tridd forums

The latest from Father Tom:
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We wish to emphasize inclusiveness and kinship…to serve others in common journey… to honor fellow-pilgrims in struggles and hopes…to risk toward the possibility, passion and compassion of community—regardless of religious belief, age, gender, race, economic circumstances, or personal orientation…to include the poor and the outcast…to learn from those who choose to share community with us…to celebrate exuberantly in solidarity.
We welcome you to join us on the journey

SEPTEMBER 2008

Contents
Bob Did It Again!
What’s Been Going On….
Who Lives At Sanctuary?
Prayers Are Asked….

BOB DID IT AGAIN FOR O.C.W.!

Each year, our Companion, Bob [in New Jersey], rides his bike the number of miles of his current age—and asks O.C.W. Companions to “Match Bob’s Miles” with donations to the Order [now that’s the kind of exercise we support!]. So this year he biked the 65 miles…and is willing and eager to offer 65 cents on every dollar donated to O.C.W. [with the memo “Miles”] in the next 30 days!!

Great thanks again this year, Bob, for your efforts and kindness….


WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON….

Dear ones,

Despite the frustration of the internet problems since early June [and which we hope will be repaired this week!], we have been wonderfully busy on all sorts of fronts this summer:

As with every summer season, the Community Pool has been the center of activity [and I mean activity!] for endless visits of crowds of children and their families. This is such a great opportunity several times each week for us to be with the kids, see them grow and flourish [“Hey, Father Tom, watch me swim!”], as well as share meals with the many families…and keep up with the struggles that they face; yet there is usually good news, too, as folks find jobs and better housing. Each year I remember, with gratitude, when and why we decided to build this important facility ten years ago….

Speaking of gratitude, we are delighted that Br. Rick and Sr. Bea have returned to the Community after too many years…and, as before, they have joined into the hard work of our life together. Welcome back!

We have continued with LOTS of renovation and maintenance labor on the various buildings at Sanctuary—whew, nothing like Texas sweat! And we’ve got lots more to do….

At the end of August, we reinstituted our “Gathering” activities [basically, a group of people commit to sitting together in a circle for a full day, without a predetermined agenda, to consider their lives and journey]; we had a great group of souls…and we will have another Gathering at Sanctuary on Sunday, October 12, starting at 9 a.m. Please feel free to join us!

And now for what’s ahead within other IMPORTANT MATTERS:

The immense work for the 16th Annual O.C.W. Children’s Christmas Party has already started—and given that we expect to have about 450 kids attending this year, we have plenty of work ahead of us! We have established dates for two volunteer work weekends—October 25 & 26 and November 29 & 30—and we hope that any of you who live anywhere near Tyler will consider working with us on any of those days. WE NEED YOU for sorting, tagging, wrapping, and all the other tasks of our largest single project of each year. Please let us know if you can help out…. The Party itself will take place on Saturday, December 13, at the First Christian Church—so please mark your calendars for that wondrous event.

We must begin our huge fundraising efforts for the Party very soon, and when we send out the first email in that regard, we hope that you will forward it to any and all friends and family members who might be willing to donate [and, of course, it wouldn’t hurt to forward it to “enemies” too!].

Thanks for all of that…..

As always, know that we carry you in our hearts.
Love & Blessings,
Fr. Tom

WHO LIVES AT SANCTUARY?

GRACE HOUSE is occupied by Sr. Maria and Fr. Tom, and also contains the OCW office; there are also guest rooms for visiting Companions or emergencies.

HOSANNA HOUSE is occupied by Andy [a Navy Medical Corpsman (two tours in Iraq) and temporarily a phlebotomist in Tyler] and Ryan [a Registered Nurse in the Specialty Hospital of the East Texas Medical Center]; the building also contains the large “Community Room” which allows special events, religious services, annual preparations for the Children’s Christmas Party, etc.; adjacent to the House is the large Community Pool for children and their families.

ESPERANCE HOUSE is occupied by Paul [a licensed Massage Therapist], Darius [a longtime staff member of the local state facility for recovering addicts and alcoholics], and Janice [a Registered Nurse in the Specialty Hospital of ETMC].

AGAPÉ HOUSE is occupied by Jennifer [a Registered Nurse in pediatrics at ETMC], as well as her two wonderful sons, ages 8 & 14.

A great gift for others (or yourself!):
The poster of
“To Follow the Christ”
[over 1,700 already shipped]
Simply follow this internet link:
http://www.orderofchristianworkers.org/theposter.html


Your Prayers Are Asked

For the casualties of all conflicts, both military and civilian
For those who struggle through continuing medical, surgical, and spiritual processes
Those courageously in recovery of addictions
Those living with HIV/AIDS
Those who caretake others
Those adults and children who have no home
Those involved in wars throughout the world
Those struggling to transform their lives within the criminal justice system
Our brothers and sisters at Walker House
The women and children at the Crisis Center
The patients, families, and staff at Women’s and Pediatric Clinics
The children who are living in poverty and malnutrition, lacking medical care
Those “undocumented” brothers, sisters, and children who share our work and lives
Those who grieve various losses in their lives
Those who care for the children in families, foster care, and institutions
Those who suffer from fear, hate, and prejudice
The families of those who have died from violence, as well as those who are being executed daily
Those who struggle against the rape of Creation
Servant-Leaders and Companions who live in solidarity with OCW throughout the country
Those who give us continuing models of Christ-work: Andre House (Phoenix), Casa Maria (Tucson), Starcross Community (California), and the many Catholic Worker Houses (both Catholic and Roman Catholic) throughout the US and world
Peacemakers and Holy Fools....

JOURNEY

is a monthly expression of the ministry, work, and reflections of the Companions of the Order of Christian Workers, an ecumenical, non-denominational and charitable gathering of God’s children.

Letters or other contributions are always welcome

P.O. Box 4155, Tyler, TX 75712-4155 903-595-3191 (FAX) 595-5183
journey-ocw@earthlink.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false
www.OrderOfChristianWorkers.org

Fr. Thomas L. Jackson, M.Div., Ph.D., Abbot
Sr. Patricia Maria Magdalena
Sr. Jane Frances de Chantal
Br. Charles Sezze
Br. Gregory Francis de Sales
Br. Tobias Joseph
Br. Michael Simon Dwinell
Sr. Carla Therese Lisieux
Sr. Mary Joseph
Sr. Elise Marguerite
Sr. Laurie Louise de Marillac
Br. Robert Sergius
Sr. Erika Clare
Br. Rick
Sr. Bea
Sr. Cindy Angela de Foligno (1956-2004)
Br. O’Neal Joseph Turner (1954-2005)
Blessed Companions, Worldwide