I am finally adjusted to being here and ready to Blog

Lent looms with– Rain and Death – many funeral and memorial Masses.

Also Lisa and I went to Terry Richies sister’s memorial mass. The drive took longer than expected. The incessant rain transformed the windshield into a Jackson Pollack painting. Note to self: fix the window wipers.

Our guardian Angeles, worked overtime.

Feb 6

Wed

We just finished Ash Wednesday services, the Church was full. Ash Wed is a big draw. I love to see the church full. What attracts people to make the extra effort to worship or at times – just receive the ashes? I don’t know, but I like it. Anyone have any insight as to the draw of Ash Wednesday service?

At the 12:00 mass all the students of our grade school were present, they came around the altar and we sang the Our Father. All those young voices sounded angelic – the voices of the future Church. The congregation left happy.

After celebrating the 5:30 pm. Mass Russ and I went to the hospital to support and pray with the Literte family. Their Mother, Lourdes, was dying. Surrounded by the prayers of her family and friends gave testament to her life in Christ Jesus. Mercifully she was unconscious to her pain. I sensed she was readying herself to leave this world. It was obvious the toll it was taking on her family. Their faith and support of each other is getting them through. She decided to leave. Today, the first Friday of Lent.

I am doing a few things for lent. One I will talk about. I am addressing a fault I have or perhaps the sin of greediness. I am a bit of a clutter bug. It is difficult to ignore this flaw when only given a room and a closet in which to stow all belongings, my “stuff” overflows. And I have only been here 4 months.

My stuff/clutter consists of three major categories: books, papers, and clothes. I have decided to rid myself of something everyday. I suppose I need to get rid of at least forty items. I am leaving for a week 2/11 – 18, so I will have to make up for this upon my return.

Today I got rid of 4 tee shirts that I like but never wear.

Feb 7

Thursday:

Ah my day off. I never really have much to do – Yee ha. Morning after prayer and mass, cleaned my room, washed down the bird cage, did laundry and a bit of gardening. Read a bit from the bible, practiced a bit of Spanish, read from two of my “leisure Books” A book my neice gave me the night before I celebrated her wedding –My life with the Saints, by James Martin, SJ, and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. Lamott is fantastic. I have read everything she has written at least once. Start with “Traveling Mercies” if you are interested in humorous spiritual writing that reads like a trash novel. I laugh aloud quite a few times as I read.

Went to the bird store to pick up supplies and talk with Rudy. He is a wonderful employee. I have allegiance to the store because he is so helpful and knowledgeable about birds. I have a love bird. I am going to get another – Spiffy needs a partner. His companion “Buddy” died a couple of weeks ago. I am not saying how he died and don’t ask Fr. Mike about it. Rudy and I speak in Spanish, his native tongue. We discussed my dream bird – a caique – they are like puppies – We cannot have a dog in the community – boo, hoo.

Came back home and did some more gardening with Cordell.Note to self — need a fragrant plant. So much to do – but I love it. I went to Home Depot, my favorite store, to get more peat moss. — Trouble with clay soil - but that is another story. I treated myself to a cactus plant on the way out. There was a spot in the cactus garden under the crucifix waiting for this plant.

I gave ten CDs to the community. I have them on my computer so there is really no generosity here. I have more CDs which I will be able to give away some day. I got rid of most of the CD cases, jewel cases I believe they are called, so the ones in the CD binder I will keep. I parishioner gave me a portable CD player so I have a great reason to hoard.

Feb 8

Friday

I went without bacon, ham or sausages this morning. This wasn’t difficult since I always have cereal or a protein shake in the morning. I will have a light dinner of fish. Not a hard core fast but its OK.

While celebrating the 8:00am Mass the Literte family came in. If I had checked my email this morning I would have known that Mrs. Literte had passed. Instead I called Ester to me as she entered during the first reading and she informed me. We included Lourdes in our prayers

11:30am Fridays during Lent our students pray the “Stations of the Cross”. They are so talented and their teachers wonderful. The forth graders were responsible for the Mass – they greeted, read and wrote the “Prayers of the Faithful”. – It does a heart good to see those kids.

Mike is calling me to the Staff meeting.

I gave up a few trash novels including “Fight Club” by Chuck Palahniuk. I bought it in an airport bookstore.