(pic of Bruce from monstersandcritics.com)

Red Bank Action


June 21, 2009 We started off the day with Church in Toms River (shouldn’t there be an apostrophe?). It was such a blessing that after almost two weeks of traveling across country and looking at colleges, the Pastor’s message was about teens (and fathers) finding their vocation. He eloquently talked about teens using their strengths and gifts to serve the Lord and His people, and how by trusting in His calling, teens can find fulfillment. There is much work to do in the Kingdom.

The Pastor also discussed fatherhood as a vocation. He talked about how fathers try to find that balance between permission and restriction in the hope that their children will develop into independent, strong and principle-centered adults. Wow! I also recalled Father Loseke’s vocations talk during Catholic School’s Week this past year that was so powerful. Many of us feel humbled or overwhelmed by all that there is to do, but after the past two weeks, the boys and I had so many ripe examples to learn from. I was inspired. This church had so many vibrant ministries: college Bible study, Meals on Wheels, Deacon Blood Drive, Job Fair, Choir, Book Discussion groups, vacation Bible School, Reel Faith Film Discussion Group and all sorts of fundraisers (i.e. Raft for Africa Weekend). It seemed like folks got involved wherever they could in a variety of ways. This sermon seemed like the perfect send off or a denouement for Matt, I thought. Involvement, empowerment and vocation…Amen!

After a quick brunch, we were on the road to the Newark Airport. Now, Newark was one airport, I had never visited before. We would rendezvous later, minus our Matt, at Jack’s music store in Red Bank, NJ. When we arrived at the airport, Matt checked in without incident. Did I mention though that his cell phone had broken back in Chicago? Eek….I was a little nervous about sending him off, but he would not hear of Trak phones or such foolishness. We watched him walk through security, and when we could no longer see his head over the x-ray equipment, Colin and Ian told me it was time to go. With a couple of, “He’s fine, Mom”s, we were off.

Now downtown Red Bank, New Jersey has always been a cool place to me. (www.redbank.com/ ) There are so many neat shopping experiences, so for someone like myself who is NOT a shopper, it feels funny to want to shop and explore. Jack’s is always the hub though. Jack’s is kind of an old fashioned record/cd/music store, and in this age of the mega music store, it is rather refreshing… albeit cramped! (www.jacksmusicshop.com)  A couple of purchases later, we were on our way. The rain showers had threatened again, on and off, but we eeked out a couple of nice hours. Now would come the ceremonious opening of the cds and reading/discussing/debating every word that came in the stuff that accompanied them. It is a Fallon tradition and reading comprehension at its zenith!