Barb Gerdes’ Journal

God was restless
Blowing over the chaos
Spirit breathing over the depths
Pacing the garden
No garden, no life
And God took some of that nothingness and said
Be
And it was
Light water form life soul
Be in my image

And the woman gets restless
Driving and sitting and living in the boxes of her world
Be she says
Made in God’s image
Create
Life
Beauty
Bread

And God sees that it is good
And God rests
And we rest
Sabbath

Our Confirmation candidates had a session recently on Vocation—arising out of our baptismal vocation. We looked at holiness and Mary and the Saints. Each group was asked to come up with characteristics of persons of faith that they know. Parents, Godparents, Sponsors, Grandparents—most of the time you are those persons of faith for our young people. This is what they see in your lives. This is what they said:

A group’s response to Qualities of a Person of Faith:

• Volunteer time to do God’s work
• Love God/Believe
• Caring/kind/selfless
• Honest

Group Four’s response to Demonstrates a strong faith life by:

• Putting others before themselves
• Being active in church/faith
• Following the commandments
• Being prayerful
• Being kind

A group’s response to Qualities of a Person of Faith:

• Go to Church
• They pray
• They help people
• Make good decisions
• They are loving
• They are giving
• They are respectful

A group’s response to Qualities of a Person of Faith:

• Devotion
• Service
• Prayerful
• Loving
• Inspiring!

A group’s response to Qualities of a Person of Faith:

• Close relationship with God
• Kind
• Selfless
• Respectful
• Forgiving

A group’s response to Qualities of a Person of Faith:

• Loving
• Honest
• Caring
• Prayerful
• Compassionate

A group’s response to Qualities of a Person of Faith:

• Pray a lot
• Charitable
• Well informed with God’s laws
• Faithful
• Good Morals

A group’s response to Qualities of a Person of Faith:

• Prayer
• Attend Mass
• Receive Sacraments
• Give time, talent and treasure
• Trust God

A group’s response to Qualities of a Person of Faith:

• Volunteer time to do God’s work
• Love God/Believe
• Caring/Kind/Selfless
• Honest

A group’s response to Qualities of a Person of Faith:

• Helped people
• Nice to everyone
• Ordinary People - extraordinary things
• Dedicated life to God
• Conscious effort

A group’s response to Qualities of a Saint:

• Upholds value/practice what they preach
• Self-less
• Passionate/compassionate
• Religious
• Approachable

A group’s response to Qualities of a Saint:

• Accepting
• Devoted
• Kind
• Prayerful
• Unselfish
• Friendly

A group’s response to Qualities of a Saint:

• Forgiveness
• Selflessness
• Faithful
• Loving
• Giving
• Trustworthy

A group’s response to Qualities of a Person of Faith:

• Person of Prayer
• Persons who teach their faith through the ways they live their lives
• Selflessness/Sacrifice
• Caring
• Active in their Church

A group’s response to Qualities of a Person of Faith:

• Selfless
• Prayerful
• Generous
• Kind
• Faithful
• Loving

Recently Confirmation Candidates gathered in groups and wrote their own creeds. Enjoy them! They are listed below. Any Confirmation Candidates out there recognize their creeds? Post a comment if you do

Group #1
One God
God created heaven and earth
Everlasting life
Jesus is the son of God
Forgiveness of sins
Jesus died to save us
Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary
Jesus wants us to be disciples
Someday Jesus will come again

Group #2
Ten Commandments
The bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ
The forgiveness of sins
Heaven and hell
Sacraments and the graces received from them
Apostles’ Creed

Group #3
I believe in one God
Sin can be forgiven
God loves everyone
He was born of the Virgin Mary
I believe there is a heaven

Group #4
We believe in one God
Jesus is the son of God and the Holy Spirit is part of God too
Atonement for our sins
Perfect man and perfect God
Perfect sacrifice
Forgiving others for their sins
Prayer and sacraments are the main path to God
Ultimate goal is heaven
Treat others as you would like to be treated (golden rule)

Group #5
I believe in Jesus, he was real
I believe the Passion really happened
He died to save everyone
I believe all sins can be forgiven
I believe in the Holy Spirit and the Trinity
I believe we are made in God’s image
I believe in taking care of all living things
I believe some details in the Bible should not be taken literally

Group #6*
We believe in the Trinity
We believe that Jesus Christ died to forgive our sins, fulfilling the scriptures
He saves everyone
He is the creator of all things
We see God in the Holy Spirit, in ourselves and in each other
We believe he touches us through the holy sacraments
We believe in life after death, for the kingdom will have no end
We believe all living creatures should be treated with respect

Group #7
We believe in God
We are called to love and be loved
We believe in miracles
We believe in heaven and hell
We believe in a redeeming process
We should forgive our enemies

Group #8
We believe in the Holy Trinity
We believe in the Ten Commandments
We believe in God
We believe Jesus died for our sins
We believe in heaven
We believe God created the world
We should love everyone equally
We believe in the forgiveness of all sins by God

Group #9*
We believe in one God
We believe Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary
We believe in transubstantiation
We believe in the holy trinity
We believe in the forgiveness of sins and ascension to heaven
We believe that Jesus is the son of God
We believe that Jesus loves us and died so we will be saved
We believe in the seven sacraments

Group #10
We believe in heaven
We believe in one God
We believe that Jesus was the son of God
We believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary
We believe that Jesus died to save us from our sins
We believe in the Eucharist
We believe in the seven sacraments
We believe in the Ten Commandments
We believe in the forgiveness of sins
We believe in the resurrection of the dead

Group #12
We believe in one God
We believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God
We believe in Heaven and Hell
We believe that Jesus died so that we can all be saved
We believe that the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus
We believe in the Ten Commandments
We believe in the Trinity
We believe that Jesus will come again on Judgment Day

Group #13
There is one God
Jesus is the son of God
In Ten Commandments
Sins can be forgiven
Jesus loves us
Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary
Our God is the true God
Heaven and hell
There is Satan
The living should be disciples of Jesus

Group #14
Jesus loves us and died so that we will be saved
God is always there for us
Only one God
People have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
All people are created equal
God created people to be different
Right to question/doubt your faith

Group #15*
One God
No one should be alone
Basic necessities for all
All deserve happiness, despite their past
Jesus is God’s son
Jesus loves us
There is a heaven

Group #16*
We believe in one God
Jesus lived and is the son of God
Jesus died for us on the cross
Believe in the Holy Spirit

Group #17
We believe in God
We believe in Jesus
We believe in 3 in 1
The forgiveness of sin by God
Jesus rose from the dead
He was born of the Virgin Mary
That you go to heaven or hell
Through God all things were created
We believe in the Catholic Church
Everyone is equal and welcome

I do it all the time. I am in one place (usually work or heading home). My children or youth are in another. I can’t get to where they are, and they need direction. Here comes the crisis. Can I stay over night? I don’t have the homework, or band instrument or permission slip or lunch or…..fill in the blank. I need… a new uniform, something for art that was needed last week…a book from the library… something to eat for supper… The questions come, “What can we do until you come home?” “What can we eat?” My brother… did…

Over the past four years, I’ve found a few things that help:

1. Have a routine.
2. Have an emergency plan set up. Get someone else on board - a neighbor or friend.
3. Use the time well. Even if I only have two minutes, I can remind, give direction, refocus, affirm, and pray. Yes, pray. I pray as I drive home about the situation, especially if it sounded like a “crisis.” I pray on the phone with them about relationships, or have them ask forgiveness, or for peace of mind if my youngest is scared.
4. I’ve found that the rosary (on my fingers) is more calming than the radio, and is less of a distraction than other forms of prayer when I drive alone. I’ve also found that God really answers prayer.
5. Trust God. Listen to Him. It’s not on the phone, but he disciples and parents us this way too.

What have you found that works for your family? I’ll post any suggestions received in the next few weeks.

Last year at our final Confirmation Session, the confirmation candidates wrote ideas on how they would stay committed to Church, to God and to each other on slips of paper. They were put into a brick “building” that they built the week before Confirmation. After that session, I kept the slips and wrote out what the candidates had committed to. Here are their responses. I find they are a good reminder to me to look at my life, and see how I continue my baptismal commitment. I challenge the youth who were confirmed last year to see if they can find their idea , and see if they are still faithful to what they had said. Note: there were 163 confirmed, but not all were able to be at this class.

• Go to Mass.
• Read the Bible, stop gossiping, be loving, volunteer
• Resolve to learn more about our Faith
• Attend Mass, pray, do service projects
• Go to Church
• Environment, Nursery, Home Free
• Help make the Church’s environment beautiful
• Participate in children’s ministry, attend Mass
• Keep going to Church
• Go to Church every Sunday
• Become involved - greet, play music in Mass, go to Mass more often to get a better understanding, achieve a better connection with God
• Keep going to Church
• Go to Church more often
• do VBS, be a greeter, focus on being Godly
• VBS, Nursery, Sunday School, Church
• Keep going to Church
• Going to Church, pray
• Attend Mass, find a community service project to be part of
• Go to Church and pray every day
• I will take Thursday Bible Study in the fall or read the Bible as Jeff Cavins suggests
• Help with services
• Pray and try to be holy, helping those in need
• Do service
• I will go to church every Sunday! I will give more to charity!
• Keep going to Church
• Go to Church
• I will keep going to Church. I will try to sign up for VBS. I will also try to be more involved in Church, maybe by greeting. I will keep praying and try to go to the Adoration Chapel.
• Pray/Go to Church/Usher occasionally with Parents.
• Become more active in the ministries and continue attending weekly Mass.
• Go to Church. Pray every night. Help with services.
• Keep up with LT and LN’s
• I’ll be a Eucharistic minister. I’ll read the Bible. I’ll go to lifeteen/church.
• Continue to usher for HNOJ and help guide others to a greater faith experience.
• Je vous… *aller a l’eglise *servir pour lest autres *travailler pour God *auder les personnes qui sont pauvre *lire la Bible
• Go to Church and pray more
• Go to Church!
• Keep going to Church
• Maybe be an usher, pray, go to Church
• Study theology
• Pray, volunteer hospitality or nursery or around the community
• Remain
• Pray often and go to Church every Sunday
• Greet people
• Stay involved in LifeTeen
• Go to Church and pray more
• Be a greeter in the mornings
• Go to Church, volunteer, pray
• I will go to Mass weekly
• Continue to go to Church, and help in VBS over the summer
• Greeter
• Help out in the nursery, take time to pray, and volunteer at different organizations.
• Be a Eucharistic Minister
• Go to LifeTeen and sign up for children’s ministry
• Start praying more
• I will sign up for Sunday school and VBS
• Continue going to Church, get more involved in the Church, do Sunday school
• Teach Sunday School
• Sing
• Read more literature
• Be more involved. Read Bible, work in the environment. Go to Church. Pray more. Get to know Jesus better.
• Go to Mass.
• Go to Church. Try to help out if the church needs me.
• Keep going to Church
• Keep doing what I am doing
• Get informed about retreats. I’m going to go to LifeTeen, teach VBS, I will read the Bible.
• Find myself a ministry, keep coming to Mass and loving God.
• I will go to Church as much as possible and put God and the Church as my biggest priority like I always have.
• Go to lifeteen & pray. VBS. Lector.
• Engage in as many ministries as I can for this Church.
• Lifeteen retreats, VBS. Sunday School. Eucharist Minister. Lector. Nursery.
• Explore Eucharistic Ministry
• I’m going to keep going to keep going to Church. Keep praying.
• Pray everyday. Go to Church.
• Be nice.
• Keep going to Church
• Keep going to Church and being faithful to my family and friends
• Go to lifeteen
• Social Justice
• -go to Church more often - pray every night - see about VBS, Nursery & Sunday School
• Keep going to Church
• PRAY!
• Continue to be active in the community and become a member of these ministries
• Go to Lifeteen - work in the Nursery
• Teach Sunday School, VBS, work at coffee and donuts.
• Help set up stuff. Be an usher.
• - pray - attend Church weekly - lector
• Pray
• Continue attend Mass regularly, pray every day, do service work in the community
• Get involved
• I’m going to keep going to Church every Sunday and sign up to help at Vacation Bible School.
• Go to Church
• Get confirmed
• -I will keep going to Church - I will volunteer through the Church.
• Continue singing God’s praise in the Youth Choir
• Be at Church as much as I can and be a lector and a Eucharistic minister.
• I will volunteer with the Church and listen during the Mass every Sunday.
• Go to Church and volunteer
• Get more involved in the Church community
• Become a Eucharistic minister
• Go to Church
• I’m going to try to be more concentrated in Church. I want to try to find time to help with one of the ministries in the Church.
• Attend Church/retreats
• Help out at Church
• Go to Church. Read Bible.
• Work the nursery
• Learn the theological significance of the Bible
• Pray and help others
• Help others see how God can help them
• Play Drums in the Life Teen Mass
• Keep going to Church every Sunday and pray as often as I need.
• VBS & Sunday School
• Help out in the Church
• Continue to work through YES and every night I will pray to God. I will work hard to stay connected to the Church.

This woman is nagging my conscience just like Lazarus.

The first time I saw someone on that same corner, she was standing with her eyes closed crying.

Sometimes I have had something to give like pizza left over, or cookies or yogurt.

I am almost stepping over her—driving past her and her brothers and sisters in poverty every time I exit the freeway. I am called to re-look at my life. Why don’t I have something for her? Why, if I make a resolution to bring granola bars, or coupons for McDonalds, do I forget as soon as I drive past? Why don’t my friends and I who have talked about getting together some sandwiches to take to those on the corners remember to do so? Why is it just talk? Why haven’t I talked to my councilperson or written a letter to the editor? Why do I just try to make myself feel better by writing a poem?

Why won’t it go away? Why would someone who had any other choices stand outside all day in all weathers holding a sign?

I wrote this, this past summer, when I couldn’t get the image of this woman out of my mind. I’ve have seen her almost weekly since.

she stands by the freeway exit
bronzed by the sun
sign in hands
desperate
at the corner of the ramp
homeless
eyes closed
immobile like a statue
like stone
beyond begging or shame
enduring with dignity
in her own prison
courageous
as hard as my conscience
as immoveable as the government
as broken as the city
as human as you or I

A week after the 35W bridge collapse, everyone in our family except our oldest college age daughter went to a family reunion. Our daughter had to work and her schedule was such that she needed to go to Mass at St. Laurence/ Newman center, near the U at 9 in the evening on Sunday. It is our church of last resort when all other times don’t work, and we usually get there several times a year. As we were driving back we watched a beautiful rainbow for about 30 minutes of our drive. I was reminded of Noah and the covenant and the promise that God would love and care for us. At about 9 pm I briefly remembered that Joy was probably at Mass. I knew her schedule was tight and hoped she made it on time. Then came the phone call. A rather hysterical voice could be heard on my husband’s cell phone above the traffic noise. She was lost and late. For the next 20 minutes Tim patiently talked her through finding out where she was and how to get to church—with the 35W bridge out, her normal way of getting to St. Laurence. We got home, dropped the other kids and our stuff off, and immediately Tim and I set out. She hadn’t asked for help, but I just knew that when she got out of church, she would not be able to get home on any of her normal routes and she didn’t yet realize that. Church had ended early and she was not there, but when Tim called, she was already in the dark, headed in the wrong direction and if not lost, at least not knowing where she was going. She had forgotten 35W was closed. We followed her, found her and led her home.

I was so struck with how God deals with us in a like situation. God already knows when the bridges are out, where we are, and how to get us to where we want, and he wants, us to go. If we kind of think we know what we are doing, we stop asking for help, or even communicating. We easily forget very obvious things like bridges out. It is God, our loving parent, who reaches out to us, and is there even before we know we need him.