Kevin's Corner 02-21-10
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: BEING MADE RIGHT NOW: The United Negro College Fund held the first in a national series of friend-raising events right here in Saint Paul last week. It was quite an event, including a “conversation about education” between the President of the UNCF and the Governor of our state – you may have read a report in the newspaper. One of our US Senators was there, as was the spouse of the other, along with a Congressman, Saint Paul’s mayor, and several other elected officials. From my point of view, however, the best part of the entire event was the presentation of a prestigious award called Flame Bearers. It recognizes someone who has worked to promote education for African-American young people. And the first local recipient of this national award was our own Dr. Josie Johnson! I have posted the citation for her award on the bulletin board at church. It was an especially proud moment for us when she took the podium to express her gratitude for the award – and her pleasure at being able to continue working for kids through her principalship of Saint Peter Caver School. Present among the luncheon guests – at Josie’s insistence – were two of our eighth grade students. When I asked them what that thought of the event, they could only give me a wide-eyed chorus of “really cool”. I bet, however, that it will dawn on our young people a decade or two from now just how close they are to Black history in the making. Congratulations, Josie!
LENT HAS BEGUN: A full house of Claver members attended Mass at 5:15 last Wednesday evening, as a nearly full house of parishioners and school students had been in church earlier that same day. Marked with a cross of ashes on their foreheads, they set out into the Season of Lent. However you spent Wednesday, it is certainly not too late to begin your own observance of this time of reflection, renewal, and conversion right now. I offered three invitations to those who came to Ash Wednesday’s Mass, suggestions that grew out of the recognition that Lent 2010 for many of us is not just 40 days long, but actually 40 weeks or even 40 months long. I pass those same suggestions on to all our members. First, while all prayer is appropriate in Lent, prayer of gratitude will likely be especially useful in this tough time. Second, Lent should always include some fasting: how about fasting from negative talk (to oneself as well as to others), from complaints and self-pity? And third, we may find it harder than usual to give monetary alms to needy people this year, especially when our own families are struggling. But we can still give alms of solidarity – which might include encouraging notes, an invitation to dinner, and intercessory prayer for those whom you know to be struggling even more than you are. This is the time for our return to the Lord. Blessed Lent to all.
LOVING IN THE TRUTH: We already had the first installment of a three-part series about Pope Benedict’s recent encyclical letter, known by the Latin title “Caritas in Veritate”. There are still two segments left, on each of the next two Friday evenings right after daily Mass and Stations of the Cross. We will share some hot soup and some fellowship too. Although the title of the Pope’s letter may not seem to reflect it, you will find it a profound statement of many important Catholic teachings about social justice. The letter is very densely written, but its message is an inspiring one. Come join us. And please look elsewhere in this bulletin to find some information about a mid-Lent retreat day with Father Clarence Williams. Once again: a blessed Lent to one and all!
A NICE JOB OPPORTUNITY: We just learned about a very positive chance for work. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is about to hire a new crew of truck drivers. These are the hardworking people we see engaged in snowplowing and other critical functions for our public safety. Here is the catch: there will be just twenty openings, and you have to have completed your application by March 1. Training, which will continue for just over four weeks, will begin on March 8. If you are interested, you have to get the application done this week. Call me at the Claver office please’ I have the required forms. And a MNDOT friend will help you get it done. Please pass the word.
GOODBYE TO AN OLD FRIEND: My first Rondo friend came into my life almost 35 years ago. Sonny Yarborough was already working at a 3M facility when I started a summer job there. He was outgoing and supportive, the sort of person that encourages young people to feel at home. We reconnected fifteen years later – both of us denizens of the same restaurant in our neighborhood. And then, as things go in this small world of ours, Sonny’s daughter fell in love with a life-long Claver parish member and Sonny’s granddaughter came to our parish school. To close the circle, Sonny will be buried from Claver this Friday afternoon. He was never a member of our church, but we were woven together by God’s grace into the fabric of the same community. May he rest in peace.
HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION: Saint Peter Claver School participates in a network called FOCUS, the Friends of the Catholic Urban Schools. In fact, FOCUS is headquartered in our parish/school office. You may be aware that FOCUS leaders were involved in two extraordinary gifts to Archdiocesan schools that now bring $2 million a year to the support of Catholic education for poor children. Those gifts, and some other very generous donations, have come largely from Twin Cities area Catholics. We are now looking to expand our circle of friends, and the organization will soon conduct a study of possible funding sources beyond our traditional base. Do you have any ideas about people with whom we could speak? They might be individuals with significant wealth who are concerned about educational disparities in our community. Or they may be corporate or foundation leaders who want to develop a better Twin Cities workforce and community life. If you have ideas, please contact Father McDonough or the FOCUS office (Tom McCarver) at 651-646-1797.