Emmaus and Chicago: Day Seventeen

I went to Mass. It was the Feast of the Ascension. This is special day for me beyond the obvious reasons. Three years ago I was in Assisi and along with some wonderful friends we ascended, we climbed Mount Subasio to get to a local and favorite hermitage of Francis. We climbed to the Carceri Hermitage. So I love this day.

Mary of the Lake also had all of the elementary children present. They filled 29 pews. They wore bright red sweaters and white colors. The girls had plaid skirts on. And they sang, boy could they sing. The children also were the lectors. One lector had a great African accent. During the last song the children all waved their arms as they sang. The church was filled with great energy.

When I got about to Emmaus I went down to the Ministry Center earlier. I was supposed to help a resident prepare lunch. However, he clearly did not need my help at all! I did have an opportunity to do an intake. That was interesting. There were questions I don’t normally ask. There were questions about spirituality and religion that I would not ask at a counseling center but I would ask at either a Christian /Counseling Center or in a Pastoral Counseling setting.

The Ministry Center was not initially active. So I used the occasion to do some video interviews. I interviewed Jonathon, the assistant executive director of Emmaus. I also interviewed Doug, the director of outreach programs. I did a walking tour of the center, boy, am I NOT a movie maker.

In the past week we have dealt with health issues, housing issues, anger and relapse. However, we have also supported guys who now have jobs, apartments and are learning delayed gratification.

We had our Ministry Center staff meeting. At the end of the meeting I gave the team their Tau’s. I also gave them a large San Domiano Cross for the Ministry Center. Boy I am going to miss this place.

And then I went to the Art Institute of Chicago to see their brand new wing. It is dedicated to modern art. Gotta tell you, I really, really like the rest of the museum! The new wing is beautiful. However, I am drawn to the African, Indian, and European Art. My Asian Affairs undergrad comes out. I am just pretty ignorant about art and I am not going to take a class on art appreciation at this time, too tired.



I then walked to Buckingham Fountain. It is beautiful. It had been shut down to be repaired. It looks just as I remembered it.



I walked down Lake Shore Drive to Navy Pier and saw the sites. I liked the Pirate Tall Ship. I especially liked Smith’s Museum of Stain Glass Windows and the Crystal Gardens. ]





And then I walked some more. I walked down the shore line all the way to Montrose and then on to Wilson. I had three hours of walking. I was tired, sore but I enjoyed the sites. I enjoyed the walkers, joggers, skaters and bikers. I enjoyed the motor boats, sail boats and the kayak. When I got home I was exhausted but I also felt connected to the lakefront.