Well, I only have two more weeks of work at Unity. I have started trying to transition some of my clients to new workers. It seems as though I keep seeing more and more homeless people on the streets. The work will never be done. There are some individuals who are now housed who I have worked closely with. The problems won't get better until the city has more resources, such as emergency shelters, social services, jobs that pay livable wages and especially affordable housing.
On Saturday I went to a workshop for new members of religious communities. It was held at a Monastery on the other side of Lake Pontchartrain so that the cloistered sisters in formation who live there could attend. The workshop was informative, the grounds were beautiful. It was interesting to meet sisters from such a diverse range of communities. Honestly, I realized that I had some misconceptions about sisters who are cloistered and wear very traditional habits, but I truly enjoyed the conversation that I had with a young cloistered sister. She seemed interested in my work as she prays for people who are homeless but does not have direct contact with people experiencing homelessness (or very many people at all usually). Although I could never imagine myself being called to that lifestyle (I would end up climbing the walls), I think I am invited to value their prayerful presence in our world more that I previously have. It was another interesting experience.
Today I attend a special liturgy at the cathedral celebrating vocations. It was enjoyable. Oddly enough, I have been to at least the same number events at the cathedral here in New Orleans in the past six months, as I have the cathedral in Philadelphia where I lived for the past ten years. Just as the city has a unique spirit so does the diocese.
I am filled with gratitude for all that I have learned during these past six months, and all of the experience I have had. I am looking forward to reconnecting with community, and friends when I return to Philadelphia. But, please be patient with me during my time of transition. Thank you.
Love, Kathleen
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Radio
The NPR program was on the radio yesterday morning. If you are interested in listening to it. Either try the link below or type it the web address: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9759190&sc=emaf
You will hear the voices of two of my coworkers. I think the story is very well done; hopefully it will bring enough attention to the problem to begin to create positive changes. Let me know what you think.
You will hear the voices of two of my coworkers. I think the story is very well done; hopefully it will bring enough attention to the problem to begin to create positive changes. Let me know what you think.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9759190&sc=emaf
Sunday, April 22, 2007
NPR & Mississippi
NPR
On Monday evening several of my coworkers were accompanied by a reporter from National Public Radio, as we did outreach, visiting the people living in abandoned/inhabitable buildings, or under highway bridges/overpasses here in New Orleans. The segment on the increase of homelessness in post Katrina New Orleans is to air nationally on Weekend Edition, (it may have been on this morning, but more likely next Sunday.) If you hear it please let me know what you think (remember you can post a comment to this blog.) It was fascinating for me to get a sense of what goes on in producing a story for public radio, especially because I almost always have NPR on my car radio because I feel I learn much from the insightful stories they produce. What is most exciting is that people all over the country will hopefully grow in awareness of the reality of the housing crisis left by Katrina. May that awareness somehow lead to change!
Early yesterday morning I drove to visit a good friend, who was in the Redeemer Ministry Corps program with me in 1996-1997. Christianne currently lives in Mississippi with her husband and two children. It was wonderful to reconnect with her, and to spend time with her family. We visited the zoo in Jackson, ate Catfish and hush puppies at a local restaurant, talked, and of course laughed. This morning we went to her parish church; after mass I observed her children's religious education program which was interestingly based on the Montessori method. I am grateful for the time I spent with her, for her friendship, and the hospitality I received. What a great weekend!
I have appreciated all the support I have received the entire time I have been here. As I prepare to leave and begin to bring my work to closure, I would be especially grateful for continued support/prayers. Thank you. Have a great week!
Love,
Kathleen
On Monday evening several of my coworkers were accompanied by a reporter from National Public Radio, as we did outreach, visiting the people living in abandoned/inhabitable buildings, or under highway bridges/overpasses here in New Orleans. The segment on the increase of homelessness in post Katrina New Orleans is to air nationally on Weekend Edition, (it may have been on this morning, but more likely next Sunday.) If you hear it please let me know what you think (remember you can post a comment to this blog.) It was fascinating for me to get a sense of what goes on in producing a story for public radio, especially because I almost always have NPR on my car radio because I feel I learn much from the insightful stories they produce. What is most exciting is that people all over the country will hopefully grow in awareness of the reality of the housing crisis left by Katrina. May that awareness somehow lead to change!
MISSISSIPPI
I have appreciated all the support I have received the entire time I have been here. As I prepare to leave and begin to bring my work to closure, I would be especially grateful for continued support/prayers. Thank you. Have a great week!
Love,
Kathleen
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Holy &Easter Weeks: death and resserection
This Easter week, I am aware that there are many ways I experience dying and rebirth, death and resserection in my own life and recognize it in the lives and stories of others and of the city where I find myself.
These days have been quite busy; I neglected to post a blog last week. It was not for lack of interesting news to share but for being so caught up with all of the interesting events that have occurred.
On Wednesday of Holy Week my twin sister arrived for a week long visit. She wanted to do some volunteer work while here; she was very helpful organizing and cleaning the kitchen at St. Jude shelter. She was able to come on the outreach van on Monday as well.
On Good Friday we participated in a Social Justice stations of the Cross. Different groups prepared different stations. They were all very well done, connecting the traditional station of the cross, with a particular issue of social justice, and with the location in the city. For example for the second station we stopped in front of Charity Hospital, which pre-Katrina treated the uninsured and poor, and has since been closed. The committee for the reopening of Charity Hospital pointed out how the poor are carrying unnecessary crosses when they are denied health care. Each station was unique, and powerful.
A picture of closed Charity Hospital.
The following day we walked in the 10k Crescent City Classic which began in the French Quarter took us through the Central City Business District (CBD) and ended in City Park. It was an unusually cool day especially for April in Louisiana, but that was better than the heat and humidity that people said they experienced previous years. That evening we attend at wonderful Easter Vigil liturgy at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish; several people received sacraments during the mass.
On Easter Sunday Kristin and I prepared a traditional Irish Easter meal for ourselves and four other people (2 of the sisters from next door and 2 others.) For desert we went to the convent next door, where neighbors and friends gathered.
We spent some time seeing the sights on Tuesday. She left on Wednesday morning. I truly enjoyed her visit. What a wonderful Easter weekend.
New Orleans feels like an especially appropriate city to celebrate Easter at this moment in history because it has experienced the cross and is the gradual process of resserection. I see evidence of both all around me everyday.
On Tuesday night, CNN went out with a few of my coworkers to do a story on homelessness in Post Katrina New Orleans. On Thursday night we gathered at the home of someone who works in the Unity of Greater New Orleans office to watch the segment. It did not highlight our agency as some had hoped, but did bring attention to the fact that there are currently many living on the streets who were housed and could afford rent before the storm. I am glad this issue is at last getting some national attention.
There has been much going on within the community where I am staying. The mother of one of the sister's died and many of us attended the funeral; please keep her and her family in prayer. Yesterday many of the Marianites of Holy Cross had a wonderful jubilee celebration honoring those who have been in religious life for 25, 50 and 60 years. The celebration re-energized me, further strengthening my commitment to religious life. I enjoyed meeting many of their sisters; I told the Marianites from New Jersey I would invite them over for dinner when I return to Philadelphia. (Please remind me to do so.)
Speaking of returning home, I am very excited that I have been offered a clinical social work position at Drueding Center Project Rainbow, the transitional housing facility for homeless women with children in Philadelphia where I have previously worked in other positions. When I think about the position I am very excited, believing that it is a good match for my skills and experiences, a position that will be appropriately enjoyable and challenging at a facility I believe really does have a positive impact on the lives of many. While my body fills with excitement at the thought of returning to Philadlephia and taking this position at Rainbow my eyes fill water when I think of leaving behind this city, and the many people I have grown to love during these past six months. I anticipate that I will leave New Orleans in a month from now; I anticipate that it too will be an experience of the paschal mystery.
As you can see, pictures have returned to the blog. Special thanks to my dad who sent me a camera which he know longer uses so that I can take pictures to share with you.
I took this picture of wild Irises when I went to Laffitte Park with Kristin.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Data Alligator
Data
For the past couple of weeks much of my time spent at work consisted of putting information into one of our two data bases. One of the data bases is required for all agencies that received Katrina Aid Today money the other is the Homeless Information Management System which I believe is required by all agencies which receive money from UNITY of Greater New Orleans. In some ways I feel like we do the same work three times, because first of all the information goes into the old fashioned paper file, then much of the same information must be entered separately into each of the two computer systems. I find that I am very inefficient in doing this type of data entry. The time spent in front of the computer has meant spending less time trying to meet the needs of current clients or encountering new ones on the streets. In my opinion this creates an additional barrier to adequately addressing the needs of the most vulnerable of people; I do understand that it is currently necessary because without funding agencies could not even try to meet any of these needs. Such barriers are common in social services, especially here in Post Katrina New Orleans. Despite the barriers, I was able to obtain necessary documentation and advocate for a client who has been chronically homeless who by the end of the week moved from the streets into a supportive housing program.
Alligator
No matter which city I live in, I think it is healthy if not necessary to get out of the city from time to time. Yesterday I went to Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve to walk, think, pray and enjoy the beauty of creation. It is a wonderfully amazing place! The wildlife along the trail was abundant. Looking down from the wooden platform into the swampy water I could see craw fish, frogs, turtles, snakes and even several alligators including a baby! There were some brilliant wild iris blooming. A quick but heavy rain storm left me quite drenched; but the warm southern sun soon dried my skin and clothing. I left the park feeling refreshed, centered, and peaceful. It is through nature that I most easily fall in love with God.
http://www.nps.gov/jela/barataria-preserve.htm
Palm Sunday
Some of the palms given out at church were just the ones I have seen "up north." Others were large palm branches that may have actually been cut off of local palm plants.
When I arrived for liturgy at the parish this morning, the pastor asked if I had ever been the narrator for the passion reading. I replied, " a long time ago", recalling being the narrator when the fifth grade CCD class did the passion readings at St. Mary's Star of the Sea in Narragansett at a 10:30 Palm Sunday mass at least 22 years ago. Because I can read, and assumed the priest was desperate to be asking at the last minute, I agreed to do it. He handed me a booklet with the passion readings. I opened up to the first one to preview it in preparation. It was only moments before I needed to get up to the pulpit that, I realized that I should not assume that the first passion reading is the correct one for this year and decided to check it against what was in the missalette. At first I was looking in a old missalette which did not contain this weeks readings. Finally as the reader was finishing the second reading, gratefully I found out which reading it was and while approaching the lectern discovered it in my booklet. Unexpectedly I was also asked to help with communion at the very last minute as well. There was something very touching about the diversity of the people who approached for communion.
As if the liturgy was not filled with enough surprises on the way out the door, a women who had seen the sisters get out of the car (which my parents are lending my community for me to use) and had noticed the Rhode Island license plate began to talk with me. Although originally from Connecticut, she lived in Rhode Island for many years and knew one of my aunts. Small world!
May you have a holy Holy Week!
By the way, data and alligator rhyme in Rhode Island and in New Orleans but not in Pennsylvania!
For the past couple of weeks much of my time spent at work consisted of putting information into one of our two data bases. One of the data bases is required for all agencies that received Katrina Aid Today money the other is the Homeless Information Management System which I believe is required by all agencies which receive money from UNITY of Greater New Orleans. In some ways I feel like we do the same work three times, because first of all the information goes into the old fashioned paper file, then much of the same information must be entered separately into each of the two computer systems. I find that I am very inefficient in doing this type of data entry. The time spent in front of the computer has meant spending less time trying to meet the needs of current clients or encountering new ones on the streets. In my opinion this creates an additional barrier to adequately addressing the needs of the most vulnerable of people; I do understand that it is currently necessary because without funding agencies could not even try to meet any of these needs. Such barriers are common in social services, especially here in Post Katrina New Orleans. Despite the barriers, I was able to obtain necessary documentation and advocate for a client who has been chronically homeless who by the end of the week moved from the streets into a supportive housing program.
Alligator
No matter which city I live in, I think it is healthy if not necessary to get out of the city from time to time. Yesterday I went to Jean Lafitte National Park, Barataria Preserve to walk, think, pray and enjoy the beauty of creation. It is a wonderfully amazing place! The wildlife along the trail was abundant. Looking down from the wooden platform into the swampy water I could see craw fish, frogs, turtles, snakes and even several alligators including a baby! There were some brilliant wild iris blooming. A quick but heavy rain storm left me quite drenched; but the warm southern sun soon dried my skin and clothing. I left the park feeling refreshed, centered, and peaceful. It is through nature that I most easily fall in love with God.
http://www.nps.gov/jela/barataria-preserve.htm
Palm Sunday
Some of the palms given out at church were just the ones I have seen "up north." Others were large palm branches that may have actually been cut off of local palm plants.
When I arrived for liturgy at the parish this morning, the pastor asked if I had ever been the narrator for the passion reading. I replied, " a long time ago", recalling being the narrator when the fifth grade CCD class did the passion readings at St. Mary's Star of the Sea in Narragansett at a 10:30 Palm Sunday mass at least 22 years ago. Because I can read, and assumed the priest was desperate to be asking at the last minute, I agreed to do it. He handed me a booklet with the passion readings. I opened up to the first one to preview it in preparation. It was only moments before I needed to get up to the pulpit that, I realized that I should not assume that the first passion reading is the correct one for this year and decided to check it against what was in the missalette. At first I was looking in a old missalette which did not contain this weeks readings. Finally as the reader was finishing the second reading, gratefully I found out which reading it was and while approaching the lectern discovered it in my booklet. Unexpectedly I was also asked to help with communion at the very last minute as well. There was something very touching about the diversity of the people who approached for communion.
As if the liturgy was not filled with enough surprises on the way out the door, a women who had seen the sisters get out of the car (which my parents are lending my community for me to use) and had noticed the Rhode Island license plate began to talk with me. Although originally from Connecticut, she lived in Rhode Island for many years and knew one of my aunts. Small world!
May you have a holy Holy Week!
By the way, data and alligator rhyme in Rhode Island and in New Orleans but not in Pennsylvania!
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