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!

Sr. Ann Roddy, SSND

I don't even know the exact number of years that Sr. Ann Roddy has been connected with Tau House.  Well over 25 years I'd guess.  In recent years Ann has been very much a pastor to us though we can't officially call her that.  Some may recognize her as one of the artists painting on Jackson Square.  Anyone associated with Lazarus House knows of her ministry there.  Ann coordinates our activities and works closely with any priests who come to Tau to preside at our Sunday liturgy.  

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Feb 15, 2009

This coming Sunday at liturgy we will hear the story of Jesus healing a leper.  There is no one who cannot be part of God's Reign.  And the healing that takes place is not only a physical thing.  It is something for the soul, for the innermost part of us who have been touched by God somewhere, somehow, some time, in our lives.  For anyone who has been made to feel "apart" or "unclean" by others, the good news is that that kind of stuff is not the stuff of God's Reign.  All are welcome in this place.

Music I hope to use this Sunday for the liturgy:

741 - All Are Welcome

586 - Amazing Grace

742 - Gather Your People

The numbers refer to the hymnal we use at Tau House, Gather Comprehensive 2.

For a history of Tau house check out the link at right.

Just wanted to share a few photos to give you an idea of what Tau House looks like.

The worship space...

The courtyard garden...  We have some of our services out here.

Street view of Tau House.  Enter at the right of house...

In a nutshell...

The first thing I need to say is that this is not an "official" site of Tau House.  I am a member of the Tau House Community and thought it would be useful to have a site where some information about us could be posted.  It is not easy for gay and lesbian  Catholics to find a "home" where they worship and support each other.  I believe Tau House provides such a place and we want to welcome all to join us.  

This is what we are and what we do in a nutshell:

The Tau House Community is a Christ-centered faith community in the Roman Catholic tradition, open to all in the spirit of Saint Francis.

Our mission is to support each other in our journey with Christ.  We give special attention to all who feel disenfranchised and outside the usual care of the Church.  

To this end, we provide a place of prayer, liturgy, friendship, and service within the community.

Tau House is located in the French Quarter of New Orleans at 1029 Gov. Nicholls Street, New Orleans, LA 70116.

Sr. Ann Roddy coordinates the activities of Tau House and can be reached at (504) 529-3569.

Eucharist is usually celebrated at 4:15 on Sunday afternoons.  Throughout the year various other prayer services and times for reflection are offered.  My hope is to be able to post that information regularly.