Fr. Tomas Burns, Maryknoll Missioner Extraordinaire

 I discovered this photo in a box of photos and memorabilia from my father's house.   On the back it says "Tommy Burns (Bobby's brother) in my mother's handwriting.  
Tommy Burns is a Maryknoll Missioner who has spent over 40 years as a missioner in Peru.  The Peruvian people have become his family and Peru is where he appears to be most at home.  When I met him many years ago he was studying to become a Maryknoll missioner.    I was dating his slightly older (i.e., Irish twins) brother, Bobby, and also knew his slightly younger brother, Kenny.   At the time, their only sister, Kathy, was just a little girl.  I remember her fondly.   The family lived in a small apartment in Jackson Heights, Queens.  I found it amazing that the 3 brothers were 6'3", 6'4" and 6'5" while their parents were both about 5'7".   I remember that his mother was a very sweet, lovely lady and I liked her very much.   One year (probably 1965 -66)  Bobby took me out for New Year's Eve and when he picked me up he asked if I minded if we went back to his apartment in Jackson Heights to get his brother who was home from the seminary for Christmas vacation.  I was a little surprised by the request but I said "sure, that's fine with me".  I remember how nice it felt to  drive along in Bobby's car while I sat in the middle between two tall, dark and handsome young men.   We went to his friend's house for a party.  I have always enjoyed doing this sort of thing,  meeting people and visiting with them in informal, relaxed settings.  I preferred this to a fancy nightclub or show.   That New Year's Eve, I sat on the couch next to Tommy while he shared his dreams for his future and I remember being amazed that such a young man - not much more than a teenager - had such remarkable ambitions to do the work of God.  It seemed so loving and generous.  In my mind I actually questioned whether he would really follow through with this ambitious goal or whether he would eventually throw in the towel and take an easier path for himself.   Well, he persevered and this June (19-22) at the 2014 Maryknoll Affiliates Conference I was privileged to meet some of Tomas' "family" from Peru.   This photo below was taken on June 20th at Maryknoll.

This photo was taken on June 22, 2014 - Father Tomas' friends from Peru.  Carlos, Lucia, Raul & Martha

Richard Rohl's thoughts about God. I like what he shares here.

Personal and Transpersonal

Mature believers eventually move toward a  transpersonal notion of God as presence itself, consciousness itself, pure Being, the very Ground of Being, God with us, and God in all things—and yet many of these very same people frequently find it helpful, if not necessary,  to still relate to God through the intimate sharing of one trusting self to another. My only question would be, “Why not?” I believe it takes two to love—a giver and a receiver. You really cannot fully give yourself, fall in love with, or surrender to a concept, an energy, a force, or even to enlightenment as an idea. Persons love persons, and the brilliance of Judeo-Christianity is that it keeps the whole spiritual life intensely personal in this very rich sense, and yet also moves beyond it  (“Transcend and Include” is the big principle here). The personal God revealed in both the scriptures and the Perennial Tradition makes known a divine nature that is seductive, self-disclosing, and immensely self-giving to those who are interested.  This experience of “overflow” invites us into more freedom than most of us are even ready for, along with intimacy and real friendship.   Such a relationship deeply empowers  anyone who engages with it. For me, it really comes down to this:  the individuals I know who are most  genuinely happy and also fruitful for the world invariably relate to God in a way that is deeply personal, intimate, and almost conversational. Yet these same persons would be the first to admit and recognize that their personal God is also transpersonal and sometimes impersonal, and “the one in whom we all live, and move, and have our being”  (Acts 17:28), and, finally, beyond all names for God. God is humbly recognized as beyond any of our attempts to domesticate, understand, or control the Mystery. All names for God are “in vain.” Adapted from Eager to Love: The Alternative Way of Francis of Assisi, pp. 237-238, 239, 245-246 Gateway to Silence: I am a hole in a flute that the Christ’s breath moves through—listen to this music.     —Hafiz

"Our" Birds flew away this evening

The photo was taken on 7-8-14
This evening, July 11, 2014, (by the way Happy Birthday, dearest Maureen) before dinner, I brought a step stool and my camera to the geranium plant on our front porch.  I had taken a few photos just the other day of a bird's nest inside the plant.  There were four baby birds in the nest and they looked so cute.  They had their eyes opened but they didn't move as I pulled back the leaves to get a better look at them and to take their photograph.
About a week or two before Bob and I noticed that a bird flew out of the plant whenever we opened the front door.  Shortly after our discovery, Connor and I got the step stool and took a peek and saw some tiny little eggs in the nest.  Connor commented that one of the eggs had a crack in it.  From then on I was ever so careful whenever I watered the plant.  I did not want to disturb the nest or drown the babies!
Tonight, I got the step stool out of the mudroom, set it up right next to the plant and then grabbed my camera ready for a photo shoot.  Low and behold the birds were all snug as a bug in a rug, so I pulled back the leaves to get a better photograph.  What a shock when the mother bird took flight and the  four baby birds followed right behind her.  I was so frightened that they would nosedive into the ground but they followed their Mom and I watched in amazement as they soared through the air, up higher and higher until they reached the rather large trees across the street from our house.  I imagine this was probably their first flight, but they did a great job.  It was a once in a lifetime experience for me, and although I hope I didn't make them leave home before they were ready, I enjoyed being a witness to this miracle of life.  Bob and I looked into the nest before we went upstairs to our bed for the night and the nest was empty.   I guess they are gone for good.  I wonder whether they met up again in another tree or whether their relationship is over. 

In case you didn't find him

Can you find TJ O'Donnell in this photo?

This is an undated photo but as far as I can tell it is from the NYPD.  I am certain that all family members will be able to tell which guy is TJ.  Of course he is the best looking guy by far - not that I am prejudiced in any way.

• I also came across rather detailed notes of TJ's work history written in his own hand which states that he worked for Thomas O'Donnell (that was his father) from 1900 to 1906. 

• He left to accept a position at Binghamton State Hospital - Charles G. Wagner Supervisor, from October 1906 to May 1907.  He states his reason for leaving this job as "to accept position on Brooklyn Heights R.R. Co."

• The next job is listed as a "Conductor" for the Brooklyn Heights Railroad Co. on the Brooklyn Bridge(Badge No. 1084)(in Brooklyn , NY) from May 1907 to August 1908.  His Supervisor is listed as E.F. Reeves.  He states his reason for leaving this job "left to accept position at St. Joseph, Pa." 

• The next job is listed as "Farmer" St. Joseph, Pa from August 1908 to April 1909 and his supervisor is listed as Thomas O'Donnell (which by the way is his Dad).  He states that his reason for leaving this job was "To accept position at Binghamton State Hospital, Binghamton, NY. "

•  The next job is listed as "Attendant" at the Binghamton State Hospital in Binghamton, NY from April 1909 to Nov 1909.  He states his reason for leaving "to accept position as Patrolman on Aqueduct.

• The next job is listed as "Patrolman on Aqueduct Shield no. 125,  at the Board of Water Supply City of New York, Municipal Building, NYC.  States Aqueduct Patrolman Nov 1909 to July 1915 and his reason for leaving this job is listed as "Completion of work".

It surprised me to see that my grandfather went to work in Brooklyn, NY from 1907 to 1908 and then returned to the farm in St. Joseph's Pa, from 1908 until 1909.  He also worked two different times at Binghamton State Hospital (Oct 1906 to May 1907 - a period of 7 months) and again from (April 1909 to Nov 1909 -another period of 7 months)

Mother and Child - Dec. 31, 1977

I remember this evening well.  It was New Year's Eve, December 31st 1977 (soon to be 1978)and Bob and I were just about ready to leave for a New Year's Eve party at Maureen and Frank Seier's house in another part of Hicksville, Long Island.  The photo was taken at Marty & Donna's house on Sunnyfield Rd.   If I remember correctly Marty & Donna were having a few friends over to their house to celebrate New Year's Eve and they had offered to babysit for Brian for us.   He was all ready for bed and I imagine I tried to get him to sleep before we left.   The party at Frank and Maureen's was very nice.  I spent quite a long time sitting and talking to Frank's twin brother, Joe Seier.  I am not sure if he had a date that night but he was still single and was "finding his way' and needed to talk.  The next day, Brian's Aunt Diane stopped in for a short visit since she was on Long Island for the holiday.  I was so proud when Brian called me "Mama" in front of her.   She smiled and said, that's right Brian, I know she is your Mama.  I had waited a long time to be a mother and my dream had finally come true.

Charles A. Fries, Sr. and "his" pony

Isn't he adorable?  He also reminds me a lot of my grandson, Connor, which is impossible of course but you could have fooled me.