01 May 2015

     This little bird looks like she is on tenter hooks and uncertain of what will happen next. That's how we felt during Holy Week.

     On the morning of Holy Thursday I received a text message begging for prayers for Diane, the friend of a friend, who was hiding in a closet in her room at the University of Garissa, 300 miles north of Mombasa.  Al Shabaab attacked the only university in this marginalized area of Kenya at 6am and the rampage continued for 12 hours. Just as we left the evening Mass we got word that Diane had been rescued.  However, 150 students were brutally murdered after being taunted for being Christians and separated from Muslims students who could recite the Shahada...the witness to Islam in Arabic.  Many Muslims died as well and some bodies still cannot be found. Our Good Friday service was full of the emotions of hatred, death and grief.  I went to the Holy Saturday night vigil with a heavy heart. However, being with others who could sing and celebrate helped me to rejoice a bit as well.  Al Shabaab may have the power to bring death.  But God has the power to bring life and the resurrection of Jesus helped me to remember that.

     Since then there have been more threats, increased security, uncovered plots for more destruction and the closure of two more universities because the safety of the students could not be assured.  No doubt Al Shabaab will try again.

     On a happier note, we had planned to meet up on Easter Monday for a party.
Unbeknownst to me, my friends had planned to celebrate my 30+ years as a Maryknoll Lay Missioner. Rehema and Bethany Klueg made this beautiful picture and behind them Curt Klueg is holding a picture of the icon the Christ of Maryknoll.  Anita Klueg rewrote the words to John Denver's Country Road and the St. Patrick Fathers gave me a gift of a voucher for a massage for my aching muscles!

     Tessa made a lovely folder of letters and cards from many family and friends she had contacted through means quite amazing to me.  Truly, where there is a will there is a way.   I was surprised at the different people who wrote and sent love and memories.  One person wanted to buy me a gift and Judy knew that I didn't have a chair with much back support so she made that suggestion.  He was a bit surprised but agreed.  She spent much of her precious time going from store to store and sitting in innumerable office chairs to find just the right one...and she succeeded wonderfully.  This chair is exactly what my old aching body needs to make it through the day.  To all who made the day so happy and memorable I say thank you again and again.
     Today is the feast of St. Joseph the Worker and brings happy memories of people I have known who are part of the Catholic Worker movement.  You know who you are and I wish you many blessings in the ongoing movement begun by Dorothy and Peter so many years ago.  You are at the forefront of helping us all to remember that peace requires love and justice.

PEACE OF THE HONEST HARD WORKER TO YOU!!!