Pantry and Dorothy Day

I had my first "Pantry Day" experience yesterday. The other volunteers I've lived with who worked here always came home just exhausted after pantry day. I came home exhausted last night. But it was a fun day all around.

I like the other volunteers. They come from all walks of life-- this rich lady, this homeless man, this high school student, this retired man...

I sat and talked with the homeless guy for awhile. His name is Eddie (but he's not the only Eddie that works at the pantry). He told me about how he was passed out the other day and this cop came and rudely woke him up, yelling at him to 'get outta here.' Eddie was like, 'hey, man, I was sleeping.' The cop said, 'You're in the sun, you can't do that!' Eddie said, 'Well I was in the shade when I passed out.' The cop said, 'You're not now, find somewhere else.'

It was actually a nice thing to do, in a rude sort of way.

John and Michael and I (currently, the entire volunteer community) watched the Dorothy Day movie Entertaining Angels last night. John has taken over as the director of Su Casa Catholic Worker house, and thought he ought to learn more about Dorothy Day, and perhaps add the movie into the orientation for new workers.

We all felt the movie was okay, although not as gritty as perhaps we'd hoped. As people outside of the mainstream ourselves, we see Dorothy Day as much more of a revolutionary and activist than we feel the movie portrayed her. Not that she was sterilized in the movie, just maybe a bit watered down for consumption by a larger audience. They really downplayed the communist and anarchist part of her mission. Also, none of us learned anything about her. The decision is, if you don't know anything about Dorothy Day and want a good introduction, this is a good movie for you. And even if you're a Dorothy Day fanatic, it's doubtful you'll be calling for your two hours back at the end of it. So, yeah. Watch it.

At the Pantry

I've started my new job at the pantry now. And I really enjoy it. Yesterday, this guy came in who spoke English, but not very well. As soon as he walked in, something in my brain froze, and I couldn't come up with any Spanish to speak. Maria talked with him. I listened. I understood nearly everything, but I just couldn't form any words of my own. I felt a bit defeated.

But then, a little later, this lady came in while Maria was on the phone. She didn't speak any English, so we spoke in Spanish. She explained to me what she needed, and I repeated it to her to clarify. Then I went to Maria to see what we could do. She told me, I relayed it to the lady, and it worked. I know my grammar wasn't great, but the lady understood. And it didn't bother her at all when I fumbled with my words. Communication happened. And despite my shortcomings with the Spanish language, I was able to help. It was really nice.

I was also trained yesterday on the community voice mail system that we're getting. I don't remember if I've mentioned it before, but it's pretty neat, and really, really easy. The idea is that homeless people in particular, but poor people in general, have a hard time finding jobs and housing and getting social services because they don't have phone numbers where people can reach them. So with this service, we can provide them with free voice mail so they can receive messages at a steady phone number. So long as they can get to a phone, any phone, they can call in to get the messages. And since it works like regular voice mail, they have their own personal message on it... it removes the stigma during the application process, and also allows them to keep in contat with family and friends that they may not hear from regularly otherwise.

I'm digging the job.

Transition begins

So, stuff happens.

Last week my uncle was installed as bishop of Joliet, which is nice, because he's moved nearer to me. I don't expect to see him often, but I do expect we'll probably swap dinners at each other's houses during the next year, and that'll be cool. I like having family over. My mother and sisters came up for the installation, as well as aunts and uncles and second cousins I'd never met. I was really happy to see the family I had met before. I miss them. It's nice when they come around.

The previous day I'd had my interview at Casa Catalina Food Pantry, where I'll be working this coming year. I actually started working there on Monday. I learned such valuable skills as taking out the trash, and where the homeless people food is kept, and what to do when people need emergency groceries, and a bit about how to navigate Real Benefits and Allkids paperwork, and where to put the Food Rescue donations that come in on Mondays. I feel this is gonna be a really neat job.

Tonight is my last regular youth group meeting. Next week is the closing retreat. The following Wednesday, I'm taking the youth on a day trip to the Indiana Dunes. And then that's it for me as youth minister at St. Paul. As much as I've, well, almost *dreaded* making this change-- leaving without knowing what exactly will happen next with the youth group-- I feel a great weight lifted knowing that I'm almost done. I think it is a definite sign that a job is not for you when you feel almost giddy at the prospect of leaving it. No, not almost. I'm giddy, damnit. It's nice.

For those of you who have been waiting for an update, the stone sculpting is going well. The stone is becoming elephant-shaped. And, I *love* stone sculpting. It is so much fun. It leaves my hands hurting, and sometimes my elbows, but holy cow is it fun! I feel so much satisfaction while I'm at it. I feel productive, and in control, and relaxed, and content. And dusty. Alabaster dust gets everywhere. Clean-up is my least favorite part. But I so enjoy all that comes before, that it even makes the clean-up worth it.

The update on Mensa is that I'm officially enrolled in both the national and local chapters now. There are a few Chicago events this month that I'll be checking out. I hope the people aren't stuffy.

Fundraising continues. I'm hitting festivals now, asking for spare change. It can be hit or miss. Some days the money comes, others, not so. I'm about two-thirds of the way to my goal. Wish me luck.