Well, after weeks of
rehearsals and explanations and general preparation, the play performance day
came! We moved the desks out of the classroom and made it a stage for our
actors, as well as a seating area for our audience. Each class did one show for
parents and visiting teachers, as well as a third grade class. They come to see
what they are going to do next year! The performances went well; they always do
come together even with all the ups and downs (including the aggravation) of
the practices. This year we did it with two karaoke machines as a microphone
sound system. The parents loved it and the students were very proud of
themselves; overall, it ended on a lovely positive note. After they settled
down from the performance-- and in some cases to help them to settle down!-- I
put on A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving for them to watch. I have to admit
that, as much as I don't enjoy the whole play experience with them, it always
ends well. And not just because I'm relieved that it's over!
I spent Thanksgiving in
Chicago at the invitation of a sister friend of mine. She is in my group; we
entered the community at the same time and went through the beginning of our
religious life together. I also have other friends in Chicago and it was nice to
see those sisters, too! It was a lovely and relaxing weekend. We had a
delicious Thanksgiving meal and I had the opportunity to play games and go
shopping, as well as to just relax. It's a comfortable convent, and I am now
considering going there for my yearly retreat this summer.
We've been getting ready
for Christmas in school by celebrating Advent. I have been using Scripture
passages about Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary and Joseph, and John the Baptist
to show them the meaning of Advent. I have also been trying to get ready for
Christmas myself! I bought presents and even have a plan as to how best to fly
with them back to New Jersey from Michigan; I am packing them unwrapped with
the gift bags and tissue paper on the side. I have a little more than a week in
New Jersey, which I am excited about. It was nice to spend time with our
sisters in Chicago, but it's not the same as being home. I learned from a
mistake I made last year when I made my flight arrangements, too. You see, last
year I flew out the day after the last day of school before the break, and it
was very stressful for me to be ready to leave, right on the heels of finishing
up school matters. This year our last day is a Friday, and I fly out on Monday.
I am giving myself the gift of sanity this year!
*** The painfully slow process of uncovering the child abuse that happened within the Catholic Church continues. The members of the church continue to try and protect the wrong people, at the expense of victims, their families and the American public. ***
ReplyDeleteThe Archdiocese of Chicago has voluntarily released documents related to 36 Archdiocesan priests who have at least one substantiated allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor. These documents are in addition to those released in January on 30 other priests. This release, together with the January release, covers priests who have substantiated allegations of sexual misconduct with minors identified on the Archdiocese's website as of November 2014. Documents pertaining to two priests, former Rev. Daniel J. McCormack and Rev. Edward J. Maloney, are not included, due to ongoing processes that do not permit release.
Inquiries may be directed to the Office of the Protection of Children and Youth, Archdiocese of Chicago, PO Box 1979, Chicago, IL 60690.