Here is a sampling of activities we do on a regular/daily basis:

• Every Lenten Season, at our parish, we do a ‘stations of the cross’ before the 5:30 Mass. Since I attend the 8:30 morning Mass, I don’t stay for the evening Mass, but I do go down to the church to play piano and help with the singing for the ‘stations of the cross’. If you aren’t familiar with what that entails, it’s a set of 14 (sometimes 15 if they add the ‘resurrection’) plaques that are hung around the outside walls of the church (but on the inside) where specific prayers are said/sung to help us to remember the steps that Jesus took during his Passion, Crucifixion and death upon the cross. Some of them include, his ‘falling down (but getting back up), meeting His Mother, Mary and others and their pain, and his eventual stripping of his garments and being nailed to the cross. We ‘know’ about His pain and suffering and during this service, we re-live it, so as to NOT forget all that He did for us.
   
• On a Thursday morning after my usual deskwork/computer/phone, and mail work, I went to lunch with Diane as is our custom. Later that evening I had evening plans with another friend. I’m a creature of habit, and I don’t normally like to get out of my comfort zone, but when a friend who used to come and visit me at my house (and I’d cook dinner), suggested we pick a place somewhere in between our two homes to visit, I accepted the option. Using MapQuest, I got the directions of where I was to go (a Starbucks restaurant), and after a few wrong turns, did make it to the destination, and enjoyed catching up with my friend, with conversation that focused primarily on ‘spiritual’ issues, but included physical health, and emotional issues as well. Having someone who you see ‘eye-to-eye’ with in regards to your religious beliefs, is so much better than having to defend them, or to listen to such views that almost make your skin crawl… But I don’t have too many friends who are like that. I guess, we’re attracted to those who share our views and such.
   
• Diane visits men in prison every Saturday night for the past 23+ years, came over as she does, every 3 weeks or so, to pick up any literature or items I might have collected for her, and to stock up on prayer sheets, rosary sheets, etc. We enjoy a nice lunch, and share about what’s going on in our lives. She shared with me about a few incidents where men at the service that she provides (a Communion Service, with rosary/prayers), have come up to her and told her how very important what she does is to them personally. It almost would bring tears to your eyes to hear it from the men directly and Diane does deserve such praise. She is like a ‘mom’ to these men. One week she explained how important and GRAND is the love of a mother, and most of the men agreed, knowing the love they have from their moms. She then went on to explain that the ‘love of God’, was SO MUCH GREATER, that a mother’s love would simply pale in comparison. The time and effort that she spends to visit these men, does not go unnoticed, and they let her know that they appreciate it, and it helps them to ‘get through’ their time of incarceration. There are ups and downs in any ministry, but it’s these conversations and words, that help you thru the difficult times. Way to go, Diane!
   
• One of our projects we'd like you to know about is our LIFE ON THE STREET audiotapes. These are documentaries of the daily activities and interactions of the director in his day-to-day tasks, which include his morning outreach program to hundreds of school children on their way to school. (This has been going on since 1989!
   
• Tim arrives at the corner around 6:00 am and stays until 7:00 at which time he jogs/walks for 2 miles, and then prepares for daily Mass). Other areas documented on the tapes are his one-on-one interactions with youth in need, letters from people in prison, and phone calls from parents and others seeking help. Send an email to request a FREE copy of our LOTS tape.
   
• One area of vice in the neighborhood is prostitution and the Los Angeles Times did an undercover sting to arrest some of the ‘johns’ who pick up these women of the ‘day/night’. You can read the published story here. Let me know after you read it, if you want to take the next flight to California and help to bring the message of Christ to these women (and men!) and to make a positive difference in their lives. We don’t actually work directly in this area, but no doubt some of the women that I encounter on the sidewalks on my two mile journeys of exercise, might belong to this ‘career’. I always try to reflect that they are still God’s Blessed Children, so much in need of His love.
   
• Last week I met a guy named Benjamin at my parish, but I’ve not seen him again. Also, I’ve shared with you about my hopes that I’d be seeing Gabriel every Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays, because those are the dates that he doesn’t have school, and was coming to the morning Mass. He commented on what a ‘great hugger’ I was/am, and I told him, “I’m a hugologist!”. Anyhow, he’s NOT been able to attend Mass on the days he doesn’t go to school (for some reason) and has not taken up my offer to call me so we can have a meal (and talk more in depth), but I pray that it still might happen. Knowing that he isn’t able to attend DAILY Mass, I gave him the READING GOD’s WORD book which has all the Mass readings for an ENTIRE YEAR in it, in hopes that he could at least read the Bible readings on his own time. I look forward to talking to him about whether or not he’s been able to do this, (or has any interest in doing it).
   
• While a woman’s son was incarcerated, she called me asking for my assistance and what could be done to assist him upon his release. Recently, he called at his mom’s suggestion (a very good thing, as most people won’t do this) and talked about his future. I also asked him about his ‘relationship’ with God and the church and found out surprisingly enough that he seems to be doing well in that area. I did put him in touch with another friend who was looking for ways to ‘volunteer’ his time, hoping that the two of them together, might also help each other. I also left a message for him to possibly come and help me fold/stuff/seal our monthly newsletter. I could probably do it faster ‘by myself’ having done it for almost 25 years, but it would be good for him, to feel appreciated, and to allow us more time to ‘talk’ about the important things of life, his future, and his spiritual journey.