Jesse Manibusan

I just finished an Advent Retreat/Mission for the Church of Our Lady of the Angels at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, AZ. If you need evidence that the Spirit is alive and well, head over that way. It is a welcoming and vibrant community of faith. Peter, Joe, Bea, Adam, Norbert, Brian, Edel, Alonzo, Mario, Betty, Mark, Roxanne, Frank, Zachary, Gubbio, TJ, Francis, Clare and so many others welcoming everyone! Bill Cieslak took me to the Musical Instruments Museum and it rocked the casbah. MAGNIFICENT. Oregano’s, Roaring Fork and Francesco’s Fine Cuisine, the ministry of the meal was uber magnificent. I met Mr. November and thought one word for this place.
Inconceivable. The Spirit is alive at La Casa!

John and Megan Mertes picked me up at the airport on Saturday night. Got to spend some time with them at dinner hearing more about the parish and just getting to know them a little. Then off to the hotel for some rest before Sunday masses, lunch with staff and the evening program, the first of a three night mission. Met Fr. Charles, from Uganda. When I gave the pitch for the mission after communion, Fr. Charles remarked, “Thank you Jesse. In Uganda, when a man gives such a great speech, the villagers give him a cow.” That is a lot of burgers and tacos. Fr. Jim presided at the next mass and I cracked up at the ambo when he introduced me as “Jesse Mmmmaammmmwa,” a beautiful exaggeration of not not knowing how to say my last name. Everyone laughed. By the time Sunday evening liturgy came around, he had perfected my last name. Well played, Padre. Well played. It was a great time to be with the folks at MMOTC. Thanks Kay, Doris, Rob, Michelle, Jimmy, Carmen, Pam, Tom, Kathy, Cindy, John, Megan, Bonnie, Jamie, Angel, David, and the rest of staff and parishioners! All the best. You are loved.

Jodi and I went to Jackson to hang out with Fr. Geoff Rose and the students of Lumen Christi. Spent Tuesday with the Juniors and Seniors and then Thursday with the Freshman and Sophomores. In between, I visited Jackson Catholic Middle school in the afternoon and again in the evening. It was all good, but Jodi and I cherished the in-between-event-time with Fr. Geoff, who by the way, is a remarkable man, a brilliant priest and a great friend. Blessings to Todd Gale and the rest of the staff that made the visits really special! On Friday, Jodi and I drove to Livonia, MI, to St. Edith’s, where Jodi and I presented a concert in the evening. My friend and spiritandsong artist, Santiago Fernandez, joined me for UNIDOS and CAMINO, VERDAD, Y VIDA, as well as played on a number of my songs. Very cool. Got to spend time with his children, Niko, Isabel and Eli. Those kids are awesome. Funniest memory with them, “Taiwan Skinner.” Eli says to me, “Do you know Taiwan Skinner?” And I say “Yes” without even thinking. Then Eli continues and I break in, “Wait, who’s Taiwan Skinner?” Everyone starts laughing because Eli says, “He’s someone at my school.” So glad I caught myself. How the heck would I know Taiwan Skinner?! Too funny.

Just home from Tucson’s Youth Fest 2011. Saw my friend Stacy DeLong, (author of the excellent book, The Value of Volunteers, check it out at www.stacydelong.com

The Tucson group was a joy to be with. Met with middle school students first. They’re so ready to jump in and participate. Ike Ndolo and band had them jumping. High students were great too. Met a group of students from a LaSallian community. They presented a workshop together and I had a chance to speak with them during the lunch break. Martin, keep playing that music. Alina, keep leading the church! Kudos to Joe P and staff for putting on a great conference.

It was a beautiful thing traveling with Jodi from Oct. 14th through the 22nd, visiting St. John the Evangelist in Hopkinton, MA, hosted by Jim Flanagan. Then off to the beautiful and magnificent Mercy Chapel for a concert at Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, (special thanks to Ken and Chris for the fishing break!), not to mention Stephanie and Maya, and Lidia and Katie for some Newport Fish Festival! O DANG! The Fall River Diocese Youth Mission with middle school, high school and young adults for Theology on Tap started on Sunday and went through Tuesday. It was crazy dazed days of mission and Jodi and I were exhausted throughout but managed with a lot of help from our hosts to hang in and deliver. Props to Jim Flanagan, Anna Mae Murray, Chris Gosselin, Fr. Kris von Maluski, and the student leadership; Crystal Mederios, Amanda Tarantelli and campus ministry – wicked awesome times. Then let’s head over to the Diocese of Providence where my pal, Duce Dussault and the dynamic team of Pat, Noah, Phil, Maria, Amanda, Gina, Terri V, and I’m sure other staff and volunteers, that put on a powerful mission for youth in four days. Jodi and I traveled all over. Jodi animated gestures and participation with powerful results. Everyone who met her felt like they knew her because of my stories and pretty much loved her! I’m grateful that folks could see the powerful gift that Jodi is and has always been to this ministry. Exhaustion increased exponentially, but Duce medicated us with doughboys and whole clams from IGGY’S, lobster rolls at COUNTRY INN. Amanda T and Maria, both supplied coffee doses! Duce took us by the Aldrich Mansion, one of the main locations of the movie, MEET JOE BLACK, with Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt. I felt right at home. Wild Turkeys at St. Bernard’s….ask Duce. Finished up Saturday, the 22nd, at Holy Family, then Michelle Garrity picked us up for the drive back to Boston. We had dinner with the Flanagans and Garritys at Sonny Noto’s. Well played, Michelle. Well played. All in all, it was a remarkable time in New England. Jodi and I would love to vacation there, perhaps, late May. Many blessings and learnings were had. Many seeds were sown. Grateful to be home now. Resting and counting blessings.

I think Belleville, IL, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows was my last entry. Since then, I’ve visited Sal, Bridget, Pele, Emma, Fr. Dick and great folks at St. Mary’s in Winchester, MA. Then to St. Pius in Loudenville, NY, with Brian Evers and Sr. Rose at St. Edward in Clifton Park, NY. Lots of powerful things going on in the Northeast! It seems like a blur, but it’s all beautiful in the moment, and seeds are sown crazily. We sow, we sow, we sow….

Thanks for all the birthday wishes everyone! I appreciate it very, very much. Your prayers and blessings bring great encouragement and hope! Love and peace to you all! Jesse