What's Next?

My first goal as a Maryknoll Lay Missioner is done.  I have finished language school.  I have a piece of paper that says I have been trained in Portuguese.  I am thinking about carrying it around with me so the next time someone does not understand what I am saying I can show them my certificate (the reality is that will be tomorrow when someone does not understand my Portuguese).

So what is next for me?  Right now I am in Joao Passoa, Brazil which is in the North.  We are visiting one of the Maryknoll Sister's home.  It is a wonderful home within walking distance to the beach.  It is winter now so it is not hot but it is warm.  Today we had a lot of clouds, nonetheless, it is wonderful to be here.  We will be taking a break after a lot of hard work this year and visiting the ministry of the Sisters.

On June 3rd I will return to Sao Paulo.  The plan for now is that we will continue our orientation by living with Brazilians, learning more about ministry opportunities, and working on our Portuguese.  One way that I will do this is by volunteering in a few ministries.  What we have planned now is that I will accompany a social worker who works with young, single mothers on Monday, on Wed I will visit the woman's Prison with another Lay Missioner to work with woman over the age of 55, and one other day a week I will visit a homeless center.

I am planning on living with another Lay Missioner.  We think we will find an apartment around August. Until then I will continue to move around to other Lay Missioner homes and live with Brazilians to understand the language and culture better.  I will not lie, moving a lot is a challenging experience but also a rewarding one.  The generosity of all those to open their homes to us is overwhelming.  I am grateful to all of those who offer me the gift of hospitality.

So that is what is next for me (at least today, things change from day to day but that is the plan for now). My next plan is to go to bed so I can be ready to go the beach at 6:30AM tomorrow.  I know some of you might have your mouths open right now because you cannot believe that I will be up that early.  But for the beach in Brazil I will get my......out of bed.  Boa Noite.

My fellow language school students from all over the world

How Many Pizza's Have I Ordered?

Tonight as I sat in a Mass celebrating 25years of religious life for one of the sisters here at language school I realized something.  It was my 25 year anniversary of ministry as well.  I was such a young woman (20) when I prayed that I would find a way to serve either in the church or with the poor.  All I can say is that God acted fast because the next Sunday was Pentecost and before I knew it I was given a card to fill out to volunteer.  I chose Youth Ministry honestly because I did not understand most of the other ministries and I thought I could serve cookies and chaperone a dance.  25 years later I find myself in Brazil.  All I can say is be careful what you wish for because it may just come true and then some.

As I reflect back on the years my heart is full.  So many people have touched my life in profound ways over the years.  I think of all the young people and their families, the staffs I have worked with, the parish communities of St. John the Apostle, Our Lady of the Lake, St. Pius X and St. Cecilia's,  and all of my fellow ministers and I am overwhelmed.

How many floors have I slept on?

I started to laugh when I thought about counting the number of meetings I have been too, the amount of chairs and tables that I have stacked and unstacked, the number of people who have thrown up on me (or worse), the number of hospital visits, the number of vans I have loaded, the number of times I have rolled up a sleeping bag, the number of bowls of punch I have made or most importantly how many pizza's and Costco cakes I have ordered.

These are the daily details of a minister but they are not the ones that stay with me.  I have been so graced to be welcomed into so many people's lives.  I have been blessed to witness the faith of young people come alive, I have seen first love blossom and heartache take it's place, together we have served in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, migrant camps, and in Mexico.  We have sang and danced, we have laughed and cried.  I walked with so many people suffering from life's challenges of depression, eating disorders, drug abuse, divorce, pregnancy, abuse, and sexuality.  I have welcomed new life with you and I have helped bury you and grieve with you.  Together we have walked the road of life and the road of faith with all of its joys and with all of its sorrow.

Tonight I am grateful for my years of ministry.  For all who have been a part of it.  For my friends and family who have supported me in the good and bad times.  At Mass this evening I thought about just reflecting on this moment and letting it quietly pass because I don't want any attention, I prefer to honor it in quiet ways.  But here I am writing about it.  The reason I chose to do that was to honor and thank all of you who have shared these years with me.  You have all brought me to this moment.  I never dreamed I would be in Brazil as a Maryknoll Missioner and yet here I am.  The past has given me strength to embrace my present and my future.

St. Pius X on Mexico Mission Trip