.  The food had been prepared the day before; we brought it with us.  It was wonderful for me to see the employees really enjoying themselves, to watch them play and joke and laugh, and of course to play and joke and laugh with them too.  They work so hard at caring for children, tending gardens, washing clothes (by hand,) assisting with homework, cooking large meals and many other extremely important and often mundane tasks; I am grateful that they were able to spend a day at the beach; it was a gift to be with them. 

Premis de Sejour and Exit Visa

Last week, I called the Sister of Holy Cross in Port-au-Prince who helps all of the Holy Cross sisters and volunteers with their Premis de Sejours, to check the status of mine, since I had not yet received it and had applied quite a while ago: http://kmnhaiti.blogspot.com/2014_11_01_archive.html  This is required of foreigners who stay in Haiti for more than 90 days at a time.   Apparently she had been holding mine for a while; she holds everyone’s and I was assured that only a photo copy of the permit is actually needed at the airport.  She agreed to send me a photo copy of mine, which I found in an envelope under my door when returning from one of my adventures this week.  There was a yellow sticky note on it from the sister, written in French; (it seems that some sisters have a tendency to either forget that I don’t speak French.)  I could make out a few words, and thought she was likely telling me to keep the copy with my passport and reminding me that I would still need the green departure card everyone is given upon entering Haiti.  I decided though that I should double check with  someone who can read French well.  Now I know that in addition to the Premis de Sejour, which permits someone to stay in the country for more than 90 days, I will also need an “exit visa” to leave.  A year ago I was looking up the requirements and getting together the documents needed to apply for the Premis de Sejour, but I have no recollection of seeing anything about an additional document called an exit visa.  I think it is new and the purpose of it is unclear to me especially when one has gone through the process of obtaining a Premis de Sejour.  With assistance from the same sister I am going to get the exit visa, which may require a trip to Portauprince since at least my passport needs to find its way there and back before I leave for vacation.  I am happy to see from the photocopy of my Premis de Sejour, that most things on it are written in both Haitian Creole and French; what a great idea!  

Recurring Themes: fèt and pyebwa mango (a party and a mango tree)

Our chapel before liturgy this morning.  

fèt

Today we had a special liturgy followed by a celebration to finish the school year, say good-bye to one another for vacation, a special farewell to our oldest residents who are aging out of our program, and celebrate May and June children's birthdays.  It was a great party; ala yon bèl fèt!  We, the sisters and two Canadian lay volunteers danced as we had at the sisters' party last week; some of the children seemed impressed and a bit surprised that we (especially the sisters, and most especially the French Canadian sister and this American sister) could dance.

Tomorrow children begin to depart for summer vacation This orphanage keeps children connected with whatever extended family members they have, and sends them "home" during long school breaks.  Good-byes are never easy.  It will especially be strange in September when the oldest of our children will not be returning.  I wish them the best.  There is a sister who keeps in contact and offers support to the young people after they complete their time here.

A lay volunteer who has been working and living with us since  December also leaves tomorrow; she has been a wonderful presence both with the children and in community.  I will certainly miss her.

pyebwa mango

A few weeks ago I wrote and submitted a piece to the Haiti Hub writing contest.  My writing was chosen to be published on their blog.  I include it below.  I've included the link to the Haiti Hub blog too.   I encourage you to go also read the other pieces which are very well written, you may find them more interesting than mine, (especially since I have previously posted at least two blog entries here about mango trees.)  https://haitihub.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/what-weve-seen-what-weve-learned/      

 Pyebwa Mango

I step out of the door way, onto the cement path, and lock both doors.  Just outside the orphanage’s play therapy room there is a mango tree.  Sometimes I pass it without paying much attention to it.  Sometimes I admire the flowers, leaves, or developing mangoes.  On this evening, as questions float through my head, its very being speaks to me. 

 

The mango tree providers shade, sheltering people who desire respite from the hot midday sun, always inviting, never coercing.  There is no guarantee that anyone will eat its fruit, benefiting from the nourishment it is there to provide.  Nor does the tree know if any of her seeds will ever be planted, take root, or bear fruit.  It does not need to know.  It allows the flowers to die, so the mangoes can come and in time releases the mangoes, keeping nothing for itself.   The mango tree stands tall and firm, although like all living things it is vulnerable to the environment in which it finds itself, and can be hurt when branches are torn off prematurely by wind or playing children.  The tree is aware of the other mango trees in the lakou, rooted in the same soil, entrusted with a shared mission though each is unique. 

   

I walk by the house of the younger children and turn towards the convent, accepting that that I may never receive and do not need answers to my questions, certain only that since being transplanted, I have grown.  

Anpil Bagay (Many Things)

Fèt Manman

Last Sunday, June first, was Mother's Day here in Haiti.  While we (the sisters and lay volunteers) were finishing breakfast the older children came into the convent.  The stood together in a group and sangs us a song to wish us a Happy Mother's Day.  While they were singing a wave of sadness overcame me, as I was aware that their mothers (except for one or two) are all dead.  I held back tears, only to notice a moment later that other sisters had watery eyes.

Plaj la
On Wednesday morning while the children were at school, we (the sisters and two Canadian lay volunteers) went to the beach.  A couple from Canada who are here because one of them is working on a project for the High School that the sisters sponsor, came along.  As always I enjoyed swimming in the pleasant salt water.  This time I got out to the water sooner than I wanted to in order to prevent serious sunburn.  It was a wonderful community outing, we all seemed to enjoy the morning, and one another.

Corpus Christi
Although in most diocese in the US, Corpus Christi is celebrated on a Sunday; Thursday was a holy day here in Haiti and Catholic schools were closed.  We attended the early morning liturgy at the cathedral along with all of our youth who had received the sacrament of confirmation a few weeks ago.  There was a Corpus Christi procession following the liturgy, which none of us had anticipated.  My students, two young adults were coming to the orphanage for English class at 9:00 am.  It was somehow decided that we would participate in "a little" of the procession, although when I was informed of this I did remind the sisters of the class I teach every Monday and Thursday morning.  I had not brought any money with me and neither had any of the other sisters (because there had never been any need for me to bring money to early morning mass,) so returning alone in a tap-tap was not an option.  Not really having a good sense regarding the length the procession, I assumed (I really should know better by now), that a little bit of the walk would be 10 or 15 minutes, and as long as there were no blokis (traffic jams) I figured we would make it back to the orphanage in time for my students.  We started the walk, many people marching together through the streets singing Haitian hymns about the Eucharist.  The faith of many people here often seems to be so alive.  After awhile, I stepped out  of the line and onto the side walk to text my students, asking them to wait because I would likely be a few minutes late, actually expecting that we would be leaving momentarily; since both of them frequently have telephone problems I was not confident that the messages were received.  I again reminded a sister of my class, and stepped out of the procession and tried to call the student who was more likely to have a functioning phone; she did not pick up so I left a message.  We did not stay for the whole thing, but probably marched for an hour.  When we were finally finished and were heading towards the orphanage mini bus, I did get a hold of one of my students but she had already made her way to the orphanage, each of them typically walk a moderate distance to come to class, and had already left since I was not there.  This was somewhat challenging for me because I felt irresponsible for not showing up when my students made the effort to get there; one of them is often dripping with sweat when he arrives.  Perhaps I feel overly responsible, but I do like to keep my commitments, unless it is a true emergency and to me personally this did not quite seem to qualify.  Here too, where there is one driver who drives the two orphanage vehicles, I don't have the kind of mobility that I have often had in US convents where it is not uncommon to have a car available for each sister who drives herself around.  When we returned to the orphanage property at 10:00, four hours after we had left for 6:15 mass.  Being in a culture that is not especially time oriented makes me aware of how time oriented I am; I actually don't even think that being so time oriented is my nature, but that I learned to overcompensate for my nature and as a result I am sometimes overly time oriented.      

Fèt
On Saturday evening, there was a liturgy followed by a party for a Sister of Holy Cross who is returning to Canada after living in Haiti for most of the past 48 years.  The liturgy seemed quite lovely, although honestly I could not understand much of it.  A wonderful meal was served; great Haitian food!  Then there was a well done power point presentation, that included pictures of the sister during her many ministries in Haiti; very impressive! After that, each convent did an act of some sort to thank the sister and to entertain everyone at the party.  We, (the sisters and volunteers I live with) danced; we practiced several times for about a week and I think we did a fine job and more importantly had fun preparing and actually dancing.  We had been practicing for a week.  All of the other songs, dances and skits were very entertaining; there are some very talented Sisters of Holy Cross.  We laughed a lot.   Ala yon bèl fèt!  

Update

The children in primary school will be finishing school the end of the week, and preparing to visit relatives for their summer vacation beginning early next week.  Some of the older children will be around for a little longer because of their school schedule and exams.  A month from now I will be heading to the states for vacation, visiting community, family and friends, doing some little fundraising at a parish in Ohio, and making a retreat.  I still have to work out the details of where I will be when.    

I hope you are well wherever you are.  Take care!