Sunday, March 29, 2009
One Friar's experience of living in Alaska in winter:
My experience among the Athabaskan people confirmed my calling to be a Friar Minor. So many of their values resonate with our basic values; namely, respect and reverence for all people, respect for creation, respect for diversity, working to meet one’s basic needs, simplicity of life (not possessed by money), importance of fostering and preserving a family spirit (communion of life), interdependence and collaboration, hospitality (a welcoming spirit), honesty in recognizing and embracing one’s woundedness and brokenness (ongoing conversion), humor and sharing one’s life and story which is the fruit of reflection on one’s own life experience, wasting time with each other (a ministry of presence), expressing gratitude (to recognize and to affirm people’s contributions).
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
HARMONY - Knowing our oneness
HARMONY
Knowing our oneness, we live in harmony with one another.
A heartwarming story about a female dog that lovingly mothers six orphan kittens makes the national news. Perhaps the underlying message for people is that harmony is always possible because it's not about looking the same or sounding the same. It's about knowing our oneness and letting our unique qualities enhance our relationships.
People from different backgrounds often have different ideas about the same subject. Yet a diversity of ideas can lead to a hybrid idea--one that is a combination of the best of all ideas, a divine plan.
All was created by God and called good. So harmony is the norm when we interact with one another as we were created to act--with love and understanding, with compassion and consideration.
"May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you
to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus."
--Romans 15:5
Knowing our oneness, we live in harmony with one another.
A heartwarming story about a female dog that lovingly mothers six orphan kittens makes the national news. Perhaps the underlying message for people is that harmony is always possible because it's not about looking the same or sounding the same. It's about knowing our oneness and letting our unique qualities enhance our relationships.
People from different backgrounds often have different ideas about the same subject. Yet a diversity of ideas can lead to a hybrid idea--one that is a combination of the best of all ideas, a divine plan.
All was created by God and called good. So harmony is the norm when we interact with one another as we were created to act--with love and understanding, with compassion and consideration.
"May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you
to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus."
--Romans 15:5
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Thirteen Benefits of Reading Aloud to a Child
Wally Amos Messenger of Inspiration of Chip & Cookie www.unclewallys.com
On the back of his business card are "Thirteen Benefits of Reading Aloud"
Reading is a child's first subject. Reading aloud is Early Childhood Development.
1. Develops language skills
2. Improves listening comprehension
3. Increases the child's attention span
4. Builds vocabulary
5. Exposes the child to good grammer
6. Exposes the child to new experiences and information
7. Stimulates the imagination
8. Stimulates brain development
9. Promotes higher critical thinking skills
10. Creates a bond between the child and the reader
11. Builds confidence and self-esteem
12. Teaches values
13. It's fun for everyone
On the back of his business card are "Thirteen Benefits of Reading Aloud"
Reading is a child's first subject. Reading aloud is Early Childhood Development.
1. Develops language skills
2. Improves listening comprehension
3. Increases the child's attention span
4. Builds vocabulary
5. Exposes the child to good grammer
6. Exposes the child to new experiences and information
7. Stimulates the imagination
8. Stimulates brain development
9. Promotes higher critical thinking skills
10. Creates a bond between the child and the reader
11. Builds confidence and self-esteem
12. Teaches values
13. It's fun for everyone
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Singapore: Franciscan Presence
I have been in Singapore for two weeks. One week was spent in Malaysia with thirty Franciscan Friars in Malacca, Malaysia. I preached their retreat on the Rule of 1223 of St. Francis that all Friars Minor still live by. The Rule begins and ends with the words that the Rule and Life of the Friars Minor (the Lesser Brothers) is this: To observe the Holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ by living in obedience, without anything of one's own. and in chastity. For 800 years men throughout the world have lived this life in brotherhood showing that the Gospel life of peace and joy, love and forgiveness, of service and ministry to all is not only possible, but desirable.
Here in Singapore, there are thirty Friars of various ethic backgrounds: Malay, Chinese, Indian, Ski Lankan. Their age is from 28 to 53. I was the old man in their
midst at 68 years old. I am living in their formation house on the property of their one parish here in Singapore. It is a very creative, only five year old, award-winning space for worship and gathering, in and outside the church where a piazza provides for gatherings of all sorts. Under the piazza is a Columbarium for 6000 remains of their beloved deceased. It is decorated with art, flowing water, sits for reflection and prayer, and where soft religious music continuously plays.
Seven thousand people worship here at St. Mary's Franciscan Church each weekend.
I have sat in the midst of the woshipers for the last two Sundays. All pick up an OCP Breaking Bread hymnal from Portland Oregon publisher. Different choirs at each of the five masses. These Asian faces carry names like Joe, Susan, Gwen, Janet, Paul, David, Candy, Monica, etc. Children everywhere.
One of the Singaporean additions to words is the syllable "lah" that is added to words: Okaylah! Sit downlah! Thank youlah! There was a young man in church today who was wearing a tee-shirt with some ten words with "lah" added to the end. And I did have my camera-lah!
The food is incredible! My taste buds have been jumping with excitement since I arrived. Everything is available: Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Malay, Filipino, Indonesian, Thai, Indian, etc. Instead of a fork and knife, the custom here is to use a fork in the left hand and table spoon in the right hand.
I have met most of the 35 Secular Franciscans of the four Fraternities here in Singapore. Population: 4.8 million people. 177,000 Catholics. 30 parishes. On Archbishop. I am a Spiritual Assistant for a Fraternity of lay Franciscans in Crystal Lake, IL northwest of Chicago. So I was so happy to met several times with the SFO's here in Singapore. ---- time for supper. Be well. I return to Chicago on March 18 with great memories of people, sights, foods, Friars,.... Peace!
Here in Singapore, there are thirty Friars of various ethic backgrounds: Malay, Chinese, Indian, Ski Lankan. Their age is from 28 to 53. I was the old man in their
midst at 68 years old. I am living in their formation house on the property of their one parish here in Singapore. It is a very creative, only five year old, award-winning space for worship and gathering, in and outside the church where a piazza provides for gatherings of all sorts. Under the piazza is a Columbarium for 6000 remains of their beloved deceased. It is decorated with art, flowing water, sits for reflection and prayer, and where soft religious music continuously plays.
Seven thousand people worship here at St. Mary's Franciscan Church each weekend.
I have sat in the midst of the woshipers for the last two Sundays. All pick up an OCP Breaking Bread hymnal from Portland Oregon publisher. Different choirs at each of the five masses. These Asian faces carry names like Joe, Susan, Gwen, Janet, Paul, David, Candy, Monica, etc. Children everywhere.
One of the Singaporean additions to words is the syllable "lah" that is added to words: Okaylah! Sit downlah! Thank youlah! There was a young man in church today who was wearing a tee-shirt with some ten words with "lah" added to the end. And I did have my camera-lah!
The food is incredible! My taste buds have been jumping with excitement since I arrived. Everything is available: Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Malay, Filipino, Indonesian, Thai, Indian, etc. Instead of a fork and knife, the custom here is to use a fork in the left hand and table spoon in the right hand.
I have met most of the 35 Secular Franciscans of the four Fraternities here in Singapore. Population: 4.8 million people. 177,000 Catholics. 30 parishes. On Archbishop. I am a Spiritual Assistant for a Fraternity of lay Franciscans in Crystal Lake, IL northwest of Chicago. So I was so happy to met several times with the SFO's here in Singapore. ---- time for supper. Be well. I return to Chicago on March 18 with great memories of people, sights, foods, Friars,.... Peace!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Hello from Singapore!
I am here with the Friars from March 1-18 to preach their Custody Retreat.
There are 30 Friars in this Custody, attached to the Province of Australia.
Singapore has a population of 4.5 million people. The Catholic Population in this city-state-country numbers 177,000 with 30 parishes, 70 diocesan priests, 67 religious priests, 98 Religious Brothers, 189 Religious Sisters. The OFM’s arrived here 50 years ago.
I am living in their Formation House with twelve friars.
The Guardian, Council Member and Head of Formation is Clifford Augustine OFM, who lived at St Peter’s in the Loop for two years while taking classes at CTU. The retreat for the Custody will be in Malaysia – a four
Hour bus ride from Singapore. The 90 degrees and 97 percent humidity is a welcome change from Chicago’s winter.
For more info on the Custody go to their website: http://www.franciscans.sg/ The friars are most hospitable and welcoming.
Please remember the retreat in your prayers – March 9-13. Peace!
There are 30 Friars in this Custody, attached to the Province of Australia.
Singapore has a population of 4.5 million people. The Catholic Population in this city-state-country numbers 177,000 with 30 parishes, 70 diocesan priests, 67 religious priests, 98 Religious Brothers, 189 Religious Sisters. The OFM’s arrived here 50 years ago.
I am living in their Formation House with twelve friars.
The Guardian, Council Member and Head of Formation is Clifford Augustine OFM, who lived at St Peter’s in the Loop for two years while taking classes at CTU. The retreat for the Custody will be in Malaysia – a four
Hour bus ride from Singapore. The 90 degrees and 97 percent humidity is a welcome change from Chicago’s winter.
For more info on the Custody go to their website: http://www.franciscans.sg/ The friars are most hospitable and welcoming.
Please remember the retreat in your prayers – March 9-13. Peace!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
To Singapore
On Feb. 27, I will be flying to Singapore - Chicago to Hong Kong to Singapore, all on
United Airlines. There are fifty Franciscan Friars in the Singapore Custody. They invited me to preach their annual retreat. Since this is the 800th anniversary of the
founding of the Franciscan Order of Friars - OFM: Ordo Fratrum Minorum (Order of Lesser Brothers), I suggested the retreat be focused on our Rule of Life written by St. Francis in 1223. Preparation for this retreat has been a blessing for me. I have read more on the Rule during the last six months than I have ever done. The old saying: If you want to learn something, teach it.
Have any of you been to Singapore? Have suggestions for me - what to see, what to do nor not to do...? Do you have any friends or relatives there?
Besides living with the Friars and learning their customs and culture(s), I hope to make contact with the SFO's, the Secular Franciscan Order - laity who live according to the Spirit of St Francis and the Gospel. I will return on March 18.
Blessings to you from Singapore!
Fr. Chuck Faso, OFM
United Airlines. There are fifty Franciscan Friars in the Singapore Custody. They invited me to preach their annual retreat. Since this is the 800th anniversary of the
founding of the Franciscan Order of Friars - OFM: Ordo Fratrum Minorum (Order of Lesser Brothers), I suggested the retreat be focused on our Rule of Life written by St. Francis in 1223. Preparation for this retreat has been a blessing for me. I have read more on the Rule during the last six months than I have ever done. The old saying: If you want to learn something, teach it.
Have any of you been to Singapore? Have suggestions for me - what to see, what to do nor not to do...? Do you have any friends or relatives there?
Besides living with the Friars and learning their customs and culture(s), I hope to make contact with the SFO's, the Secular Franciscan Order - laity who live according to the Spirit of St Francis and the Gospel. I will return on March 18.
Blessings to you from Singapore!
Fr. Chuck Faso, OFM
Friday, February 20, 2009
Books! Books! Books! - Reading! Rading! Reading!
Someone once said" "Show me your library and I will tell you when you died." That is,
the last thing you read is perhaps when you stopped learning and thinking and reflecting. Today, of course, we have books, magazines, Google, DVDs, etc. But there is something about holding a book, opening the book, turning those pages until the last page is read. One of our friars says that everyone should always be reading a novel - to get into another time zone, another culture, another person's and/or family's journey, another ethical world view,.... So what have I read recently?
I am almost finished reading "Three Cups of Tea" This a true story that reads like a novel. These 331 pages that won the Kiriyzma Prize is the story of Greg Mortenson's one man's mission to promote peace...one School at a time in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Greg Mortenson was attempting to climb the second highest mountain in the world but had to stop near the top and return down because of injuries of a fellow climber. On the descent, Mortenson took a turn that led him to a village where there was no school. That experience of these good people isolated not only by the mountains but by their lack of the possibility of education catapulted him into a mission that consumes his life with passion and meaning, commitment and direction.
The title refers to the custom in Pakistan and Afghanistan that is best described by Haji Ali, Korphe Village Chief, in the Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan: "We drink three cups of tea to do business: the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third, you join our family and for our family we are prepared to do anything -- even die."
To read this book is to scale mountains and get to know people of Pakistan and Afghanistan in their daily hopes and fears, their struggles and challenges, the politics and wars. Mortenson is the director of the Central Asia Institute that he founded with the continued financial support of many people who share his dream and hope. He has spoken to a groups of a few people to thousands, to a room full of congressman in Washington DC and to military leaders at the Pentagon. The usual response is: Why have we not heard about this before?
David Oliver Relin, the writer, is a globe-trotting journalist who has won more than forty national awards for his writing and editing. A former teaching/writing fellow at the Iowa Writers' Workshop, he is a frequent contributor to Parade and Skiing Magazine. He lives in Portland Oregon.
Tom Brokaw said this about "Three Cups of Tea": "Thrilling....proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world." I am finding the book an education of that part of the world and its culture, customs, religions, and wars. I have been moved and challenged to learn more and to do something. As a Franciscan, I went on the internet to "Franciscan Action Network" and found this website filled what is being done and can be done to bring more justice and peace to our world through the office in Washington DC. Take a look at "FAN" yourself. Most informative with daily updates.
The back cover of the book makes a great summary of the book in this way:
This book (Three Cups of Tea) is the astonishing, uplifting story of a real-life Indiana Jones and his remarkable humanitarian campaign in the Taliban's backyard. In 1993 a mountaineer named Greg Mortenson drifted into an impoverished Pakistan village in the Karakoram mountains after a failed attempt to climb K2. Moved by the inhabitants' kindness, he promised to return and build a school. Three Cups of Tea is the story of that promise and its extraordinary outcome. Over the next decade Mortenson buildt not just one but fifty-five schools - especially for girls - in the forbidding terrain that gave birth to the Taliban. His story is at once a riveting adventure and a testament to the power of the Humanitarian spirit.
Have any of you read this book? What are your comments and reflection?
Any other books that you have read and want to share a few words about?
I will write again about books: "The Shack" and one I received yesterday "A Voluptuous God" by Robert V. Thompson. Anyone read either of these two books?
the last thing you read is perhaps when you stopped learning and thinking and reflecting. Today, of course, we have books, magazines, Google, DVDs, etc. But there is something about holding a book, opening the book, turning those pages until the last page is read. One of our friars says that everyone should always be reading a novel - to get into another time zone, another culture, another person's and/or family's journey, another ethical world view,.... So what have I read recently?
I am almost finished reading "Three Cups of Tea" This a true story that reads like a novel. These 331 pages that won the Kiriyzma Prize is the story of Greg Mortenson's one man's mission to promote peace...one School at a time in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Greg Mortenson was attempting to climb the second highest mountain in the world but had to stop near the top and return down because of injuries of a fellow climber. On the descent, Mortenson took a turn that led him to a village where there was no school. That experience of these good people isolated not only by the mountains but by their lack of the possibility of education catapulted him into a mission that consumes his life with passion and meaning, commitment and direction.
The title refers to the custom in Pakistan and Afghanistan that is best described by Haji Ali, Korphe Village Chief, in the Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan: "We drink three cups of tea to do business: the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third, you join our family and for our family we are prepared to do anything -- even die."
To read this book is to scale mountains and get to know people of Pakistan and Afghanistan in their daily hopes and fears, their struggles and challenges, the politics and wars. Mortenson is the director of the Central Asia Institute that he founded with the continued financial support of many people who share his dream and hope. He has spoken to a groups of a few people to thousands, to a room full of congressman in Washington DC and to military leaders at the Pentagon. The usual response is: Why have we not heard about this before?
David Oliver Relin, the writer, is a globe-trotting journalist who has won more than forty national awards for his writing and editing. A former teaching/writing fellow at the Iowa Writers' Workshop, he is a frequent contributor to Parade and Skiing Magazine. He lives in Portland Oregon.
Tom Brokaw said this about "Three Cups of Tea": "Thrilling....proof that one ordinary person, with the right combination of character and determination, really can change the world." I am finding the book an education of that part of the world and its culture, customs, religions, and wars. I have been moved and challenged to learn more and to do something. As a Franciscan, I went on the internet to "Franciscan Action Network" and found this website filled what is being done and can be done to bring more justice and peace to our world through the office in Washington DC. Take a look at "FAN" yourself. Most informative with daily updates.
The back cover of the book makes a great summary of the book in this way:
This book (Three Cups of Tea) is the astonishing, uplifting story of a real-life Indiana Jones and his remarkable humanitarian campaign in the Taliban's backyard. In 1993 a mountaineer named Greg Mortenson drifted into an impoverished Pakistan village in the Karakoram mountains after a failed attempt to climb K2. Moved by the inhabitants' kindness, he promised to return and build a school. Three Cups of Tea is the story of that promise and its extraordinary outcome. Over the next decade Mortenson buildt not just one but fifty-five schools - especially for girls - in the forbidding terrain that gave birth to the Taliban. His story is at once a riveting adventure and a testament to the power of the Humanitarian spirit.
Have any of you read this book? What are your comments and reflection?
Any other books that you have read and want to share a few words about?
I will write again about books: "The Shack" and one I received yesterday "A Voluptuous God" by Robert V. Thompson. Anyone read either of these two books?
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