Bastille celebration in Faubourg St. John

Happy St. John's Eve from Bayou St. John

The feast day of Saint John the Baptist was a very popular event in the ancien régime of France, and it is still celebrated as a religious feast day in several countries, like Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

The tradition landed in Canada with the first French colonists. According to the Jesuit Relations, the first celebrations occurred on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River on the evening of June 23, 1636 with a bonfire and five cannon shots.

Historically, this date has been venerated in the practice of Voodoo. The famous Voodoo priestess Marie Laveau was said to have held ceremonies involving Voodoo ritual on the Bayou St John in New Orleans, commemorating St John's Eve. Modern day practitioners of Voodoo have kept the tradition alive.

Here is New Orleans VooDoo Priestess Sallie Ann Glassman's recounting of her first ceremony on Bayou St. John:
Bayou St. John ceremony

and more on herself:
Sallie Ann Glassman

Louisiana Himalaya Association offers some teachings and recycled stuff

Some events courtesy of our bayou-living Tibetan organizers.These folks have been doing incredible work with in Northern India with Tibetan refugees for years.
Founded in 1997, the Louisiana Himalaya association Inc. (LHA) is a grassroots social work organization dedicated to Social Work Services with Tibetan Refugees in the Himalayan regions of India and Nepal. Having made the treacherous journey by foot over the Himalayan Mountains to seek asylum, this displaced population faces monumental resettlement issues, especially in the fields of education, employment, healthcare, and housing. LHA fundraises and organizes volunteer efforts to support social service programs in India and Nepal which focus on these vital areas of life.

LHA has spent over a decade building a cross-cultural bridge which now functions to provide needed services to the Tibetan Community while making available their vast philosophical wisdom and profound cultural experience. Here in Louisiana, LHA works with Tulane University, Loyola University and Centenary College to host Tibetan teachers and organize Tibetan Cultural Events. These Universities also send student groups to India each summer.
Support their excellent work with attending their events when you can.

Both Lama Lakshey and Tsering have time set aside for one-on-one meetings for those of you that would like to schedule some time with them. Please remember that they are both raiseing funds for their social service projects so please do make donations whenever possible. You can contact them directly to schedule appointments:

Lama Lakshey - 510 684 3398

Tsering Monk - 504 994 2557

Here are a few event/teachings to note on your calendar.

Lama Lakshey :

Events/Teachings at the Community Center ( 623 N Rendon)

Sat April 2 - Rummage Sale - 9AM - 3PM

Sunday April 3 - Tonglen Practice 9-10:30AM

Tuesday April 5 – Meditation 7-8PM

Sunday April 10- 3-4PM Treasure Vase Ceremony on Bayou St John in front of the Post Office

Other:

April 6 – Teaching at Swan River Yoga on Canal 830-930PM

April 9 - Evening Teaching in Baton Rouge

April 7-9 Tibet Culture Fair at Tulane -

(organized by Tibet Association of Tulane University "TATU")

Thurs and Friday 10AM - 3PM in the LBC at Tulane for Open Dialogue

Saturday 9AM - Noon - Teaching in Rogers Memorial Chapel on Tulane Campus

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Tsering Monk :

Events/Teachings at the Community Center ( 623 N Rendon)

Sat April 2 - Rummage Sale - 9AM - 3PM

Sunday April 3 - Tonglen Practice 9-10:30AM

Other:

April 7-9 Tibet Culture Fair at Tulane

(organized by Tibet Association of Tulane University "TATU")

Thurs and Friday 10AM - 3PM in the LBC at Tulane for Open Dialogue

Thurs 6-8PM Tibetan Lama Dance Performance at the Lavin Bernic Center at Tulane



*to further clarify any of this info please contact Lama Lakshey and /or Tsering Monk


Volunteer - Donate
www.lhainfo.org

Hoopla sponsored by FSJNA this Sunday

LARRY DEDEAUX is crafting hoops for free distribution to as many children as he can create hoops for (volunteers in hoop construction welcomed). Other volunteers will help kids learn some hooping techniques and tricks. This Sunday at 3pm. Kids will decorate their hoops then move to Fortier Park for some hooping workouts! “The simple hoop has positive physical and mental health benefits, stimulates imaginations, and enables feelings of pure joy and bliss.”

Drink to help

Spirit Vessel Ceremony June 27th 8:00 pm

From the handout:
A ceremony to send healing to the Gulf of Mexico, create a space for solace and reflection and to honor lost life.
Jane Hill-organizer

clay vessels


Jane sets in water


BSJ group

St. John Spirit Ceremony

A community art project for the Bayou St John community, to create a space of solace, healing and reflection in the wake of the BP Oil Spill, and to honor lost life.



WHEN: Friday, June 19th and/or Friday, June 26th Meet at Fairgrinds Coffee House to create your clay Spirit Vessel with guidance from local artist Jane Hill. Prayers and small animals also will be created.

Sunday June 27th 8:00 pm Meet at the banks of Bayou St John, at the Bridge opposite Cabrini. In a simple ceremony, the unfired clay Vessels created by the community will be lighted and released into the water of the bayou, carrying our intentions and wishes for the Gulf’s restoration before they dissolve and go back to nature. Participation and performance from local musicians and poets will take place.



Note: All materials used in this community project are biodegradable and will not damage the bayou in any way. Please note that this event is not a protest or demonstration space. Children are encouraged to participate, but parents should know this is not designed as a children’s clay class or art project. Rain Date is Monday June 28th at 8 pm

Big Buddhist to Bayou

Our Bayou St. John neighbors and friends, Louisiana Himalaya Association hosts Chamtrul Rinpoche in New Orleans this September. Here's what they say about the visit:

"We are very excited to announce that Chamtrul (Lobsang Gyatso) Rinpoche has accepted
our invitation and is coming to New Orleans for the month of September. This is his
first visit to the United States, and he will be staying courtesy of LHA right in the
Bayou St. John neighborhood. Chamtrul Rinpoche has been a teacher to and close friend
of ours since we began our work in India years ago.


We have planned a month of teachings, talks and other opportunities to meet with the
Rinpoche, and will be sending out his schedule in the next few weeks. For more information on Chamtrul Rinpoche, visit his website: chamtrul-rinpoche.com.



If you would like more detailed information or would like to be more closely involved with this project, please contact susandunlap@hotmail.com or shelleyom@rediffmail.com,
and we will add you to our specialized email list. We will need lots of help with his
stay and the events, and have many exciting opportunities, other information to present, which we will only be emailing to this list.


Let us know, and hopefully see you in September!

Susan and Shelley

P.S. We are pleased to announce our new blog site where you can find announcements,
updated information about our new building as it comes, and current information about

what is happening with the people of Tibet." lhainfo.blogspot.com