As I write this entry for my blog, I am staring out of my second story window overlooking rolling fields of green dotted by sheep and goats. Such has been my bedroom view for nearly 9 weeks. The site of newborn lambs, kid goats, and the occasional family of badgers who come out after dusk remind me that I am in an environment that is very different from life in the big city (if Fresno can be called a big city). Rural England has provided me with much needed shelter from the sound of traffic, blaring music, telephones and the constant chatter of people so that I could enter into these 90 days without outside distraction. And, just in case that environment was not enough to convince me of the importance of slowing my pace, the weather here has imposed itself in such a way as to prevent me from doing more than I should! In the month of May alone, we received four inches of rain. Even as I sit at my computer writing these words, we have been hit with another rainstorm. The wind makes its way through the old windows of this building howling as it passes through. The rain batters the roof creating a constant rhythm which can lull one to sleep! The clouds are dark and threatening and pass over as on some quick journey to another place. Yet, even as I begin to lament the wet weather, the sun will peak out for a brief moment to remind us that it is still present and that, in time, it will invite us outside to enjoy the warmth of its rays. In the meantime, we are encouraged to remain still and let nature have her way. I am reminded that I am only one small part of a big world (and even bigger cosmos) which God has wondrously brought into being.
In today’s session, we heard how God’s plan of salvation includes all of creation. Even the smallest parts of creation play some role in the unfolding of God’s plan of redemption and salvation. Each aspect of the created world is interconnected and interdependent (as we are seeing now in the environmental issues confronting us). But the centerpiece of this eternal plan is the human person who finds his/her identity and meaning in the person of Jesus. In Jesus, we see a person who was one with the created world. He valued all life and, in his suffering, death and resurrection, he redeemed all life. Not only did Jesus’ work of salvation bring hope and new life to the human person, but to all creation. As St. Paul writes in Romans: “All creation groans as it awaits its redemption.” That redemption is made possible through the person of Jesus whose reign is embracing all of the universe and its parts. This is what we proclaim in our Creed when we say of Christ, “through him all things were made.”
How interesting that such a leap of faith can be made by simply pausing and reflecting on the beauty of the world around us! In the face of creation, we can only stand in awe of the Creator whose love has been made known to us in the person of Jesus— the Lord of heaven and earth. This is what has been shared with me over the course of these past several weeks in both rain and shine.
I am thankful for the time I have been here and hope to bring the spirit of this experience back with me to my ministry
Fr. Perry
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
a perfect 10
My 12 weeks of sabbatical are not just about traveling, I have been participating in various workshops as well.
Each week, we have a speaker who facilitates a morning workshop. The topics have ranged from The Journey Into the Inner Self, Our Story as Spirituality, the Beginning of the Gospels, The End of the Gospels, and The Journey Into the Inner Self (part 2). In the remaining weeks, we will have presentations on topics such as Jesus: An Unfinished Portrait, Issues Facing the Church, etc. Each morning has 90 minutes of workshop time (with appropriate tea/coffee break). As you might imagine, 31 priests and religious have lots to say about these topics and our discussion is always lively.
On Tuesday afternoon, I am involved in a 1 hour workshop on the Enneagram. The Enneagram is a personality/spirituality inventory which helps us identify certain qualities and traits that are operative within us. I don’t know if it means anything to you, but I am a “9” on the Enneagram. This “category” identifies certain leadership strengths and weaknesses which are evident in our particular ministries. I have to say that the Enneagram as a tool is very accurate and has confirmed a certain self-knowledge on my part.
On Thursday afternoons, I am involved in a small workshop called Ministry Concerns. This session addresses particular needs of people in ministry. I became aware of the fact that most of the members of the group are nearing the end of their ministries as they look forward to retirement. Some of them are leaving mission territory and returning to their native homes. A few of the younger members (like me) take a look into the future to discern the direction of our own ministries. I have found a lot of helpful insight and affirmation for my parish ministry. Let's just say that I have no plans to take up another career.
Friday afternoon is free time but I decided to take a class on watercolors. As some of you know, I have tried my hand at painting but never with water colors. So far, I have painted a tree, a flower, the sky and water. Now the real challenge is to put all of this together on one page and not make a mess! Someone in the group told me to keep my day job. I think they are right.
One thing that has become evident to me through all of these classes and workshops is how God has been part of my life’s journey. This is becoming increasingly clear to me as I have taken time these past several weeks to reflect on my ministry. After 20 years of priesthood, I realize just how blessed I have been. Yes, there is room for growth and change and the future years will see such things. Still, I am grateful for what has been and I am excited about what is to come.
Fr. Perry
Each week, we have a speaker who facilitates a morning workshop. The topics have ranged from The Journey Into the Inner Self, Our Story as Spirituality, the Beginning of the Gospels, The End of the Gospels, and The Journey Into the Inner Self (part 2). In the remaining weeks, we will have presentations on topics such as Jesus: An Unfinished Portrait, Issues Facing the Church, etc. Each morning has 90 minutes of workshop time (with appropriate tea/coffee break). As you might imagine, 31 priests and religious have lots to say about these topics and our discussion is always lively.
On Tuesday afternoon, I am involved in a 1 hour workshop on the Enneagram. The Enneagram is a personality/spirituality inventory which helps us identify certain qualities and traits that are operative within us. I don’t know if it means anything to you, but I am a “9” on the Enneagram. This “category” identifies certain leadership strengths and weaknesses which are evident in our particular ministries. I have to say that the Enneagram as a tool is very accurate and has confirmed a certain self-knowledge on my part.
On Thursday afternoons, I am involved in a small workshop called Ministry Concerns. This session addresses particular needs of people in ministry. I became aware of the fact that most of the members of the group are nearing the end of their ministries as they look forward to retirement. Some of them are leaving mission territory and returning to their native homes. A few of the younger members (like me) take a look into the future to discern the direction of our own ministries. I have found a lot of helpful insight and affirmation for my parish ministry. Let's just say that I have no plans to take up another career.
Friday afternoon is free time but I decided to take a class on watercolors. As some of you know, I have tried my hand at painting but never with water colors. So far, I have painted a tree, a flower, the sky and water. Now the real challenge is to put all of this together on one page and not make a mess! Someone in the group told me to keep my day job. I think they are right.
One thing that has become evident to me through all of these classes and workshops is how God has been part of my life’s journey. This is becoming increasingly clear to me as I have taken time these past several weeks to reflect on my ministry. After 20 years of priesthood, I realize just how blessed I have been. Yes, there is room for growth and change and the future years will see such things. Still, I am grateful for what has been and I am excited about what is to come.
Fr. Perry
Friday, June 8, 2007
Try on a kilt
Just having returned from seven days in Scotland, I had to take a few moments to remember all that I saw and did. Let’s start with geography.
Scotland is really a beautiful mix of lochs (lakes), glens (valleys) and mountains (bens). Even though it can be seriously cold and stormy as one travels north of England, we were blessed with sunshine and a steady sea breeze throughout. Interestingly, the sun doesn’t seem to set in Scotland. We were blessed with a colorful horizon until 10 PM or so every evening. By 4:30 am it was alright daylight!
Edinburgh (pronounced Edin-burrow) is an ancient city—now a busy metropolis. We attended Sunday morning Mass at the Roman Catholic Cathedral. The priest was a young Scot with a delightful accent who gave a nice homily to about 1000 people at the 11:30 AM Mass. I noticed that the liturgy was a mix of old and new. A choir of about 20 people sang most of the Mass parts in Latin (including the Gloria and Creed). They processed into the Mass singing and did the same for the recessional. For Communion, we knelt at the Communion rail while the priest and a woman lay minister distributed Communion. Communion cups were optional over to one side. At the end of the Mass everyone knelt for the final prayer and blessing. Following Mass, everyone was invited into a cafeteria where lunch was served. Some of us enjoyed fresh croissants, jam and coffee or tea. I introduced myself to him after Mass as a visiting American priest. He was shocked and said, "I haven't seen the likes of your kind around here! Will you have a wee bit of tea with us?"
Next, we walked to Edinburgh Castle which overlooks the city. Built on an ancient volcano, its high walls are surrounded by lava rock. Inside the castle, we were able to visit various rooms such as the royal residence (where King James VI was born), the crown jewels, the great hall where knight’s armor and weapons are displayed, and a special room where the “stone of destiny” sits—an ancient squared stone on which medieval kings were crowned. Statues in the castle reminded me of the important figures of Scottish history: King Robert the Bruce, William Wallace and more. We were also privileged to witness a marriage ceremony between an American and Scotsman. He was dressed in formal kilt while she was in traditional white. After they were married, a wonderful bagpiper let loose on his pipes!
The next day we visited Loch Lomond—the largest fresh water loch (lake) in Britain. We took a tour boat around the loch where we were able to see huge castles and estates where some of the rich and famous have stayed. In the nearby village of Luss, we visited a small church (Church of Scotland) which was celebrating its 1,500th anniversary! While the present building was built in the 1800’s, the parish itself has existed for 1,500 years! The minister was dressed in tartan pants (red plaid) and a long black overcoat with a Roman collar. He was the epitome of a Scotsman and was very hospitable as he welcomed our group of Roman Catholics into his Church! Apparently, he has a large outreach to students from Europe who come to his parish for retreats and mission work.
The last few days of our time were spent in the seacoast city of Oban. Oban is an important link to the islands which sit off the west coast of Scotland. Among the most famous is Iona. Iona was the place to which St. Columba came bringing Christianity to the region. The old abbey was built in the 6th century and is surrounded by huge Celtic crosses—some dating back 1000 years or so. Nearby are the ruins of an old "nunnery" Iona is a peaceful island with only a few hundred residents. From the mainland, it takes about 40 minutes to arrive by ferry boat.
One of the more laid back events during our time in Scotland was a visit to a little distillery which makes some of the finest Scotch Whiskey in the area. Not only were we treated to some samples but enjoyed a great meal that evening with Scottish dancers, fiddlers and bagpipes. Outside the restaurant is the most important thing in the area—a highland cow that is the biggest animal I’ve seen up close. Highland bulls are covered with long fur and a huge set of horns. I took some great photos of him (his name is Hamish).
Other sites in Scotland included a trip to a cemetery that has Viking gravestones, a brief visit to Loch Ness (no monster to be seen), and some smaller castles along the Scottish coast. All in all, it was a memorable seven days.
And, no, I didn't try on a kilt!
Fr. Perry
Scotland is really a beautiful mix of lochs (lakes), glens (valleys) and mountains (bens). Even though it can be seriously cold and stormy as one travels north of England, we were blessed with sunshine and a steady sea breeze throughout. Interestingly, the sun doesn’t seem to set in Scotland. We were blessed with a colorful horizon until 10 PM or so every evening. By 4:30 am it was alright daylight!
Edinburgh (pronounced Edin-burrow) is an ancient city—now a busy metropolis. We attended Sunday morning Mass at the Roman Catholic Cathedral. The priest was a young Scot with a delightful accent who gave a nice homily to about 1000 people at the 11:30 AM Mass. I noticed that the liturgy was a mix of old and new. A choir of about 20 people sang most of the Mass parts in Latin (including the Gloria and Creed). They processed into the Mass singing and did the same for the recessional. For Communion, we knelt at the Communion rail while the priest and a woman lay minister distributed Communion. Communion cups were optional over to one side. At the end of the Mass everyone knelt for the final prayer and blessing. Following Mass, everyone was invited into a cafeteria where lunch was served. Some of us enjoyed fresh croissants, jam and coffee or tea. I introduced myself to him after Mass as a visiting American priest. He was shocked and said, "I haven't seen the likes of your kind around here! Will you have a wee bit of tea with us?"
Next, we walked to Edinburgh Castle which overlooks the city. Built on an ancient volcano, its high walls are surrounded by lava rock. Inside the castle, we were able to visit various rooms such as the royal residence (where King James VI was born), the crown jewels, the great hall where knight’s armor and weapons are displayed, and a special room where the “stone of destiny” sits—an ancient squared stone on which medieval kings were crowned. Statues in the castle reminded me of the important figures of Scottish history: King Robert the Bruce, William Wallace and more. We were also privileged to witness a marriage ceremony between an American and Scotsman. He was dressed in formal kilt while she was in traditional white. After they were married, a wonderful bagpiper let loose on his pipes!
The next day we visited Loch Lomond—the largest fresh water loch (lake) in Britain. We took a tour boat around the loch where we were able to see huge castles and estates where some of the rich and famous have stayed. In the nearby village of Luss, we visited a small church (Church of Scotland) which was celebrating its 1,500th anniversary! While the present building was built in the 1800’s, the parish itself has existed for 1,500 years! The minister was dressed in tartan pants (red plaid) and a long black overcoat with a Roman collar. He was the epitome of a Scotsman and was very hospitable as he welcomed our group of Roman Catholics into his Church! Apparently, he has a large outreach to students from Europe who come to his parish for retreats and mission work.
The last few days of our time were spent in the seacoast city of Oban. Oban is an important link to the islands which sit off the west coast of Scotland. Among the most famous is Iona. Iona was the place to which St. Columba came bringing Christianity to the region. The old abbey was built in the 6th century and is surrounded by huge Celtic crosses—some dating back 1000 years or so. Nearby are the ruins of an old "nunnery" Iona is a peaceful island with only a few hundred residents. From the mainland, it takes about 40 minutes to arrive by ferry boat.
One of the more laid back events during our time in Scotland was a visit to a little distillery which makes some of the finest Scotch Whiskey in the area. Not only were we treated to some samples but enjoyed a great meal that evening with Scottish dancers, fiddlers and bagpipes. Outside the restaurant is the most important thing in the area—a highland cow that is the biggest animal I’ve seen up close. Highland bulls are covered with long fur and a huge set of horns. I took some great photos of him (his name is Hamish).
Other sites in Scotland included a trip to a cemetery that has Viking gravestones, a brief visit to Loch Ness (no monster to be seen), and some smaller castles along the Scottish coast. All in all, it was a memorable seven days.
And, no, I didn't try on a kilt!
Fr. Perry
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