JULY 2003

JULY 2003

1). July 8, 2003
Last week on Sunday June 29 we (Frs.Alfredo and Dominic and 3 amigos) traveled from Franklin to Holliston-Massachusetts which took 18 hours by car. We attended the US provincial assembly which held at Attleboro, the retreat house of La Salette about 30 minutes southern of Holliston. It began on Tuesday July 1 and lasted on Monday 7. The attended assembly was about 28 Xaverian (18 priests and 10 students). We learned and discussed together the RMX (Ratio Missionis Xaveriana), about ‘who we are’, how we are’, and ‘what we do’.
On Friday, July 4 was the Independence Day of the USA, so we had a break to take one-day recreation. Together with Father Rocco and Alejandro I went to : Adams National Historical Park in Quincy, Plimoth Plantation in Plymoth, and the Father Rocco’s parents house in Norwood; all of these area are in the southern of Boston-Massachusetts. The rest of the students went to Boston watching the firework. Close to Attleboro I also saw gorgeous firework celebrated the Independence Day. Some priests went to Benny’s family, a former of Xaverian priest. At least these experiences showed me the history of the USA both the process of the Independence in 1776 and the 17th century of the USA life especially in New England.
On Tuesday, July 8, at 5.10 a.m. we arrived at Franklin-Knoll our house after we traveled from Attleboro which took about 17 hours. The weather in here is warm, 19 degrees Celsius and rainy. This morning also I opened the internet and I found good news that the passport numbers of my 2 Xaverian confreres (students) from Indonesia have already appeared on the US embassy Jakarta website; thank to God and thank you for all of you who prayed for them and we still beg your prayer so that their visa will be issued at the proper time.
Tomorrow Petrus, the Xaverian student of Indonesia who studies theology in Chicago–USA will go to Indonesia for vacation; he will arrive on July 11 afternoon in Jakarta. I gave him some letters and gifts for Xaverian students and others in Jakarta, perhaps it will change my last letters and pictures which don’t arrived yet after 2 months I sent them.
Tomorrow I will come back to study English in the ESL-Program of SHST (Summer course). There will be many students from many countries, surely I’ll tell you about it in the next week letter.

For your attention to read my first letter of July, I give my appreciation and gratefulness:
Alexander Cornelius Denny Wahyudi, sx

2). Fifteenth Sunday Ordinary Time, July 13, 2003
“To be rooted in our essence being is to be rooted in God, the author and principle of all reality” (John Main).
This excerpt induced me to a reflection on my life especially my relation to God such as my prayer life. I practice the advice of this John Main’s book (The Meditation Way) every morning and evening as long as 20 to 30 minute in the chapel before official prayer. I am getting aware that this meditation in the silence way, being open to God wholly and incessantly is what I need. Yet the difficulty to control my thinking is always my struggle during the meditation, while I recite in my heart the mantra “MARANATA” incessantly. I know that controlling my thinking is really hard. When I did live-in in Buddhist temple located in Central Java a number years ago, I got enlightenment that samanera and monk told me that our thinking as like as monkey always move and jump from one place to other looking for the good and pleasure objects to be fulfilled. Because of that we have to put into practice this meditation in order to know deep down ourselves and to be aware about the reality around us, even though many obstacles such as our weaknesses entice us to be far away and lazy to do it constantly.

Jesus summoned and sent the disciples two by two with nothing but walking stick. Rendering the correlation between these two cases I draw a simple meaning: ‘walking stick’ is a way directing the disciple to the right place serving the needy people. For me ‘walking stick’ can be a way of meditation for with meditation on my habit I am directed to the essence of my being and God who abides in me then it draws me to the right place serving His people. I hope a new resplendent day takes us into a new spirit to renew our inner-life so that we don’t be afraid facing the wild world.

On Wednesday I came back to English school where there were about 22 students from various countries like Vietnam, Korea, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, Columbia, Poland, Portugal, and Italy. Our teachers are Ruth (reading and culture), Michael (grammar and pronunciation), and Brooke (speech and communication). There are 3 different levels namely beginner, inter mediate, and advance. I am in the advance class with 8 other student. I just have 7 weeks for this summer course since I will finish it at the end of August, so this time is very tight to learn well; it’s my task to do my best. I like very much study about the American culture, unluckily I didn’t get it in the last semester; even though it’s late I like to read this book. I also have a new book about communication and I believe it will enhance my talent and confidence to speak fluently without reading on paper as what I did last semester.

On Thursday we went to field trip to Milwaukee Public Museum where we ever did last semester; we watched IMAX movie entitled Coral Reef. I felt bore since I ever visited it before. It was supposed to boat in the lake of Michigan, but the weather was not compromising to us, rainy day and we were promised to go next week to this boat field trip. For me it’s a kind of bore experience since I ever visited it, hopefully next week we’ll have the boat trip.

On Friday 3 amigos followed Father Dominic and her sister and his brother in law, Marco from Italy to have a fish fry dinner at Saint Mary - Hales Corners parish. There were a lot of people in line to enter the dinning room. Father Larry arrived at Franklin after his family visitation in Italy and a couple of days in Boston.

On Saturday in here there was a Philippines group of Couple for Christ held a retreat as usual. Chuy took me up to Walmart bought sandals that cost $15.69 and $ 6.6.

On Sunday morning Father Sunardi, scj picked me up and went to Aruppe house in downtown of Milwaukee picking Father Kun, sj then we went down to Chicago to attend the KKMK Chicago invitation namely Indonesian mass in Saint Therese parish – Chinatown which was supposed at 11 o’clock but we were late and it began at 11.30 a.m. The mass presided by Father Kun and also Father Sunardi, scj and Father Jack, cm was attended about 60 people with the choir of Purdue University-Indiana. After mass we had a lunch together in the downstairs and I enjoyed the Indonesian food. In this occasion I got along with some Indonesian friends like Willy a Purdue student who played organ at the mass who comes from Toasebio parish in Jakarta and Mr. And Mrs Yohanes who also comes from Toasebio and know very well Father Carlo Trepo, sx. Thus we went to condominium of a young family in downtown namely Rina and Budi, took a walk toward painting exhibition close with a bridge in downtown of Chicago and enjoyed ice cream at Ghiraldi. Today is fulfilled by spiritual and delicious food especially I could eat Indonesia food both in Chinatown and in Rina-Budi’s condo we enjoyed rawon, noodle, and ‘soup buntut’. Thank you for this entire gift and all people who have kind willingness to share one another the fruit of God. We (Frs.Sunardi and Kun and I) came back to Milwaukee at 8 p.m. and I arrived at Franklin 10 p.m.

See you next week,
Alexander Cornelius Denny Wahyudi, sx


3). 16th Sunday in Ordinary time, July 20, 2003

The weather in Franklin in the past week was not stable, sometimes warm, and sometimes cool. It symbolizes our mood which is fluctuating every time, up and down. This Sunday morning is pretty cool, the dawn and wind seems existence at the scenery out of my window.

On Tuesday morning Father Dominic and his sister and brother-in-law Marco from Italy headed for traveling by car till 2 weeks ahead. His relatives come here for vacation. Have a nice trip,”Buona passegiata”.

On Wednesday afternoon to be supporter I was watching the soccer game between ESL of SHST versus ESL of UWM (University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee) at the public field not far from SHST. With the red customs ESL-SHST students played confidentially since there were a lot of supporter but not for UWM. The final score was equal, 5-5, so next Wednesday we’ll have another game to get “Mackechnie trophy”. Our teacher Ruth, Brooke, and Michael worked hard as sponsor and supporter for all of us. Next week we’ll play at UWM’s field. The most of the soccer player of UWM were youth Korean who study English in summer; one of them is from Bandung-Indonesia. I was proud of Mario my Xaverian confrere who made 2 goals, and another SHST student namely Sergio from Portugal made 2 goals as well but unluckily he got injured in his leg, probably too much stamina and energy. Father Sunardi, scj also participated to this game however he also got injured in his leg; he said that he is getting old. After game we went to ice cream café.

On Thursday we took ESL field trip to MAM (Milwaukee Art Museum), lagoon close to Michigan Lake, and Festival of Italiana. Although I ever visited this museum last semester, I tried to enjoy this one and I relished riding a paddle-boat on the lagoon close to this museum as well. In the festival of Italiana which took place not far from this area, we (3 amigos) just took a walk watching the boosts for about a half hour then we came back home since everything in this festival were sold by 4 times of the normal price, so everything was just expensive; even we couldn’t bring our bag or drink and food in this festival area. In the afternoon Xaverian confreres Sergio and Father Rocco from Chicago came here for there was a youth group meeting at Franklin-Knoll which was presided by Fathers Rocco and Alfredo.

On Friday we had only one class in the morning since there was an ordination of deaconate mass in the chapel of SHST at 10.30 a.m. An SCJ brother David Nagel was the one who was ordained after 31 years be an SCJ brother. The celebration was held simple without choir. After mass I had chance to meet a SCJ priest Thomas Fix who is taking vacation at this time in his origin place Milwaukee; talking to him by English I tried to introduce myself as Xaverian and I know him ever worked in Cilandak parish in Jakarta and he ever gave a retreat for Xaverian novices of Indonesia in Yogyakarta.

On Saturday at 9 a.m. in our Xaverian-Knoll chapel there was a special mass for 63rd wedding anniversary of Doc Van der Hayden and Leona our Xaverian benefactor especially donor of this house which was presided by Father Alfredo. In the mass Alfredo said that Doc is a good figure who loves Christ and his wife since every single day he comes here for mass and brings host for his wife Leona in their house. It’s a great example for us where the Christian life is all about: close to Christ our Lord and bring Christ to others. The number of 63 has a meaning for Alfredo since he was born in 1963. After mass I took a picture with this rare and full of grace couple who are 94 and 96 years old so that I have memory of them and want to be like them live my vocation whole of my life. When I asked Doc how is his feeling, he answered, “Nothing” then he said that he wants celebration at 65th of their wedding. I said, “Don’t you want till 75th?”, he answered, “It’s too much”. This kind of great example is just incredible in the American life which famous with divorce culture.

On Sunday morning at 7 o’clock I went to Saint Charles church with Father Larry for mass. I know that on Sunday also there were 9 Xaverian novices saying their first vows in Bintaro-Jakarta and 4 novices in Salamanca-Mexico. With rejoice and optimistic I also want to give congratulation and prayer to all of them, may you’ll be happy and faithful in this vocation life which is becoming rare and rare in this era.

This is my experience this week, have a nice day.
Alexander Cornelius Denny Wahyudi, sx

4). 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 27, 2003

On Thursday my English school headed on a field trip to Whitnall Park, which locates not far from SHST. We visited this park, which has many kinds of plants and flowers especially roses. After had lunch at the park, we went to Iriquois boat in downtown Milwaukee. With this boat we passed through the river toward Lake Michigan. One thing that amazed me was as the boat passed the bridges were lifted automatically. I could see the scenery of Milwaukee from the lake. I saw the Milwaukee Art Museum, the German Festival, and some high buildings in downtown Milwaukee. Apparently, this field trip was so nice, I enjoyed it, though the Liberty Island and Ellis Island field trip we had at the end of last year was quite colder and more fantastic.

On Sunday morning I wake up early then went to Saint Charles church for mass at 7 o’clock by bicycle. It’s my first time going to church by bicycle since the weather is so warm. After mass, I came back home for breakfast and then I made my own field trip by bicycle. It remained me when I was in Jakarta-Indonesia that I had a custom to go everywhere visiting my families and relatives by bicycle joyfully. This morning I visited an Indonesian family Mr. John Davidz and Amy in Cold Spring that I knew them in December last year at the Saint Nicholas party of Dutch-Indonesian group. This family came to the USA in 1960’s, but they still have Indonesian custom like food I ate at lunch with them was ‘nasi goreng’ (fries rice); it’s so delicious as though I was in Indonesia. We talked to in English mixed with Indonesian language. This couple was coming from Semarang (Central Java) after spent a couple of years living in Netherlands. Even though they are already 70 and 68 years old, but they are still working. By this visit, I learned and proved my American culture study in many things such as self-reliance, children leave their parents when they are getting adult, the mixed-married, style of life, etc. I saw many pictures in their house and they told me that they have 3 children and 10 grandchildren. The variety of this big family is just awesome for me. They behaved me benignly as though we have already known so long time, but actually we just met once last year, even they will invite me on August 23 for birthday of Mr. John; they promised that they will pick me up since I don’t drive a car, also the distance of their house to here is not that far. After we had lunch and got along with one another, Amy went to her work at 2 p.m. till 11 p.m. at post office downtown Milwaukee. This evidence appears to me about the self-reliance of American people.

At 4 p.m. I proceeded my field trip to a part of Lake Michigan locates in front of Saint Francis Seminary. I relished the gorgeous scenery in the afternoon with the clear-blue water of the lake reminded me when I visited Muara Siberut-Mentawai in 1996. After I was fulfilled completely on this field trip as I planned, I came back home. Unluckily, I got lost till Drexel, but in this country the streets are arranged properly by numbers and names like coordinates, so when I got lost, I just opened the map and figured out how to solve the problem. Finally, I found 51st street and went through home. I counted that I need one hour traveling by bicycle from the Saint Francis Seminary to Xaverian house in Franklin.

Thank you God and to the kindness of David family that made my weekend was different than usual. Since I have 4-5 weeks living in Franklin, I will use my Sunday to know my environment so that my boring and loneliness in the same daily activity is covered by my creativity and hobby namely visit and bicycling in order to know people and places. Maybe next week I will have another experience that I will share to all of you. All in all, this life as a grant of God is just beautiful, isn’t it?

If you don’t mind, please ponder on the following poem:

The most destructive habit....................………….WorryThe greatest Joy...........................……..…………GivingThe greatest loss..............…………………………Loss of self-respectThe most satisfying work.............…………………Helping othersThe ugliest personality trait...........………………..SelfishnessThe most endangered species.......……………….Dedicated leadersOur greatest natural resource.............……………Our youthThe greatest "shot in the arm"........……………….EncouragementThe greatest problem to overcome.........…………FearThe most effective sleeping pill......……………….Peace of mindThe most crippling failure disease..........…………ExcusesThe most powerful force in life................…………LoveThe most dangerous pariah................……………A gossiperThe world's most incredible computer....…………The brainThe worst thing to be without.................………….HopeThe deadliest weapon.....................………………The tongueThe two most power-filled words............…………"I Can"The greatest asset............................……………..FaithThe most worthless emotion................…………..Self-pityThe most beautiful attire....................…………….SMILE!The most prized possession..............…………….IntegrityThe most contagious spirit...............………………EnthusiasmThe most important thing in life...............………..GODThe most powerful channel of communication.....Prayer

In faith, hope, and love,
Alexander Cornelius Denny Wahyudi, sx