The Musical Priest

I realize it's been nearly two weeks since I last managed to post. As the school year has wound down, I find that the demands placed on my time and energy only increase. It's hard to believe that the school year is nearly complete: I composed my final exams yesterday and I only have three more teaching days this week. Our finals are being given Friday, Monday, and Tuesday and then....summer break. It's been a wild ride. I cannot but be grateful that I have woken up each morning excited and I've gone to bed each night very tired. As we prepare to enter into the summer holiday, I cannot help but to feel an enormous sense of gratitude. This experience has been overwhelmingly confirming for me as I continue to grow in my vocation to be a Companion of Jesus and I am excited for what the next semester will bring. If there's any regret that I have, it's that I've not gotten to be in Cleveland for as many 'family events' as I'd have liked. I did mak...

Since I haven't finished my coffee yet and I still don't feel like going out for my run, I thought I'd post one further item. Several weeks ago, I went out to dinner with friends. We went to a local pizzeria where they serve 'designer' pizzas and rather nice bottles of wine. Dressed casually, I was thoroughly enjoying my glass of Chianti, the pizza, and our conversation when I heard an exasperated, "Oh my God! Mister Duns!!" I looked up to see one of my students towering over me. He looked wholly bewildered and said, much to his parents chagrin, "I didn't know you were allowed to eat in restaurants!" If my students' caricature of me is correct, my first reaction was to roll my eyes and give him 'the stare.' This was immediately followed by my retort, "Are you insane? Do you think I stay at home and eat out of a trough each night? Of course I eat in restaurants!" The parents laughed and offered an apology for thei...

One of my students, a graduating senior, has taken it upon himself to fashion some sort of keepsake in honor of our time spent together. Some students might do woodcraft. Others, perhaps, would do beadcraft. Still others might find a nice picture, frame it, and distribute it to all interested parties. Not so this student. Rather than these pedestrian gifts, this student has suggested that a t-shirt be produced in my honor. Here is the "galley proof" of the shirt: For those of you who are without interpretive abilities, allow me a brief explanation to unpack the subtleties of this creation. Duns - for the students involved, this first word is rife with meaning. It evokes images of me blasting students with a SuperSoaker. It recalls the way I roll my eyes when inane comments are made. It reminds those familiar with my style of classroom management that I am not above pouring water on a sleeping student's head, chasing a senior out into the hall after he steals my ...

The above picture is of Archbishop Vigneron's recent visit to the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy. He was a gracious guest, celebrating the Eucharist with us, speaking to the graduating seniors, touring the school, and giving an exhortation to a group of nearly fifteen students, each of whom has expressed an interest in a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. I was, as my students called me, the "Hat Boy." Above is a photograph of Crystal Davidson, a good friend and a marvelous support of the Society of Jesus. I had just flown in from Little Rock, Arkansas and went down to Saints Peter and Paul Church for an exhibition of the artwork of Father Mark George, SJ. The students think that I actually "walk" to work each morning. Actually, I ride my bike. Actually, I had to remove two tricycles from the Student Senate Office yesterday and move them down to the basement of the Jesuit Residence for storage (if you look closely, yo...

Starting at 8:45 this morning (EST) you can watch live coverage of our annual Student Senate Convention and Election. The Senate Election process here at U of D Jesuit is storied both for its scope and the level of commitment it demands of its participants. If you want to see school "history of the making" click here to watch the action .

It's been some time since I last wrote about it, but long-time readers know that I do practice Yoga as a form of exercise. After years of playing the accordion and my recent interest in running, Yoga has been a remarkable blessing in my life, helping to keep my muscles stretched and toned. Furthermore, I love the calming effect it has on me: even the most rigorous practice leaves me peaceful and still and I often have some of my best prayer experiences following a workout, since the vigorous poses and movements really do help to calm down my mind and make me receptive. I did say often , so there must be a story. Last night, I decided to do a short Yoga series intended to help build upper-body strength. It's a nice series that I downloaded from YOGAmazing on iTunes. Chaz is a helpful coach and his lessons are short enough to do in the evening after papers are corrected. I recommend that you try him out. Anyway. So there I am, working through several poses and feeling ra...