R TARY ANCH R
Meeting: Thursday, February 26, 2015
New London Rotary Club District 7980 Club 6741
Chartered April 11, 1917
P.O. Box 654
New London, CT 06320
www.newlondonrotary.org
AM Meeting: Thursdays at 7AM—Muddy Waters, New London
Lunch Meeting: Thursdays at 12:15 PM—Tony D’s, New London
El Camino de Santiago Presenter: The Reverend Michel Belt Reporter: Mark Patnode
February 19, 2015—Rev. Michel Belt shared his experience about the El Camino de Santiago - "The Way of St. James" - sabbatical pilgrimage he undertook in 2013. Michel shared that the definition of a pilgrimage is a journey of a long-distance - in this case he traveled 500 miles.
Michel explained that the three most important pilgrimages one could make in the Middle Ages were to Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago. Over a period of 32 days, Michel ex-perienced a journey through the Pyrenees, sculpture paths, the Basque region of Spain, and Santiago.
As he walked along this journey, he experienced pathways of various construct. Of par-ticular concern, he noted the trail was often a very narrow pathway at the side of the road, so a constant effort had to be maintained to be aware of traffic. Everyone walks at their own pace with groups often reconvening later at their albergue (special “pilgrim shelters” / hos-tels for pilgrims of the Camino). Such periods of isolation are often important, especially for those who are doing personal reflection along the journey.
Participants must register at the Pilgrim's office for this particular venture to demon-strate participation in the pilgrimage. Yet registration becomes even more important so people can know to search if someone becomes missing during the journey. Participants whom register must do 100 miles by walking or 200 miles by bicycle.
Along the journey, there are scallop shell reminders marking the way. Among those scallop shells there also gold arrows either painted or fabricated along the 500 mile journey to Santiago to help guide the pilgrims.
Michel explained a bit more about life in the albergue, noting it is a time to get to know folks from around the world but the schedule is often quite rigid in terms of lights out and wakeup times. Each participant has a destination and that is to arrive in the City of Santiago and the Cathedral to receive a Compostela (certificate) at the end of the journey.
Despite the copious amounts of food consumed at each albergue, Michel was able to lose about 25 pounds overall during the journey! He ad-vised that for folks participating in the journey that the amount of items to pack in terms of poundage should be about 15% of ones body weight. Michel retained his boots from the journey and has entertained thoughts of having them bronzed in commemoration of the pilgrimage. Altogether, it was a ¡Buen Camino!
Noon Meeting Announcement ***This Week’s Noon Meeting with be at Tony’ D’s***
Program: March 5
Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut Amy D'Amico
March 12
American Cancer Society Kayla Castanova
Reporter: March 5 Todd Gipstein March 12 Lorraine Allen
Invocation: March 5 Lorraine Allen March 12 Todd Gipstein
Greeter: March 5 Millie Devine March 12 Ed Cramer March 19 Penny Parsekian
Song Leader: March 5 Penny Parsekian March 12 Pete Connair
Birthdays: March 9 Thomas Hogsten
Anniversaries: March 7 Gary Farrugia & Betsy
Thought of the Day: “Love is a canvas furnished by nature and em-
broidered by imagination.” - Voltaire
New London Rotary Club Centennial New London Rotary will celebrate its Centennial in 2017!!! All members are encouraged to send their ideas to Millie Devine ([email protected]) for presentation to the Centennial Committee.
Soup Kitchen NEXT Thursday, March 12th
4:00-6:15 pm NL Community Meal Center