“If the earth does grow inhospitable toward human presence, it is primarily because we have lost our sense of courtesy toward the earth and its inhabitants.”  Thomas Berry

Reflection last night focused on our theme of fellowship and we shared our day’s “news and goods.”

Today was a scorcher, with highs officially hitting 96 degrees although the bank in Pineville read 100 degrees.  We continued our work out in Hanover.  Midday volunteers took a break and had a little gospel sing with the other group working and the residents.  We also started work at our friends in Lilydale.  It was hot grueling work moving rocks, mowing, weed eating and building steps.  Volunteers were in the direct sun in a valley with little escape from the heat.  Unfortunately, tomorrows weather doesn’t look any better, if anything a little hotter.

The day was made a little more tolerable knowing that we would be feasting on a scrumptious Italian meal tonight.

“If the earth does grow inhospitable toward human presence, it is primarily because we have lost our sense of courtesy toward the earth and its inhabitants.”  Thomas Berry

Reflection last night focused on our theme of fellowship and we shared our day’s “news and goods.”

Today was a scorcher, with highs officially hitting 96 degrees although the bank in Pineville read 100 degrees.  We continued our work out in Hanover.  Midday volunteers took a break and had a little gospel sing with the other group working and the residents.  We also started work at our friends in Lilydale.  It was hot grueling work moving rocks, mowing, weed eating and building steps.  Volunteers were in the direct sun in a valley with little escape from the heat.  Unfortunately, tomorrows weather doesn’t look any better, if anything a little hotter.

The day was made a little more tolerable knowing that we would be feasting on a scrumptious Italian meal tonight.

“We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.”  Anne Frank

Today we continued work on the flood damaged house up in Hanover.  Great progress continues to be made each and every day.  Groups drywalled, mudded, sanded, painted, built steps and underpinned.  There still remains work to be done, but it is amazing to look back and see where the house was just two weeks ago.

We also asked a group to stay back at the school and begin to label all of our tools and equipment so we can keep better track of everything.  They were so speedy with that task, that they also were able to reorganize and refill the first aid kits.

Tonight for dinner we are having ham and macaroni and cheese.  Yummy!!!

“We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.”  Anne Frank

Today we continued work on the flood damaged house up in Hanover.  Great progress continues to be made each and every day.  Groups drywalled, mudded, sanded, painted, built steps and underpinned.  There still remains work to be done, but it is amazing to look back and see where the house was just two weeks ago.

We also asked a group to stay back at the school and begin to label all of our tools and equipment so we can keep better track of everything.  They were so speedy with that task, that they also were able to reorganize and refill the first aid kits.

Tonight for dinner we are having ham and macaroni and cheese.  Yummy!!!

“We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.”  Anne Frank

Today we continued work on the flood damaged house up in Hanover.  Great progress continues to be made each and every day.  Groups drywalled, mudded, sanded, painted, built steps and underpinned.  There still remains work to be done, but it is amazing to look back and see where the house was just two weeks ago.

We also asked a group to stay back at the school and begin to label all of our tools and equipment so we can keep better track of everything.  They were so speedy with that task, that they also were able to reorganize and refill the first aid kits.

Tonight for dinner we are having ham and macaroni and cheese.  Yummy!!!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!!

This weekend was a big change over weekend with 20 people leaving and 23 people arriving.  We are sad to see those go that have been with us the first two weeks and at the same time excited for the new arrivals.  It always amazes us how seamlessly the community transitions from week to week.  A key part of this is our wonderful summer longs who provided a consistent presence for us throughout these transitions.

Even though it was the 4th, it was still community day for the PVs.  After going to Mass in Pineville, we gathered for community day activities.  We began with pairing off and interviewing each other and then presenting our fellow volunteer to the rest of the group.  It was surprising how much we learned about each other, even people we have known for a long time.  After the interviews we moved to the gym for a game of kickball.

After orientation and reorientation, we were treated to our now traditional meal of hamburgers and veggie burgers. Yum yum…. After a quick clean up we moved into the commissioning service to anoint the newly arrived volunteers for their service. Commissioning is always a nice way to connect every volunteer that serves during the summer and to prepare each person for the next day.

We wrapped up the day with a community trip to the Oceana Fireworks. (see pictures below)  It was a beautiful and quite impressive display.  We were joined in Oceana by one of our friends from Lillydale.  After a bit of a traffic jam leaving Oceana we returned to the school and devoured a yummy “flag cake” made with blueberries and strawberries.  It was a great day!