Jesse Manibusan

La Casa, Franciscan Renewal Center

Jesse — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 07:00:23 +0000

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!

Mary, Mother of the Church, Burnsville, MN

Jesse — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:44:12 +0000

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.

Lumen Christi – Jackson, MI

Jesse — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:36:12 +0000

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.

Diocese of Tucson – Youth Fest 2011

Jesse — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:25:26 +0000

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.

10 Days in New England with Jodi and Jesse

Jesse — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:27:40 +0000

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.

Winchester, MA, Loudenville and Clifton Park, NY

Jesse — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:59:44 +0000

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….

October 23, my birthday

Jesse — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:50:45 +0000

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

Belleville, IL – WYDat the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows

Jesse — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:46:47 +0000

I made my first visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows back in 1995 – Kenny Penalver and Steve Cameron joined me for a great weekend. This past weekend, I gave a talk at Holy Spirit Church in Maryland Heights for my friend Donna, then buzzed over for a concert at the Church of OLS on Saturday night. All day Sunday, I presented for the 6th to 12th grade YOUTH RALLY. Brought make lots of memories, some bittersweet. Had a couple of young people ask me, “How did you become a singer?” or “How did you get to be so funny?” The answer, “I’m not sure, but I know it has something to do with me saying “Yes” to as many invitations to share my gift. I hope that was helpful. I’m thinking about what I might do beyond the ministry that I’ve done over so many years. My wife has asked me about future goals….I’m staring to ponder that question with some seriousness. I’ve got a couple ideas. Will keep you posted. Thanks to all who helped make this weekend possible, Jodi, the greatest manager ever, and the Shrine Staff, with all the support, Rose, Joan, Gayle, and those who helped sell our stuff – Scott on sound and lights, everyone! All the best! Jesse

Weekend in New England…

Jesse — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:37:09 +0000

Malden, Waltham, Malden, and Stoughton – Scott and Margo Morin at Immaculate Conception, Laura Peterson and Bernadette Scalese, back over to IC, then on Monday, to Fr. Kelly and Marianne at St. James in Stoughton. Wonderful folks. Saw Jim, Paula and Liam Flanagan, Chris Gosselin – they’re doing great things. Michelle Garrity picked me up at the airport, took me to an awesome SEAFOOD lunch. Talk about love, Michelle didn’t order a thing because she doesn’t like seafood. I thought, maybe I’ll suggest we go somewhere where we can both order something we like. Then I thought, “What would Jesus do?” Gosh, that fried shrimp was massively epic! Then went to pick up Steven, Colleen and Becca – Surrounded by Garritys! Loving it. Even went to Karaoke with the core team of IC’s Generations of Faith. Scott, DJ, and a number others stepped up to the mic and represented! Celebrated the kick off of Generations of Faith at IC, 10 years of LIFETEEN at Sacred Heart in Waltham, and a kickoff of Rel Ed for St. James. Beautiful time. Beautiful people.

WINNERS OF THE MADRID RAFFLE

Jesse — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 03:53:16 +0000

Thanks to everyone who bought a raffle ticket to help Jodi and I make it to Madrid. Thank you, thank you, thank you! 4th prize is a smiley face tee shirt…GUILLERMO MARQUEZ, 3rd prize of CD goes to Kathleen Venzon…2nd prize of a smiley face tee shirt and a CD goes to Paul Mach….and the GRAND PRIZE of YOURS TRULY, goes to….Dr. Carole Goodwin, of the Diocese of Louisville, KY! Again, thanks to everyone who were so generous to help! You are greatly, greatly appreciated.