Oct 13, 2017
Hector Avitia
By Hector Avitia, Precious Blood Volunteer
Last week my community had its first house meeting. We divided up the chores and the first floor of the Formation House in Chicago (my floor), was assigned to dinner duty on Wednesdays. Up until this point I had been able to avoid cooking for the whole house because two of our community members took care of most of the cooking. I decided to bite the bullet and I volunteered for the first scheduled dinner for our floor this week. I don’t remember the last time I was this nervous about dinner. I wanted to get home early enough to cook patiently and diligently but that did not happen. When I got home I got so nervous about cooking that I had to get my mother on video chat to help walk me through the process. So there I am, making a mess in the kitchen while I spoke Spanish with my mom and dad over video chat, rushing and managing several pots and pans all at once. It was definitely a sight to behold in a house that is usually calm and quiet.
PBVs Hector, Leah, Lota and John cooking with Lucia
Thanks to God who, through my mother’s love and direction, allowed me to make a full meal that consisted of chicken enchiladas (garnished with freshly cut lettuce, tomato from the garden at PBMR, and avocado), rice, and beans. The kitchen didn’t burn down and the portions I made were enough to feed the whole house. I have always been uncomfortable about cooking, but not until I thought back to our cooking class at Orientation and the reflection given by Lucia, the facilitator of the cooking class), did I really figure out why I was such a nervous wreck. Preparing a meal is a very deep way that we connect with friends and family. In a way, I was sharing an intimate, a spiritual, part of me by cooking a meal for the house. I think we all seek acceptance when we open ourselves up to others like that, and making this meal made me vulnerable to the other guys in my house. Thanks to the support of my housemates, I am excited to cook again for my house when my turn comes around.
Hector is a current Precious Blood Volunteer serving at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago. To learn more about becoming a Precious Blood Volunteer go to www.preciousbloodvolunteers.org.
Oct 13, 2017
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On Saturday and Sunday, October 7th and 8th, Companions from across the Kansas City area gathered at Marillac Retreat Center in Leavenworth, Kansas for their annual retreat. Fr. Joe Nassal led the retreat called “The World That Waits In the Womb – Becoming a New Creation.” Over 50 Companions prayed, ate, and had lively conversations about becoming a new creation. We were especially happy that Companions Doris Weber and Claire Wheeler came from South Dakota to participate. A special congratulations to Companions Rose Pacheco, Doris Weber and Claire Wheeler who renewed the covenants with the community.
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Oct 10, 2017
by Gabino Zavala, Justice and Peace Director
Today is World Day Against the Death Penalty. Each year the International community joins together to renew its efforts to end the use of the death penalty across the globe. The theme this year is Poverty and Justice. This theme highlights the way poverty impacts the use of the death penalty. We need to educate people on the realities surrounding the use of the death penalty. We need to advocate against the use of the death penalty. We need to pray for the abolition of the death penalty.
“All Christians and people of good will are thus called today to fight for the abolition of the death penalty, whether legal or illegal, and in all its forms, but also in order to improve prison conditions, with respect for the human dignity of the people deprived of their freedom.” — Pope Francis #Pledge4Mercy
Please sign the National Catholic Pledge to End the Death Penalty. You can find the pledge at info@catholicmobilizing.org.
Oct 10, 2017
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Oct 6, 2017
Wisconsin Companions 2017
by Vicky Otto, Precious Blood Companions Director
On Saturday, September 29th, Fr. Joe Nassal and I joined with the Parkfalls/Butternut Companions to share a day of reflection. We concluded the day by celebrating liturgy with the community and receiving two new Companions into our community. Congratulations to Melodee Probst and Terry Halverson who made their first covenants and to all the Companions in Wisconsin for continuing to step out, stand up and speak clearly about the Precious Blood of Jesus. We are proud of you!
