Special Edition: Means House Dedication Reflection
As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?”
Were not our hearts burning? A year of service is similar to this Emmaus walk. In service, solidarity, living in community and beyond, we sometimes actively seek the movement of the Holy Spirit while other times we completely miss seeing God in our midst, and yet, in simple and holy times, we might be fully aware.
We live our whole lives with someone and only get a glimpse of their goodness, messiness, morning moods, humor, humanness and holiness. Community allows the space for this walk, this attention to God in our midst and in one another. Similar to Emmaus, it might be soon or long after someone is farther from our lives that we honor their holiness and recognize their gap and legacy.
Emmaus also calls us to invite others into our journey and home. Inviting people in, breaking bread and being transformed because of them and the journey. When we are in-tune, we know holy people surround us; people who mentor, love us, live the Gospel and much more.
Today we honor the legacy, love and commitment of Dr. Michael Means, husband of Joan, father to eight children and grandfather to seven, friend, neighbor, colleague, teacher,
advocate, leader, medieval literate expert, circus aficionado, and our loving guide in the Communion of Saints.
Mike lives on in those who loved him and journeyed with him, but Marianist PULSE and the Marianist Province of the US are grateful to share in his legacy in this home dedicated to solidarity, service and building community.
The Marianist charism welcomed Joan and Mike to the Dayton community over 50 years ago. The English Department at the University of Dayton and the Marianist Brothers there became family to their small family here, far from their Wisconsin home. Masses in their house with Marianists and department gatherings extended their sense of family.
Not only does this structure and the PULSE mission receive a gift from Mike’s legacy, we are great beneficiaries of his steadfast partner. Joan’s family members have pulled me aside many times, thanking PULSE for giving her joy and new partners in our urban
church. To our PULSE volunteers, the program, our neighbors and myself, Joan is a mentor, connector, nudger (dare I say pusher?!), gardener little-library lady, advocate those on the margins, and friend.
Our hearts are burning. Our hearts are grateful. Mike’s hand is in this ministry and so is Joan’s. Loving God, stay with us, bring us to this Marianist table, and walk alongside us on this Emmaus journey. We are grateful for the legacy Michael has offered us on sacred ground, a neighborhood and city which he loved, with the charism and Spirit that guided his life’s work.
“Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls,
in your palaces, peace!” in Heaven and on earth. (Psalm 121)
Were not our hearts burning? A year of service is similar to this Emmaus walk. In service, solidarity, living in community and beyond, we sometimes actively seek the movement of the Holy Spirit while other times we completely miss seeing God in our midst, and yet, in simple and holy times, we might be fully aware.
We live our whole lives with someone and only get a glimpse of their goodness, messiness, morning moods, humor, humanness and holiness. Community allows the space for this walk, this attention to God in our midst and in one another. Similar to Emmaus, it might be soon or long after someone is farther from our lives that we honor their holiness and recognize their gap and legacy.
Emmaus also calls us to invite others into our journey and home. Inviting people in, breaking bread and being transformed because of them and the journey. When we are in-tune, we know holy people surround us; people who mentor, love us, live the Gospel and much more.
Today we honor the legacy, love and commitment of Dr. Michael Means, husband of Joan, father to eight children and grandfather to seven, friend, neighbor, colleague, teacher,
Mike lives on in those who loved him and journeyed with him, but Marianist PULSE and the Marianist Province of the US are grateful to share in his legacy in this home dedicated to solidarity, service and building community.
The Marianist charism welcomed Joan and Mike to the Dayton community over 50 years ago. The English Department at the University of Dayton and the Marianist Brothers there became family to their small family here, far from their Wisconsin home. Masses in their house with Marianists and department gatherings extended their sense of family.
Not only does this structure and the PULSE mission receive a gift from Mike’s legacy, we are great beneficiaries of his steadfast partner. Joan’s family members have pulled me aside many times, thanking PULSE for giving her joy and new partners in our urban
church. To our PULSE volunteers, the program, our neighbors and myself, Joan is a mentor, connector, nudger (dare I say pusher?!), gardener little-library lady, advocate those on the margins, and friend. Our hearts are burning. Our hearts are grateful. Mike’s hand is in this ministry and so is Joan’s. Loving God, stay with us, bring us to this Marianist table, and walk alongside us on this Emmaus journey. We are grateful for the legacy Michael has offered us on sacred ground, a neighborhood and city which he loved, with the charism and Spirit that guided his life’s work.
“Peace be to your homes!
May peace reign in your walls,
in your palaces, peace!” in Heaven and on earth. (Psalm 121)
Amen and Peace,
Maureen
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