A sun and sky photo shoot at the Jesuit Center

Sunlight and Clouds: 1 at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville PA by Wayne Stratz

On a splendid spring day I took my Earth and Space students outside and told them to look up at the clouds. Fifteen minutes later the class period was over. It meant something to some of them who told me they were now checking out clouds.

When I am on Silent retreats I allow myself more time to look up and use my camera to try to preserve that moment in time. These were my favorite three from one particular photo shoot.

look up.

Sunlight and Clouds: 2 at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville PA by Wayne Stratz

Sunlight and Clouds: 3 at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville PA by Wayne Stratz

apparently my heart has a silent retreat rhythm

from my journal at the Jesuit Center, Image by Wayne Stratz

Summer school teaching ended today. For the past several years that meant I would be going on a silent retreat. However, I went in June. But my heart is prepared for silence and taking my mug to Wernersville.

I considered a short trip, but am thinking it won't happen for a variety of reasons. Maybe I need to reserve a room for this fall. A place to go with a favorite mug...

At the Jesuit Center in Wernersville with a Pam Cummings Mug. Image by Wayne Stratz

July 31st: The Feast Day of St Ignatius, an imagined photo: Statue with Clouds at the Jesuit Center

St Ignatius, Statue with Clouds at the Jesuit Center. Photo by Wayne Stratz

I am sure there are plenty of people born on feast days of saints who don't go on retreats inspired by the spirituality of that saint, but I do. And I had gone many a year before I realized the connection.

So what is the connection. Imagination? Ignatius wanted us to imagine ourselves into biblical stories, as bystanders and key characters. By becoming part of the scene, we become part of the story and are placed into the tradition of the church. On Facebook I list my job title as CID of Nutmeg Designs , Chief Imagination Dude. Imagination leads us into places we would never experience. Our story takes shape. Imagine a JOY inside a mandala. Then design it. Then collaborate with Margaret.

Joy Mandala: Imagined by Wayne Stratz. Created by Wayne Stratz and Margaret Almon

The clouds are not an afterthought, like when a photo of a flower lands a great insect within it. I was photographing the clouds as much as I was photographing the statue of Saint Ignatius. Photography is imagination. Imagine an image recorded for history. Use the camera. My imagined designs and photographs are not crystal clear. They have some clouds floating between the idea and the finished product. Ignatius did not say how exactly to imagine a story, we may have an idea when we leap into a scene, but forcing it to play out as it was predicted foils the creative flow of imagination.

Choose a story, any story, now leap in. And follow your imagination.

St Ignatius, Statue with Clouds at the Jesuit Center. Photo by Wayne Stratz

;

just because your destination is gone; arriving at the gate that was nonexistent

top of the a fence post at the Jesuit Center; June 2015; Wayne Stratz

So did I turn back, nope. (see this post about walking to a nonexistent gate)

While the gate was gone, I kept walking. My eye was drawn to the iron fence on either side of the entrance to the Jesuit Center in Wernersville. I started taking photos, until... 

"What are you doing over there!"

The man in the pickup truck was curious. Once I explained who I was and what I was up to, then he explained who he was. A Jesuit, not in charge of spiritual direction, but in charge of the grounds was in the pickup truck. All those stops along the way to the nonexistent fence had created this timely encounter.

"What happened to the fence?"  I guess I had broken Silence, but hey, the Jesuit in the pickup truck had started the conversation.

"Damaged" "Again" "Being restored" "Again" "Hundreds of years old" "From Europe" "Tired of being damaged" "Uncertainty of its future home at the center." "But... it will be used on the grounds"

And thus, by being nonexistent, it became known;

Walking to a nonexistent gate at the Jesuit Center in Wernersvillemakes me ponder a new career

Walking to the gate at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville ... day lilies catches my eye. photo by Wayne Stratz 2015

I am writing a sermon for Sunday (update: here is the sermon). Plans come to mind. The plan was to walk to a gate and take photos of it. Just out of the door, day lilies caught my eye. By the time I reached to end of the driveway that leads up to the Jesuit Center, I had taken quite a few photos. The ones I favored the most are here.

The plan was to see the gate. Funny thing was, the gate was gone. I hadn't even noticed when I had driven into the center the previous day. I spent the rest of the retreat fascinated by moss and I have to admit I began to imagine a plan for my future. I was to become a professional moss photographer. Clearly a profession with a need for more members.

I have not given up my day job. But I do not think I will pass up any commissions to photograph moss. Planning to get somewhere because we feel called to take a journey, does not mean ignoring the beauty we pass along the way. Because the gait might be missing. But something was there and that is for next week.

Walking to the gate at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville ... rust catches my eye. photo by Wayne Stratz 2015

Walking to the gate at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville ... sap catches my eye. photo by Wayne Stratz 2015

Walking to the gate at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville ... a missing limb catches my eye. photo by Wayne Stratz 2015

Walking to the gate at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville ... a maple branch catches my eye. photo by Wayne Stratz 2015

Walking to the gate at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville ... moss catches my eye. photo by Wayne Stratz 2015

Walking to the gate at the Jesuit Center in Wernersville ... lichen catches my eye. photo by Wayne Stratz 2015

Jesuit Center on Fridays 1: Prayer Beads

my hand, my prayer beads by Wayne Stratz

And so it begins: a weekly series of images and thoughts from seven days of Silence at the Jesuit Center in Wernersvile, PA

I have never taken so many photos, and while over half have been weeded away, many remain for now in my photos. Shortly before I left for my retreat, I asked friends on Facebook, "What would you take on a silent retreat?"

"Meditation Beads," came from my friend who heads up TheSpaceForGrace. So I dug about and found these collecting dust since I made them years ago.

My friend, Deborah, would agree that to go deeper into an understanding of our faith is a call made by several spiritual masters. Ignatius called people to repeat an exercise to go deeper. For two years I have been praying my seven desires, but when I used the beads and made one complete trip for each desire, the prayer went deeper. I would apply there use again and again as the silence continued.

So thanks Deborah for a fine suggestion, which led to the first photos of the retreat.

my prayer beads by Wayne Stratz

Looking Up 2 ~> remembering what I brought forth from the silent retreat at the Jesuit Center

looking up at trees sun and clouds
Jesuit Center Wernersville, PA

Saturday at Holy Trinity I reach my seat after communion having asked God to renew and cleanse me as I often do when I reach out for the bread and the wine. But since I came back from the silent retreat I count to seven on my fingers, hoping to remember the desires I shared with God.

Hope in all things

Love in my home

Grace with my friends

Jazz in my church

Joy in my classroom

Awe in my studio

Beauty in my garden

... 

Talking Technology with the RevGals

The gates I go through to escape
the internet

The RevGal prompt is about technology this week ~ 

Although you won't know this, I am pre-posting this ten days ahead of schedule, because my husband and I are going to be in Washington State during his spring break (from teaching at a local community college). His parents have very recently moved into a senior living facility. We will be staying at their home, which will not have some of the furniture and supplies like we are used to. What I am dreading is no computer, tv or telephone, which also means no wifi connection. This is showing my dependence upon these technologies.

For this Friday Five, let us explore our use of and desire for such items.

1. What types of technologies, like cell phones, computers, tvs, etc., do you routinely use? How frequently?

I can go days without using my cell phone and also the TV. However, the roku box and streaming netflix has it on a bit more often. The computer is daily, the iPad and iPod Touch are also daily. Stereos play jazz at work at home and while traveling. I use the Ipod in my car since it connects easily with my stereo.  

2. What social media and/or games do you like to play? How often? On which device do you occupy yourself? Which method of social media do you prefer?

Games none. Facebook and Twitter is most often for social media, which means throughout a day. I also hang around Flickr, Pinterest, and Instagram but less often and not everyday. iPad has become device of choice at home except for Flickr, because I tend to use images I have taken on my camera and transferred to the computer.

3. Do you separate online activities between home and work? Or is it all the same everywhere? 

 I teach.  I check e-mail and facebook at lunch but otherwise I am not on it.

4. Do you have a smart (or I-) phone? 

 Nope. When I thought of a smart gadget, I thought I wanted a big screen, thus the iPad and the data plan is so much cheaper. Since I don't use my phone much at all, I can get by with 100.00 a year pay as you go plan

5. What do you wish you had--or do not have--in relation to these devices? 

 I wish I could give myself internet breaks more often at home, but I do not. But when I go to the Jesuit Center I am offline the whole time there. Eight days of silence cleanses my soul from the internet. Ironically I use my phone more often... I call home every night and chat with Mosaic Woman

Bonus: What is the difference between your attitude towards these means of technology and a generation older or younger than you? 

From younger folk, I don't play games or text. I think I have incorporated technology in my classroom more than most teachers my age and older.

Seven Thoughts on spontaneously signing up for a retreat at the Jesuit Center

Looking Up at the Jesuit Center
Wernersville, PA

1. Monday night remember that you love creating new designs in Wernersville and see that a retreat is happening the next weekend. Sign up on Tuesday. When you are the only male to show up, read the fine print to see if it was a women's retreat. It wasn't. Still have the longest hair in the room.
2. bring a camera so you don't have to count on old photos to head the blog post.  
3. spend prayer time designing a Wisdom stained glass panel and a turtle.
4. Turtles ~ mention in a news letter that you are thinking about creating a turtle. Get a commission that will include a turtle. Go on a retreat to design the turtle. Laugh when the retreat leader pulls a turtle from her bag. She uses it to remind herself that good things may take a long but slow journey.
5. Wake up on the Sunday and draw a design for the nun who introduced you to Wisdom. Then take an erasure to the panel you had designed. Start the background over. But keep the moon.
6. If you are fighting off a cold, a silent retreat just may not be the source for a miracle cure.
7. When a woman's face shines amongst all the others, draw her a card with wisdom shining upon a focal point. Be brave and give her the design as you pass in a hallway. Accept her hug. Later give her your address when she asks, be filled with hope that you have made a new friend. It can happen at a silent retreat.

and one more thing: on Monday remember what may be the most important thing that flowed into your brain ~ You would rather lose your job before you lose your sense of humor.

2012, The Second Half

Our church finally stumbled upon a new rector,
 she is wonderful.
I greeted her with this card.

I began what will hopefully be more mosaics
inspired by the photographs of KerriFar

I started making 3D suncatchers
and when our good friends moved
out of our neighborhood,
I gave this one to warm their new house.

My friend Deborah began leading interfaith services at our church.

Finally, I set up coloring pages for sale on our etsy shop

in the midst of self doubts, I created a pug mosaic

The Fit got personalized

A client saw one in our house and asked for three bigger ones.  One of the biggest commissions of the year was created by Margaret

Any time any one asks for three Dr Ed's mandalas, has to be a highlight of the year.  I also was commissioned to make one for Dr Ed's daughter

End of the year date at the art museum

and there was that magical time
being inside what I called
 The Wernersville Tree


and I made pizza
and taught
and listened to jazz

Wordlessly inside the Wernersville Tree (part b)

Inside the Wernersville Tree

Above is the first photo from within the tree, which I showed as I approached it on a previous post.  The trip to this tree and then inside the tree is the only time I used my camera while on the silent retreat:

on a branch at eye level

Reflections from Silence ~ Psalm 21, 42, 63 and Flannery O'Connor

Light and Darkness at the Jesuit Center

In my last reflection I mentioned going to the library.  Buechner was mostly read and in the midst of the essays was an essay about Flanner O'Connor.  I could have used the classic card catalogue by myself but the rare sighting of the librarian and the aloe plant on her desk inspired me to be guided to a book.   OK I was desperate for a brief conversation.  And a few moments later I was headed back to my room with her collected stories.

My friend Michelle had thought playing with psalms was the way to go, so I read a psalm a day while on retreat.  21, 42, then 63 led the way.  In each case we start with an author who is praising his Lord, but at the end the author was overwhelmed by hatred and asked God to smash some enemies.

While in the O'Connor stories I was randomly chosing (by titles, not by counting by 21's), I kept being introduced to these main characters who seemed likable, especially in their own mind.  But they all seemed done in by hatred.  The hate was directed in many a direction but it emerged from the otherwise nice characters.

Today a friend needed a favor.  As we drove together I began to rant about something that had emerged at work that day.  I apologized for ranting.  Later I realized I had not followed rule 12 of 21 very well.  So now I work on that forgiveness thing.

My local library had the stories and tonight I met another one of those characters done in by hatred.

Here is to celebrating God minus the rants.

After the Ugly Oyster, a new beginning for silence

Wernersville Tree ~ as I approached 

Having left the arts and crafts pub in Reading, it was a direct route to the Jesuit Center but a road not yet travelled.  I would be filled with thoughts of riches and poverty and how crossing one boundary can lead to such radical changes as I simply drove out of Reading into West Reading.  Do people drive this everyday? Do they get used to it?

The brain will get used to silence.  Thirty hours in I woke up and felt it.  I had made the transition.

I am not a fan of superlatives... Questions like who is your favorite band can baffle me.  I used to be able to say I never read a lot on retreats.  But I fell into the writings of (let me be safe here) one of the most influential authors in my life, Frederick Buechner.  

I came across his book The Clown in The Belfry as I weeded my bookcase of spiritual writings recently.  It is a collection of essays and sermons thrown together for the sake of making a book.  Not my most favorite thing.  But I hadn't read it.  

It proved to be a path into the many ways he has influenced my faith.  By the time I woke up 30 hours into the retreat, I realized that I only had three chapters left.  It made sense ~  one for that morning and one each for the last two mornings of the retreat.  I could not have planned it better.

As I look back at the book, I see that the last essay I read, before I woke up feeling the silence, had ended with this paragraph.  And this may be the coolest thing ever ~ 

Let us instead tell a story which is the story about every one of us,  It is a story about a pig, and a fox, and an ass under his holy and appalling burden.  It is the story about a mouth pushed crooked, about a voice breaking.  Let the rest be Christ's silence.

Wernersville Tree ~ about to step inside

Packing For Silence Revisited

Wernerville Cross
by Wayne Stratz
Hangs at the Jesuit Center

As I mentioned in my last blog post, a blog post mentioning a mug brought me into the world of the RevGals

I just read that post to see if the items remain the same. It has for the most part. The pool stick is not huge these days as I trust to find a functional one at the Jesuit Center. Port has been replaced at times with ales and there was the one retreat I took a bottle of Absinthe.

At home when faced with the desire to cut glass I rarely drink. By the end of a silent day... a beverage while chatting with God through an examen makes sense.

My habit of drawing cards for others at the retreat center and of drawing future glass designs means once again I will be packing up a bit of my studio.

You never know how it will go, but I still have Michelle's post about playing with the psalms in my head. Random psalm prayers may be the way to go. But the object is not to force an agenda on the retreat.  No different than forcing a lesson plan onto my students,  It will unfold and all I ask is to unfold with it.