Off to the coast!

I'm headed off to the community retreat and meetings in Valparaíso, which is an hour and a half from Santiago and sits on the coast. I'll be there all week. I am uncertain about the internet situation at the house. Thus, it might be until this weekend before I can post again. Blessings.

Christmas, Christmas Time Is Here...

Happy Christmas Eve.

Yesterday evening, the members of the District of Chile, the sisters and associates gathered at the Formation House for a Christmas party. We had a social and a turkey dinner. This was followed by a Secret Santa gift exchange and desert. A good time was had by all. Here are some photos of the event.

Pastel de choclo

Yesterday, I was introduced to the Chilean dish called pastel de choclo. My community said that this dish represented the heart of Chilean cuisine. Basically, it is a polenta casserole. We made it by filling individual bowl full of ground meat, onions, baked chicken, hard boiled eggs, olives and raisins. This was topped with fresh Yesterday, I was introduced to the Chilean dish called pastel de choclo. My community said this dish represents the heart of Chilean cooking. It was delicious. Basically, the dish is a polentapolenta. I was in charge of cutting off the kernels of corn from the stalks, pureeing it in a food processor and cooking it in a pot until it was the right consistency, which required more than an hour of constant stirring. I was directed by house's cook Señora Marienela. We are pictured together, stirring our pots.

Saturday of the Third Week of Advent

Today I spent time with the first reading from 1 Samuel 1:24-28. Hannah, who was barren, prayed to God for a son. She promised that if she got a son, she would dedicate him to the service of the Lord. In the reading, Hannah returns to the temple of the Lord and gives her son to Eli, the priest. What struck me was that God blessed her with a gift and she, in turn, shared that gift with others.

This is the season for gifts. Yet, the gifts we have and thr gifts we receive are meant to be shared - they are not our own.

Community Time

Here is a picture of some of the men in the house. To the left is Rodrigo, a seminarian. Brother Matthew Lyons, who is on the formation team, runs the day-to-day operations of the house, and works at the orphange behind the house, is in the middle. To the right, looking at the paper, is Luis, also a seminarian. It is in the middle of summer in Chile. The temperature was in the 90s. But the evenings are really nice. Once the sun started going down, we gathered outside in the garden and chatted before dinner.

I've Got A Ticket To Ride - Bip!

Watch out Santiago. Today I learned how to navigate the city using the Bip card, the bus and the metro system. I am now free to roam around and explore. Hee, hee, hee.

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

Today's Gospel is the Visitation - Lk 1:39-45. Mary, who has just said yes to God's invitation to be mother to Jesus, encounters her older cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant herself with John the Baptist. When Mary greets Elizabeth, the child in Elizabeth's womb jumps for joy.

Today, God is inviting me to be attentive to how I meet God today. The beautiful thing about the idea of Emmanuel - that is, God is with us, which has been a them this week - is that, well, God is with us. We have amazing opportunities throughout the day to encounter God, since God is with us. Yet, encounter is a relational activity. It requires participation. Somebody my be with me, but if I do not recognize it, if I am unaware, then no encounter has happened. Thus, today I pray for the grace to be sensitive to the times when I am in the presence of God.

Thursday of the Third Week of Advent

Today's readings: Is 7:10-14; Lk 1:26-38

Today's reading gave me a lot to think about as I begin my new assignment here in Chile. In the reading from Isaiah, King Ahaz is invited by God to ask of Him for a sign to prove to the king and the people that God is with them. Imagine. God says, "Hey, name the sign you want me to show you that I am with you and I'll give it to you." How many times, in my heart of hearts, have I wanted to know for sure that I am one the right path, that God is with me, that I'm actually doing what God wants? And what does Ahaz do? He says he won't tempt God - he turns God's offer down. Why? Who knows. But, sometimes I know that I am afraid to let God transform my life. This is exactly what God did to Mary's life. She was the sign God foretold to Ahaz. And for that sign to come to pass, she had to say "yes" to God - "I am the handmaiden of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Today, I have an invitation in my new ministry to be different - to let God enter into my life in a new way. God asks me how I want to change, how I want to serve, how I want to be a better religious. This is Advent. It is a time for transformation.

The Formation House

I got my computer and the wireless system to communicate last night. Yeah! Now, I can share those pictures I promised. There are a couple of snapshots of the house of formation - my new digs:

Ya llegué

I have arrived in Chile. I left Oklahoma City at 9:30am yesterday, had an eleven hour layover in Dallas, and flew out a little after 9:30pm for Santiago. I got plenty of rest on the plane.

I am staying in our house of formation. I took some pictures, but I'm having a bit of difficulty downloading them. Thus, pictures will be forthcoming. But the house is very beautiful and comfortable. It is more of complex than a house. In fact, there are three seperate houses, a common dinning area, a chapel and an area for recreation and offices. The buildings are connected by tressels with grape vines covering them. The couryard/garden is peaceful. I am going to enjoy living here.

Another good thing is that there is a new metro station on the corner. This gives me access to the whole city. I think there will be some exploring going on pretty soon.

Yet, the mission does call. I already have an itinerary for the next several days. As the Discrict Superior said, there's nothing like jumping in - and I say amen.

Tuesday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

I love the Gospel reading for today - Matthew 1:18-25. It is Matthew's account of Jesus' birth. There are two things that really speak to me. First, Joseph dreams a dream of salvation for his people. There are two Josephs in the Bible, and both are dreamers of salvation. And second, I love the content of that dream - Emmanuel - God is with us.

St. Joseph is the patron of Holy Cross brothers. We look to him as a model and guide. Thus, I am encouraged today to be a dreamer of salvation and to help show all people that God is with us. As I fly out this morning to begin my new ministry, I hear God's call to me - let them know I am with them - and know I am with you.

Monday of the Third Week of Advent

The Gospel today comes from the beginning of Matthew (1: 1-17). This is the genealogy of Jesus. As I reflected over the passage this morning, God impressed upon me that He has a plan. The genealogy shows how God worked to bring salvation to the world from Abraham to David, through the kings of Israel and during and after the Babylonian exile - all culminating in "Joseph, the husband of Mary. Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ." Amazing.

And God has a plan for me too. And God has a plan for everyone. Advent is a season of hope. Hope is based on God's plan and energy in our lives. This message gives me encouragement as I prepare to strike out to a new place and a new culture tomorrow.

Frozen Tundra

By the way, Oklahoma has had a bit of winter weather. There was a huge ice storm last weekend that left over 600,000 people without power. And yesterday, we had snow! My parents had not seen the sun in ten days. This morning, the sun came out and it is beautiful outside.

Farewell Party

My family came over last night for a farewell party. It was really great seeing everyone, especially since I am not sure when I will be back again. My nephew and niece are growing up. Here's a picture of them with Santa Claus.

Starting a New Adventure

This past Wednesday, I left my community house at St. Joseph's Hall, on the campus of St. Edward's University in Austin, TX, to being a new assignment in Santiago, Chile. I spent the last week of classes at St. Ed's cleaning my room and whittling down my possessions. In the end, my worldly possessions all fit into a large backpack, two carry-on suitcases, and a computer case. Not bad. I wish I could travel a bit lighter, but I think what I am keeping is necessary.

Here are some pictures:

The first is my empty room at St. Joseph's Hall.



The second is a close-up of my baggage.



I left Wednesday to spend some time with my family in Oklahoma before shipping off the Santiago. I will leave the 18th of December. I am very excited to start my new mission.