A Sort of First Anniversary

Today marks roughly the first anniversary of this blog. I say roughly because the actual date of Ash Wednesday varies from year to year. It started a little over one year ago due to a need to really release some emotions felt when my much loved car was almost towed, and continues today with the need to digest last night’s speech to Congress by President Barack Obama. The intelligence and charisma of this man both inspire and encourage me. Here are some of the points made last evening which particularly thrilled me:

Accountability="Nobody messes with Joe!"
CEO's=that party of padding your paycheck with tax payer's money is over...
“It's not about helping banks; it's about helping people.”
"Slowly but surely confidence will return and our economy will recover."
Dropping out of high school=quitting on yourself and your country!
"Countries who out teach us today will out compete us tomorrow."
Our goal should be a complete and competitive education for every child.
The country that harnesses the power of clean, renewable energy will lead the 21st century.
We who invented solar energy have fallen behind Germany and Japan in producing it.
"Healthcare reform can not, must not, will not wait another year."
Living our values makes us safer and stronger and=no torture.
We can again be a nation seeing ‘promise amid peril’.

Twenty-five percent of what I focused on refers to education. Not surprising since I spent 36 years as an educator. Realistically,only time will tell if this President who defines the ‘audacity of hope’ did indeed deliver last night, “Something worthy to be remembered.”

Some of the Rich History of Dorchester

Abraham Lincoln was born on this date, February 12th, 200 years ago. Tuesday I had the unique opportunity to experience some of the rich history of my hometown Dorchester, Massachusetts. The Second Church of Dorchester located in Codman Square had an exhibit of memorabilia from 1864 relating to the re-election campaign of Abraham Lincoln, our 16th and for many our most revered president. The Church recently found evidence of President Lincoln’s popularity with the local townsfolk. During those dark days of the Civil War when the coming election results seemed far from certain, money was raised and a banner was commissioned to show support for Mr. Lincoln in his bid for re-election.

This muslin banner with the words Lincoln and Johnson was hung across Washington Street near Melville Avenue. A second banner with the words: “The Union:It must and shall be Preserved.” was suspended across the road as well. To actually see this banner and to imagine the fears so many people had about the survival of our nation during the Civil War was mind blowing. The exhibit included photos of the 54 Dorchester residents and members of that Church who enlisted in the Union Army including 15 who were killed during the War, many at Gettysburg. After examining the photos I felt a certain awe and gratitude.

Another artifact I particularly appreciated was a copy of the Gettysburg Address complete with words crossed out and editing done by President Lincoln. That brilliant piece of writing, I recall having to memorize parts of it in school, reverberates even more today. “The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, while it can never forget what they did here.” Little did President Lincoln know how much his words would be remembered, memorized and appreciated all these many years later.

In 1848 Abraham Lincoln actually visited Dorchester giving a speech in Lower Mills supporting presidential candidate, Zachary Taylor. Lincoln was at that time a Whig congressman from Illinois. He was in Massachusetts for 11 days delivering 12 speeches in 9 towns. With his imposing height and his way with words, Lincoln left a strong impression on the locals.

So when President Lincoln had a difficult re-election campaign in 1864, it is not surprising that those Dorchester residents of long ago would so enthusiastically support the candidacy of this remarkable man. With a sense of Dorchester Pride I salute them.

Bellarmine House - Cohasset, MA

November 6, 2008

Last week-end I had the opportunity to ‘get away’ with over twenty friends. We all belong to a small faith community called the People of the Promise. We started our journey at the Paulist Center in Boston and have been celebrating Mass together for over thirty-six years.

Every Autumn we try to go on a retreat at this amazing Jesuit property with spectacular views on the Atlantic Ocean. It is always a time of renewal. The quiet reflection, the animated conversations, the meaningful sharing all contribute to a joyful, peaceful experience. I cannot forget the fun-filled ‘happy hours’ or the delicious meals we enjoy together with everyone contributing their specialties.

This year we were guided by the words of St. Paul and his instructions in the form of letters written to the early Christians. Emphasis was on the power of God’s love, the gifts of the Spirit, and the hope of reconciliation. A new understanding of reconciliation as reconnecting with the broken parts of ourselves and others emerged.

Our priest shared this thought about God:
You loved us into being like a mother. You walk with us as a friend. You are able to accomplish in us far more than we can ask, imagine, or dream possible…

The luxury of being able to get away, to appreciate the stillness, to be thankful for the friendships and to know that nothing can separate us from the love of God was not lost on me.

A Carrie Fisher Moment

When I learned several weeks ago that Carrie Fisher would be bringing her one woman show to Boston’s Huntington Theatre I hastened to get a ticket. My fast action was rewarded with a third row, end seat – heavenly. Then when Carrie began her show by singing “Happy Days Are Here Again” and walking into the audience, there I was as she sprinkled glitter (mostly in my hair) and I mouthed the words, “Love you!”

Talk about a special moment - that was one. I have long admired Carrie Fisher as a survivor, talented actress, brilliant writer and most of all a very funny lady. She has cleverly mined her, as she says, “all too eventful life.” A life always lived in the public eye. Born to celebrity parents, Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, her father left her mother for Elizabeth Taylor when she was two years old. Her mother took her out of high school and put Carrie in the chorus of her Las Vegas show. By the time she did Star Wars at the age of twenty she was having addiction problems. In and out of rehab her struggle continues.

Not being a fan of Star Wars it was not Carrie Fisher’s movie career which got my attention but rather her books. As an author she uses words very cleverly and almost never fails to get a laugh in very depressing circumstances. This I enjoy.

Her first marriage to singer Paul Simon ended in divorce. Her second marriage to talent agent Bryan Lourd ended when he left her for another man. From this union she has a daughter, Billie, whom she clearly adores. She continued to live in the Los Angeles area so that her daughter would have a father’s love and influence. Something Carrie herself didn’t have. Her Dad’s most famous song is, “Oh My Papa” or as Carrie likes to say, “Oh My Faux Pa.”

Her manic personality eventually meant a bipolar diagnosis. She is very open about her mental illness and says that doing her show has helped her to own her problems rather that the problems owning her. Clearly her sense of humor and brilliant wit have helped her to survive a dysfunctional childhood, her alcoholism, the drug addiction, mental illness, marriage to a man who, as she says, “…forgot to tell me he was gay.” and most recently the accidental death in her home of a very dear friend. The latter event sent her into a deep depression. She created her show as a way to help her out of the doldrums.

Regarding Carrie’s one woman show, “Wishful Drinking”, I was very moved by it and don’t think I ever laughed so much - simply genius. Thank you Carrie for taking us away from our every day problems while at the same time dealing with your own. I won’t soon forget my special Carrie Fisher moment.

Ancestry and St. Augustine Cemetery Chapel

Last Saturday, September 20th, I had the opportunity to attend a noon Mass, concelebrated by three bishops, at St. Augustine’s Cemetery Chapel in South Boston, MA. It was held in honor of the first Catholic priest in Boston, Rev. Francis Anthony Matignon who died on September 19, 1818. By all accounts Father Matignon was much loved and even revered. After bravely fleeing France , he came to America in 1792 and faced a great deal of difficulty trying to establish the Catholic Church in Boston.
There were at that time about one hundred Catholics who would occasionally receive the sacraments from a visiting priest. With the arrival of Father Matignon these early Catholics finally had a priest. I am thrilled to be able to say that one of my ancestors, Stephen Roberts, was part of that original congregation. After much sacrifice the first Cathedral of the Holy Cross was dedicated in 1803. Records show that even President John Adams donated to the building fund. After helping to spread the faith and to oversee the growth of the Church in Boston, when Father Matignon died part of his obituary read: “…his memory is cherished by all who value learning, honour genius, or love devotion.”
I spoke to Bishop Dooher prior to the Mass as I wanted to tell him that one of my ancestors was a part of the early Catholic Church in Boston. I was very happy when in his homily the Bishop mentioned how one of the attendees had an ancestor who was a member of that first flock served by Father Matignon. It was a joy to know that Stephen Roberts was remembered and honored in this way. My heart is full of gratitude for the gift of faith and it is a gift so freely given by one generation to the next. To stand on the sacred ground of St. Augustines’s Cemetery and to try to remember and honor one’s heritage is a humbling experience.

As pleased as I was to attend the Mass I was even more anxious to investigate the cemetery and to see if I could find any memorials to several relatives who are buried there. These include my great, great grandfather, Owen McCabe, and my great aunt, Elizabeth McCabe, better known as Auntie Lizzie. I was not successful but I am hoping to find the location of their graves when the Archdiocese of Boston again makes its archives available sometime soon.

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

Seldom have I read anything as compelling as this first time novel of David Wroblewski. I simply could not put it down. I consider myself a slow reader so for me to finish a 500 page plus book in less than two weeks was an accomplishment. This is a wonderful story of a boy, Edgar, his parents, Gar and Trudy and his mysterious uncle Claude. But most of all it is about the amazing ‘Sawtelle’ dogs. The story is both unique and electrifying.

The setting is a farm in Wisconsin where Edgar’s family raises to yearlings their very special ‘Sawtelle’ dogs. These dogs clearly learn from as well as teach the humans around them. Edgar’s dog, Almondine, seems to be an extension of him as Almondine has been Edgar’s protector and companion since he was an infant. Edgar is a brilliant boy who was born mute and with the help of his mother perfected sign language and developed much of his own. He communicates flawlessly. But sadly there is one time when things go horrible wrong and he is unable to get help.

Every good story has a suspicious character and features the usual battle of good vs evil. In this case Edgar’s uncle, Claude, provides these elements. The barn on the Sawtelle’s farm is a character unto itself for this is where the dogs are born, cared for, trained and given that special treatment resulting in their uniqueness. The final scene in this dramatic story is played out in the barn as well as many other turning points in this remarkable tale.

It has taken me several days and lots of book discussion moments to finally accept the ending of this story. At first I was disappointed as it seemed to be so unfulfilling given how utterly taken I was with the story. Then, I was angry how could the author do this to his readers!?! I had actually closed the book at one point about 50 pages from the end and contemplated whether to finish it. Imagine being that emotionally involved that you just didn’t want to confirm the ending you feared.

I will not forget this novel and I can only hope to read something else this outstanding sometime soon.

Ordination and Celebration of Women Priests

Two weeks have passed since I attended an extraordinary ordination. Yes, three remarkable women felt the call to the priesthood one as early as six years old. This elevation to the Roman Catholic Priesthood took place at the Church of the Covenant in Boston, MA. The ritual included the calling, the presentation, the examination and the election of the candidates for ordination to the priesthood.

Family and friends provided witness to the calling while the candidates were presented in turn one by her husband, another by her daughter and the third by a friend. The election included the laying on and anointing of hands as well as the investiture with stole and chasuble. There were two presiding bishops – one from America and the other from Germany.

I truly never thought I would witness such a powerful ceremony. These three women finally had the support and affirmation to answer their faith and love filled calling. All of the women will serve in the United States outside of Massachusetts.

In the early days of the Church many women bore witness to the Christianity Jesus Christ called them to spread and participated in priesthood as well. In fact the first person Jesus appeared to after His Resurrection was Mary Magdalene. It is no coincidence that the ordination took place on the Sunday closest to her feast day of July 22nd. I felt privileged to be there on the historic moment when three amazing women answered the call to ministry. The celebration was wonderfully heart-felt. May every grace, good wish and God’s blessings be theirs, Amen.