The diary of a reluctant journaler
A glimpse of the four-month journey through Scarboro's Lay Mission Preparation Program
By Barbara Michie
October 2004
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January 3, 2004: I've never been very faithful in keeping a journal, but this is a time of discernment and it should be helpful to keep a record. Besides, friends have given me several journals as an incentive, so I must make a good effort.
It is wonderful to be at Scarboro Missions finally, but I'm so tired from packing up my house and from lack of sleep. When my daughter Erin drove me here, we received such a warm welcome from everyone. I'm glad Erin was able to meet some of the Scarboro community.
Celebrating a great soccer match played by the Scarboro community: priests, laity, and the Latin American and Korean missioners living at Scarboro while in Canada to learn English. Background L-R: Estrela DeSousa, seminarian Wilian Gerardo Rojano Moya, Mike Hiebert, Kate O'Donnell; Foreground L-R: Fr. Hyo Jun Kwon, seminarian Jose Ivan Campana Suarez, Fr. Mike Traher, Fr. Yu Sung Lee, Fr. Kwang Kee Park.
January 6: I've met the other members of our group of lay candidates: Kate, Estrela and Mike. At morning prayer, we each presented a symbol that represents why we came to Scarboro and what mission means to us. Kate and I presented our symbols with tears. I suppose my emotions are very near the surface because I've said so many goodbyes to friends and family lately.
January 10: Mary Olenick, a Scarboro lay missioner working in Malawi, is home for a visit. She took me to meet the Munthali family in Toronto. They shared stories of growing up in Malawi and gave us a great Malawian dinner. With their help, I expect to learn something of the Tumbuka language in the next three months, before I begin work there.
February 14: The workshops are more interesting and challenging than I expected. At first I wondered why we needed as much as four months of preparation. Now I wonder how I will learn enough in such a short time.
February 16: This evening there was a surprise birthday party for Kate and me, as we were both born on the same day. Lots of fun and no doubt the only time I'll hear "Happy Birthday" sung to me in Spanish and Korean by the Latin American and Korean missioners staying at Scarboro Missions while they learn English.
March 12: Too many dull, rainy days. I was watching the traffic racing by outside and feeling a bit down in the dumps. But then Kate and I went to do our outreach at Birchmount Residence, a shelter for homeless senior men. Several residents were eager to do crafts and visit with us. It made my day, reminding me how much we receive when we think we are doing something for others.
March 21: I think Celeah, my granddaughter, enjoyed her visit this weekend. It was good to have her and her parents here. I know I will miss my family the most when I go overseas.
April 12: The Easter Triduum at Scarboro was wonderful. I'm glad I could play the organ to help in the celebrations. Delighted to receive a visit from Erin this weekend.
April 28: Our retreat at Mount Alverno will be over tomorrow, and how it has flown. Walks around the property have been thoughtful and refreshing, and Scripture questions brought valuable insights.
May 2: Our missioning was beautiful. I was hoping I wouldn't cry, and instead my sister did. It will take a while to realize I'm actually a Scarboro missioner now.
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