Forum for Equality

Sr. Ann and I recently met with representatives from the Forum for Equality, Mary Griggs and Frank Flaspohler. The Forum is a civil rights organization dedicated to the establishment of a society free from discrimination. In an effort to work more closely with area faith communities they had contacted us and wanted to get a feel for what goes on at Tau House. Result: Tau will be listed and recommended as a place where the LGBT community is welcomed and accepted. Of course we knew that all along, but it’s nice to know there’s an organization like the Forum getting the word out for us. There’s a link to their site in the right hand column.

God Dreams

ADVENT WORKSHOP

On Wednesday evenings in Advent we'll be taking a look at Archbishop Desmond Tutu's book God Has a Dream. We'll be listening to sections of the book as read by the archbishop. A Soup & Bread supper as well as discussion time round out the evening.

Maybe this is the reason you need to get back to Tau House.

Come on back and pick up where you left off.

Wednesdays in December

(2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd)

6 to 8 PM.

November

All The Saints

A place of beauty and prayer, the courtyard at Tau House also triggers our memories every time we touch the names engraved at our feet. The firm foundation on which we walk almost gives way as memory transports us backward and forward. Oh, how I wanna be in that number….

Every now and then it is good to name the names. Every year for this ever-so-New Orleans Feast Day we begin our prayer in this holy place. Below are listed all those who have been important to someone at Tau and whose names are inscribed there. If by chance you notice that a name is missing from this list please let us know.

George L. Anderson

Joann Joy Arambasich and Bro.Ed’s family

Julie Arbaud

Barry Coyle, OFM

Blaine Family, Adele, Pierre, Elaine

Tom Boderlon

Alan Bose

Troy Brown

Tony Chabera

Mr. F. P. Coogan Sr.

Merlin Douth

Catherine Dunne

Mike Early

Fasnacht Family

Patrick Fogarty

Dee Dee, Gendusa Family

Bruce Gillen

Godchaux & Bruce Families

Fran & Larry Green

Paul Aaron Greensberg

Stephanie Hall and parents

Louise and Bennett Voorhies

Daryl Hancock

Dr Daniel Herrera

Cecelia Hodge

Sr. Jane Kraus, CSJ

Kenneth Kuhn

Lasseigne Family

Jutta Latterman

Erick C Lee

Lin & Eli

Charles and Mary Mallinson

Simone Mallinson

Patrick McCarthy

Eduardo Marvez-Valle

Louis Masset Family

Edward and Elizabeth McElha

Doug Massey

Tom Murphy

Terry Murata

Paul and Joe Nicholson

Gratian Nosal OFM

Joseph William Parrino

May and Zig Pawell, Fr. Bob’s parents

Ismael Pena

Danny Perry

A. Pratt R Provosty

P. Provosty & children

Chester and Lillian Robichaux

Hugh and Loretta Roddy

William Romine

Kelly A Ryan & Family

Jim Shepard

Robert Shepard

Smith Family

Tim Snyder

Todd Taylor

Bette Taylor

Renza Terrebonne

Wendel Zane Thompson

Anna Tomeczek

Kevin Viola

Jessie Walker III

Mike Wech

Wech & Ferris Families

Esther B Wessel

Louis A Wessel

Robert Wessel

Margaret M Wessel

Linda A. Wessel

Chuck West

Wiesbrook Family

Mr. & Mrs. H. H. Winn

Mr. H.H. Winn Jr

Arthur Wojciechowski

Reggie Young

Summer Reflections...

Mathias on the windmill

Our mini-hayride

This past summer, Henri, a member of the Tau House community, spent some time with me up in Ohio. He offers his reflections below.

The great thing about vacations is that they give memories meant to last. Since it still feels like summer in New Orleans, I think it's still OK that I offer a blog here about mine.

Being from New Orleans I have already done: hurrications with Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. Also staycations (they’re cheap and I really like my own bed a lot!). But this time I did it all differently and I actually did a vacation.

Billy Edwards invited me up to his family's place called Crystal BrookFarm, near Chagrin Falls, Ohio. It’s some 40 "motorist" minutes outside of Cleveland. I've

never been to Ohio. He invited me and is a gracious host. I needed to just see someplace new, to change my mind and the scenery. It's been a year since the house is repaired and we are back in it. So with those and so many other good reasons, I took the plane up to Ohio.

Is it cloying to say this was all a miracle for me? A different way of seeing my world? The day before I left, I went to visit a friend I met years ago on a Handicap Encounter Christ retreat. The miracle began when it turned out by accident and coincidence that of all the days I chose to see Mike again after 5 years, it was his birthday. I brought him a nice journaling book so my gift was a birthday gift and this was the first time that he, his mom and I all found ourselves in the same place. After she left, he treated me to dinner where we both didn't eat the liver.

I hadn't flown since ’02. and didn't feel like going through the TSA screening, but I was able to bring some of the blueberries for snacking that I had picked and also tea bags of my preference so it wasn't bad.

I landed at Akron/Canton airport some 5 hours later after changing planes in Atlanta. Billy picked me up. There at the farm waited Mathias Verheyen and his sisters Desiree and Sophie who had arrived the day before. All of us at Tau had met Mathias this past Mardi Gras. (Cf. blog entry below “Southern Hospitality”.) Here he was again, this time with his sisters, making a month long tour of the Midwest and Metropolitan corridors. This was a treat for them especially since Mathias had completed his soup kitchen work, Desiree had just graduated from university and Sophie had found a job in her field of counseling. It was also a treat for me to see Mathias again and to be here at Billy's family's farm after all these years knowing him only in New Orleans because of Tau House. I was here for all these good reasons and not out of the drama of the crisis of fleeing for one's own life.

So it was fun to so many different degrees: encouraging Sophie in her English as she encouraged me in my German; going to Chagrin Falls and checking out the waterfalls; shopping at an Amish farm road side stand for some fresh produce for the traditional German meal they would cook for us. Just looking out over lake Erie for the first time and just doing it though we were tired and couldn't decide what else to do. Walking through Cleveland on a beautiful sunny day (without New Orleans' humidity!) with Mathias thinking we could make the long trek on foot from Tower City down to the Museum of Art then but then deciding to take the bus instead. Meeting Billy's parents. Having the calm and silence at the farm interrupted twice by honking Canada Geese arriving to rest on the pond then also departing for their next leg of their journey. Taking a hayride and witnessing the chutzpah of youth as Mathias climbed up a windmill. Just being able to gaze out on a field, a pond and woods, noticing different butterflies and flowering plants that are indigenous to this part of North America. Picking flowers out the field - of which Queen Anne's Lace I had never seen before - for the place setting for the traditional meal of Kartoffelsalat mit Frikadel that Mathias, Desiree and Sophie prepared. And just enjoying this final meal with them on Saturday evening. They would leave early Sunday morning by Greyhound bus for NYC. Waiting with them at the station I was remembering how it was for me when I was that age and traveled around Europe with friends after we had completed our studies abroad...

The Falls at Chagrin Falls, Ohio

I was on my way to Columbus to see a friend who couldn't return to New Orleans because of Katrina and her health. The next miracle for me was that I accepted the complicated circumstances of what I would go through to get to see her, if only for just a couple of hours. I let go of what would be comfortable or the ideal situation for me and in the end I figured it out. I said good-bye to Mathias, Desiree and Sophie at 2:30 a.m. and then waited for my bus to leave at 4:30 a.m.

Henri André Fourroux III

With Billy's Family

Making Hay

Most of the regulars at Tau House know that I'm up in Ohio being a farmer and landscaper for my regular 5 month stint. We've just finished getting in our first cutting of hay and I thought I'd share a few photos. Haymaking is prayer for me. Instead of beads on a rosary I have row after row of hay to deal with. With each row I call to mind a different person.

So here's the process... The machine below is called a haybine. It cuts the grass at its base. It only cuts it once (not like a lawnmower). It then pushes the hay through those big black rollers where it is crushed and bent so that it will dry more easily. It then spits it out the back.

On the 2nd day of the process the hay is "tedded". This machine spins around and turns the hay over so that what is still wet is exposed to the sun for a day or so.

On the 3rd day, the hay is raked back into rows and then the baler picks it up, compresses it, cuts it into rectangles, and spits it out the back. Our baler has a "kicker" on the back which throws the bales into the wagon that is attached behind the baler.

In the video below you'll see my faithful coworkers who accompany me in the tractor. They make sure the wheels keep going around!

Video

Blessings

One of the Tau traditions is offering blessing to anyone in our community who is undergoing a significant illness, making a big change in life, marking an anniversary or some other important milestone.  At the end of the liturgy we gather in a circle around the person or persons, extend our hands toward them, and sing the Old Testament blessing - 

May God bless and keep you. 

May God's face shine on you. 

May God be kind to you and give you peace.

Yesterday we marked Kevin and Chris' marriage anniversary with such a blessing and I was lucky enough to catch some of it in the short video below.  For you readers far from us, I hope it jogs a good memory for you.

A Look at Easter & Holy Week

I’m not going to post a lot of words about our Holy Week prayer but rather will let the pictures speak for themselves.   Thanks to all for doing their part in bringing it all together.  Especially to Henri for his leading voice.   The place was thick with prayer. 

A word about the Easter Candle.  It was a labor of love.  The closet in the chapel was full of remnants of old candles from many years of Easters at Tau House.   Witnesses to many hours of prayer and people who have graced Tau at one time or another.  As I was breaking them up and melting them, a single honey bee appeared out of nowhere as if to reclaim its wax or just to taste some of its sweetness.  It ended up in the candle along with all those prayers and hopes.  Turned into the real light  of Christ.

I learned how to upload a video so there's a few seconds of Ralph at the blessing of the new fire. Just click on the "play" button. 

 

Also from Quincy

Eric, another student from Quincy, wrote the following about his time in New Orleans:

We as Catholics and as good people of this earth are called to serve and to help one another. What better way to do this than to partake in a mission trip to New Orleans, Louisiana and serve those whose lives have been ruined by Hurricane Katrina. Thanks to the generous donations from friends of Brother Ed, a few of us from Quincy University were able to do just that. With no costs keeping us from serving, we were able to help in what little ways we could. As with most mission trips, we were able to help with gardening, cleaning of windows, and other tasks that are hard for others to accomplish. However, we were serving in more than one way. We were able to serve not only the ministry of labor but also the ministry of presence. On this trip in particular, we spent time hearing the stories from the residents of Lazarus House, a home for those suffering from HIV. Many were delighted to share their stories with us and to make connections with us. One man, an immigrant from Cuba, felt so comfortable with us that he decided to play matchmaker with a few of us and some girls that were working on a different mission trip. Getting to know the residents was, for me, the most important part. That is where the real relationships are developed. I learned so much and will be forever changed. Thanks to Brother Ed and those who help to support his cause, New Orleans is no longer just a city on a map, but a city with great culture and a city made up of actual faces. I hope that in our efforts, we can help to be a face for them from elsewhere in the country showing that they are cared for. Thanks so much!

 

Eric Steitz

From Fr. Bob

This note from Bob Pawell was hidden away in one of the comments...

Friends I want you to know that I shall be visiting New Orleans from March 20- 27th. I hope to see you at that time.

Fr. Bob

The Quincy Connection

I just received a note from Bro. Ed. Two of the guys who came down with him from Quincy wrote short reflections on their experience in New Orleans. They are a reminder that part of the Tau House tradition is that we are a place that allows for growth.

My New Orleans experience was great. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my time off from school and work but to do service. This trip was a retreat and a service project because it was filled with helping others and self-reflection. When I wasn’t doing direct service, I was learning things about life and myself as we would spend time just talking with people and listening to their stories. This took me by surprise as I originally thought the trip would be service followed by recreation. Little did I know that the trip constantly offers something to be learned granted that one is open enough to let it do so. I found out that this whole experience is something well worth having because it taught me to truly listen to people and it opened my eyes to things bigger than myself even more.

Mike Varrone

Going to New Orleans with Brother Ed is a life changing experience. It does not matter how many times you go down, you will always learn something new. I always go down with the intention of learning something and becoming a better person. It is tough for a person to change but I would have to say that this trip makes it easy. When I return I always feel like a better person and that is because of the people I meet in NO. The feeling can last anywhere from a brief second to many months. It does not matter how long it lasts, because even with the shortest amount of time you can say the trip was a success. This is all due to Bro Ed. Without him many people would not be who they are today. He changes people for the better. He is unbelievable. He truly is my hero.

Brian Silverstein

Southern Hospitality

Tau House has been host to all kinds of people lately.  Back at Mardi Gras time, we had 3 visitors from Germany -  Christophe, Mathias, and Carina.  They are currently fulfilling their country’s requirement of doing either a year of military or community service for a year.  They work in a shelter and soup kitchen in Chicago 

called "House of Mary and Joseph." It’s part of the Franciscan Outreach Program.  Fr. Manuel Borg ofm made the connection with Tau House.   They said not many young people realize that they can actually do this service in a foreign country.  Mathias wrote me:  “The only thing I would like to mention is that we really had a great time and that we were really lucky that we to got to know all of you.”

Brother Ed recently brought three students down from the Franciscan University in Quincy, IL.  Ed has been unceasing in his support of Tau House even though he no longer resides there.  They spent time with the Poor Clare Sisters uptown, at Project Lazarus and at Tau.  Window washing and gardening were on the agenda with us.  A big thanks is in order.

And finally, we hosted another Listening Circle with students and leaders from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee..  What struck me as different about this group was their concern with the “Big Picture”.   Learning about Katrina was important.  But discovering the inter-connectedness of all justice issues was a goal. Kevin led the animated prayer group and he and Chris spoke of their recent ministry in Kenya.  This group of young women deserves some kind of award for their intense interest, yearning for justice, and liveliness!  You will make the world a place where it is easier to be good.  Thank you for being with us.

Holy Week begins April 5th with Palm Sunday celebrations. From Holy Thursday through the Easter Vigil Fr. Ralph will be with us again for those liturgies.  Stay tuned. 

 

 

A Dazzling White...

I get tired of religious language.  “God’s calling you to do this or that…”  or some other line we hear over and over again.   I don’t necessarily mean that I get tired of the truth behind the words.  But I do get tired of the way we say it time and time again.  Words can become meaningless.

This Sunday it’s all about Abraham getting ready to sacrifice Isaac and he gets a call from God saying he doesn’t have to do it, because God’s seen enough and knows he’s a faithful person. 

What happens, once we hear the names of the main characters, is that our brains go on auto-play and tell us the rest as we remember it, no matter what words are read aloud to us.  And then we miss maybe what are the most important words.  

And those words are that all of you descendants of Sarah and Abraham have to be a blessing yourselves.  You have inside your little sweet selves the awesome power to make the mystery of God known and present wherever you are.  In the end, isn’t that what blessing is all about?  A moment, a dazzling spark of energy that lights the way and allows someone to say: “It is good to be here.” 

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Don’t forget about the Wednesdays in Lent at Tau House  -  simple prayer and supper.  A few moments out of the week to refuel the blessing.  6:00 p.m.

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Community Meeting following the liturgy NEXT Sunday March 15th.

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Songs for Sunday

GC2-398 | Hold Us in Your Mercy

GC2-798 | Covenant Hymn

GC2-771 | 'Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here

________________________

Missing : If found please return to 1029 Gov Nicholl's Street

A Colorful Lent

In this day and age of Google, you can find out anything you want about Lent.  Conservative to liberal thinking.  I’m not going to add anything to those mountains of writings --  much of which is good, and probably more of which is not all that good, theologically speaking. 

One thing that attracts so many of us to Tau House is its simplicity.  Keeping it simple is what it is all about.  Spiritually, liturgically, and lifestyle – simplicity is at the core of Franciscan spirituality which inspired the founders of Tau House.  I’d guess their advice for Lent would be the same – Keep It Simple.

On the Wednesdays of Lent we’ll have some simple things:  prayer, a simple meal, and a short discussion.  Nothing that goes on all night.  Join us for whatever part of the evening suits you.  We start at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel.

Scripture for the First Sunday of Lent includes the story of Noah, the flood, and the rainbow.  Everybody knows we like rainbows at Tau House.  A quick Wikipedia search told me that the rainbow flag has been used by lots of groups through history.   I especially liked the rainbow of prayer flags in Nepal.  We can be simple in Lent as well as colorful. 

Music for Sunday  -  Somebody’s Knockin’ at Your Door, Hosea, Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley.

I was lucky enough to catch this rainbow over my family's barn in Ohio.

From the "Joy" of Mardi Gras to ...

The Tau community will recognize the beginning of the Lenten season on Wednesday, February 25^th, 2009,  at  a service of Word and Communion at 6:00 p.m.  We will have the blessing and distribution of ashes at that time.  

After the Joy of Carnival, why not take some time with us to slow down and begin this Lenten journey.  As much as God is present in all the fun and merriment of Mardi Gras, Lent gives us an opportunity to take off the costumes and masks that disguise our real selves.  Time to get honest with ourselves and God.  

We will also have a series of evening prayer and discussion times on the Wednesdays of Lent.  Stay tuned for more info...

Finding Grace in Katrina: Listening Circles

Since Katrina, a new ministry has emerged at Tau House.  Tens of thousands of college age volunteers have blanketed the city with their love and hard work helping us recover from this hurricane.  By word of mouth, some groups have heard about Tau House and have come to us for hospitality and prayer.  We have had what we call “Listening Circles.”  After a few days of volunteer work these students would gather at Tau to hear our stories and reflect on their experience in a prayerful setting.  It’s all about putting faces on the facts and figures of Katrina.  To say the experience is “moving” is an understatement.   These people’s lives are changed.  It’s not a ministry that Tau House “planned” to do; it just happened-- an answer to a call, and it's perhaps all the more satisfying because of that.   We recently hosted a group from Brown University and received a thank you that is below…

Dear Sr. Ann & Everyone at Tau House,

Thank you all so much for such a wonderful experience at the Tau House last month!  Our Brown-RISD Catholic students were deeply touched by your hospitality and by the beautiful spirituality evident in the community.  The listening circle was lauded as THE event of the week, as they loved the opportunity to reflect on their time thus far and hear from their peers & from all of you.  I, too, was thankful that they were able to experience a NEW prayer form that they could be the authors of, in a sense.

We were also deeply touched by your hospitality in feeding us dinner.  I absolutely hated that we had to rush so much, & I hope you all know how thankful we truly were.  Our group was noticeably closer on Thursday morning and I’m still hearing about how much everyone loved you all & the Tau House community, even as we’ve settled in back on campus.  Many, many blessings on your continued ministry – we will certainly be back!