This is the church I work at
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Wow...
There's something really sickening about this. 1 in 4 children of the Scranton area. An average part of the united states to say the least...
Another rainy day
Once again NEPA is hit with another grey cloud...happy first day of fall.
So long summer. We had a good, sunny, run.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
All is Lost. Hope Remains.
For those that have not heard, and I would expect there are probably a lot of you...Northeast PA and NY state were greatly affected by recent flooding. By I mean greatly I mean severely. It was not Katrina size damage, but for this part of the United States, an area that is not normally used to natural disasters and the like...it was pretty devastating.
When I had first heard about the flooding and the damage it had done to the area, I had wanted to help in any way possible. I am currently residing in Scranton, PA which, although not affected by the flooding, is surrounded by towns that were severely affected. This is my new community and I wanted to do something to help. However, like with any natural disaster, it is hard to know where to even begin. Things like this do so much damage and it's hard to know where or how to help. Like, what usually is the case, I just kept the people affected by it in my prayers, and hoped that something would come up that would allow me to assist.
Of course, because my life is perfect (jokes)...something did come up. One of my roommates received an email about an elderly couple that needed some help moving some things out of their house and cleaning up their property so four of us took our Saturday morning to go and see what we could do.
They lived in a cabin right on the water overlooking a gorgeous waterfall. In their backyard was a dumpster and hundreds of their belongings just lying in the grass, covered in mud. An older man named Herb told us to start taking the stuff in the yard and throwing it in the dumpster. Among these belongings were old videotapes, photo albums, books, and other sort of treasures that this couple had saved throughout their forty years of marriage.
When you think about it is just stuff. We think they are priceless treasures, but it does come down to just stuff. However, this couple has saved them and at some point in time they represented a great deal of importance to them. They were memories, good and bad. They were special occasions. They were history.
We spent an entire Saturday taking this couple's collected mud covered memories and moving them into the dumpster. The wife was so thankful that we could help, and I was grateful to have the opportunity.
However, the entire time I could not imagine if this had happened to my house. My family, like this couple, keeps everything. We have old family photos, old memorabilia from little league, books, and every other thing we haven't looked at in years but can't part without, because it is still all sitting happily in my basement.
If a flood were to come sweeping through northern New Jersey and take all of this from my house, ruining it, and scattering it across my lawn: I would be devastated. It is unimaginable for me.
I associate natural disasters with people like Herb and his wife, because I don't personally know them and throwing out their belongings was sad, but manageable...they were not my memories I was throwing out.
A few days later I checked in with a friend from Binghamton, NY and see how her family made out with the flooding. She informed me that her family lost their house.
Suddenly the disaster was closer to me than I had ever thought. It was not just an elderly couple who I had no ties to who lost everything. It was a friend who had always had a stable home and life and suddenly, with one bad rainstorm...lost all her childhood memories.
Naturally, I wanted to help again, but how do you replace the irreplaceable? How do you help someone who has lost everything?
In truth the things that these people have lost are just that...things. They are stuff that we put in basements, say we can't live without, but forget were ever there until we realize they are gone.
Both families who have lost their possessions still have their family, they still have relationships, and more importantly...from all that...they have hope.
When we have community and relationships we can rebuild, we can modify our lifestyles. Losing everything is so unimaginable because we stress so much importance on materials and things. When we lose things from our past, we feel as if we lose our entire memories. However, when we have family, community, and other relationships...we can make more memories.
Just like the elderly couple: we can rebuild.
It's hard to do that, we don't know where to begin. Just like my community who so desperately wanted to help out those around us we don't know where to begin with rebuilding our whole lives.
I can't really imagine losing everything my family owns. I don't know the loss and pain that must feel like. However, I have seen those who have be gracious and humbled by this loss and realize the most important thing: they still have each other, and there's still hope to move on and grow.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Wait, Something Happened Ten Years Ago This Week?
I'm about to say something pretty crazy, and ya'll will probably severely judge me for what's about to be typed...but, really, if I have to see one more headline that discusses the ten year anniversary of 9/11 approaching this weekend, I will shoot myself.
Okay, maybe not shoot myself, but I will continue to get pissed as hell...as I have been lately.
Is this a little over dramatic? Probably, but bear with me for a little bit.
So I am one of those ever so trendy people with an iPad and a smartphone. Yes, so snobby of me, I know. However, this also means that I am just 5 seconds and a tap away from the latest news, which normally is great. I find out all the latest world news. Normally, when I read the news on my iPad I feel so intellectual. Of course, I am...I am a college grad after all.
Instead of reading about the issues in Somalia, the current economic crisis in our own country, or who exactly hit Reese Witherspoon when she was jogging. All that is being covered is different coverage of the ten year anniversary of 9/11.
How insensitive is this of me? Rereading this I am slightly cringing that I am writing this, but it is actually how I feel and not just me trying to be controversial. Is there something wrong with me for not wanting to hear the stories of different peoples take on that day?
I don't think I am a terrible person, to be honest. I remember exactly where I was that day, just like any other person in the world that fateful day. I was in 7th grade and a prime victim of what many have been calling the "9/11 generation". I am from Northern New Jersey...a prime target for those that were deeply affected by the attacks on 9/11. My father was in New York City that day. I attended funerals, and memorial services. Friends of mine were never the same. People I know went off to fight the war on terror; a family friend left his new baby and wife behind, never to return from that war.
I have emotions for 9/11. I have deep emotions that I have carried with me since that Tuesday morning that my guidance counselor pulled me out of gym class; emotions that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I know everyone has a story from that day. Some stories are extremely courageous. Some extremely sad. Other stories are very mundane. They saw the news, were very disturbed, but did not know anyone and were not severely affected. While reading these stories can be encouraging, uplifting or inspirational...I have my own story. I look upon that day with reverence and thanksgiving that my father and family was safe. I also look upon that day and get the stereotypical feeling of nationalism that many have forgotten. I felt united to my country, an emotion I have not felt since in my short lifetime.
While seeing these news stories remind me that my generation was so severely affected by 9/11 more than others: it is also unnecessary. I know my "9/11 generation" missed out on the things that others before us had experienced and that we acclimated and became used to things that those after us never even knew about (traveling without TSA going crazy? without the name Bin Laden in our dictionary).
My generation grew up with bigotry towards the entire religion of Islam. My generation pioneered a campaign of conspiracy theories about that 9/11. (Seriously if you want 2 quick ways to piss me off...do one of those). When we see the opening credits to old movies that highlight the NYC skyline and see the twin towers...we cringe a little bit.
Ten years after that day...I honestly do not need to be reminded of that pain. I want to be reminded of that reverence and thanksgiving that I felt on that actual day. I also, most importantly, want to be reminded of that patriotism I felt after that day: the unity and respect of my country. As a nation, if all we are reporting on is the past, how are we showing that we have grown since 9/11? We know how changed we are. We know how bad that day was and the long term effects. What have we done to keep that patriotism? Are we even trying?
Almost eleven years ago this January a very dear and close family friend of mine, Ruth Lauto, died. She was an older lady that we called Aunt Ruth and had an extreme passion for life. She was, at 12 years old, my hero. Everything about her life, I loved. It was the highlight of my day being able to see her. Her death was very sudden for me. It rocked my twelve year old life. I was never the same after that, and I never will be the same. However, ten years later I look upon the life of my Aunt Ruth with a smile. I remember her and my time with her fondly.
I refuse to dwell on her death.
I refuse to dwell on 9/11.
My life changed that day. Everyone I know was changed. Instead of taking this anniversary with grace, dignity and reverence we are playing the "woe is me" card as a nation. Our news outlets and media are whining that the memorial planned at ground zero isn't good enough (which, I agree it really isn't). The only thing being discussed is how much we have sucked over the past ten years and how much my generation has sucked and how much the war sucks and how much our bigotry against Islam sucks (basically, ten years later all we have seemed to do is suck...a lot). We are analyzing recordings from air traffic control and creating MORE conspiracy theories. "Where are they now?" publications about children who lost parents in the tragedy are being published.
In true American fashion: everyone is making a buck out of the worst event in our generations time.
What happened to the reverence of that day? What happened to the unity we had as Americans?
I will be spending this coming Sunday in a church, getting ready for religious education classes to begin, because that is my job. I am attending a mass where there will be a moment of silence, and no doubt the homily will be focused around the events that occurred ten years ago. I will pray for those that lost their lives that day. I will remember being able to take a short drive and see the smoke cloud. I will remember my mother's face as she told me what happened. I will remember her voice as she answered countless phone calls from friends and family of my father wondering how he was/where he was. I will remember attending a funeral for the father of a friend.
Then...I will smile.
On September 10th 2001, I think the 12 year old version of myself wanted to be some big shot writer. Maybe the next JK Rowling. Maybe write a screenplay. I don't know. I am pretty sure I just wanted to make a lot of money and live in one of the pretty mansions that covered the landscape of my small northern New Jersey town.
On September 10th 2011 I am writing from an old house in Scranton, PA in the midst of my year of service as a Jesuit Volunteer. I am making under $100 per month. I live in community with 4 other volunteers. What does 22 year old me want to do with my life? I can't fully answer that quite yet...but I know my main goal is that I want to make the world a better place. I want to help others. I am not sure how to accomplish that yet...but I know that is what I have wanted to do since September 12th, 2001.
That is how I have positively grown in these past ten years.
How has the United States positively grown?
Where are the news articles about that?
I may be pretty insensitive for writing this, I realize. However, I think we need some positiveness surrounding this weekend.
After all, I did just read an article on my iPad that the "9//11 generation" suffers high rates of depression and cynicism.
Okay, maybe not shoot myself, but I will continue to get pissed as hell...as I have been lately.
Is this a little over dramatic? Probably, but bear with me for a little bit.
So I am one of those ever so trendy people with an iPad and a smartphone. Yes, so snobby of me, I know. However, this also means that I am just 5 seconds and a tap away from the latest news, which normally is great. I find out all the latest world news. Normally, when I read the news on my iPad I feel so intellectual. Of course, I am...I am a college grad after all.
Instead of reading about the issues in Somalia, the current economic crisis in our own country, or who exactly hit Reese Witherspoon when she was jogging. All that is being covered is different coverage of the ten year anniversary of 9/11.
How insensitive is this of me? Rereading this I am slightly cringing that I am writing this, but it is actually how I feel and not just me trying to be controversial. Is there something wrong with me for not wanting to hear the stories of different peoples take on that day?
I don't think I am a terrible person, to be honest. I remember exactly where I was that day, just like any other person in the world that fateful day. I was in 7th grade and a prime victim of what many have been calling the "9/11 generation". I am from Northern New Jersey...a prime target for those that were deeply affected by the attacks on 9/11. My father was in New York City that day. I attended funerals, and memorial services. Friends of mine were never the same. People I know went off to fight the war on terror; a family friend left his new baby and wife behind, never to return from that war.
I have emotions for 9/11. I have deep emotions that I have carried with me since that Tuesday morning that my guidance counselor pulled me out of gym class; emotions that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I know everyone has a story from that day. Some stories are extremely courageous. Some extremely sad. Other stories are very mundane. They saw the news, were very disturbed, but did not know anyone and were not severely affected. While reading these stories can be encouraging, uplifting or inspirational...I have my own story. I look upon that day with reverence and thanksgiving that my father and family was safe. I also look upon that day and get the stereotypical feeling of nationalism that many have forgotten. I felt united to my country, an emotion I have not felt since in my short lifetime.
While seeing these news stories remind me that my generation was so severely affected by 9/11 more than others: it is also unnecessary. I know my "9/11 generation" missed out on the things that others before us had experienced and that we acclimated and became used to things that those after us never even knew about (traveling without TSA going crazy? without the name Bin Laden in our dictionary).
My generation grew up with bigotry towards the entire religion of Islam. My generation pioneered a campaign of conspiracy theories about that 9/11. (Seriously if you want 2 quick ways to piss me off...do one of those). When we see the opening credits to old movies that highlight the NYC skyline and see the twin towers...we cringe a little bit.
Ten years after that day...I honestly do not need to be reminded of that pain. I want to be reminded of that reverence and thanksgiving that I felt on that actual day. I also, most importantly, want to be reminded of that patriotism I felt after that day: the unity and respect of my country. As a nation, if all we are reporting on is the past, how are we showing that we have grown since 9/11? We know how changed we are. We know how bad that day was and the long term effects. What have we done to keep that patriotism? Are we even trying?
Almost eleven years ago this January a very dear and close family friend of mine, Ruth Lauto, died. She was an older lady that we called Aunt Ruth and had an extreme passion for life. She was, at 12 years old, my hero. Everything about her life, I loved. It was the highlight of my day being able to see her. Her death was very sudden for me. It rocked my twelve year old life. I was never the same after that, and I never will be the same. However, ten years later I look upon the life of my Aunt Ruth with a smile. I remember her and my time with her fondly.
I refuse to dwell on her death.
I refuse to dwell on 9/11.
My life changed that day. Everyone I know was changed. Instead of taking this anniversary with grace, dignity and reverence we are playing the "woe is me" card as a nation. Our news outlets and media are whining that the memorial planned at ground zero isn't good enough (which, I agree it really isn't). The only thing being discussed is how much we have sucked over the past ten years and how much my generation has sucked and how much the war sucks and how much our bigotry against Islam sucks (basically, ten years later all we have seemed to do is suck...a lot). We are analyzing recordings from air traffic control and creating MORE conspiracy theories. "Where are they now?" publications about children who lost parents in the tragedy are being published.
In true American fashion: everyone is making a buck out of the worst event in our generations time.
What happened to the reverence of that day? What happened to the unity we had as Americans?
I will be spending this coming Sunday in a church, getting ready for religious education classes to begin, because that is my job. I am attending a mass where there will be a moment of silence, and no doubt the homily will be focused around the events that occurred ten years ago. I will pray for those that lost their lives that day. I will remember being able to take a short drive and see the smoke cloud. I will remember my mother's face as she told me what happened. I will remember her voice as she answered countless phone calls from friends and family of my father wondering how he was/where he was. I will remember attending a funeral for the father of a friend.
Then...I will smile.
On September 10th 2001, I think the 12 year old version of myself wanted to be some big shot writer. Maybe the next JK Rowling. Maybe write a screenplay. I don't know. I am pretty sure I just wanted to make a lot of money and live in one of the pretty mansions that covered the landscape of my small northern New Jersey town.
On September 10th 2011 I am writing from an old house in Scranton, PA in the midst of my year of service as a Jesuit Volunteer. I am making under $100 per month. I live in community with 4 other volunteers. What does 22 year old me want to do with my life? I can't fully answer that quite yet...but I know my main goal is that I want to make the world a better place. I want to help others. I am not sure how to accomplish that yet...but I know that is what I have wanted to do since September 12th, 2001.
That is how I have positively grown in these past ten years.
How has the United States positively grown?
Where are the news articles about that?
I may be pretty insensitive for writing this, I realize. However, I think we need some positiveness surrounding this weekend.
After all, I did just read an article on my iPad that the "9//11 generation" suffers high rates of depression and cynicism.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
(Lack of) Separation of Church and State?
Note: This post is a little heavy in Christianity and faith, because it is what I'm currently reading a lot about. Other posts won't be, but some others will...just a heads up because I know that's not everyone's cup of tea.
With another election coming up the news is flooded with stories and fun facts about prospective candidates. Mainly the circus that was formerly known as the Republicans. Why is it a circus? There are obvious jabs that can be made at Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry for their...well let's face it craziness. (Seriously, the things that come out of their mouths make Sarah Palin look like Abraham Lincoln).
However, there's an unsettling issue I have with the current state of politics and that is the way that religion is used in our political realm. Last I checked it was the Republican party not the Christian party.
Those two words have transformed into synonyms over the last twenty years, unfortunately. Where it started? I suppose we can blame Reagan, that is easy enough. Reagan might have began a trend to intertwine our religion with our politics, but he certainly did not perfect it. Religion has always been a part of our politics though, going back to our found fathers. However, they also established the rule of separation between church and state: a vital part of our identity as Americans.
I, personally, don't think it's necessarily politicians who have made this a real problem. In reality, Christians have embraced politics and political agendas, absorbing them into the Christian church's mission. This is not any denomination either. In fact all denominations use political "morals" as a stepping stone into their own "morals". Suddenly you are not a "proper" Christian if you do not vote a certain way or believe in a certain politician.
My question is a simple one: What does faith and belief in Jesus Christ have to do with politics?
My answer is simple as well: Nothing at all.
We have limited our Christian morality to two issues: abortion and gay rights. These are, granted, important issues that Christians of every denomination grapple with on a daily basis. However, what happened to the most important mission that Jesus called us all to do? To love your neighbor.
Politics have caused us to put a distance between "us and them". A mindset of you are either for us or against. Your politics either coincide with our so called "morality" or against.
I am currently reading Donald Miller's "Searching For God Knows What" where he discusses this topic in his chapter entitled "Morality". (To be honest I stole his idea of the fact that we have limited our morality between gay rights and abortion...it's a good point, let's be honest). Miller argues that Christians are not using Christ's language to live their life, but, instead, raging an unnecessary culture war.
We are throwing stones at whoever does not fit our mold of Christianity. Is it just my imagination or wasn't there some little story in a little book about throwing stones? Hmm...guess that's just in my head.
Miller puts it best:
Jesus did not lend Himself to war causes, to tax issues, or political campaigns. For that matter, He did not lend Himself to raising money for education or stumping for affirmative action. It was as if He did not trust us to build a utopia. He kept it very simple, in fact. "Follow Me" He said. "I have no opinion about what the color of this prison should be. Follow Me."
Maybe, instead of listening to what Bachmann, Perry and whatever the latest clown in the circus are "preaching" from their makeshift pulpit, Christians should follow Jesus first.
With another election coming up the news is flooded with stories and fun facts about prospective candidates. Mainly the circus that was formerly known as the Republicans. Why is it a circus? There are obvious jabs that can be made at Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry for their...well let's face it craziness. (Seriously, the things that come out of their mouths make Sarah Palin look like Abraham Lincoln).
However, there's an unsettling issue I have with the current state of politics and that is the way that religion is used in our political realm. Last I checked it was the Republican party not the Christian party.
Those two words have transformed into synonyms over the last twenty years, unfortunately. Where it started? I suppose we can blame Reagan, that is easy enough. Reagan might have began a trend to intertwine our religion with our politics, but he certainly did not perfect it. Religion has always been a part of our politics though, going back to our found fathers. However, they also established the rule of separation between church and state: a vital part of our identity as Americans.
I, personally, don't think it's necessarily politicians who have made this a real problem. In reality, Christians have embraced politics and political agendas, absorbing them into the Christian church's mission. This is not any denomination either. In fact all denominations use political "morals" as a stepping stone into their own "morals". Suddenly you are not a "proper" Christian if you do not vote a certain way or believe in a certain politician.
My question is a simple one: What does faith and belief in Jesus Christ have to do with politics?
My answer is simple as well: Nothing at all.
We have limited our Christian morality to two issues: abortion and gay rights. These are, granted, important issues that Christians of every denomination grapple with on a daily basis. However, what happened to the most important mission that Jesus called us all to do? To love your neighbor.
Politics have caused us to put a distance between "us and them". A mindset of you are either for us or against. Your politics either coincide with our so called "morality" or against.
I am currently reading Donald Miller's "Searching For God Knows What" where he discusses this topic in his chapter entitled "Morality". (To be honest I stole his idea of the fact that we have limited our morality between gay rights and abortion...it's a good point, let's be honest). Miller argues that Christians are not using Christ's language to live their life, but, instead, raging an unnecessary culture war.
We are throwing stones at whoever does not fit our mold of Christianity. Is it just my imagination or wasn't there some little story in a little book about throwing stones? Hmm...guess that's just in my head.
Miller puts it best:
Jesus did not lend Himself to war causes, to tax issues, or political campaigns. For that matter, He did not lend Himself to raising money for education or stumping for affirmative action. It was as if He did not trust us to build a utopia. He kept it very simple, in fact. "Follow Me" He said. "I have no opinion about what the color of this prison should be. Follow Me."
Maybe, instead of listening to what Bachmann, Perry and whatever the latest clown in the circus are "preaching" from their makeshift pulpit, Christians should follow Jesus first.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
The Return of the opinions column
Throughout my four years at Saint Joseph's University I had an opinions column which I cleverly entitled "Candidly Catherine" (yes, I realize this resembles a porno name, or something along those lines). Writing every so often for the humble "Hawk" newspaper: I never really expected to grow attached to my little column. I also never really expected anyone to read it; even more so care about my opinions. Well, the unthinkable happened: I grew attached and people actually read my column.
I decided to bring back the column, in the ever so cliche blog form. There is no theme to this blog. Sure, I could bore everyone to tears about my everyday struggles of living in community and simply as a Jesuit Volunteer for the year in Scranton, PA (which I am sure I will bring up very often). But I won't. I also won't use this blog to reach some goal and learn something about myself along the way...can you say cheesy and no one gives a crap?
Maybe someone will read this, maybe no one will. Either way...I don't really care. The recent college grad sappy me just missed some ties to my old college life.
Hopefully I don't piss off the same amount of people I did when I wrote for the college newspaper. (Sorry about that, again)
I decided to bring back the column, in the ever so cliche blog form. There is no theme to this blog. Sure, I could bore everyone to tears about my everyday struggles of living in community and simply as a Jesuit Volunteer for the year in Scranton, PA (which I am sure I will bring up very often). But I won't. I also won't use this blog to reach some goal and learn something about myself along the way...can you say cheesy and no one gives a crap?
Maybe someone will read this, maybe no one will. Either way...I don't really care. The recent college grad sappy me just missed some ties to my old college life.
Hopefully I don't piss off the same amount of people I did when I wrote for the college newspaper. (Sorry about that, again)
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