No. 9 THE April 2019 CABRINI COMMUNICATOR A newsletter by and for the St. Frances Cabrini Community

Cabrini Confirmation Candidates Share Their Impressions, page 26

We the people of St. Frances Cabrini are a searching community of wounded healers. We are called by God to live the non-violent love of Christ in our community action and personal lives. We exercise active leadership in the life of our community. We express and understand ourselves in Eucharist, worship, religious formation, and social consciousness and action. – The St. Frances Cabrini Mission Statement Ramblings About Hope

n her article entitled, “Hope Isn’t a long pause, Warren asked, ‘Would you does that leave the bewildered believer Only About the Future,” published agree that true happiness is to enjoy the who cannot see the future and whose Iin the Sunday edition of the New York present without anxious dependence on lantern casts light only backward, onto Times December 30, 2018, author Kate the future?’” the path she has already taken?” Bowler stated, and I quote, “Christian Now, allow me to pause here and Kate Bowler’s article forces each of theology has rich categories for the ask you, the reader, to simply raise your us to look at ourselves and ask, “from future, about the kingdom of God hands high, after I repeat this question whence comes my hope?” turning the world on its head . . . my for you, if you think your answer to Now, this surely seems a totally fellow believers assured me that my this question would be “YES.” So, here unrelated and perhaps even silly interrupted life would be finished in goes the question she was asked, but I allegory, but in that same New York heaven. Satisfaction guaranteed!” End repeat it for you: “Would you agree that Times Sunday paper, just below Kate of quote from Kate Bowler. You see, true happiness is to enjoy the present Bowlers’ article, my attention was Kate Bowler at age 35, had just been without anxious dependence on the grabbed by another headline, “Saving diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. Her future?” Bees with Mushrooms.” There’s HOPE! new diagnosis, as she states it, “. . . did Now when Kate Bowler was asked A mycologist, an expert in mushrooms, not point toward the future anymore.” that question by her reverend-doctor had discovered that we could save our Kate Bowler was at that time an friend Warren, who even wore his dying honey bees with an extract from associate professor at Duke Divinity clerical collar on Tuesdays, she did not some of the 140,000 different species of School, and she had authored a book answer him, but rather she asked him mushrooms. Hope. I felt hope for the entitled, “Everything Happens for a a question as her answer. She said, world, because if we save our bees, the Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved,” “I’m really hoping you are going to tell bees will save us from starvation—bees and she was host of the podcast me that Jesus said that,” and then she are responsible for pollinating a huge called “Everything Happens.” Most immediately asked, “This is a trap, isn’t proportion of our food supplies! There’s of us would regard her as quite an it?” HOPE! There’s a hopeful future! accomplished woman with so much The Reverend Doctor Warren On the same page, another article hope and promise for a long bright replied, “That was Lucius Seneca, was headlined, “India’s Women Rise future. the ancient philosopher of Stoicism,” Up!” There’s hope for Indian women. And her Christian friends’ “version and, after laughing a bit, Dr. Warren Female journalists had denounced one of hope,” as she states it, “was an act of stated, “Look, it takes great courage of their male colleagues who had preyed deferral to a time and a cosmic place to live as if each day counts. That was for years on young female reporters. were God would make all things right.” a fundamental insight of Stoicism. But Their persistence forced him to But... she wrote, “...the sicker I became, we Christians are a people who must resign from his then position as a the more ‘hope’ was a word that live into the future.” I repeat: “...We cabinet minister! There’s HOPE! pointed to the unbearable: a husband Christians are a people who must live A group of Indian nuns stood up and a baby left behind, an end without into the future.” for one of their own as she accused a an ending. I was confident that hope The Stoics considered time to bishop of sexually assaulting her; these had its uses, but I began to think of it be cyclical, an eternal recurrence of nuns forced the church hierarchy and as a kind of arsenic that needed to be motion from fire through the creation the police to take the crime seriously. carefully administered. As far as I was of elements back to fire again; the They gave victims HOPE! concerned, it poisoned the sacred work Enlightenment saw time as the arena Devotees of one of southern India’s of living in the present... I wanted to be of progress, a moral motion toward most popular Hindu pilgrimage sites alive until I was not.” improvement and perfectibility. Much organized protests to open the shrine As Kate Bowler shared her views of Christian theology rests on the to women! There’s HOPE! with her friend Warren, who she image of God as the ultimate reality Even Bollywood stars have dropped describes as “the reverend doctor beyond time and space, the creator of the glittery façade, sharing their stories who even wears his clerical collar on a past, present and future where all of harassment and abuse! There’s Tuesdays,” she told Warren that she’d exists simultaneously in the Divine HOPE! “given up on the future.” Then, “... after Mind. But, Kate Bowler asks, “Where

2 Ramblings About Hope

Again, on the same pages where Care About the Climate!” There’s Kate Bowler’s article ended, yet HOPE! Friends another article stirs up HOPE for In polls of both Democrats and the future! Sarah Jaffe, author of the Republican voters, not politicians, but Denny and Kenny were fraternal book, “Necessary Trouble: Americans voters, the polls all demonstrated that twins, with rhyme being the in Revolt,” states, “...discipline sustains not only a wide majority of Democrats only thing they had in common, organizers who often grind away but also at least a 52-56% majority, a like puppies from a rescue unseen for years. This is, most of the simple majority yes, but a majority litter. Denny kept the packs of time, what unions and working people’s nevertheless, of Republican voters are cigarettes we thugged in his white organizations do: make connections... worried about and WANT our Congress canvas newspaper bags securely wrapped around the handlebars and HOPE the sparks they light will to do what we have to do to both on his Schwinn where Gene catch and burn,” and spread—HOPE! mitigate and adapt to anthropogenic and Esther never cared to look. On December 15, 2018, 50,000 climate change, to reverse what we’ve Big Bob appreciated the security people marched in the streets of Los been doing to utterly destroy the planet of remote storage. Though the Angeles alongside the nation’s second we believe God gave to us, to live in, to largest of all of us, becoming largest local teachers’ union. These thrive in, to love and praise God. Now, All City Tackle, he was afraid to teachers are fighting not just for a for me, that’s what? That’s HOPE! sneak them home under Lou’s higher wage but also, unapologetically, So, I leave you with the question nose; not a worry as his dad for racial and economic justice. You see, the Reverend Doctor Warren, the couldn’t smell much after a day their schools are 95 percent minority theologian and pastor who even wears on his route delivering fresh and over 85 percent low income. his clerical collar on Tuesdays, when he frozen fish. I always left mine They’re fighting for what their students asked Dr. Kate Bowler: by the cedar bushes next to the deserve: Schools with nurses and “Would you agree that true happiness garage where they were handy. counselors, arts funding, smaller classes, is to enjoy the present without anxious Doug smoked too, but in his ethnic studies programs, and enough dependence on the future?” Eagle Scout uniform encrusted with all the achievement badges, school supplies so that teachers don’t –– Bill Christ have to spend their own money to buy he looked silly. Bikes soon turned supplies for their students. You see, they to hot cars, made even hotter by have HOPE for the future! Larry who brought his Dad’s tools You might be thinking I’m only from their garage on the East side marketing the New York Times. NO, I of town saving us a lot of money in stripped gears and blown am not! But I love the NY Times for its clutches that none of us could truth-telling. It gives me HOPE! afford otherwise. Eventually, they So, to that end, ONE more example, A Prayer left for The Jungle, one by one, if you will, please. with their Marlboros rolled up That same December 30, 2018 God grant me the Serenity to accept my in their sleeves, James Dean like, Sunday New York Times newspaper leaving their cars up on blocks, had yet another article that gives me tremor and imbalance. believing they’d each make it great HOPE over a personal absolute The Courage to take my back. despair I’ve been feeling for a long cancer meds for - Steve Lukas time, ever since I researched for and then presented a speech and a series two more years of lectures on global warming and And the Wisdom to be anthropogenic climate change, that is, someone else’s climate change that is being brought Angel today. about almost entirely by the activities - Pat Cretilli of the human species, we homo sapiens: The article was entitled, “Republicans

3 A Selection of Thomas Clark A Cabrini Member Poetry, 1978-2015 Shares with Us…

Bob Reid asked if I would explain a version of faith in action that rather operates A Bar Called Hovland without much formality or structure. 1979 When a person’s life situation changes sometimes their connection to Cabrini I want to go back to the evolves. It may be Illness, aging, no Chicago Bay longer able to drive, etc. Whatever the Schoolhouse circumstances, it is a chance for me to get To see if I can see the to know someone and make a new friend. children reading Because I’ve been a hospice volunteer, To climb the wooden I’ve had practice meeting new clients and understand that can be hard. It can be so stairs in the front rewarding. This time with their parents. I want to tell you about Tom Clark (a They are come this evening for a town meeting. Cabrini member) who became such a What are your concerns sheltered on this friend. Sue Clark, Tom’s wife had been my lakeside meadow daughter’s piano teacher 20 years earlier. whose prairie grass flies in the cold breeze I really did not know them, however. I whose flagpole no longer sports a flag learned that Tom had memory issues. I thought maybe I could spend a bit of time this afternoon as we cautiously step over with Tom so Sue could rest, garden or the vandalized glass and peer in the rooms? such. It was nice weather and we walked in the neighborhood. Then, I learned I want to go back to the first unpainted walls they’d walked at Lake Harriet for many When one of the children there was the years before Sue’s knees and hips were hotelkeeper’s, maybe prouder than the rest. replaced. We started going to Lake Harriet I want to hear the swinging oak door and in winter to the Galleria. We sat on every bench, we had a treat like ice cream. closed gently, carefully by the teacher. Tom had almost no language—hard to Could she teach them to love the water remember the words to answer a question. and the woods? I really didn’t know that Tom taught Latin Could she teach them to outlast the whims and English and was a poet until near his of the touring hotel guests? death. Could she predict the Chicago Bay would The willingness to show up and be become little more than a house or two and a present with people whose lives are changing is a chance to grow and to learn. bar called Hovland? It’s rewarding—it’s worth the discomfort of the unfamiliar. My life is richer for it. I want to go back and talk to the barkeeper and the residents whose addresses are 0 and 9 and whose shacks warn to beware of ghost dogs, Footnote: A blessing beyond this message for there are today no barks but is that Tom Clark’s daughter has a large those on the birch. collection of the poetry Tom wrote and she agreed to share some of it with us. This issue I want to go back with hammer and nails includes six of Tom’s beautiful poems. They are amazing expressions and descriptions With paint brushes to undo the peeling of his experiences of our world. Enjoy. pastels, well meant improvements of a between year.

4 A Selection of Thomas Clark Poetry, 1978-2015

A Search for Words Under the Cedar Tree 2014 1988

You are the door slammed against my words, Doesn’t have much to do right now, the tedious red light stopping my this butterfly words as I drive the streets of my thoughts. Sitting by me on a stone Some of my friends nod and smile while I search Under the cedar tree. in my head for that word, and I wonder if I’ll have to First it lit upon my shirt— supply them with a whole paragraph instead, wasn’t what it expected. but they smile and claim that the same Then perched on the corner of thing happens to them. Goldwing’s Pyramid in my hands, Yes, we friends are older now, and our heads are Relaxed, it parted its wings like heads of state where only some to show a rich, brown shirt. are tyrants, and you, my head, are a tyrant too. But I moved, and now it is Still, I suppose you could do me worse. back sunning on its stone I will keep waiting for the green light. Relaxed, partings its wings, Two Sounds Neither of us 1980 with much to do. Thump thump. The radials on our new Volare Bump-thumping on the cement dividers Repeat it down the street: Rain Drops Thump-thump. 1979 I laugh today They remind me on my walk across to the junior high Sadly and I turn to look again: Of a sound I always rain drops cared about: have fastened themselves The clack-clack like light bulbs Of train wheels on the end of all of the pine needles. In my boyhood. Each rail would beat the sound back, While I dozed in Pullman elegance. Sue’s Rachmaninoff Prelude 2015 Each rail would beat the sound back Over silver service in the diner. From my living room chair And each rail would beat the sound back I hear the rhythm of her hands In the vistadome while I watched fireflies. Lifting up dark nocturnal coats They measured my way to dreams Of high notes as well as chic-soft I have yet to dream, hats of low notes. Early roused.

5 Dentistry

lat in the dentist chair, I appreciate demons. I had put all this off about a your rightfully God given endowment the wonderful ergonomic couple of weeks ago, for good reasons, inflicts on the remaining chewers and Fcontours so supportively enhanced by due to a brief flu/cold that I managed grinders; “never has so much been owed strategically placed foam rubber and to extend to a week and a half. But they to so few”, to quote Churchill. a sensuous leather surface. But, it ain’t have been waiting and looking for me I imagine that it’s not only the enough! God, I detest being here. And, as this might just balance their budget chewing but also the gnashing of teeth I’m scared to death. for this year. that took its toll. Many a night back I owe the hatred and trepidation My dental office is made up of two on the farm I laid in the three quarters to old Dr. Payne (yeah, I know, ironic guys, Jerry and Gary, a host of staff bed that I shared with my younger name) who was the family dentist back and some pretty impressive-albeit brother and listened to him grind away in Lincoln, Nebraska where I grew intimidating-equipment. The boysin darkened oblivion. He was too shy up. I have no idea why all the cavities bought the practice from my original to give me a report each morning of developed as we didn’t have the family driller up in Robbinsdale who died of how I kept him awake working out funds for an unlimited infusion of sugar Leukemia. Bad karma I realize, but my own nocturnal encounters. Both in our small farm diet; mostly eggs, these are good folks giving back to the Jerry and Gary always remark how milk, home-grown meat which should community’s homeless and traveling it’s a darn good thing that I have one have all been benign or at least good for to third world countries to fix teeth of their custom fitted night-guards you. But the cavities appeared early and as part of their personal missions. I and wear it regularly. No doubt such in quantity. admire that. Besides, they know me remonstrations are to reinforce the Relief from the pain of cavities (at well after thirty years of twice-yearly value of their products, but I must admit least in my mother’s eyes) was only visits of drilling, capping, crowning, that I have heard similar comments a twenty-mile ride from the farm polishing, filling and designing night from other roommates who were more into Lincoln where the good Doctor guards that I seem to chew through like forthcoming than my brother over the practiced (and I believe “practiced”) out an old Rottweiler. And, I appreciate years since I moved on. of his home on South 32nd street, just their focus on preservation rather than We have agreed in advance that past the rose gardens of the insurance extraction. I’m not doing today’s work without company on “O” street. It’s a beautiful The staff always hide theirNitrous Oxide gas. On the way up to part of town where the rich Irish took amazement as they peer into my my cabin on the North Shore I pass up residence; but, his street seemed oral cavity at the number of missing by a billboard that proclaims the joy of somehow darker. teeth. There are eight in all that never “Sedation Dentistry”. Each time I pass With that memory riding on my returned after the good Doctor Payne I want to pull over and take down the shoulder like some big black bird, I’ve yanked them instead of filling them contact information awash in the image come to my dentist in Minneapolis in the misguided belief that the next of blissful oblivion that would rival my for some repair work that he only ones would be stronger. What he didn’t periodic colonoscopies. But I like my described as “deep”. Old silver fillings know, or couldn’t read in X-rays, was dentists and I trust them. And, we have needed to be ground out before they that the Lukas DNA handed down agreed on some version of chemically could be refilled with new ceramics generation to generation provides for induced comfort. I especially trust Jerry or whatever they use these days. A only one set of teeth along with some who seems to understand the horror of two-hour appointment should do it other interesting traits. If you yank childhood trauma and knows how to as my current Dentist confidently and those babies, there’s nothing to fill in skillfully administer Novocain blocks. casually predicted. But it wasn’t his the remaining gaps. At the end of a In addition to the recliner and some mouth that he and his assistant would cleaning, the technician always reminds Nitrous and a bolus of Novocain, I be wandering around in this morning. me to be sure and floss. With a hemp insist on some headphones to deaden In all I am feeling pretty good, rope, I suppose. the sound and facilitate my escape to resigned to “Geterdone” as we used to So here I recline as today is the day some Zen place where I can practice say in Nebraska. My dad used to say for them to work their magic with an mediation and structured breathing. as well, “You gotta do what you gotta injection of filling materials to correct I realize that it’s one more piece of do” as he fought his own health care the damage that relying on only 70% of equipment for them too manage, but I

6 am paying for all of this and at these small team that has power over me at awaits where compliance overpowers uninsured rates I want to sit in the this point in the procedure. But I am angst; do with me what you will. front of the plane. We agree to tune the close to panic. Finally, an adjustment The drilling starts. My classical apparatus to 99.5, classical, that should is made by Sandy the technician that music is blitzkrieged to the background. at least drown out their addictions to allows me to quickly retreat into my I know from previous encounters there rock. fairyland. In the midst of drifting away, can be an electrified sensation when When I was in the medical business I realize with clarity that I would never metal meets tissue and nerve endings and traveling with salespeople to make a decent spy. Simply put me in a and it’s apt to be coming any second. observe implants, I was taken aback dentist chair and I will spill my guts, Sandy keeps telling me to relax with with the operating room chatter and telling you whatever you want to know. a hand on my shoulder that no doubt choice of music. I always wondered I will do anything for a decent dose of feels like concrete. I wonder if she ever what the patient heard or thought as Nitrous and a well-placed mask. had to try everything out as Jerry did; I they drifted away. As I’m drawing the Soon, I can feel probing of fingers am doubtful. Nitrous as deeply as possible, I hear and instruments and extenders to Somewhere in my drug induced Jerry relating how he had to personally keep my mouth open wide enough to euphoria I am back in Dr. Payne’s chair experience all these treatments before insert a grapefruit. I feel like Jerry has that is not ergonomic and not covered he could be certified to administer to his his hand up to his elbow searching in sensuous leather. There was no patients. That was reassuring until he for the first site. After at least twenty Nitrous in Lincoln in the fifties, at least went on (wish he had stopped earlier) injections of Novocain he steps back my mother didn’t opt for the upcharge. how Nitrous worked on his brain but and asks, “How’s your tongue”? In Needles back then were made from not his bodily sensations and how he old shingle nails I’m sure. I’m reliving felt frozen, unable to communicate the pain of extractions, hearing the how everything still hurt like hell. He I realize with clarity cracking that comes with relentless concluded his horrific reflection as I twisting until the tooth finally lets go. enter my stupor how he would never that I would never All the promises of limitless ice cream use it as a patient himself. As I drift make a decent spy. and the prodding to simply “Offer it to the nether world, I recall an article up” as a young Catholic didn’t numb as I just read about a patient who felt all Simply put me in a well as Nitrous could have. his abdominal surgery; the incisions, dentist chair and I In my drug induced fog back in Jerry’s the removal, the suturing, but couldn’t world, the sharpness of pain has been communicate with the staff due to will spill my guts, pushed to the rear of the sense cave, but his only partial sedation. The image telling you whatever other feelings and exaggerated images seed has been planted; it’s rapidly take over. I imagine Jerry as a frustrated blossoming into sheer terror. you want to know. wild-catter from the Texas oil fields We have the two hours per the that came north to the University of schedule this morning to drill down to a Nitrous induced garble, I tell him Minnesota to study dentistry to further the bedrock of four old fillings before reassuringly that it’s all taking effect as develop his drilling techniques. All I new space age material can be put in I want to help them as much as I can; can hear is the interchange between their place. Each one is the result of a team effort after all. In an instant, them for something still larger and grinding and gnashing and all are deep. encouraged by my response, there are sharper. And, I believe they are each The remaining two targets are at the more devices inserted accompanied by delivering the devices personally into gum line and the most sensitive despite a raft of sucking sounds that seem to my extended cavity wearing size 14 their surface-dwelling places. Each one pull more air than the bellows at the Adidas. is equally expensive, I’m sure. Basilica. Sandy keeps telling me to Somehow, over an hour has already I’m breathing as deeply as I can and relax and open even wider making me passed. I hear Jerry step out of the feeling the anxiety rising as the Nitrous wonder with amazement how many chamber of horrors to take a deep that should be entering my body is being more pieces of equipment could yet be breath, a bathroom break or to take stifled by the compression of the mask on their sadistic agenda. up smoking once again. I don’t blame that is simply too small to accommodate I breathe deeply. God, I love Nitrous. him a bit; if I could get up, I’d join my Bohemian schnozzola. I don’t want I am drifting to that other world that him. Sandy is still here, still patting my to complain out of fear of irritating this Continued on page 9

7 A Time for Reflection, Meditation, Departure

8 A Time for Reflection, Meditation, Departure Dentistry, continued from page 7

shoulder and telling me resolutely to their brows. He is clear to tell me that relax. I can feel her now quivering hand I won’t have to return for six months and hear her voice starting to falter as until my next scheduled cleaning. I’m witnesses to torture no doubt reacted in not sure if that schedule is based upon a the Middle Ages. sound medical diagnosis or simply self- Jerry is soon back asking for preservation on his part. something even larger with fresh Within seconds I’m standing at the determination to finish this job from desk in the office writing a check for hell. I feel like I am inside a rock $1,154.90, including the discount for polisher as the grinding intensifies. cash. At least he didn’t ask for something God how I love and appreciate these sharper as it seems we are passed that guys as I know I will feel better for all point. their work in a week or two. I finally realize that the flossing I do love them, but I love Nitrous stage of this operation has come. I’m even more. convinced that Sandy has bypassed –– Steve Lukas the hemp rope level and has jumped to using 4x6’s of treated lumber. I’m instructed through my dissipating fog to tap-tap on some blue swatch and wiggle back and forth. It all seems Haikus like a cruel joke as I’m not sure if I’m Round glorious white simply wiggling or chomping layers Enlightens the winter night from the insides of my lips and cheeks. Full moon paradise Jerry patiently tells me to move my tongue to the left out of the way of the construction zone. I assume he means A shriek from a child that tough muscle from my left thigh Playing in new fallen snow that has somehow been transplanted In the white moon light into my Mammoth Cave-like cavity of a mouth. He tells me again to move this Tall and leafy green unfeeling appendage to the left side of my mouth. I am sure he is confused Come the tulips in the spring from exhaustion and means the right A riot of red side as this is the only part of my mouth that remains as I swear everything else The light in her eyes, has been mistakenly amputated. Joyful, expectant, the child At last all the drilling equipment, extenders, Adidas and arms are removed. Revealing her heart. I can hear them reminding me not to chew on anything until I am sure that Driving through Iowa at I have a complete mouth. Jerry seems Sunset surprised that they actually finished a Pink and purple sky little early. I’m not clear even what day it is at this point or where I parked my Like a creamy layer cake car when I came in yesterday. I want to With an orange burst take some credit for being a cooperative - Carol Dittberner victim and having a successful outcome until I see the cold sweat on both of

9 Plumbing: A Necessary Fix

our local public works department ‘Doc’Smith from EDS Builders as the everything below is still subject to (aka Cabrini Plant and Cabrini owner’s representative. His change!!! MaintenanceY Committee or CPMC) knowledge of the industry has already We intend to start removing and has been busy at work since monies helped us to be in a more competitive replacing pipes on May 13th and from Faith In Our Future (FIOF) were bidding situation as well as minimizing expect the project to take a minimum dedicated for critical infrastructure costly change orders after a contract is of two to three weeks. Certain prep improvements. signed. That said, there is yet to be a work must occur prior to May 13 and After much discussion the CPMC perfect plan! some during construction depending determined a very critical issue is the By the time you read this we will have on the contractor’s schedule. For pressurized water pipes running to each reviewed bids and will have signed a example, if they start in the boiler bathroom, kitchen and outside faucet. contract with a firm to commence work room or elsewhere we could start the If a Domestic Cold Water (DCW), sometime around mid-May. As none of prepping of Garvey Hall (GH) on May Domestic Hot Water (DHW) or a us can predict when a pipe will burst we 13. Please remember that all the items Domestic Hot Water Return (DHWR) want to get this done ASAP. An added are projections as of March 9 when this pipe which uses city water at 75 PSI advantage for competitive bidding is to is being written. Changes will occur! with a virtual inexhaustible supply start before schools start their summer The facade wall in the Atrium will of water were to break on a Sunday construction improvements. need to be torn down, sink removed afternoon, we would have devastating The above outlines what has and holes made in the clay wall to the flood damage by the time the office happened or will happen by the bathroom. opens on a Tuesday morning. Although Communicator’s publication date. Tiles will be removed from the our waste water pipes may be in worse Moving forward on the time line, the ceiling that follow the path of the pipes shape, a break in a pressurized water CPMC wants to make everyone aware in the Atrium. pipe would create much more damage. of how this project may or may not Because of the anticipated mess, Encompass Inc. was hired to affect Cabrini life and functions. Since the Atrium furniture, etc. needs to be determine the status of our pressurized this is being written in mid-March moved. piping systems and produce construction documents and specifications (specs) for corrective work. Greg Brucker and Tom Ray have spent much time reviewing these specs, climbing ladders to locate and visually inspect pipes. This required cutting holes in the men’s bathroom walls to find the pipe coming from the concrete floor under Garvey Hall, removing tiles and cutting more wall holes so the contract bidders can visually inspect and understand the requirements. Thanks to their efforts problem areas were identified, specs changed and a clear addendum produced for the bidding process. Their creative geniuses devised new plans to bypass some replacement areas that would have caused major disruptions to our community and saved money. Realizing the CPMC needed to augment our skill set, we hired One of our ticking water bombs!!

10 An Affair of the Heart

I have been monitored for 2 years by a cardiologist and, after a Cardiac MRI, a Cardiac CT, and an angiogram, I was told I had aortic insufficiency and needed a replacement valve and a single bypass. The surgeon’s nurse said that I would have more energy, and I told her that I had enough! Cold water pipe that runs from boiler room under Garvey Hall floor to Men’s Bathroom I, of course, had an emotional fall and Holiday time struggling Because of an outside spigot, the A lot of dust will be created in the with the realities of what was East music storage room contents will removal and construction process. to come. I was on an incredible emotional treadmill that I wanted need to be moved. There will be times of no water or to desperately get off. Tiles will be removed in the GH only one functioning bathroom. The Cabrini Community kitchen to create an access path for the Once work is completed walls will wonderfully invited Steve Rice new pipe routes. need to be repaired, tiles replaced, and I to come up at the end To lower costs and minimize Atrium reassembled and new facade of Mass on the Sunday before disruption to GH, pipes running for exposed GH pipes built. the surgery and pray for our from the East mechanical room to the There is always the possibility of upcoming adventures. Thank GH men’s bathroom will initially be surprises once remodeling of any type you! I hugged Steve and told him exposed. Once the project is completed commences. that I wished that I was going the CPMC will design and construct Another project related to Physical on his adventure to Honduras an aesthetic covering to mask them. Plant Health Care is external water instead! There will be more holes through the intrusion. Data for one aspect of the By the time February 7 rolled concrete made in GH’s south wall by project was collected and then the around, the day of the surgery, the men’s bathroom project was put on hold due to the I just wanted it over with. My Ceiling tiles for the path of the new interdependencies between CPMC friend Teresa graciously picked pipes along the GH south wall will be plans and Faith In Our Future (FIOF) me up at 5:30 AM and took removed. developing plans. me to United. Next thing that I Ceiling tiles in the Men’s bathroom CPMC also contracted with knew I was rolled into recovery; won’t be replaced immediately and Encompass Inc. to do a structural when my eyes opened, I saw my current holes will remain until review of the Office/Atrium wing. brother Bob and Teresa and gave completion of the project. This data has been passed on to the them a gentle wave! Thank you so much to my The upstairs bathrooms, kitchen and FIOF committee for future planning brother, Teresa, and the whole nursery sink plumbing replacement purposes. We did learn that our Cabrini Community for their is challenging. At a minimum there building is like “a ship docked in the calls, love, cards, and support will be holes cut in the floors under middle of a deep lake”. through this whole adventure! the cabinet sinks, a hole in the wall to Some other completed CPMC the small bathroom toilet and exposed projects were new energy efficient Rick Ziton pipes for the larger bathroom sink and lighting in the Sanctuary and the toilet. There are decisions that will have building exterior, new water heater, to be made as the work progresses in youth room floor and miscellaneous this section that could result in more repairs about the building. dust and disruption than anticipated. –– LeEtta Flicker

11 Cabrini: Loaves and Fishes at Dorothy Day

esus told his followers to feed the we’d wipe down the tables and prepare Turned out that they had just received hungry, give drink to the thirsty, to greet the next wave, and then do a large donation of cooked ground clotheJ the naked, visit the sick, etc. it all again for our 5:30 guests. I was beef, designed to go on pizzas, which Here at Cabrini we’ve followed that able to get there just in time to serve he pulled out of the freezer and shared exhortation to provide sustenance in so was never in the kitchen or part of with us for our stew. A real example of many ways for many, many years, from a cooking crew but I believe that our Loaves and Fishes—God does provide. collecting food and monetary donations volunteers did that. One of my concerns is having the that support local food shelves (“Old When the new Dorothy Day Center right number of volunteers to get the Timers” will remember the Care and opened, it was a big change: a large work done on time but not having too Share House at Glendale) to our commercial kitchen with restaurant- many so that people make the trip and Loaves and Fishes dinners at Dorothy grade equipment, a huge food then have nothing constructive to do. Day and St. Stephens, to our monthly warehouse, a stainless-steel cafeteria At 4:25 we need to be at our stations, dinner at Our Saviour’s, which dates serving line, and a large dining room all set to go full steam ahead to have the back to the old Our Saviour’s Lutheran with lots of windows along one wall. first trays filled and ready as guests come Church where we not only cooked and These were all good things, but, sadly, through the door at 4:30. One day at served dinners but also provided over- we lost the intimacy of our little “café” 4:25 as we were ready to start and fully night volunteers. Years ago, we served on the corner. The need for emergency staffed, who should walk in the door wonderful home-cooked dinners and shelter beds was growing, so after saying he came to help? Archbishop breakfasts to our guests in the Cabrini dinner the dining room converted to a John Neinstedt! I started to say that emergency over-night shelter in our sea of mats on the floor to allow folks to I didn’t have any more volunteer slots lower level (considered by guests at the get in off the streets and out of the cold but, luckily, Judith Pryor jumped in and time to be the “Cadillac” of shelters— for the night—another good thing. said he could take her place at the end the precursor to Cabrini House, now But the down-side for us was that we of the line. Situation saved—and I’m Vail House). went from three ½ hour serving times sure it provided the archbishop with We could tell stories about all these, where we mingled with our 120 guests some good exposure to our guests. but let me share some memories of to a single 45 minute window to feed Dorothy Day made a significant our participation with the Dorothy as many as 300 hungry people. We still change when they hired Mike DeJong, Day Center. “Our day” was the 31st had volunteers out in the dining room an experienced chef and food service of the month, for the 7 months that serving beverages to our guests and a manager, to oversee all Catholic have a 31st. I don’t know exactly when person at the end of the serving line Charities food operations in the Twin we started, but I know it was in the who handed the filled tray to the guest Cities. He, in turn, hired experienced early 1980’s, when I still worked in with a warm greeting, but those on the chefs for each Twin Cities kitchen downtown St. Paul and would go to serving line had to be super-speedy and site, thus meeting a new requirement help right from work. There was no concentrate on filling the trays. to have a licensed food service Dorothy Day Center in those days, We had some interesting days. There professional at each site. And what a only a little “store front” on the corner. was the time we arrived at 2:00 to cook wonderful difference! Equipment not Guests would come early and line up to our traditional menu of hamburger working properly? Items missing from get their “reservations” for dinner, small stew only to find that the giant cooking our order? No problem! numbered tickets that guaranteed them kettle was broken and in need of repair More recently, Catholic Charities a place and time in the dining room. parts. Oh, No! What to do? Some of developed an historic private/public While they waited outside, volunteers our clever cooks figured out how to partnership to address issues of long- came out with coffee to greet them and prepare the meal using the convection term homelessness. The Higher Ground provide a warm welcome. At 4:30 the ovens. Catastrophe averted! And facility received funding and became a door would open and the first 40 or so then there was the time that Second reality: permanent low-cost housing, would come in, find a seat at a table for Harvest didn’t have the hamburger in transitional housing, and an emergency four, and wait appreciatively while we stock and dropped it from our order shelter with real beds—no more mats brought dinner and beverages to them. without telling us—YIKES! I went to on the floor! We’re now in the second Shortly before 5:00, they would leave, the warehouse supervisor in a panic. phase where the old Dorothy Day

12 Cabrini: Loaves and Fishes at Dorothy Day

Center was torn down to make way for through the door at 4:30. We still have a new housing and multi-service center the challenge of serving approximately that is rising right before our eyes. Our 240 people in a smaller dining room hot food preparation has moved to the in 45 minutes, and our serving line is Catholic Charities Distribution Center small and cramped, but there’s such a and central kitchen. A small crew of feeling of accomplishment. us arrives about 1:30 on “our” dates. And next year—the new Dorothy Due to the timeline for transporting Day Center! What will it look like? Elliot the hot food to the serving site, much How will things work? We don’t Elliot is his name, of our meal has already been prepared know, but we do know that the many 14 months of age. by the chef, so we jump in to help wonderful Cabrini volunteers will prep food for the next day. About 3:00 continue to come, knowing that “what Nice tennies you’re wearing, another little group meets at Mary you do for the least of my children, you Elliot. Hall (formerly the nurses’ dorm for St. do for Me.” Mom’s knees his backstop Joseph’s Hospital) to do cold food prep –– Jeanne Cornish And safety net. and set up the dining room. About 4:10 Elliot sees the our intrepid servers arrive and get ready Small colored glass panels to “feed the hungry” who will walk In our church front doors. The bright red one captures his attention He squats down for a better look. Touches and moves The Mothers of Calvary His fingers, his head; his body speaks, The day Jesus of Nazareth died, the Romans erected three crosses on Does he wonder? Golgotha. Two of those crosses bore thieves or criminals. Between them hung Jesus, guilty only of teaching us how to love. All four gospels mention His attention is total and this event. Matthew, Mark and Luke include the women watching from then he moves to the green panel. afar. John writes “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his Equally absorbed, touching, mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas and Mary Magdalene.” None looking closely of the gospel writers mention the other women who might have wept on A beautiful child wrapped in Golgotha that day—the mothers of the guilty. curiosity On the day my daughter died, I took my place alongside Mary, the Total, no distraction, learning sorrowing mother of the innocent victim, as I did with those other mothers— the mothers of the guilty. I stand with these women because I do not know maybe? the role my daughter played in her death. Victim or agent? Neither of those Adult thoughts, words roles belong in the life of the compassionate and generous, young woman Not those of 14 months who wept with me as we watched the Twin Towers collapse on September But a treasure for me to store. 11, 2001, and whose violent death a week later racked my soul. Until the Watching, admiring, enjoying day she died, I shared in other mothers’ sorrows only from a distance. I did A pure delight shared by Mom. not stand beneath those mothers’ crosses or weep in their fields or attics or What a perfect creation a child is garages. I never thought there might have been other mothers standing on Golgotha with Mary. I didn’t understand that when those three crosses cast And maybe a teacher for us, too. their shadows across the far horizons of the earth, they united all those who Thank you, Elliot. Nice meeting mourn the deaths of their children, no matter what face those children wore you. when they died. - Bob Reid - Beryl Singleton Bissell (Elliot is now about 20 months old)

13 Irish Hospitality

ou may have noticed that my family yet, though there are some not of this I attribute the romanticism and sits in the balcony during mass. congregation who would say that we adulation with which I viewed Ireland, WeY do this even when church is not full are not “real” Catholics. I’m hoping my somewhat ascetic nature, and my and additional seating in the balcony is that the circle of inclusion of the impression of Ireland and monastic not needed. Parishioners are noticing Church is wide and that within it life as informing my decision to join this and are beginning to speculate we can appreciate each other, so that a religious order there. To me, Ireland as to why we sit there. So, before the those who appreciate Masses in Latin and the Church were seen through the Congregation for the Doctrine of the and those who begin Mass with the soundscape of U2 and the quaintness Faith gets involved I would like to put burning of sage and offering prayers to of “The Bells of St. Mary”. And like these rumors to rest. the four directions accept each other Ishmael I thought I would sail about a Important questions are surfacing with respect. little and see the water part of the world. such as are we trying to separate There has been speculation that I had just read “The Brendan Voyage” ourselves from the institutional church, perhaps our choice to sit in the balcony about the travels of St. Brendan and are we trying to be closer to God (think comes from a desire for a quieter and I knew that the Order of St. Brendan tower of Babel), are we spies secretly more ascetic experience. And that the Sailor was what I wanted to do. It collecting information to turn in to the perhaps it is because I might have was a big leap for a shy and quiet farm Inquisition, do we think that we are been an Irish monk. And this leads me boy, but it was made with the same better than others (that we don’t want to the second part of my tale. Being determination and grit that I would to mix with the riff-raff on the main of Irish heritage and having kissed use to tackle a large soybean field filled floor), and are we really just using the the stone I will continue a nod to the with cocklebur weeds on a hot and balcony to drink beer and get high. ancient seanchaí of Ireland who were humid day. I’ll answer the last question first. We storytellers.. Despite my resolve, the novitiate was do not even drink coffee in the balcony. Before I was married, I was a novice difficult for me. Cultural differences, Of course we follow the canon law with the order of St. Brendan the isolation, learning Latin and the rigors “Terminus a quo” set by Pope Pius XI Sailor. How I got there is not that specific to the Order of St. Brendan the in 1919. We also make sure that our important. To put it succinctly, I grew Sailor were challenging. But I’ve always children are reading from the Atrium up on a farm that had gone through found beauty in the people and the land, approved list of books that include the difficult financial times. This was the and before long I was ready to approach following: Ferdinand the Papal Bull, 1980s. My father stopped farming, got the final test of my novitiate. The Irish the Children’s Book of Canon Law, a job in town and we were able to keep Church at times has been known for its The Abridged Pelagius and the graphic the land. During this time, I worked independence and autonomy. This was novel, Battle Royal-Erasmus vs Luther. for several farmers who were also true of its religious orders-especially Are we trying to be closer to God? having financial difficulty. Farming is the ancient ones. They were known for Both Peggy and I have climbed a dangerous occupation. My neighbor the rigorous final exercises that involved mountains around the world and have died in a tractor accident. The farmer I manual labor, isolation and prayer. The seen the beauty and the majesty of worked for had a serious accident and order of St. Patrick left novitiates in creation. So it isn’t to be thirty-feet almost lost his leg. Another farmer an isolated area to build and to live in higher. There is a good view of the from our church took his own life due a beehive cell for a month while they stained-glass windows at the opposite to financial difficulties. And yet another lived off the land. The Order of W. B. end of the church, and we hear the farmer I knew was murdered by a gang Yeats would leave novitiates on the Isle sounds and spirit of the Mass as it rises as he was selling drugs on the side to of Innisfree to live in a cabin of clay and on its way to heaven. Almost forgotten, survive. I had always wanted to farm wattles where they would tend nine the statue of Mary is behind us waiting and all I thought about were tractors, bean rows and live off the honey-bee. patiently. She watches over us, and combines, pigs and cows. It seemed The Order of St. Brendan the Sailor yet it is difficult to know what she is unlikely that I would ever farm, and was no different. We were left in a thinking and feeling. the rural landscape seemed increasingly solitary bay to build a boat similar to Are we trying to separate ourselves grim and bleak. the boat with which St. Brendan sailed from the institutional church? Not in as he traveled the Atlantic to what

14 Irish Hospitality A Few Haikus is now Greenland and New Foundland. was plundered by the descendants of Once upon a sunflower The boat had a wood frame with the Vikings at a Swedish dance. One cow hides stretched over it. The mast moment I’m holding her hand as we Death grabbed its center and square sail were simple and held dance a polska, and the next I’m holding Up sprung a rainbow together with ropes and prayer. I was her hand at our wedding. What would - Rita Spinal left with a month’s worth of Irish soda St. Augustine say? bread, a keg of Guinness and a fifth Oh yes, the question of why we sit in of Jameson to keep the cold away. In the balcony. I would have to say that it recent ecumenical times, Bushmills is by accident. It probably began during Little fir seedling whiskey (made by Protestants) was a Christmas Eve children’s mass when Flanked by taller four- used. But after Benedict, it was not the lower levels were filled, and then square posts considered Catholic enough. Jameson’s, we continued to return there as it was which has a Catholic master distiller, a good place to have two rambunctious Regents for a prince is currently used. And as always, there boys during mass. And now we are - Thomas Clark, 1978 is a conservative reaction to Libational comfortable there, and like theology, Theology. each person finds their our own place During my novitiate I learned more at the table. Social media about St. Brendan’s journey. Long before –– Joe Guiney Amerigo Vespuci visited Hispaniola, What do you think about it? St. Brendan had sailed to the lands I don’t know either now known as the Canadian maritime - Bob Reid provinces. When St. Brendan landed Time in New Foundland he introduced Mom was always pleasant, Christianity and Irish football to the until time started to run out. Then Beothuk, one of the First Peoples living there. That is probably why American cold coffee was sent back football has never become popular with a stern rebuke, there. In return he was given potatoes “It’s not hot”. (which had traveled in trade all the Her bluntness caused my way from the Andes) and was taught Minnesota-Nice discomfort. sea chanties which has influenced Irish music to this day. The Beothuk thought But she knew she had sea chanties were an equal trade for only so many cups left. Catholic Theology. At dinner on the cruise ship So in my sojourn, I built a boat that we shared a table with Yoshitada and Kazue, was sufficient to advance in the novitiate both in their 90’s who immigrated to the level of Spiritual Sailor. As the Irish orders have done over the past from Japan after the War to work successfully 150 years, I was sent as a missionary to in the State Department as translators. the United States. It happened that I We enjoyed a wonderful exchange until was sent to Minneapolis to assist with Kazue looked at her watch and suddenly said, youth development. It was there while “I have to go!” volunteering at a Swedish Dance in the Cedar Cultural Center that I was and trotted off to the Casino, asked to dance by a beautiful young knowing she only had so much time woman named Peggy. Like the times to go on winning. of old when the Irish monasteries were - Steven M. Lukas sacked by the Vikings, my innocence

15 Making Our Own Saints, One Story at a Time

If we are to express the love in our saying out loud what we admire, what In the Cabrini church community, I own hearts, we must also understand we want to be like. Sometimes, we need have done shows with Chris Kosowski, what love meant to Socrates and Saint a meeting a week. Sometimes, we need Larry and Carol Dittberner, the Hunt/ Francis, to Dante and Shakespeare, two meetings a day. Bettsworth family, Mike Tegeder, to Emily Dickinson and Christina Examples can help. People in Tom Garvey, Don Holt, Lucy Knoll, Rossetti, to the explorer Shackleton Catholic-land have patron saints and Dylan Ward, Barb Schwain, Kathy and to the intrepid physicians who favorite saints and churches named for Furie, Mary Pauluk, Walken and Frank deliberately exposed themselves to yellow saints, and that seems to me the most Schweigert, Terry Dosh, John Hunt, fever. These historic manifestations promising direction for staying safe and Bill Cunningham, and Mary Vaughn. of love are not recorded in the day’s getting better, if only the saint registry I have put hundreds of stories out to newspaper or the current radio is expanded, personalized, and updated. the late-night world in the hope that program: they are hidden to people who For everyday use, I don’t need perfect someone would learn something from possess only fashionable minds. Virtue people, examples I can full out emulate. them. Many are available on demand. is not a chemical product, as Taine once The most helpful kid in math class is In December, 2018, I started described it: it is a historic product, like the one who’s a chapter ahead of you. “Experiments in Thoughtfulness,” to language and literature; and this means I can benefit from finding people to use excerpts from interviews as prompts that if we cease to care about it, cease to partly admire, to be more like, to take for storytelling in small groups; people cultivate it, cease to transmit its funded something from. come together, watch a life ‘excerpt’, values, a large part of it will become and tell stories about ways in which meaningless, like a dead language to Inchworm, inchworm they have encountered this sort of which we have lost the key. That, I thoughtfulness, either in themselves submit, is what has happened in our Measuring the marigolds or in people they know—or perhaps own lifetime. You and your arithmetic have ‘encountered’ its absence—saying –– Lewis Mumford, You’ll probably go far. to themselves, “We need someone Values for Survival –– Danny Kaye, song for Hans like this, right now.” The practice is Christian Anderson democratic; everybody participates stopped teaching regularly without equally, says approximately the same much regret. I see teaching ethics In 2005, I wrote a thesis in moral number of words. We start with apples, Ias Mumford sees it; it’s about keeping philosophy around the claim that cheese, and introductions, finish with values and virtues alive, helping people people navigate the world by some general talk, as time permits. We to try them on, transmitting influence emulating, rejecting, and sampling meet about twice a month; the project from one person to another. I never the lives they see—measuring their will continue on roughly that schedule, found it easy to do that in a college distances from people they admire at least through the summer of 2019. classroom; people kept expecting other and people they dread. I argued that Group size is variable, from 2 to tricks altogether, and storytelling was such measuring defines one part of 14. To my surprise, very small groups never as important as it needed to be. our moral investigation, our way of work well, filling 90 minutes with good Since ending that work, I have tried finding our place in the world, our talk. Groups of 14 ration their time to invent and test practices that might coordinates. In 2005, I had been naturally; beyond that number, the better stand against the numbness and producing a weekly cable TV show group would likely need to split. carelessness I see invading American featuring life-history interviews The notion ‘thoughtfulness’ turns out public life. For a while, I thought about with thoughtful people for about 12 to be slippery, but I don’t know a better Alcoholics Anonymous as model; years. That show, the Bat of Minerva, word for what I’m after. In normal ‘Stupid Anonymous’ seemed a possible persists; it is now approaching its 25th use, it sometimes means ‘kindness’ brand for the new enterprise. My basic year. Over this time, I have gathered or ‘concern’ (‘a thoughtful note’) and idea is not far from AA’s message; we a variety of examples of thoughtful sometimes “intellectual alertness.” all are liable to fall into errors, cults, people summarizing their ways of (‘He gave a thoughtful response to the fantasies, short-cuts, unless we keep working—a library of promising lives. proposal.’) I like the way the notion combines a moral element with an

16 Making Our Own Saints, One Story at a Time

intellectual virtue: it is relative of instantly building a remote support rare species of goodness and growing ‘woke.’ I don’t know a better name for network over Facebook; a scholar them out again, before they vanish. the quality of super-consciousness that of religious practice who came to Whether this experiment, the Bat marks off human beings at their best. understand and then adopt rituals she of Minerva’s answer to Alcoholics My idea is to show people engaging had observed growing up; a shy author Anonymous, will rescue America (or in careful, non-spastic, non-automatic, who used her books as a way of meeting even Minnesota) from stupidity is still not-just-habitual interactions with people; an engineer who decided he somewhat in doubt. We grow slowly, the world, so that, repeat participants could no longer work on delivery and brutishness has gone viral. can measure their distances from systems for nuclear weapons, figuring Fortunately, this is a game we can various partly admirable people, asking out a humane way of breaking up with all play, anywhere. Ask the kids, “Did themselves, after each gathering, how his colleagues and friends. Each style you meet any good people today?” Ask much they want to be like the person was particular, and each style had legs. the grandparents, “Did you meet any in the video window. Gradually, people One point to installing so many good people, in 90 years? Tell me about will negotiate out their moral longitude saints in niches around the medieval them.” Ask yourself, every morning, and latitude. cathedral is that goodness comes in “Who else do I want to be, besides me?” Among the old shows I watched to 95 flavors, and that getting better –– Peter Shea get ready for these groups, the range can mean learning new tricks, as well of minds and styles included: a social as working on your favorite trick. change strategist, plotting to force his What enlivens one situation deadens country to enact laws protecting farm another. Goodness seems boring if animals; a soccer coach who found in one always only orders vanilla. My youth studies classes a broader goal purpose in starting “Experiments for her coaching activity; a disk jockey in Thoughtfulness” was to build a who responded to a natural disaster by cathedral/zoo in stories, holding on to

Some things I just don’t understand…

So many questions have come into my head during these past months. My mind wanders asking so many questions as I get exposed to comments made by many people representing their views. Why do some people call themselves Christians when they don’t even know what the word means? Why is it ok to clap at a concert acknowledging a performance, but not alright when clapping in church in an attempt to acknowledge a nice effort by someone or all involved? Why is it ok to raise hands at a concert during a song you love but not ok to raise your hand in a church due to a spiritual movement reaction of a song? Why is it ok to hold hands in solidarity at a sporting event, but the same people get turned off when holding hands for the Lord’s prayer? Why is it ok for a group of protesters to make life miserable for your group, but if you stand next to them and attempt to talk to them, they get bent out of shape? What is the purpose of our life on earth? Is there a purpose? Do we have a duty to do something? Should we give more of our time and money than we do? Does everyone who dies go to heaven? Is there a hell? Or do people, i.e. their soul, who have not been so kind simply just disappear when they pass on? So many mysteries within our faith. So many questions of why and what in my life. Thankfully I have Cabrini to look forward to each week to listen and learn. - Paul Tuveson

17 Spoken Word of God: Creation

God creates the heavens and the then God pronounces then God lifts her voice earth “let the waters under the heavens “let the waters bring forth swarms the earth without form / void gather together in one place of living creatures darkness / thick upon the face of and let dry land appear” let the birds flutter above the earth the deep and so it is soaring across the firmament of the the breath of God God names the dry land ‘Earth’ heavens” hovers over the face of the waters and the waters gathered together: so God shelters every living “let there be light” ‘Seas’ creature and: light and God witnesses / that it is good birds nesting and God sees that it is good then / God accelerates bug and beetle pestering God separates “let the earth put forth vegetation! clownfish jesting light / darkness plants yielding seeds! great sea monsters cresting over darkness / light fruit-bearing trees” the waves ‘Day’ / ‘Night’ and it becomes so! and God delights evening / morning the earth brings forth vegetation! that it is good a first day plants take root God sanctifies these species saying ———————— trees bear fruit “be fruitful / multiply good fill the oceans and skies” evening / morning evening then God declares a third day morning “let there be a firmament in the a fifth day midst of the waters ——————— let it separate the waters above ——————— from the waters below” then God decides so God leavens the firmament “let there be lights in the separates the waters below firmament of the heavens from the waters above: separate / day from night ‘Heaven’ signs seasons / days years light evening radiant in the firmament of the morning heavens a second day to illuminate the earth” —————— and so it shines God awakens the two great lights the greater light to empower the day the lesser light to emancipate the night and stars! / God curates the stars sprinkles them in the firmament of the heavens to enlighten the earth day / night darkness / light and God marvels sunset sunrise a fourth day dawns ———————

18 then God innovates thus “let the earth birth living creatures the heavens and the earth and all the host cattle / creeping things / beasts of the land” arrive and so life evolves on the seventh day / we finish God shepherds the cattle / the beasts the beginning everything that creeps on the seventh day every thing welcome we take time God proclaims to inhale / exhale “let us make humankind in our image we bless the Sabbath after our likeness hallow it and let humans share the earth as our day of rest with the fish of the deeps from all our work everything that creeps our work of resistance upon the earth” our work of liberation across the canvas of humanity our work / of creation God paints a multiplicity of melanin the word of God outlines not yet colored in by exclusion ———————— God envisions humanity in the divine image - Paul Dosh male female femme fluid across a cornucopia 2018 Easter Vigil, of non-conforming pronouns St. Frances Cabrini God blurs the binary celebrates cis trans and genderqueer reveals this glorious mosaic beatifies each beautiful human: The Majesty and Glory of the Mountain “be fruitful / multiply care for the earth I am a downhill skier, a sport not as owners that if you don’t partake, but as guests you can’t truly understand. living in humble interdependence I will tell you why I have this with the birds of the trees passion and love for skiing. It and each living thing that breathes” is a sport that I grew up doing then God exclaims / we exclaim with my siblings. Some of my “behold, every plant yielding seed best memories are of family reunions in Dillon, CO with every tree with seed in its fruit husband Tom, siblings and to nourish us non-skiing sisters-in-laws. We every beast that sleeps / willow that weeps love the outdoors and skiing every thing that creeps is a challenging and vigorous everything that hungers activity that brings the glow to our faces. The crisp clean air of the for the breath of life / receive the gift of mountain revives us. green plants for food” When I stand on top of the mountain I see the beauty of the snow and it is covered mountains and valleys that surround me. They seem endless. we cherish everything The grandeur of it all takes my breath away. My Creator has provided for so very good me, this glorious spectacle of nature. I must take at least a few moments to absorb it all. Then, I’m off to begin my dance down the mountain. evening morning - Ruth Olson a sixth day ————————

19 Let Me Introduce Myself ODE to a ’59 Triumph TR3 et me introduce myself. I am Gary great neighbor/mechanic/handyman You wait patiently under winter Livingston, and this is my wife and he prefers GM. Bud is a symbolic canvas wraps, LBeth, and we reside in… therein lies reminder that living in Coon Rapids, lovingly sedated with C Foam and our first problem. Anoka County, is not all bad. Not all filled to the brim, Seven years ago, my wife and I began my neighbors are politically just a feebly warding off ravages of attending Cabrini. The year was 2012 hair right of Mussolini, and the one’s relentless rust. We warm and memorable to us because this was I do not talk politics with are good ourselves the year of the Minnesota Marriage neighbors and people. We just see the through memories of my pushing Amendment vote. You remember, world in a different way but see each you hard with where YES meant No, and No meant other as people—usually. Yes to same sex marriage. When meeting fellow parishioners wind streaming through my We did not properly introduce at Cabrini, we are first asked if we are thinning hair as you ferried me ourselves as newcomers for various new to Cabrini. This is understandable on reasons. We are both reserved and because we spend the summer months chromed wire wheels that flashed in not comfortable drawing attention to at our cabin and frequently travel the summer suns. ourselves, in a welcoming setting like other months. We are then asked why Your seams all twisted and loose Cabrini—foolish I know, but now we Cabrini? This is easy. We needed a have bled trails of precious body feel much more comfortable. church where we would be comfortable. fluids Our second issue with this simple We were tired of leaving mass frustrated for jealous young boys to follow as introduction is that we are from— Coon and angry after sermons treating gays they madly pedaled to catch us. Rapids. Most famous as home to the as broken people. Broken—that is the Our frames and joints creak in redneck bottleneck. Thirty-nine years word my son used to describe himself in Coon Rapids and still uncomfortable in the eyes of the Catholic Church unison as I once more snuggly with the name. My wife will often when he told us he was gay. Not a wrap your worn leather cockpit say Andover when asked about our choice he made, but the way he was around me, all smooth and shiny homestead. I vacillate between Anoka, born. We were also tired of the excuses, like an old coat that might be worn northwest suburbs, or just generalize blaming the media for overblowing out, but not out grown. Minneapolis; particularly when the priest sexual abuse cases. We read Your skin still shimmers in British conversing with a phone rep from the the editorials written by Father Mike Racing Green, saturated with east coast or south. We live in Anoka Tedeger. Father Mike led us to Cabrini. yearly coats of polish that now County—the county that propelled We have since learned that Cabrini is barely hide Jesse Ventura to Governor, Michelle a community of worshipers who share a mosaic cracks lining your once Bachmann to the US House, and the social conscience. We have also learned youthful face. popular Amy Klobuchar failed to we have to get out of our comfort zone carry over some guy I defy anyone to and reach out and become involved. We Together we’ve fought the good name. Needless to say, we see different are happy to be a part of the Cabrini fight against aging. yard signs and bumper stickers in our community and maybe we may even We could stay here forever, safely neighborhood. consider a Prius for our next car. Sorry, cocooned, We have felt welcomed at Cabrini the truck stays; I love my truck. but we’d never again feel youthful from the start, but my struggle with Ending on a bright note. My son breezes fitting in began in the parking lot. I does not see himself as broken. He as they whistle across old skin, drive a F-150, 4x4, full size pick-up is successful in life and happily (and nor could we ever again sing truck. Among the Prius’s and Obama legally) married. together in stickers my vehicle sticks out. We now –– Gary Livingston the rush and wonder of the open wisely choose to drive my wife’s car, a road Chevy Impala, a granny car. A Subaru would have been a might better fit at on the way to never-been-there Cabrini, but our neighbor, Bud, is a places. - Steve Lukas

20 Baptism and a Cabrini Welcome

“We ask the church to welcome Lucy Palkert with joy, to walk “We are blessed to introduce Patrick Scott Pelletier to the with her as she makes her faith her own, and to continue Cabrini parish and the church as a whole. Patrick is a becoming the compassionate, humble, inclusive church we sweet little boy with a laugh that can make anyone smile. know it can be. We pray that the community guide him as he grows in his And we ask our family, friends and this Cabrini community faith and learns his way in this world.” to support us as we raise Lucy in this rich yet imperfect tradition. –– Parents Natalie Sheils and Scott Pelletier Help us teach her about God, encourage her to question, and remind her always that she is beloved.” –– Parents Jessica Howell and Matthew Palkert with Lucy’s Godparents Tony Pohlen and Marie Miano

21 Art In Our Midst

rt takes many forms at Cabrini! In this article I will comment on just Some of it is living and active, four of the visual works of art that are inA the form of dance and movement, found in our building (using the words song and instrumental music, word of individuals responsible for this art and drama. Visual art graces various being in our midst), in hopes that future corners of the building—including “Cabrini Communicator” articles can the nursery, Atrium, and our worship continue to share the background on aids—with artwork sometimes done more such art at Cabrini. by the children of the parish. Even ————— the new outdoor labyrinth is a work of art, with a pattern modeled after that In the November 18, 2018 bulletin, of the 13th century limestone one in a brief article under “Spotlight” the Chartres Cathedral, France, and commented on the newest art often referred to as “sacred geometry.” acquisition. For quite a number of years prior to last fall, members of the Liturgical Environment Team had visited other churches, studios, and shows, including places like the St. Paul Monastery, to look at and consider Pope John XXIII by Sr. Corita Kent a variety of works of art for our space. A member of this team wrote for the Katie Sandstedt, parishioner, bulletin: member of the Liturgical Environment NEW ART! The LiturgicalTeam Environment Team is proud to ————— present a new artwork to our worship space! The piece is titled: SPRING The black and yellow print of an MIGRATION, by Steve Hemingway. artwork by Sr. Corita Kent, depicting Steve is a Minnesota artist whose POPE JOHN XXIII, which now themes reflect a spirituality of our hangs in Garvey Hall, at the southeast local lands and nature. The goal of the end (around the corner from the Cabrini Liturgical Environment Team elevator) was a treasure belonging to is to support the community’s “strong Tom Garvey, Cabrini pastor 1987- liturgical life.” We want to bring 1994. He hung it prominently in every liturgically relevant artworks to the home he lived in, and it found a special Cabrini environment to surround and place right above his bed in his room at support members of all ages as they “Prelude” in Woodbury, where he spent look more deeply at images, reflect, the final 2 months of his life. With his respond, pray, seek, and deepen their deep respect for Pope John XXIII, who faith and understanding. As suggested influenced Tom’s ministry and view of by the artist himself, the art piece was church so strongly, it is no surprise that placed in a location most viewed by Tom greatly valued this print. For his the congregation as we “migrate” out 50th anniversary of priestly ordination, of church, nourished by the Eucharist Tom wrote these words: and ready to bring God’s Word into our daily lives. We hope you enjoy our Reflections on Community and new art! The piece was donated by a Ministry parishioner. In October, 1958, the new pope, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, was Spring Migration by Steve Hemingway

22 Art In Our Midst

introduced to the world. He was a rotund Italian, son of peasant parents. He was a seasoned diplomat. “I am called John”, he said. John XXIII’s death at age 82 in June of 1963 broke the hearts of the world. I was a beginner parish priest for those four and a half years. He taught all of us new ways to be Catholic in the world. His secret was to “love people more than power.” Soon before his death he said that Catholics’ work is to “defend above all and everywhere the rights of (every) human person… recognize the signs of the times, seize the opportunity, and look far abroad.” His Vatican Council spelled out our Mission: “The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the people of this age, especially those who are poor, or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and Celebration by John August Swanson the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing ————— Basilica, I met there a professor of art genuinely human fails to raise an echo Many of us have sat quietly in the history (teaching at the University of in their hearts.” (From The Church in Franklin entry at times, and have St, Thomas) and shared my hopes for the Modern World, December, 1965). been struck by the beauty and peace a piece by John August Swanson. She John XXIII and the Council showed expressed in the artwork above the big knew his work well and showed me us new qualities of Catholic life. He table. A description of the process of samples a few weeks later. When I saw was joyful, open, he loved human obtaining it, and comments on the art “CELEBRATION” it seemed as if it company. “Open the windows, let in itself, are provided here in words from had been made just for Cabrini. She fresh air.” “Live in joy, not gloom.” “… Leo Tibesar, Cabrini pastor 1994-2011: told me an original was already in use the medicine of mercy, rather than town—framed and hung in a gallery. that of severity.” The Serigraph “CELEBRATION”— She brought it over a week later. It It is my good fortune to be part of How it came to Cabrini was purchased with the designated gift a church that has tried to adopt Pope In July 1998 I conducted a funeral money shortly thereafter. John XXIII’s vision of the world under service for a former parishioner who John August Swanson—of Mexican God. For fifty years I’ve been part of worked and lived in another state for and Swedish ancestry—has spent his parishes that lived openly, joyfully, some years. The family donated a gift 60 years in Los Angeles as a painter trying to see the world as one. In trying sizable enough to be set aside. in mixed media and a printmaker of to be faithful to John’s vision, we have Since memorial gifts are often used limited edition serigraphs—often in been for each other reliable guides to for special needs, it occurred to me that biblical or religious themes. His work authentic Catholic life. this gift could be designated for a piece reflects Islamic miniatures, Russian For your companionship I am of art. Along with the staff, I had hoped iconography, Latin American folk art, grateful. for four years to find a quality piece of and Mexican muralists. The artwork is detailed, complex, and elaborate: each ––Tom Garvey, 2007, on the art for the Franklin Avenue entryway. of the 50 colors for “CELEBRATION” celebration of the 50th anniversary of An opportunity arose in October. his priestly ordination After attending a concert at the Continued on page 24

23 — Helpful Hints of Financial­­ and Legal Benefit —

Helping Yourself while Helping Cabrini Tax-smart Giving

Charitable organizations such as Cabrini are facing a new reality. If you own an IRA and were born on or before With the federal new tax law, it is more difficult for individuals June 30, 1949, you will have to take the Required and couples to claim a charitable deduction on tax returns. The Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA standardized deduction is now $12,000, or $24,000 for people account in 2019; that is, the tax collector filing a joint return. This means that the charitable deductions wants to tax part of your IRA as income. Let us that used to be deductible for many people no longer are. It assume that you will give $2,000 to Cabrini in remains to be seen what kind of impact this has on charitable 2019, and your marginal federal and Minnesota giving; however Minnesota 501 (c)(3) organizations are income tax rates are 22 percent and seven concerned whether it will negatively affect donations. percent, respectively. Compare two approaches Therefore, the Finance Committee wants to inform parish to making your contribution payments. members about a “bundling technique” that may work for You pay by personal check or cash: some people to be able to plan their giving. The scenario here The federal tax reform act of 2017 increased shows how a couple filing jointly with a $24,000 combined the standard deduction, which reduces taxable standard deduction could benefit by using a donor advised income and thus the taxes you pay. It eliminated fund to bundle their charitable giving into one year. Figure 1 the deductibility of your gift to Cabrini unless demonstrates how the couple could gain $14,700 of increased all of your permissible, itemized deductions tax deductions over a five-year period, all while giving the exceed the standard deduction. Since the law same amount to their favorite charities. This is enabled by also capped or reduced several of the deductible establishing a donor advised fund with a local foundation such items, from which you benefited in past years, as the Catholic Community Foundation or Catholic United very few low and middle income earners will Financial Foundation. Once established, the donor instructs the have itemized deductions in excess of the foundation to contribute donations to eligible charities of their standard deduction. That is, your $2,000 gift to choosing. Cabrini provides no federal tax benefit to you. The State of Minnesota allows a partial deduction of your gift from taxable income, in addition to the standard deduction. The partial deduction is computed as follows: Reduce your gift of $2,000 by $500 to $1,500; divide the result by 50 percent to $750; your tax benefit is seven percent of $750, or $52.50. In summary, your out-of-pocket, after-tax expense of your gift to Cabrini is $2,000 less $52.50, or $1,947.50. Your bank pays out of your IRA account:Federal and Minnesota law permit direct payments to Figure 1 (source: Catholic Finance Corporation’s Spring 2018 newsletter, www.catholicfinance.org) charities out of your IRA, which reduce taxable This is a technique that my spouse and I have decided to use income by the amount of the gift and count in order to be able to give while still gaining tax deductions. towards your RMD. If you choose this option, Please contact me or another Finance Committee member to you have to instruct your bank to issue a check learn more. to Cabrini in the amount of your gift, $2,000 in On a related matter, if you have named Cabrini in your estate our example. planning, or you would like to consider it, there are some parish The after-tax effect of this payment to you is: members willing to discuss it with you confidentially. Mary The gift to Cabrini in the amount of $2,000; less Pat Lee, Amanda Grimm, myself, or Parish Administrator Mary the reduction in federal and Minnesota taxes by Lou Sweet are each available to discuss how you’ve already 22 + 7 = 29 percent, for a tax benefit to you in planned, or would like to plan to make an estate gift as a legacy the amount of $580; and an after-tax expense of to help Cabrini. $1,420. - Michael Darger - Heino Beckmann

24 Art in Our Midst, continued from page 23

needed a separate stencil on mylar film to be transferred to the silk screen to create a visually striking matrix of richly overlaid colors. Swanson’s art is found in many museums in this country—including the Smithsonian and the University of Notre Dame—and abroad: London, Paris, and Rome (the Vatican). Cabrini’s serigraph was placed near the altar on the weekend of February 6-7 [1999] and dedicated after each Mass with a ritual of reflection, prayer, and song. “CELEBRATION” depicts people assembled for worship: concentric circles of colorfully robed figures holding hands and candles while singing to the accompaniment of hand-held musical instruments in a temple setting open to the textured earth and star-filled The Star Quilt sky. Active as the scene is, it invites quiet meditation on people unified and and ministry the family received. Mike From the earliest days, the Church of transformed. continued to minister to this family, St. Frances Cabrini has been a work –– Leo Tibesar, 1999, on the occasion including being present for a ceremony of art. The building itself is an award- of the dedication of the art piece. marking the one year anniversary in winning design, the statues hold their ————— 2012 of this young girl’s home-going. own stories, and the stained glass In 2017, this pastoral minister who had windows, depicting the ministries of For the past couple years, the huge wall been at St. Ed’s during Mike’s years Mother Frances Cabrini, were added on the first landing of the Franklin there, so aware of the compassionate early on. More artworks grace many Avenue stairwell has been graced ministry of Mike Tegeder and our parts of the building, and I invite by a beautiful star quilt. In the fall gratitude for his time with us, asked if others to write about them, or to share of 2011, shortly after Mike Tegeder Cabrini could provide a home for this with me what they know for a future became pastor at Cabrini (where he quilt. Cabrini Communicator article. Finally, served 2011-2016), he presided for the Though this beautiful work of since first coming to Cabrini in 1983, I funeral for an 11 year old girl, which art is clearly in remembrance of one have been deeply touched by the “living was celebrated at St. Edward’s—there special young girl and the ministry of art” that is the community itself! In because it was a large enough space to Mike Tegeder to her family, this quilt accepting the role of liturgist and other accommodate all her classmates from also can represent the blessing Mike responsibilities since 1992, it has been her Bloomington school, and suitable Tegeder was and continues to be for my joy to acknowledge and draw out to include the Native rituals of her own the Cabrini community, in the legacy the gifts of countless members of the culture within the Mass. Two quilts he has left us in many ways, including parish, as they live their faith in varied were brought from her grandmother’s our relationship with the Church of and beautiful ways. With gratitude reservation in South Dakota for the Gichitwaa Kateri, and his fostering of to this beautiful community… in a funeral, one for the altar cloth, and a deeper appreciation for the Indian beautiful space! one for the pall. After the funeral the people of our own cities. grandmother presented one of the –– Chris Kosowski quilts to the pastoral minister at St. ————— Ed’s, in gratitude for the hospitality

25 Cabrini Confirmation Candidates Share Their Impressions...

26 Cabrini Confirmation Candidates Share Their Impressions...

27 The Next Chapter in Our Story of Food and Water is Ours to Write

would like to introduce the Headwaters What will the Headwaters Community Food and Water Economic Resiliency Program do? Together Toward a Sustainable Future Provide strategic resources -a combination of technical and financial investment to create and ICommunity Food and maintain the web economy (source to table) including: Water Bill. The bill is one outcome of work that I 1. All component parts of the web (see description above) have done in partnership Headwaters Community 2. Transition assistance: for producers transitioning to participate in the web 3. Ecological restoration: reviving health of ecosystems (locally-adapted) with the Environmental Food & Water Economic 4. Facilitate creation of rights for ecosystems to live and thrive Justice Coordinating Resiliency Program 5. Community campaigns to promote culture of caring and well-being Council (EJCC) in 6. Affordable and accessible healthcare for all members of the web economy North Minneapolis. The From source to table anchoring every 7. Financial subsidy to make fruits and vegetables affordable for all income levels bill creates an economic community with a regenerative food resiliency program web economy to meet the demands of How will the web capture carbon and eliminate waste? to establish a locally- climate, food and water Regenerative food systems depend on healthy ecosystems and local ecological knowledge. Healthy soil captures carbon and water effectively. adapted regenerative food web designed to Sourcing and preserving food close to home eliminates dependence on the industrial food chain including using reusable containers. Communities can set and meet goals for restoring health to meet the demands of food, water and climate. ecosystems and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions created by the Chain including: The Headwaters Bill will No matter where we live or the heritage we claim, we all depend on water. Water is Life. 1. Deforestation be introduced by Rep. Fue As the headwaters for three major watersheds, Minnesota is positioned to act as leader for caring 2. Industrial Agriculture Lee and Rep. Kaohly Her for water. As communities plan to live more sustainably, this leadership has never been more 3. Transportation in the House (HF 2738) important. 4. Processing, packaging and freezing 5. Waste and by Senator Richard Today, Minnesota’s economy-and every community within her borders-are dependent on the 1 Note: /3 of the 8 million tons of plastic leaked into oceans annually is generated by the Chain. Cohen and Senator John industrial food chain. From source to table, this publicly funded economy is unsustainable-

Marty in the Senate. depending on practices that destroy ecosystems and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. We What are the byproducts of the regenerative food web economy? The following outlines the need an economic solution to this economic problem. program. It is essentially a The Headwaters Community Food and Water Economic Resiliency Program (HCFWEP) 1. Healthy ecosystems-water and soil systems, pollinators and plants, animals and people Green New Deal for food envisions every community in the headwaters operating as economic engines for sustainable 2. Downstream-contamination and water extraction from industrial agriculture eliminated and water. living- neighbors connected by a locally-adapted regenerative food web capable of meeting the 3. Carbon capture-in healthy soils and restored, locally adapted diverse ecosystems 4. Culture defined by health, well-being and inclusivity I think you will agree demands of food, water and climate. 5. Economic dependence on science, art and management of regenerative design that it is time to shape a 6. Resilience-economic legacy capable of nurturing this and future generations new story for food and What is a regenerative food web economy? The web is a tool for managing energy (food) effectively. From source to table, the web is water-a story of neighbors organized to create capacity to source and capture food where it is generated and preserve, store How does this tool help communities be resilient? caring for one another and and deliver it effectively within communities. The web is designed to create the economic conditions capable of managing the combined the home we share. With challenges of food, water, energy and climate by connecting communities to a common purpose- my EJCC partners I invite What does the web include? neighbors together care for one another and the home we share. you to be a champion for • Sources of cultivated (urban and rural farms, orchards, public lands, community gardens, that story. We welcome A resilient economy is by necessity inclusive. Every member of every community must be able to water systems and wild foods (public waters, public lands, private lands) participate and benefit in an economy designed to respect the interdependent relationship of your voices. • Management system for coordinating all aspects of the web economy people and the ecosystems that sustain life. There can be no winners and losers. –– Marita Bujold • Highly-skilled producers and custodians of culinary knowledge We all share the risks and responsibilities of our shared task. • Neighborhood Food Hub (Neighborhood Commons) and satellites • Learning and leadership training centers for regenerative systems Our common challenges offer an opportunity to create an award-worthy economy capable of • Research-decentralized, coordinated research and application of local ecological setting a course for success. The Headwaters Community Food and Water Economic knowledge Resilience Program makes the pathway visible. • Coordinated network for managing and preparing for emergencies * This program is created by the Headwaters Community Food & Water Bill.

Email: [email protected] URL: justfoodandwater.org/s/Headwaters-Resiliency-Program.pdf Email: [email protected] URL: justfoodandwater.org/s/Headwaters-Resiliency-Program.pdf

28 The Next Chapter in Our Story of Food and Water is Ours to Write

What will the Headwaters Community Food and Water Economic Resiliency Program do? Who’s Due for a Provide strategic resources -a combination of technical and financial investment to create and maintain the web economy (source to table) including: Haiku or Two? 1. All component parts of the web (see description above) 2. Transition assistance: for producers transitioning to participate in the web What we deeply love 3. Ecological restoration: reviving health of ecosystems (locally-adapted) Predicts where eye will 4. Facilitate creation of rights for ecosystems to live and thrive travel 5. Community campaigns to promote culture of caring and well-being The heart stands rooted 6. Affordable and accessible healthcare for all members of the web economy 7. Financial subsidy to make fruits and vegetables affordable for all income levels - Rita Spinal

How will the web capture carbon and eliminate waste? Regenerative food systems depend on healthy ecosystems and local ecological knowledge. Looking at the hedge Healthy soil captures carbon and water effectively. Crumpled dusty red and Sourcing and preserving food close to home eliminates dependence on the industrial food chain including using reusable containers. Communities can set and meet goals for restoring health to green ecosystems and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions created by the Chain including: A single blossom 1. Deforestation - Rita Spinal 2. Industrial Agriculture 3. Transportation 4. Processing, packaging and freezing 5. Waste Resting in delight 1 Note: /3 of the 8 million tons of plastic leaked into oceans annually is generated by the Chain. Above below cracks fill in Scarcity abounds What are the byproducts of the regenerative food web economy? - Rita Spinal 1. Healthy ecosystems-water and soil systems, pollinators and plants, animals and people 2. Downstream-contamination and water extraction from industrial agriculture eliminated 3. Carbon capture-in healthy soils and restored, locally adapted diverse ecosystems 4. Culture defined by health, well-being and inclusivity A “Tripku” Winter in 5. Economic dependence on science, art and management of regenerative design Minnesota 6. Resilience-economic legacy capable of nurturing this and future generations I wake to quiet

The normal sounds are How does this tool help communities be resilient? The web is designed to create the economic conditions capable of managing the combined absent challenges of food, water, energy and climate by connecting communities to a common purpose- It’s snowing again neighbors together care for one another and the home we share. The children awake A resilient economy is by necessity inclusive. Every member of every community must be able to Without the call to get up participate and benefit in an economy designed to respect the interdependent relationship of Counting on “No School” people and the ecosystems that sustain life. There can be no winners and losers. We all share the risks and responsibilities of our shared task. What’s that noise It’s Charlie’s new snow Our common challenges offer an opportunity to create an award-worthy economy capable of blower setting a course for success. The Headwaters Community Food and Water Economic Resilience Program makes the pathway visible. He clears all our walks - Bob Reid * This program is created by the Headwaters Community Food & Water Bill.

Email: [email protected] URL: justfoodandwater.org/s/Headwaters-Resiliency-Program.pdf

29 Play Ball!

ittle did I realize the 2017 mens So what is it like to not play a sport embarrassing swing but as least I was not retreat would be a base ball spring for about 30 years and come back? For going to be out because it was a harmless Ltraining session. (And please Mr. Editor, our team batting is like riding a bike. We foul ball. All of a sudden I realized that that is not a typo, it’s “base ball” - that’s all can swing the bat and make contact everyone on my team was yelling for how it was spelled in 1860). Dave with the ball, even lashing some nice me to run to first base. Oops! I ran 20 Schultz was looking for some “young hits here and there. However, in the field feet down the line before a Henderson guys” to join the Minneapolis Quick some of us have forgotten how to ride brother easily whipped the ball to first Steps vintage base ball club. At 57 years the bike (assuming we knew how in the base for the out. Why? Another strange old I wasn’t even close to being a spring beginning). Our ability to throw and rule (from the point of view of a modern chicken, but I was younger than Dave, catch the batted ball is shaky. Oh and person): it doesn’t matter where the ball so I decided to check it out. that brings up an important difference ends up that determines a foul ball; Growing up, I wasn’t good at baseball. from the modern game – none of us grew rather it’s where the ball first makes I could not hit fast pitches and was up having to catch the ball with our bare contact with the ground. The plate is fair especially unskilled at catching outfield hands! It seems hard to believe that 1860 territory and it didn’t matter that the ball fly balls. However, in college I learned players did NOT have fielders’ mitts. In rolled away behind me – it was a fair ball to play slowpitch softball and not fact they had not yet been invented in and I was forced out at first base. humiliate myself. Well at some fork in 1860. Imagine taking a line drive at 3rd If you would like to learn more or the evolution of sports involving bats base and catching it with your hands. Or even come to a game, talk to Dave or and balls, the sports split on pitching as an outfielder running to catch a deep Joe Kosowski or me. We’re looking styles. Modern baseball went down the fly ball and not being able to scoop with for more players. At Facebook.com, road of a slightly harder ball and high a big mitt. It’s just as hard as it sounds. search for Quickstep BBC to find our velocity, overhand pitching. Another The nice thing is that in 1860s base ball team’s schedule and see pictures and fork was slowpitch, which inherited the a fielder can catch a fly ball on one hop information. Fans are welcome and are underhand pitching motion of vintage and the batter is out. Weird but true! treated to a running commentary and base ball albeit with a much larger ball The first time I batted in a game was narrative of the rules and customs of the (we won’t talk about fastpitch softball). against the Henderson Brothers on July 1860s game. And the games are often In 1860 rules base ball the pitches come 4th. On my first swing I took a mighty cut situated in an historical event such as in nice, arcing motions. The ball is the and missed. On the next swing I barely The Landing on July th4 or at civil war same size as a modern baseball but made contact and the ball went straight re-enactments (Rochester or Pipestone) maybe 20-30% softer (depending how down and hit the metal disk that serves or steam threshers events ( Jordan). many times it has been hit). as home plate. The ball skittered away –– Michael Darger weakly toward the catcher. It was an

A Dance for Spring

On Sunday I raised a prayer in church for the folks that this winter’s Real Weather is “getting to.” Because, this year, we need to remember that We Can Do This. I saw lots of frazzled people at the grocery store on Saturday. The closing song for church was “The Bells of Norwich,” which has parts about daffodils and winter ending, with the phrase “All shall be well again.” It is uplifting—especially now. It is also a song to which we may dance if we choose. One by one women joined in, which includes walking in a circle and spinning (gently) in place. Of course, only one woman knew which step came next, so we had to watch her for cues. And it took me a bit to figure out how to hold both others’ hands and my walking stick. Because I need it for spinning. Professional dancing it was not, but that is the best kind. I am still smiling. A Spring dance helps, in bleak midwinter. - Kate Shields

30 A Calling Concentric circles of widening echoes Repeating outward with fainting calls From departing shores and Disappearing contrails. High over open ocean, in dark icy night Resting one’s head against darkened plexiglass Creating ferocious fright of deathly chills and shivers Picturing unimagined distance Plummeting far below to crashing waves God: Cosmogenic Love Of dangerous vast lost open ocean. As miles and hours evolve into days A love so expansive- Sparkles of dawn of rising sun So restless- As barely heating piercing rays So full of fire- Seemingly slice across high earth clouds. It burst forth its energy with the Big Bang Awashing the world to distant horizons, Dissolving adventures with memories A loving energy that creates— Reformed in visions in rising puffy From the initial basic elements cotton. To the birthing of all new life - Kara Kirsch Constantly; From stars—to humans—to viruses, Connecting, Uniting Resurrected Celebrations This love energy permeates our relationships: Screams of songs from sprawling choirs Love that surprises echoes out from rising stages Love that holds dear mixed with blur from heated lights Love that is compassion of twinkling illumination of music stars. Love that hopes Then billowing smoke in mystery Love that endures telling stories of far off destinations Love that forgives as strobes of lamps from overhead Love that sacrifices spills with floods on mesmerizing crowds. Love that is peace Like bits of particles of bright sunshine Love that invites peering through a darkened earth Love that cries as rainbows of colors blanket lands Love that laughs with the gradual birthing of brand new days. - Kara Kirsch LOVE, carry me; transform me. - Marie Boler

31 Faith in Our Future: What is God Calling Us to Be?

aith in our Future” is a bold The Call and the Answer motto for any Catholic church In such a tumultuous time, the real “Fthese days. Along with other dioceses question is not just: “What do we want throughout the country and across to do?” but “What is God calling us to the world, we are witnessing the be?” continuing repercussions of scandal different zip codes around the Greater In the funding proposals submitted and bankruptcy. We see young people Metro Area. The community attracts for Father Mike’s gift, Cabrini members abandoning the Church in droves. And Catholics who are well-educated, wisely told us what we needed to do: as a worldwide body, we’re torn by creative, self-directed, and politically refurbish the kitchen and Garvey Hall; internal struggles between traditional progressive. As a result, we have a fix the plumbing; create better space and progressive understandings of what community that is bursting with talent, for our meetings, offices, and nursery; it means to be Catholic. and interested in living the Gospel and provide more accessible parking; and Yet “Faith in Our Future” is exactly spreading the word. The question is: invest in our people, our organization, what St. Frances Cabrini declares as What do we want to do with all those and our programs. The Parish Council it starts to implement the initiatives gifts? agreed and voted to take action on made possible by our late pastor Father However, the proposition becomes these ideas as quickly as possible. Mike Tegeder’s gift to our parish. His more difficult when we realize that, And yet, implementing these $400,000 bequest in 2014 came with while Cabrini’s beacon shines bright, proposals requires a more complex only two conditions: One was that we the challenges we face today are unlike response to God than, “A community tithe ten percent of that gift. The other, anything we’ve seen before. with a better kitchen,” or “A space with that we use it to “advance the mission In the past, we could draw on the a bigger nursery,” or “A plan that helps of St. Frances Cabrini.” inspiration of Vatican II and the our staff do its work more easily.” The The tithing requirement was examples of Pope John XXIII and Pope more difficult questions are, “For what relatively straightforward, and Paul VI. But now, Vatican II is ancient purpose?” and “How do these projects we fulfilled it in 2016, based on history to all but the oldest members of help us meet the challenges we face recommendations from community the parish, and the legacies of Pope John in this turbulent 21st-century Roman members. But the second was more of Paul II and Benedict XVI are much Catholic Church?” We have limited a challenge. How would we best fulfill more complicated and problematic. resources and multiple possibilities. the legacy of this pastor, this rare man, In the past, we could point to the There is deep commitment within the who was never afraid to speak out, who Church’s teachings on social justice and community, but profound uneasiness maintained such bold commitment to the proud tradition of working with about the how the world is changing. his faith and this parish? The answer and for the poor that inspired Dorothy “Faith in Our Future” is an is that we carry on his faith, believing Day, Mother Teresa, and our own acknowledgement that our that God is calling Cabrini to be just Frances Cabrini. But now, the Catholic community’s best chance of long-term as bold, just as committed, just as Church has become synonymous with vitality will be determined not only faith-filled. We’re trusting that God is sexual predators, cover ups, and moral by simply renewing the building and calling us to a future in which we can cowardice. organization, but by doing so with both maintain our unique charism and In the past, we could count on the serious commitment to our mission and thrive as a progressive Catholic church Archdiocese to be financially strong our values, as well as keen consideration in these challenging times. and able to support and provide for of the context in which we live. The Our Strengths and Challenges institutions, like schools and churches, recently formed Strategic Planning and staff them to the necessary levels. Team represents the first major project We have good reason to place our trust But now, we are facing an uncertain of the Faith in Our Future initiative. in our future. St Frances Cabrini is a future, with staff who have been stripped Right now, these team members are destination parish. People travel as far of the pensions they had counted on for creating a complete and comprehensive as 20 miles each weekend to come to a viable retirement. picture of St Frances Cabrini as they Cabrini. It draws its members from 75 conduct their research and analysis of

32 Faith in Our Future: What is God Calling Us to Be?

all the factors to consider: our internal demographics and views; our building Seasons of Worship at Cabrini needs; and our place in the community at-large. They’ll take all of that, as well as consultant Jerry Roth’s findings about our leadership structure, and develop a plan that will guide us for the next three years. This doesn’t mean that progress can’t be made on some critical things. The Plant and Maintenance Committee is moving forward on plumbing improvements (see related article). Options will be explored for getting a professional evaluation on our space needs. There is a growing recognition that change is coming even as parish life continues. There’s no doubt that this path requires patience; the process is lengthy. Advent There’s no doubt that it can give rise to skepticism; we have all seen strategic planning documents that have been shelved rather than put into action. The highly motivated members of our Strategic Planning Team recognize the truth of these circumstances but remain both optimistic about the process and committed to doing the best job possible. It was Yogi Berra who once quipped, Christmas “The future ain’t what it used to be.” Father Mike certainly would have been more eloquent but he would have agreed with the sentiment. And he would have encouraged us to move boldly right into that future, forging it as we go.

–– Paul Philpott and Mary Shafer Ash Wednesday

Easter

33 Dreams or Nightmares?

ou may have heard the adage For more than the next forty years Many of my relatives are buried at “follow your dreams” more than and more, I’ve often had variations a rural cemetery in Freeborn County, once.Y The adage can be, and might be, of dreaming I was returning to the Minnesota. When my great grandfather, a great motivator; however, at times it seminary for a fourth year but was now Andrew O’Leary, died in 1912, his can be a problem. married with a wife and two children. In son, Edward O’Leary used part of his Some people have told me more than some of the dreams, I keep wondering inheritance to purchase a monumental once, “You have strange dreams, the how the rector would react to my new granite gravestone with O’Leary carved level of detail in some of your dreams is situation. into the stone. We’ve had many photos mystifying.” What do you think? Variations of the dream of returning of siblings and other relatives standing I often dream of flying akin to Clark to the seminary or college recurred on/and around that monument when Kent ala Superman. I fly with no cape. again and again. I have returned to the we have been burying a relative. Ed My hands are grasped pointing straight campus often enough to see additions and wife, Alice McCauley, are buried ahead as I float through the air. I have of new buildings and other changes to not far from the monument. A bit never dreamt of landing. the campus. My dreams adapt enough further away are graves of my parents, When I was 8 or 9 years old, I to recognize some of those changes. a brother and a sister. There seems to be once dreamed a guy was chasing me, In a recent dream, I am at the an unused grave site area not far from throwing dollar bills at me. My mother seminary again. I am in some sort of my parents and siblings up the slope of thought it strange. meeting with young current seminarians the grave yard close to the large granite Years later, one quiet, sharp moonlit and the man who was rector of the monument. I have often thought that summer night sometime in the 1950s, I seminary when I was there more than “unused area” would be good grave awoke knowing our farm home was to 50 years ago. I don’t recognize any of site for me. Close to the “unused area” be invaded by aliens. I got out of bed and the seminarians. However, I am sitting is a tree with what looks like part of a awakened my sister Kate; she is eleven or standing next to a fellow who was small gravestone ensnarled in the base years younger than I. I tell her the farm part of the seminary faculty years ago. of the tree trunk. In a recent dream, I and our home are soon to be invaded I believe that fellow eventually left the am standing by the tree expecting to be by unknowns. “Come downstairs with priesthood and died a few years ago. In buried at the foot of the tree. I intended me.” We walked downstairs and sat in the dream, I look at him and say “What to be buried vertically not horizontally. the dining or living room in silence. I are you doing here? You are dead.” Another dream begins either hear or see nothing unusual. I gradually Before Trudy and I married, she at college or on Hwy 36 near the decided any aliens were not disruptive, was living in a high rise in St. Paul. I Stillwater bridge over the St. Croix visible or even coming. I finally tell was living at the Commodore Hotel in River to Wisconsin. I am with an of Kate, “I think it is safe to go back Ramsey Hill. One time, I dreamed of a official walking in a corridor of some upstairs. Let’s go back to bed.” I do not time when the Mississippi River water type toward downtown Stillwater. I recall ever telling that story to any of level in St. Paul was high. In the dream, am reading a blue guidelines pamphlet. my 10 siblings or my parents. parts of downtown were severely The pamphlet is about euthanasia. During my first three years of flooded. The area around Trudy’s I am being led to be euthanized. The college, I was a seminarian at a school building was flooded. Trudy could not pamphlet makes references to how in Minnesota. After my third year, get out of her unit, she needed to be some of the procedures had not gone the seminary faculty told me not to saved. I wanted to save her. I got to her well. Some cutting off of limbs and return. Somehow faculty members building to save her and carry her away. other procedures had been botched and were perceptive enough to realize I was I carried her in my arms or on my back, needed to be restarted. After reading moving in a different direction and was my memory is fuzzy. We managed not the brochure, I leave the guide and not a good investment for continued to get wet and traveled slightly above begin to return to my family who I had seminary participation. During my the water. We remained above the recently left. fourth year at the college, I was a regular water because I had whirling propellers I am somewhere in Southwestern student but retained many seminary on my heels that enabled us to travel MN. I am going to South Dakota or friends. above the water. Nebraska. I am traveling with two large brown horses. The horses are walking

34 backwards. I turn the horses around in the upper left part of her body near I am walking on flat ground and but they quickly turn toward me to her shoulder. A guy approaches from come to a severe drop off. The road continue to walk backwards. My hands behind me to meet the woman. The has disappeared. I look past the edge are on the top of the backs of the horses. guy has a dog. The guy and the woman of the drop off, in the distance I see I worry that the horses will begin to run meet. mountains, trees and parts of a town out of gas and we will not be able to As I walk past the couple, my brown below. I look down and see a steep steel reach our destination. I am not sure horses have become dogs. I keep ladder to the ground below. I start to how far we need to go. walking the dirt path and come to a climb down and then think of dogs I On the loose red dirt cow path-like dirt bridge. Walking across the bridge, had left behind me. I think that if I get road we are traveling, we meet a guy to my right, I see a road, trees and a the dogs and drop them over the edge coming down the slope toward us. He residential area of a community not they will likely die. I climb back up the is riding a multi speed bicycle. He goes far away. I keep walking and enter a ladder, find the dogs pick them up and by us. tunnel. On the right side of the tunnel walk back through the tunnel to the I meet a blond woman lying in the wall, I see three or four phones for the dirt bridge. grass along the left side of the road. She Holiday Inn to make reservations in a –– Pat O’Leary has a dog with her. The woman tells me nearby town... I keep walking. I leave she has a Jewish disease of some type the tunnel; the dogs are still with me.

The 2019 Cabrini Men’s Retreat

35 THE CABRINI Also available online at COMMUNICATOR www.cabrinimn.org A newsletter by and for the St. Frances Cabrini community

Committees and Contacts Parish Council–Lay Members Staff

COMMUNITY LIFE Marita Bujold Deb Brisch-Cramer, Brendan Lafranchi PASTOR Fr. Paul Moudry chair FAITH FORMATION Pat Schuckert Will Mathews ADMINISTRATOR Mary Lou Sweet FINANCE Mary Brady, vice- BULLETIN Jim Scheibel Paul Philpott Medora Kea chair HABITAT Sweet Tim Spanier Mary Shafer Clarissa Hirsch CUSTODIAN JUSTICE & PEACE Dave Hinrichs Rosemary Ruffenach Kathie Wright COALITION Anne Jones FAITH FORMATION (GRADES PRE K-4) Carol Dittberner LITURGY Jim Polakowski FAITH FORMATION MAINTENANCE LeEtta Flicker (GRADES 5-12) Open OUTREACH Benton Randolph LITURGIST Chris Kosowski PASTORAL CARE Kathy Schweigert NURSERY Kate Grimm HR ADVISORY Bob Reid OFFICE COORDINATOR Emma SANCTUARY Mike Hirsch Landskroener PARISH CLERK WEB SUPPORT Paul Philpott David Gibson

Artist Rosemary Ruffenach contributed to this issue.

The Communicator Team thanks all who submitted articles and/or ideas for this seventh issue. We welcome more from you who want to share with an appreciative and interested community. Contact Nick Maryns or Bob Reid for information.