CSJ Czech Republic

Last weekend, I accepted the invitation from the Chambery CSJs to visit their community in Plzen, about 1 hour from Prague by bus. I arrived Saturday morning and spent the day kicking around Prague, doing the tourist stuff. Lots of old stuff, LOTS of people. The biggest impression is that I couldn't read ANY of the signs - AT ALL. At least most of the other places I've been, I could make out the signs and more or less make my way around. But not here. In addition, English is not widely spoken, although in the more touristy places, someone will be able to communicate.
They had very pretty countryside, and the weather was awesome the entire time I was there. I understand there was a storm the day after I left. Ah well....
The three sisters have been there about 15 years. There is one other community in Czech republic. The CSJs were the first community in Plzen after the fall of communism. The area is not very Catholic, or very religious at all. Nevertheless, there are 'cultural' signs of Catholicism: churches, crosses, etc. The sisters remarked how there had been a great improvement in living conditions since they arrived, better housing, better access to goods and services, etc. There was a big poster on one of the buildings naming the "three liars" Marx, Engels, and Stalin.
The sisters were absolutely wonderful, one is a nurse, the other two are teachers, all about my age. They were very helpful and explained a lot about the differences and the culture, etc. On Sunday after Mass, we went around Plzen, of Pilsner fame for the beer lovers. One wonderful place was a Meditation Garden built by a guy, during communism. It has these wonderful stations of the cross that are really meaningful - showing God's love and care for the world - the dedication plaque says to the victims of evil. And then we tried to find a typical Czech place to eat, but failing that, we found an italian place. But we did have Czech pancakes - kind of like crepes - with ice cream for dessert. Mmmm.... Monday, the third sister, who had been away took me to a wonderful country estate, a castle, the oldest church in the area - a cute little round one up a steep hill, and to some other sites nearby. One thing about European towns is that the cities are pretty compact, and the country is always very close by. Apparently under communism, each family used to have a little cottage in the country with a garden. This still carries on, so that on the weekend EVERYONE leaves for their cottage, and the town was pretty deserted. Not to worry though, by Monday everyone was back.
I flew home on Tuesday, bus, bus, plane, bus, train, train, to Leuven. It was a great trip, and a great opportunity to connect with our sisters in Eastern Europe. Now I'm working on studying for exams. A group of canon law students got together to go over one class - it was WAY more fun than working alone, and we got a lot done as well. I'm taking a break from history of spirituality to write this. Still one more study week before exams start in June.
Peace,
Amy

End of an Era

Tuesday, one of our two full time Canon Law professors taught his last class after 34 years of teaching at KU Leuven. I wasn't in the class, but the few available canon law students crashed the class at the end. The picture is of that class which is pretty male / clerical as you can see. This is mainly the theology students who want to take a class in canon law. The guys in collars are American seminarians. (Don't ask....)
After class, the prof took us to the little cafe across from the theology building where most of our classes are held. I made the picture - my foot is at the right....
I had a few more theology classes Wednesday, and now we're off for Ascension and then studying for exams. I turned in my Thesis last Monday. I had really good luck printing it out - I thought I would be in the copy shop for hours, but I just happened in during a lull and was in and out in about 15 minutes. Awesome!!!
Because I have so many exams and papers, I had to make myself a chart to make sure I get everything done and show up for all the appropriate exams. 10 different papers for a total of about 100 pages worth of writing, in addition to my thesis and 8 exams. So far I'm nearly finished with the papers, and I've done two exams - language exams are earlier than the others. So just six exams to prepare for. Two will be pretty information intense, the others are more formalities; I'll study, but they should be fine. Here's the list:
- Medieval Mysticism LC - June 8 - Exam
- History of Spirituality 0 June 11 - Exam
- Law of Persons - June 15 - Exam Canons 204-339
- Eastern Canon Law - June 17 - Exam
- Latin Codex - June 18 - Exam
- Sacramental Law - June 23 - Exam Canons 834-1054
Prayers appreciated. Most exams are in the morning, so you'll have to say a prayer the night before, because by the time you get up, it will all be over. I don't have a date yet for thesis defense, but they are usually in the last week. I actually haven't heard much about that, but it shouldn't be a problem. I'm sure I can manage to worry about it though

English is Simplified French.... and other gems

No kidding, some dude voiced this opinion. A native dutch speaker who learned French, then English. So now you know....
I worked a few hours at the international coffee shop today. When I arrived and it was not open, I either had to go home without coffee - or volunteer to open it up and make some coffee and run the counter for an hour or so. So I settled in and studied French - I have an exam tonight. In between I served customers, in French, Dutch, Spanish and English. Merci, Alstublieft, Gracias, Thanks, Tag!, Salut! The routine is you start in whatever you think is the common language, the other person matches, or changes, and back and forth this way till the transaction is over, or till communication breaks down and you have to renegotiate the language of the exchange. English is pretty universal ... maybe because it is simplified French??? It's usually pretty simple, predictable stuff, but fun try to play the game. Funny thing is that whenever people think I don't speak their language, they tend to switch to French on me, I've been told I have a French accent in both Dutch and Italian. Go figure....
I managed to win a few tax cases (US Tax cases) which is always fun - I mean in the sense of beating the IRS at its own game. But today I won an argument with the guy at the copy shop. It was only 10 cents at issue, but I was delighted that I managed to win it in Dutch. That was worth way more than 10 cents.
For all this, I really don't even begin to match the locals in linguistic skill; the culture is so multi-lingual that they have to be fluent in 3 or 4 languages, just as a basic survival skill. I on the other hand just stick with 'simplified French' most times.
Peace,
Amy