Liturgy outside & Vespers at the Catherdral

Crawfish Boil!
On Sunday there was a Craw fish Boil at Our Lady of Holy Cross College, which is sponsored by the Marianites, the congregation with whom I am living. The festivity began with a lovely Sunday liturgy held under the tent, sitting at tables which moments after mass would be filled with massive amounts of cooked crawfish. I can add how to peel crawfish to the skills I have acquired while in New Orleans. Never do I recall even eating crawfish up north. They are like little tiny disproportioned lobsters. The shells are a little softer than lobsters but it is a lot of work for a little meat since they are so small, however it was well worth the effort! Along with several dozen crawfish we consumed jambalaya, corn on the cob, and potatoes. I enjoyed the food but most of all I enjoyed seeing so many people who really seemed to be enjoying themselves!

Vespers

People from all over the Archdiocese of New Orleans gathered at the cathedral yesterday afternoon for evening prayer. The entire service was well done, and included people of many racial and cultural backgrounds. Children of various cultures who opened the service with a liturgical dance set the tone for the event. The archbishop recently wrote a powerful letter on racial harmony, a portion of which was read during the service. It spoke of the current reality of Post Katrina New Orleans, and how the hurricane and flood had further exposed many social problems rooted in racism. All who were there proclaimed aloud a commitment to the pastoral letter, to promote justice, peace and equality. I left the cathedral with a sense of hope, inspired by the people (the church) of New Orleans who are committed to working towards racial harmony and justice.
I was able to scan the front cover of the booklet created for the service.

Parade
I did not go to any parades this weekend, however on the way home from the Crawfish boil we passed one, on the opposite side a street (on the other side of the neutral ground.) It was a small parade with only one float, a marching band, and a few horses. One of the sisters who lives in the community next door, has said that she always keeps a chair in the back of the car she drives "because you never know when you're going to come across a parade!" Only in New Orleans!

Ministry
At work we have been asked to start mapping where those who are homeless are staying in the city. This should be an interesting project.

Have a great week! Thanks for all your prayerful support!

Patrick, Joseph, "Indians," Vietnamese New Year

I really do work hard while I am here. I don't typically go into details about what I do, because of client confidentiality, so it only seems like I spend all of my time celebrating. The celebrations and gatherings help to balance out the frustrations I face daily while trying to house people in a city that lacks housing, and trying to refer people for services that are scarce. Instead of boring you with complaints and frustrations I want to share with you my experience of recent celebrations which are essential to the local culture.

Saint Patrick
On Saturday there was a parade held in New Orleans. I attended with a few of the sisters. We sat at the corner of Magazine and Washington Ave, thinking we were at the beginning of the route, but we were really towards the end. Before the floats there were many men who were dressed up walking by and handing or throwing beads and fake green flowers. Most of the men were drunk and rather disorganized. Finally, the floats came and the people riding on them threw: cabbages, carrots, potato, onions, Irish Spring soap, many many Mardi Gras beads, and a variety of other "throws." The parade was surely a lot of fun. When I told my father about the parade, especially of the "throws", he laughed; apparently they neglected to teach him these Irish cultural traditions when he was a child in Ireland!

Saint Joseph
The previous weekend I went to a small St. Joseph's Day parade held in the French Quarter on Saturday evening. They threw mostly Mardi Gras bead, and little plastic Italian flags.

The St. Jospeh altar is a popular New Orleans tradition which the Sicilian immigrants apparently brought with them. In order to thank St. Joseph for favors throughout the year people either in their homes or church set a table with breads, fish, fruit, wine, candles and cakes. The food is blessed and traditionally given to the poor. The St. Joseph altars I saw were beautiful.

Indians
The African American community began a tradition, I was told as a way of honoring Native Americans who helped them escape slavery. African American men make there own elaborate colorful costumes which typically include feathers and bead work. The costumes were gorgeous! They form tribes, such as the Ninth Ward Navajos and on "Super Sunday", the Sunday before St. Joseph's Day (I'm not sure why that day) the tribes gather for ritual, dance, and parade the down the streets. What a wonderful event!

Vietnamese New Year
One of the sisters I am living with, works at the local seminary. She invited me to go with her to a celebration that the seminarians had planned in honor of the Vietnamese New Year. The celebration began with liturgy, was followed by delicious appetizers, a dragon dance, a tasty Vietnamese meal, entertainment which included children signing, a magician, and another singer, and concluded with the children leading everyone in an English song about community. It was another memorable celebration which I am grateful for having experienced.

On Monday night I spoke with a group of college students from Utah who are here volunteering during their spring break. I spoke mostly of the plight of the homeless in New Orleans and the housing situation. It was a pleasure to meet such a delightful group of young people. There are so many volunteer groups coming to help in so many ways. I have met people from all over, all of whom are here to help. What a blessing!

Please keep my grandparents in your prayers.
My mother's father recently fell and broke his hip; he had surgery and is in a hospital in Florida.
My father's mother recently fell and broke her rib; there is not much that can be done for a broken rib; my aunt is caring for her.
Thank you!

TIME

Challenges
It seems that there are many challenges which make it difficult for social service agencies to really meet the greatest most pressing needs of the the people here in Post Katrina New Orleans. My agency is able to refer those who can prove they were homeless according to HUD's definition the week prior to Katrina a voucher that will pay rent until September. It does not include security deposit. Few chronically homeless people have enough money upfront for the security deposit. There was an agency that had funds that we could refer our clients to so that they could get security deposit money, but that money ran out this week. I called the local office of a well known national agency to ask if they had deposit money since I had a flier stating that currently they have rental assistance. That agency could not help with deposit money; I asked what they do assist with: if a person is one month behind on their rent they can put them on a waiting list to get assistance with one months rent, however they will be on the waiting list for approximately two months. These are the everyday things I encounter at work; sometimes I laugh at the absurdity of it all, other days I start to feel frustrated but simply remind myself that these agencies are all inundated with requests and are probably doing the best they can to distributed limited resources.


Hurricane on the Bayou
Today I went to the IMAX theater located at the Audubon Aquarium by the Mississippi River. The 45 minute film was entitled Hurricane on the Bayou. It seemed the filming started pre-Katrina with the intent of educating people about the need to preserve wetlands. The movie included a lot of footage of Katrina and its aftermath. It helped me to understand how the wetlands serve to lessen the blow of a powerful hurricane because the hurricane slows down as it goes over the wetlands. The gradual depletion of wetlands over the previous several decades (mostly because of human error and negligence) is one reason why Katrina hit New Orleans with such force. From the title I was expecting a National Geographic style film showing what happens to the animals and plants which live in the Bayou during a bad storm. Instead it told the story through the perspective of a real teenage girl doing a science project on the wetlands and playing music with other well known local musicians to bring attention to the issue of preserving the wetlands, documenting also her experience during Katrina. It was a powerful story which brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of the need to pay attention to environmental issues.

Hours
In October when I left Philadelphia and had to switch planes in Chicago, I gained an hour in Chicago, which at that time mostly seemed to prolong the layover. I was here only a short time when I felt I gained yet another hour when the clocks fell back. One of those hours was lost while was switching planes in Baltimore when I went home to for my grandfather's funeral. It seemed helpful to suddenly be able to turn the clock back the hour back late in the afternoon during the long car ride to New Orleans(3:00 sounded a lot better than 4:00 at that point, when we'd been driving since 6:45am.) Tonight an hour gets lost again. I'll loose another one when I return east, but inevitably one will be found again, in November.

Spring break
According to Tendings (our province newsletter) Rhode Island College spring break students arrive at the provincilate in Pennsylvania tomorrow night. Their presence always reminds me of my Spring Break experience there which was about 12 years ago now. I am glad that a group still comes faithfully each spring break. Please let them know that they are in my thoughts and prayers even though I am obviously not physically present.

Have a good week; even if it is an hour shorter than usual!

Neutral Ground

Outreach
Outreach is unique. I have done social work in an office where clients come into my space. I have also done home visits usually in clients homes. In some ways doing outreach is like doing home visits, because we see people where they live, only it feels very different because they live in public places such as on the street, in the park, or by the river wall. The other reality is that I see my clients or they see me when I am not going about official Unity business. For example if I go for a walk, or show visitors around there is always the possibility of encountering a client. I could be crossing the street to go to church in the morning and while I am literally in the middle of the street, that is standing on the neutral ground, clients may spontaneously call from the side walk yelling over the passing traffic to provide me with an update on their housing situation.

Neutral Ground
I think I have mentioned the neutral ground in at least one previous entry. It is what people in New Orleans call the grassy median. The term neutral ground is used frequently because, here most main well traveled roads have them. They are often fairly wide and many contain beautiful trees. A Philadelphia example would be the median on Route One (Roosevelt Boulevard), expect that these roads are not quite as busy, wide or as major as "the Boulevard." A Rhode Island example that comes to my mind is by Scabrough Beach on Ocean Road in Narragansett, except there are no trees on that median; its width and the turn arounds are similar to those of New Orleans' Neutral Grounds. They are an important aspect of New Orleans culture because, it is where people gather to watch parades.
Here is a poem I wrote a couple of months ago abut the need for metaphoric Neutral Grounds.

Every road should have a neutral ground,
adorned with growing grass or leafy trees.
If hectic traffic has to be,
if concrete and asphalt are modern necessity,
At least the center shall be a still, softer space,
a slower pace,
of gradual greening and growing,
in between life's high speed lanes,
a silence existing amidst sound.
Every road should have a neutral ground.

Religious Formation Conference
Yesterday I attended an RFC (Religious Formation) workshop here in New Orleans. It was held in a conference room at Our Lady of Wisdom, which is a lovely nursing home that 16 religious communities in the New Orleans area created together for their aging members who need care as well as for lay people. The conference was designed to teach us to reflect on our experiences , to view them using social and ecological analysis, which means asking the hard questions about why things are as they are in terms of economic, cultural, political, social, and ecological realities. The next step is to do a theological reflection viewing the reality in light of faith traditions (considering scripture, catholic social teaching, our charisms, etc.) Such reflection is meant to be transformative, leading us to change and action. Whatever action we choose as a response of course begins the cyclical process all over again. I also came to realize that whether it was consciously considered, it was this process that led my community to ask me to go to New Orleans.

Since we are in Post-Katrina New Orleans, we reflected on the impact of Hurricane Katrina. During the workshop, when doing the social analysis we specifically considered the reality of poverty, environmental issues, and violence. At first I thought I might have little to contribute since, unlike most participants I had not been in this city prior to Katrina and had not experience the trauma of the storm and its immediate aftermath. Their stories and perspectives were invaluable for me to hear. Because I have direct contact daily in my ministry to the homeless I actually felt I was able to contribute well to the discussion about poverty and people asked my perspective. Discussion inevitably lead to the need for both direct service to meet people's basic needs, ways to empower people to meet their own needs, and the need for policy change at all levels of government to create a more just world where all people's basic needs are adequately met and that allow the earth to thrive.

During the lunch break all "newer members", defined as those in formation and those under the age of 50, were encouraged to sit together. We had a wonderful discussion, which I found insightful. It was helpful to realize that many of us as new members (even though we are in different communities with different charisms and ministerial focuses) have similar struggles, questions, desires and concerns for ourselves, our congregations and the future of the church and world.

It was intersting to attend this workshop in a different "region." Next week the RFC workshop will be take place in Philadelphia. I am curious as to what you will use as the focus of the praxis for social analysis and theological reflection. Those of you who attend, please let me know. Please send greetings to all my "Insearch" friends who will likely attend.

Thank you!
As usual, I am behind on thank you notes. Many have sent me letters, feast day cards, small gifts, even valentines. Thank you also for donations especially from the provinciate staff around Mardi Gras it will surely be used to help those who are living in poverty here in New Orleans. Please know that I am truly grateful and appreciative and some day I truly do intend to catch up on thank you notes and more officially acknowledged your kindness.

Someone asked me yesterday if I feel supported, as sometimes in religious communities people who are working at a distance from their congregation and or those doing something different than most of the congregation, do not always necessarily feel well supported. I did not hesitate to say that I feel very supported. I am grateful that I experience support from my entire province (including lay associates, health systems and prov. staff, current and former lay volunteers and of course especially the sisters) from many other people (family, friends) as well as from the sisters I am currently living with. If you are interested enough to read this, than I feel that you are supporting me and I thank you!

During this season of lent, may you experience greening and growth at your center, the neutral ground of you life.

the poor are poorer

It seems to me that the poor are perhaps a little poorer in Louisiana then they are in the places up north where I have previously resided. People who get social security disability receive only just over $6oo a month. Cash assistance (welfare) for four children totals $284 for the month; I naively asked a worker if that was per child. I know for a fact that rent has increased dramatically post Katrina. Based mostly on logic and anecdotal evidence it seems the cost of living in general has increased too. Prior to Katrina I think the cost of living was probably lower here than in a lot of other places. This, is no longer true, yet benefits which are decided on a state by state basis even though they are essentially federal programs (like welfare and social security) seem to pay less here. At a meeting recently, someone from a legal aide agency (which assists the poor with legal problems) stated that it takes longer in Louisiana for people to be processed for social security disability benefits than it does in most other places and that more people are denied; they also receive less. I have heard women say that they do not bother to try to get welfare benefits because it is so little money for all the requirements. I am hopeful that the federal minimum was will increase, but doubtful that it will be high enough to really enable people to support themselves and their families.

I had a busy few days at work. This week as much as the bureaucracy and injustices frustrated me, the resilience, generosity and gratefulness of people who have so little amazed me.

After Mardi Gras things really did quiet down a bit in New Orleans. The green, purples and gold decorations, (which had replaced red and green Christmas decorations) came down. It is lent. But, to me, it feels like summer today!

Have a good week.
Love, Kathleen

Mardi Gras

Happy Mardi Gras!
I am late updating the blog because since Friday evening until this afternoon, I have been spending most of my time uptown by the parade route.

In Philadelphia, people call today, the day prior to Ash Wednesday, Donut Day and someone will typically bring donuts to work.
The Irish call today Strove Tuesday and eat pancakes.
Well, while I deeply respect the cultures of my community and my family, neither tradition compares with Mardi Gras as it is celebrated in New Orleans. Prior to coming here, I had a vague and inaccurate image of the holiday (I actually did not even think of it as a holiday.) It is so much of a holiday that my office was closed today and everyone also had the choice of taking either Monday (Lindi Gras) or Ash Wednesday off as well (since we were not at work nobody could bring in donuts, but not to worry we have been eating king cake for a month at work, and someone brought delicious donuts to the parades this morning.)
My previous inaccurate image of Mardi Gras was of a crowd of drunk people wearing beads. In reality, It is an experience which one must have to understand. It felt to me like a giant family party that the entire city celebrated together which lasted days. Most of the time is spent sitting outside waiting for the parades while meeting people, eating, cooking outdoors, laughing, catching up with others, walking up and down St. Charles Ave, and watching children play. It is a peaceful and happy occasion.
Many locals, especially the sisters here, have pointed out that much of the publicity for Mardi Gras, for example what is typically shown on the national new, shows the French Quarter. There are no parades in the French Quarter and most of the people there are tourists, who tend to get drunk and act crazy. The real celebrations however, are the parades which are truly family events.

A week ago there were tornadoes which touched down in parts of the city. I was fortunate not to be in an area directly effected. There was some serious devastation in neighborhoods which are in the process still of rebuilding from Katrina. My initial reaction to this was a sense of discouragement. A week after tornadoes people are celebrating Mardi Gras. This may have seemed strange to me before, but I am realizing more and more that while we should not deny the pain of such events, we also need to celebrate whatever we have that is worth celebrating and there is always something to celebrate. I believe that healing happens when people come together to be together, and Mardi Gras seems to be that for the city of New Orleans.

Celebrations of Life

So much has gone on since my last update.

On Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, at work we participated in the point in time survey, where we along with many other agencies and volunteers attempted to count the number of homeless and "precariously housed" persons in the city of New Orleans and nearby Jefferson Parish. This was an interesting experience. I do not yet know the results of the survey and suspect that it is far from accurate, however from the people I interviewed it is clear that there are many unmet needs. People are lacking housing, health care, food and opportunities.

On Thursday of that week, my paternal grandfather passed away. For the past few years, I have been acutely aware at times of my unusual fortune of having all four of my grandparents at my age. So many people do not ever get the opportunities to meet grandparents; I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world for having them. Papa Sean and Nana Nealon moved into my parents home when I was ten years old and lived with them until October when due to illness and decline they needed increased care and moved into a nursing home. I have so many fond memories of them. I recall, when they first lived with us, how every night my two sisters and I, would knock on the door to their section of the house to say goodnight before we went to bed.

On Friday morning I flew to Rhode Island. The wake was that evening. How bittersweet, to see so many relatives and family friends I had not seen is so long while at the same time considering that I would never again see my grandfather alive.

On Saturday morning we had the funeral. The liturgy was well done. I think Papa Sean would have enjoyed it. After the cemetery, everyone was invited back to my parents home.

There was a bit of a lull after most people left Saturday afternoon, before other people (and some of the same people) began arriving that evening for the surprise 80th birthday party of my other grandfather. It was truly a day of celebrating life.

Sunday was spent at my parents' home with relatives. I enjoyed seeing my cousin's children.

On Monday, my mother's parents returned to Florida and Nana Nealon went back to the nursing home. Although it was hard to leave her there, it was helpful for me to see where she is now living. There are two recliners in the room that were facing each other, one now empty, was my grandfather's.

On Tuesday, I drove to Philadelphia, in a car my family is lending my community to save us the expense or renting one. I stopped by my community's provincilate for a brief visit. It was wonderful to see some members of my community. Mary, a lay associate, became my faithful travel companion for the rest of the journey. We made it as far as northern Virginia on Tuesday evening when falling snow encouraged an early stop over.

From quarter of seven Wednesday morning (eastern time) until nearly ten pm (central time) we traveled from winter, through spring, in between mountains and through valleys, arriving in flat New Orleans.

On Thursday afternoon, Anne Marie (our provincal) and Ellen (formation director), arrived at the New Orleans airport to visit. I toured them around showing them the some of the still devastated areas.

On Friday morning I dropped Mary off at the airport for her flight back to Philly. Ellen and Anne Marie came to see where I work at Unity and St. Jude Community Center. We had lunch in the French Quarter. Friday night we went with some of the Marianites, as well as a couple of sisters from other communities who are also in the area to volunteer, to a Mardi Gras parade. It was great fun. I imagined that parade goers would be fortunate to catch one or two items thrown from the floats; we caught hundreds of them! I took some pictures I had hoped to post here, but when we were leaving the parade I could not find my camera even after a thorough search of the neutral ground (grassy median where one stands for parades.) The parade is something pictures can not accurately capture anyway, it is an experience; in its unique way, it too is a celebration of life.

I am grateful to so many of you for your prayerful support at this time. The loss of my grandfather reminds me of the importance of relationship and increases my appreciation for all of the people I am fortunate to know.

Have a good week.

From the Wall to the Ball

Yes, I am actually doing my weekly update about five days early! Don't worry next week's will likely be late in order to balance it out.

One of the sisters who lives in the convent next door had received an invitation to observe a Mardi Gras Ball, called Sparta, which was held lat night. Since I had never had such an experience, I was invited to go along. It seemed like something out a fairy tale, or maybe a ride in Disney World. First a band played, then everyone stood for the Star Spangled Banner, then the show began with introductions of last year's court, than junior courts, krewes, a knight and his shadow, princesses representing different gods of different ancient cultures, and others before finally this year's "king" and "queen." After each one was introduced they promenade around the room gracefully in gorgeous gowns, or tuxedos and masks in the case of the men (people really do wear those mardi gras masks; in retrospect I'm not sure why that surprised me, but it did.) There is a lot of bowing and clapping. There was a performance by a dance group from Ohio which was quite entertaining. I am grateful for having had the experience. As it was very long, and somewhat drawn out, we left before the very end. I really felt as though I was immersed in a different culture and different time. In many ways it seems light years away from the situations I encountered today doing outreach on the streets.

The pictures and my description can not adequately capture the reality of the pageantry.

Eucharistic

Groups that seem to come from different worlds, come together, they share resources, they bring what they have to the table giving of their very selves, when there is no table, they sit on the ground while breaking bread.

There is a place on the edge of the river wall, near the French Quarter where on several evenings each week meals are served to those to people experiencing homelessness and or hunger. Sometimes there are about 100 or more people who come, most of whom are living on the streets or in abandoned buildings. My office has decided that we will try to be present on these nights to do outreach.

On Thursday evening, I arrived at "the wall" as people were gathering and the group serving that night (I think a Baptist church but I'm not sure) was setting up. A group of traditionally dressed Mennonites, who I later learned were from Pennsylvania, of varied ages were starting to sing peaceful religious songs, setting a pleasant tone for the evening meal. The people who come to eat at the wall included chronically homeless individuals, new arrivals who came into town seeking work but could not find housing, young people who live on the street (sometimes referred to as "gutter punks,") and others who are impoverished in multiple ways. Different groups prepare and serve the warm meal on different nights of the week. Once a person is served he or she usually sits on the ground, sometimes leaning against the river wall while eating. Thursday was a "freeze night" which made our job a little easier because with extra shelter spaces open, we did not have to tell people that there were no options for them to get off of the street, which on non-freeze nights is now the norm, since shelters are typically full. Going to the wall is an effective way to do outreach because we encounter so many people in one place who may be able to benefit from our services. Yet, what impacted me the most was the reality that this meal brought together so many people of various backgrounds and circumstances: those serving, those singing, those of us doing outreach, and those eating a warm meal who otherwise would have gone hungry. The way those who come to eat, seem to help, support and care about one another is often beautiful.

During the end of this week, my office was involved with a conference given by one of our funding agencies (UMCOR affiliated with the United Methodist Church, which provided funding through Katrina Aid Today grants.) Case workers and supervisors both local and from all over the country came together. It was interesting to hear from people who are working in other states with those displaced because of the storm and the perspectives and challenges they face. I suspect that it was interesting for them to actually see the city where their clients have come from and witness first hand the lack of housing and other resources that are preventing their clients from being able to come home. The agencies that are all receiving money from UMCOR for hurricane survivors are themselves quite diverse. It is inspiring to me, that agencies associated with a variety of religious faiths and denominations are cooperating and even providing funding to one another, working toward a common goal, in the interest of the common good.

Sharing of resources, sharing of selves, sharing a meal,
is transformative, is Eucharistic.

no creative title comes to mind this week

Monday, the office where I work was closed in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King. I was able to spend the day with my parents and their friends, taking them on a tour of the area. On Tuesday, after work, I went out with my parents and their friends to Brennan's, which is a very nice restaurant in the French Quarter, where I had delicious salmon. Early Wednesday morning (even before morning prayer), I dropped my parents off at the airport and said farewell. I am so grateful for their visit.

The work week went quickly. On Friday, at work, we attended an annual meeting for all of the agencies in the Unity Collaborative. A woman from the Alliance to End Homelessness spoke, which was informative and inspiring. It was good to hear about current trends and "best practices approaches in terms of service to those who are homeless. I am aware that homelessness is quite a problem everywhere, but the current situation in New Orleans is unique because of the impact of Katrina.

Last night, at the convent where I am staying, we had liturgy and a celebration afterwards, because it was a feast day for the marianites, the anniversary of the death of the founder. I was in solidarity with my community in Philadelphia since they were partying at the same time, celebrating birthdays of three our our sisters. (I hope y'all had a great time!)

Today I went to another convent with a couple of the sisters I live with, to watch the Saints football game; as you probably know they lost, but making it as far as they did was a victory in and of itself. As of writing this the Patriots have a chance of winning their game, but I am not watching it; sitting down and watching one game is unusual for me and anyway I need to update this blog to keep up with my goal of weekly updates.

Included are pictures which either I took, or my father took on Monday .

The first is Musician's Village, a Habitat for Humanity Project, which is building affordable houses for musicians. The second is of turtles at Audubon Park. The third is the Causeway Bridge which spans Lake Pontchartrain. Finally the city skyline, taken from the other side of the river, just before it started to rain.
Have a great week!

Surprise!

Friends of my parents who I have known most of my life, came into town on Friday. I was invited to go out to dinner with them that evening. When I arrived at the time share where they are staying, they began showing me around the lovely apartment in the French Quarter. When they opened the door to show me the second bedroom, and turned on the light, there were both of my parents! What a wonderful Surprise!!!

Yesterday, we went on the Natchez, which is an old steam powered paddle boat, which gives wonderfully informative tours of the area along the Mississippi River. As I walked through the French quarter in New Orleans with four other Rhode Islanders, I noticed a lot of tourists wearing Philadelphia shirts, in anticipation for football game (for a moment elements of all of the places I call home converged.) In the evening, my parents and their friends came to meet the sisters I am staying with, and got a tour of the house, had chili (not dad) and King Cake. The piece of King Cake I ate, had a little plastic baby in it; next year between Epiphany and Mardi Gras, everyone is invited to a party I will host in Philly!

I am not a football fanatic, in fact I generally don't follow the game at all. However when I heard that team from the city I am currently living, would play the city where I have lived for the past 10 years and officially still do, I felt excited. I decided I would cheer for both teams, as I did, a couple of years ago when the New England Patriots played the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl. In reality I did find myself cheering more for the Saints, because they have never ever even made it to the Super Bowl and were previously in the playoffs only one time in their entire history; I think it is in my nature to root for the underdog. I often question the amount of money and resources that go into professional sports when they are many basic unmet needs, however, although I would probably prioritize things differently myself, the Saints doing so well is providing hope and a sense of excitement and a pride to a city that is still in many ways in shambles, which is a very good thing indeed. When the Saints won I witnessed tears of joy in the eyes of some very faithful fans who have stuck by them for years despite their lack of success. I, who usually could not care less about such things, hope the Saints make it to the Super Bowl and win, if for no other reason than this city needs something to celebrate.

I am so grateful for my parents' visit. After a very draining week at work, I feel like I have been on vacation yesterday and today, which is truly a gift! Included are a few pictures I took this weekend.

From Epiphany to Mardi Gras!

Happy Epiphany Sunday!

Now that the Christmas and New Year holiday are ending, talk is turning towards Mardi Gras!
Dinner conversation the other night turned into an educational session for me, about the upcoming festivities (still over a month away.) I even practiced yelling, "throw me something mister!", which is what one hollers as the floats are going by apparently even if the person throwing things from the float happens to be female. This is a picture of what I was thrown during our practice. The colors the bear is wearing are the official Mardi Gras colors of course.

Yesterday my (N.O. LA) local community had a wonderful time at the home of a a woman who stayed with the sisters before I came. We had a delicious gumbo dinner. For desert we had King Cake which is eaten in New Orleans from the Feast of the Epiphany until Mardi Gras. There is a small plastic baby doll baked into the cake. According to tradition, the person who discovers the doll in his or her piece wins the prize of either hosting the party the following year or of at least bringing the cake. I did not get the prize; if I had, we would have had a lot of guests in Philly for Epiphany next year.

It was a short work week since my office was closed on both New Year's Day and the following day. In some ways the week did not feel short because a lot happened in those three days. There is never an easy time to be homeless, but this time of year may be the hardest.

I am doing well and hope you are too.
May the star that guided the wise ones to the Christmas crib, guide you on your journey during these days as we travel from Epiphany to Mardi Gras!

New Year

I returned this afternoon from a fun weekend away. The Marianite sisters have a house on a lake about an hour and a half from here. I celebrated the arrival of 2007 with seven of the Marianites (including three whom I live with) at a vacation house about an hour and a half from here, on a lake. It was wonderful to have time to walk, play games, and laugh. We had a very nice prayer service. As midnight approached fireworks from multiple directions lit up the night sky above the water.
A year ago I had not even imagined that I would be in Louisiana for the beginning of this year. I am grateful for all that happened in 2006. As I reflect, I realize that it was a year filled with new experiences, adventure, surprise, and growth. I welcome with open arms this new year! I wish all who read this ( and those who don't), all those I know and love (as well as those I don't know or find difficult to authentically love) a happy and blessed 2007!

Christmas Day

On Christmas Eve, along with two of the sisters I am living with, I attended midnight mass (yes! It really was held at midnight, Central Time!) Before the liturgy started, beautiful Christmas Carols were sung in the darkened church while each person held a lit candle. There was an amazingly diverse crowd gathered for mass, including some individuals who are currently homeless. Although I had moments when I longed to be with my family and community, by the time mass ended I knew I had made the right decision to stay. Over the years, Christmas memories from various years begin to blend together, but this Christmas I expect will be remembered distinctly and fondly.

Yesterday, in the convent next door, sisters, friends and neighbors (including the Baptist minister whose home we went to for Thanksgiving dinner) gathered to celebrate Christmas. It was truly an enjoyable event.

By the end of the day my ear was tiered from all of the phone conversations! I am grateful for the technology which allowed me to clearly hear the voices of so many of you who I feel so close to despite the geographic distance. I am even more grateful for the people the technology allowed me to speak with!

Last night was declared a freeze night, so extra shelter space was open to accommodate those who would otherwise be on the street. I went to the shelter to visit a bit with the people who had come in from the cold. Most were so grateful to be out of the cold, even though the shelter was not especially warm and there were not enough cots for everyone.

In case I neglect to thank someone or did not reciprocate, I truly appreciate all of the cards, gifts, and greetings received this Christmas season. Thank you!

Typically, I write an update on Saturday or Sunday, however next weekend I may not. I was invited to go with some of the sisters to a house by a lake for the weekend to celebrate the arrival of a New Year and don't know if there is a computer with internet access there. If not, I'll write soon after my return.

Happy New Year!

Writers, Reality, Gratitude and Christmas Scenes .

Monday morning:
On Monday morning, I was pleasantly surprised when I heard a This I Believe essay by Richard Rohr (probably my favorite spiritual writer), on public radio as I drove to 7:00 mass. That would have been exciting enough but at the liturgy I was quite impressed when Ronald Rolhieser (another excellent spiritual writer) was co-presiding and gave the homily.

I wish this were not someone's reality:
Can you imagine, if you had no place to sleep because all of the emergency shelters in the city were full, so you decide to sleep in an abandoned building only to be arrested during the night for trespassing. If that were not bad enough, what if a brown recluse spider bit you on the head while you were in jail.

Thanks
Thanks to all who have sent cards, gifts and greetings, and for all who hold me and the people of New Orleans in prayer.

Several people have sent me money to use for those who are most in need. I am deeply touched and overwhelmed at how generous so many people are. Thus far the money has been used to buy groceries for someone who recently moved into housing who had an empty refrigerator earlier this week, gift certificates to Walgreens have been given out to all those residing in a particular shelter and to a few other homeless individuals, and a donation has been passed along to another social service agency. I find it difficult to discern how to best distribute the donations because there are so many needs, I am never sure where to start, but am glad to have funds to use as needs arise that are otherwise going unmet. Thank you.

Christmas Decorations in and near the French Quarter

Merry Christmas to all!

A quick update

The work week went by quickly. A couple of the clients I have been working with were able to get into housing programs, fortunately. Unfortunately, the shelters are filled most nights, and the number of people who are homeless seems to be increasing. Someone who did outreach to the homeless before the storm, said that occasionally there were a few people who wanted to get into shelter and could not prior to the storm, usually because their were banned from shelters due to their behavior. Now, there are many people who want to go into shelter nightly who can not because there is no space for them. Some sleep outside on the street right near one particular shelter. This week I either heard or heard of people currently experiencing homelessness, say that at least if they were in prison they would have shelter and three meals. Why aren't basic needs (like food, shelter, and health care) treated as basic human rights and therefore granted automatically to all people in our society?

The weekend was busy. On Saturday, I went with some of the sisters to visit some of the older sisters and celebrate the season with them, which was quite enjoyable. Last night there was Christmas caroling here; people from the neighborhood came. Today, I worked on Christmas gifts, which I hope to mail out soon. This evening a high school band came and played music in the chapel and then served us gumbo for dinner; the music, food and service were all excellent.

I'll try to be more creative on next week's blog.
May you experience JOY during this third week of Advent and always!

The Modern Urban Nativity

Most of us know the Christmas story from Luke's Gospel well. This time of year people frequently decorate churches, yards, living rooms with images representing the night of Jesus birth. Nearly every people of the Christian tradition depict the holy family to be of their race or culture, but almost always like in the gospel story they are in the manager with the animals. It is an image many probably take for granted. It is easy to ignore or romanticize a baby being born outside among the dirt and animals.
Tradition tells us that the inns were full that night.

One recent "freeze night", when I was not working, the two shelters which open up extra space that are at least considered somewhat conducive for families, were both full. When this occurs space is supposed to be located for people, but sometimes things do not happen as they are supposed to. A young couple, the woman several months pregnant, and their very young children spent a frigid night in their car.

Since, it is the Advent season, I was thinking....
If we were to set the Christmas story in modern day urban America, it would likely take place in a car or an abandoned building. Or perhaps if a woman was about to give birth, they would most likely go to a hospital, which would put them in debt for a very long time if they happen to be among the growing number who lack health insurance. If they arrived at one of the few hospitals that have reopened since the hurricane in New Orleans they would surely encounter crowded conditions and challenges that go along with short staffed health care facilities.
We have been telling the Christmas story for 2000 years, and although we have space for nativity scenes made of wood, paper, and clay, I suspect that if pregnant Mary came into many cities in urban America today, like the inns 2000 years ago she may be turned away.


Yesterday, I enjoyed being united in prayer with all the sisters in my province. I even was able to participate in small group sharing via speaker phone. Although I am far away, I truly feel connected and supported and am grateful.

Someone mentioned that some winters there are only about five nights when the temperature goes below 38 and the city declares a freeze night opening extra shelter space. This year we have already far exceeded that number. It has been unusually cold for New Orleans this time of year. Fortunately, there are American Red Cross volunteers helping with the freeze nights now, so it does not fall on the department where I work to staff them. It is also fortunate that my community in Philadelphia mailed me some of my winter clothes Thank you!

Lake Pontchartrain

Last weekend I discovered the lake; well not in the way we say Columbus discovered American or anything quite that dramatic, and previously I knew it was there, in fact I had even ridden over the lake via the longest bridge a few weeks before; but, last weekend I not only figured out how to get myself to the lake, I found a place to walk that is peaceful yet populated enough to be safe.

The lake is so large, you can't always see across it. The water is brackish; I could clearly detect the faint scent of the salty sea. There were seagulls, cormorants and little sand pipers, all of which are so familiar. It reminded me of home! Yet, it was neither Narragansett beach nor bay, nor was it near Cape May. In the midst of the familiar water fowl were peculiar pelicans and strangely beautiful black ducks, reminding me that I am some place new.

The lake handed me a concrete symbol of what New Orleans has been like for me. It has in many ways felt familiar, comfortable and like home; but in just as many ways it is different, new and intriguing. It is the brackish water containing the elements of the salty sea, mingled with what is fresh and new to me.
One side of the road is closed near the lake making it a one way since the Hurricane.

It has already been pointed out to me, that I am updating this a day later than usual. Friday night was a "freeze night." I did not get any sleep at St. Jude shelter because about 30 people came in for the night from the streets. Had I attempted to do this yesterday, there would probably be even more typos and careless errors due to sleep deprivation. Which reminds me, if you notice serious mistakes on my blog, feel free to inform me so I can edit them. I always proof read before I post but sometimes when I reread them weeks later I notice glaring errors.

Last night and tonight were declared freeze nights as well; fortunately more people are able to help with freeze nights, so I did not have to stay. I enjoy staying with the people and find it an opportunity to get to know the people we are trying to assist. I do appreciate not having to do all of them because it takes me a couple of days to recover completely.

Friday night, a gentleman was picked up by the outreach van and brought to St. Jude community center with those experiencing homelessness. It was pretty obvious to me, that he had Alzheimer's or a similar form of dementia. After several attempts and questions, we were able to get the first and last name of his sister in another state; with his permission we were able to obtain her phone number from 411, and she provided phone numbers of his children in New Orleans, who had been quite concerned about him since he had wandered away from home hours earlier. They happily came to get him.

Thanks to all who sent cards and greetings to me recently! It was great to hear from you.

Happy first Sunday of Advent!

SAINTS

The Saints
On the last Sunday of October, at the end of liturgy everyone started singing, When the Saints Go Marching In. For about a second and a half I thought it had to do with a fast approaching holy day, then I realized that the parishioners could not possibly be that excited about All Saints Day!

This city truly loves their football team.

Last week, I received a phone call from one of the Marianites while I was at work. She invited me to go with her and another sister to a Saints game. I did tell her that if anyone is really really into it, that she could give that person the ticket instead, because although I think it would be fun, and I would enjoy it, I am not a big fan of the game and recognize that others are likely to want it a lot more than I do. She said someone else could go another time, and I that should go since I have never been to a professional football game.

Apparently, every time there is a home game on a Sunday, the owner of the team has a priest come to preside over mass prior to the game in a private suite located in the Superdome. The sister who invited me, knows the owner, so we attended mass, where we were also given passes which allowed us to go onto the field just before the game started, while many of the players were warming up. The whole experience seemed somewhat surreal. It was really exciting to be there. The marching band which played before the game and at half time was also very impressive. Caught up in the excitement of the game, I enthusiastically cheered for the Saints (although not quite as enthusiastically as some others.) They lost, but I had a great time anyway. The Sister who had invited me, said it was embarrassing to bring a visitor to a game when they did so poorly. I could not possibly have had more fun even if they had won.
(This is a not so great picture is of the very impressive marching band.)


Saint Jude's
This past week I spent a lot of time at St. Jude's. St. Jude Community Center, which is across from the parish church we typically attend, became a shelter after Katrina because there was such a need for emergency shelter. The second floor is home to about 17 women at any given time; I began doing some case management/counseling with some of the residents this week. The first floor is a large multipurpose room, which now serve as a "freeze night" shelter, which means when the temperature is predicted to drop below 38 degrees people who reside on the street can come in at night and stay until morning. There are a few other shelters in the city which will also open extra space on those cold nights, however most of them do not have sufficient staff to be able to accommodate the extra people. Everyone in my department at Unity, was asked to stay at one such shelter so that they could open on freeze nights. On Monday and Tuesday, it got cold (especially for New Orleans.) A coworker and I stayed at St. Jude along with (13 on Monday, 20 on Tuesday) people experiencing homelessness. On Thanksgiving day, I was back at St. Jude, this time at noon, to assist with serving a meal.

Being at St. Jude has given me an opportunity to hear people's stories, to sit with them, to learn from them, and has left me feeling enriched. Early one morning after a freeze night, I said Good morning to an older gentlemen who has been homeless for many years; he smiled a big bright smile even though he has fewer than half of his teeth, and said to me, "aren't we are so blessed to be alive for another day!"

Thanksgiving day
After serving the meal at St. Jude, I went with two other sisters to the home of a Baptist Minister who lives in our neighborhood, for another Thanksgiving meal. He had met some of the sisters at a Katrina Memorial and told his grown children about them and they suggested that he invite the sisters to his house for Thanksgiving. He is the pastor of a small racial and ethically diverse congregation. He has several children and many grandchildren all those we met were kind and hospitable. It was truly a delightful experience.

When I arrived back at the convent I made phone calls until it was too late to call people. If you are among the community members, close family and good friends and I did not get a chance to speak with you, know that you were in my thoughts and prayers anyway. I enjoyed hearing from so many of you. I missed being with family and/or my community, but had a strong feeling that I am where I need to be at this moment, which has eased my mild homesickness.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Dinners
Already I have have participated in three Thanksgiving feasts. The first was on Wednesday evening when the sisters I am living with had our local community dinner. The following night was a neighborhood potluck held on the property here for people who live in the Bywater neighborhood. Yesterday, at work we had a Thanksgiving potluck as well. The carrots and parsnips I made (Nana Nealon style) were at least as unusual a dish to most New Orleaneans as Oyster Dressing was to me.

At the neighborhood feast, people were asked to call to mind where they were last Thanksgiving; virtually everyone was displaced at that time. We were reminded of how the first thanksgiving was celebrated after a very hard and trying year, and was a celebration of unity among peoples. People of the neighborhood gathered in circumstances and with a spirit not unlike those who gathered for the first Thanksgiving. Those who have lost much seem so appreciative of what they have. I am thankful to be able to learn gratitude from them.

Categories of homelessness in New Orleans
Several categories of homelessness were mentioned at a meeting and press conference I attended with others from my office this week. There are the chronically homeless, many of whom were living on the streets of New Orleans prior to Katrina and are still homeless. There are the migrant workers; many people have come into the city in search of work; many have found work doing construction, they are actively rebuilding the city, but due to the reality that rent has at least doubled (quadrupled in some neighborhoods) they are not able to find affordable housing so sleep on the streets, in shelters, or make their home in the very many severely damaged abandoned houses. The migrant workers included both immigrants from Mexico and other countries as well as many citizens from other states. There are New Orleans natives who were not homeless before the storm but have been unable to afford the rising rent, or fix up the house that they own and therefore find themselves homeless. Some people are staying with relatives and friends; they are sometimes more than "doubled up"; that is now there may be three or four families in a house, or people are "doubled up" in FEMA trailers (which by most people's standards would be too small for one family); of course I must mention that these people are not truly homeless if you use HUD's definition of homeless, regardless of how tight the space! There are also those who are displaced, still living in other cities, perhaps with family and friends, who really want to come home to New Orleans but have no home to come to. There is a fear that they problem will worsen especially in February when FEMA rental assistance is supposed to cease for most.

This coming week I am also going to start doing some counseling/case management at a shelter located in the community center of the parish church. This shelter, which houses 17 single women was opened following Katrina because there was great need for it. The largest pre-Katrina shelters in the city have yet to reopen. I am looking forward to this.

Opelousas
Today the Marianite Sisters celebrated 150 years of service in education and health care in the town of Opelousas, Louisiana. 150 years ago the sisters took a long boat ride up the bayou from New Orleans to start ministering in that town. High school students dressed in the habit that the sisters use to wear and reenacted the arrival. It was followed by a prayer service and lunch. A couple of the older sisters said to me, "now you know what we used to look like!" It was a very pleasant day indeed. I was grateful to hear their stories. It is amazing what courageous work women religious did long ago in such difficult circumstances without the conveniences we now take for granted.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Since I have arrived in New Orleans, I have been filled with a sense of gratitude for the people I have met, the experiences I am having. In that way I feel the spirit of the holiday, aware that I really have so much to be thankful for. In other real though less important ways, it does not really feel like Thanksgiving, because the green leaves still cling to the trees and the mosquitoes are still biting. Whether the weather feels like thanksgiving, giving thanks is always in season.

I thank God for all of my family, community and friends. Happy Thanksgiving.

Love, Kathleen

Thank you!