The Three Interns

We hear that three of the interns who worked with our keeper in the past several years were at the Mass this morning.  One was being commissioned but is continuing his doctoral studies. She told us they are all absolutely outstanding ministers.

LEM Commissioning Mass

Today she headed back to St. James to celebrate the commissioning of the Lay Ecclesial Ministers, and she knew four of the six.  One had been an intern with her. 

However, the one who probably stole the show from the LEMs was Baby Emma who is almost a year old.

Sunset on Boren

We are happy she shot this photo while she was at a stoplight.  But we heard that the sunset was incredible. We told her that she should wash her windows, though.We probably should have been more awe-struck.

Ministries Dinner

Alice and I asked her where she went all day.  We heard she wasn't in the office.  She told us she had gone to committee meetings traveled far and wide. When she came home she was tired and hungry, so we looked forward to a great night at home together after she went walking.  But, we should have known better. She didn't go walking and she gave us food and headed back  the the hill to where she had already spent a  lot of time today for a dinner for those who serve in some way at the Cathedral.  Good company, good food, and at the end they even got to be part of a chorus for a Christmas CD. 

Cecil's New Friend

Alice here reporting on my brother Cecil. He has a new friend.  And this almost scared the keeper to death.  When it started to pour this afternoon she went out to the side door to pull him in after hearing strange noises. She found our Cecil and this rather large raccoon making eyes at each other. Cecil was making gurgling sounds and the raccoon was just sitting there. The keeper swept up Cecil, who protested.  And the raccoon stood up on its hind legs and wouldn't leave, no matter how many mean things the keeper shouted. Finally she shut the door while Cecil howled and she let him and the raccoon stare at each other through the glass.  The raccoon didn't go away, but just sat there on the steps, waiting for Cecil to come back out. what a weird pair.  I doubt now that she will let us out at all for awhile. Thanks, Cecil. why can't you just appreciate me?

Eye Doctor

She left in a rush. Eye doctor morning. She tells is that the hardest part of  visiting Eye Associates NW is waiting with dilated eyes. She said that there is little reading material. We told her she should meditate. She was not amused.

And the Fiesta!

They headed over to the Student Center for the fiesta.

Gratia Plena--SALT Graduation

So, we think it's back to normal again.  She left us for the Cathedral and then instead of coming back to us, ended up at SU for the SALT graduation. We understand that our pet-sitter was there as well. Okay, so you are asking the same question we did.  What's SALT?  This is what we learned--it's a three year scripture and  leadership training program which is now in at least four languages--English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Mandarin Chinese.  Graduates receive a Certificate from SU.

The St. Ignatius Chapel was full to the vestibule for the bilingual service. There was barely enough room for the graduates.  The faculty gave them their seats.

Post diploma ovation. The keeper was very proud of her young adults and parishioners who graduated from the eastside.

Summer Moon

Too too enchanting!

Waters

A switch from the week of  red ants, withering sun, and water bottles.

Here it was millions of gnats, welcoming sun, and cool streams.

North Shore of the Lake

She is gearing up to start Camino Seattle, and wants to walk 3 or 4 miles a day.  After the hot desert, she seemed happy to sit by the water. A solitary crow joined her. Or, she invaded the crow's reverie..

Roses

Later this afternoon she went out and we came in.  It was a little too warm for us. She decided she needed to get out and walk, and walk she did. While she tromped the neighborhood, we napped. But the roses are quite wonderful this year, even in our yard.  She took some to a friend.

Feliz Summer Solstice!

We thought it fitting that she got home in time to celebrate the Solstice with us. Our favorite season has begun. We all went out and howled at the moon.  We wanted to stay out.  But she wanted to go to bed. Imagine that! Maybe tomorrow.

She's Back

She came home tonight.  And all she brought us were these stickers from her new friends from Nuns on the Bus for Immigration Reform. We appreciate her thoughtfulness, but they pull our fur out.

Final Mass and Sending Forth

Father Cayetano Cabrera, Pastor of Cristo Rey Parish in Nogales, Mexico, and conference participant, brought his choir, presided and preached at the closing bilingual Mass. During his homily, he said that if you get to know the immigrant, you will discover what they bring in their packs--gifts of hopes and dreams and faith and perseverance. If you get even closer, you will discover how deportation threatens to destroy those gifts. But in the end, it is God who helps them rediscover hope again through the likes of those who accompany them near and far.

At the closing of the liturgy, each was given a cross with the name of someone who had perished in the desert this past year. She brought us the name of the 28th person whom they found in 2012--Rony Villatoro.

Requiescat en pace.

May your life be a sword that pierces our hearts and causes us to say, 

"Basta! No more deaths! We will build bridges, not walls."

New Friends

Just to let you know, when they weren't reflecting on the meaning of life and mission, they were eating. The food was the best conference food ever, and the participants were very very fun. The keeper made more friends from near and far. We hear she is not showing  photos from the talent show last night.

Angels of Mercy

Each ribbon holds the name of a person (or simply the words, "desconocido/a" ("no name known")  who died in the desert and whose body was found by the many groups who go out offering water, fresh socks, and medical aid to the migrants.  Sometimes all they find are the remains, scorched and broken.

Word

This found book has a chapter, " Why Does God  Permit Suffering?"

And the Holy Scriptures burned in the sun.

I Carry You in My Heart

so carefully.

Whose Child Is This?

Toys, dolls, children's backpacks, baby carriers, and yes, mittens.

Medicine Bag

Vaccination cards, insulin vials, cold pills, and garlic, all to preserve a shred of health while walking.

This Bread...This Cup...

How Far Would You Walk to Feed Your Family?

Spoon abandoned under a mesquite tree.

Journey

 Yesterday we understand that the keeper cut all of the morning workshops to walk out in the very hot morning to the Newman Center. She wanted to spend time with a profoundly moving art installation by two women, one a portrait painter, and the other who took objects left behind by the migrants in the desert, and created altarcitos, installations bringing the rest of the world closer to the realities of  the perilous journey.

Water bottles painted dark to avoid detection
by night vision  sensors.

Someone tried to walk over the mountain in a plastic sandal.

 A prayer flag of bandannas left behind

Moon Over Tucson

We were looking at the moon tonight too from our cat perches. But the keeper captured it for a second in the 90 degree evening heat tonight. Luna Bella.

At the Feet of a Contemporary Prophet

Oh, things were pretty exciting tonight, we hear. The understated prophet, John Fife, came to give the evening talk on crossing over to the other side from the Gospel of Mark. He led them through the history of his involvement in the sanctuary movement, and his work now with No More Deaths, reaching out to The crucified Christ in the desert as he tries to cross into the other side.

He raised key questions and statements which shook them all....one, when asked by migrants why he was out in the desert, he wished he would have said, " I am looking for Christ, and I now know I have found him in you! "

Another:  " How  many poor people will come to your funeral? Does your life and witness make a difference in theirs?"

Finally, he told a story of being with a group bringing food and water out to the desert trails, coming across a group of migrants, weary and worn, and yelling into the canyon where they were hiding, offering them some food and water. Then he saw them huddle, consult, and approach the aid group. The migrants told the group that among them they only had a little food and water, but they had decided they could share some with John's group. Does this story remind you of any others from the Holy Book?

Ecumenical and Inter-Faith Advocacy for Immigrants

Bishop Kicanas moderated a panel of his ecumenical and inter-religious leader friends and colleagues with whom he shares the mission of advocating for and reaching out to the immigrants. This afternoon they all heard from the Presbyterians, Jews, Lutherans/Episcopalians/Methodists, Church of Christ, and the Jesuits. The pastor of the most conservative town and church now has a unique ministry with his congregants...there is a team who writes editorials and letters to the editor to respond to hate-filled anti immigrant sentiments that appear in the media!

We hear that it is an amazing example of interfaith dialogue and ministry.

Justice Social

We understand that the charity and justice people also know how to party.

Too much meaning is a dangerous thing!

A Franciscan Mission for Sure

We were also pleased to hear that the Friars allowed the reservation dogs to feel at home in the church.