The prize for the craziest event of theweek goes to yesterday's wedding between Fatima and Oscar. We had done months of talks and preparation, filling forms. The usual. So when they came for Tuesday's rehearsal and giggled their way through, I thought it was just pre-wedding nerves. The wedding was set for 3pm on Saturday. I was shocked, then, when Fatima phoned late on Friday to cancel the wedding ... as a result of some family member that was seriously ill. Are you sure you want to cancel? Yes. Oh well, I thought, I will just get on with my other Saturday activiites. So I was stunned when they then phoned up at 2pm on Saturday to ask if the wedding could go back on? What, are you joking? No, seriously, Padre! So there we were, we had an hour to get everything ready: flowers, readers, music etc. Well, we actually had more than an horui because naturally enough she was about forty minutes late causing a near motorway crash in my Saturday religious activities with eight Baptisms at 4pm followed by two Masses. Another occasion when I just had to smile and realise ---- the only person anxious about all of the craziness was me, the grino priest!

I met Padre Gonzalo last weekend and the meeting settled my mind a lot. I gave him lunch and we were together about four hours both in the house talking and then around the Parish visiting the various areas and chapels. At no point did I hear a person who would destroy thing; more than anything, I heard Gonzalo saying he would continue projects and build on them. You see, it’s not so much for me that I would be worried but the people around me, especially in the school. They are worried that the new priest would come in, sack them all and bring in his own people. But I am convinced he will not do that rather that he will simply be there to support and build up. In particular, we set two dates: the handover Mass for Sunday 9th August when the Archbishop will come and lead us in the Mass to present the new PP. Then on the 12th itself when I leave, Gonzalo will be here for the departure and the handover of keys etc. We also met up yesterday at the offices of Hogar de Cristo to discuss what will happen with the planned Medical Centre. In recent weeks, the money to build the new centre has been secured from sources back home, namely the ‘2 Hands’ charity. And also recently the local Rotary club has secured funds for the Medical Centre’s equipment. So we needed to work out what will happen now that I moving on. Basically the money will be sent over to our architect, Pedro Mogrovejo, who will oversee the building project supported by the new priest. Of course, we are still waiting on planning permission from the Council; myself and Pedro went into their offices this morning and that permission is moving forward. I would therefore imagine that the building can start by the end of August, in time for a Christmas completion. As with so many projects I have been part of here, the phrase is most definitely ‘we shall see’! I was down at the St. James’ house at Ayangue for the last time this week. We had the usual meeting and Mass and, as usual, there was time for rest and relaxation. But it was filled with some ‘lasts’: my last swim in the Pacific, my last run along the beach, my last time watching a beautiful sunset over Ayangue bay. But most of all, my last time with a group of priests who have always supported and encouraged me. It would be true to say that the Ecuador priests in St. James have been and inspiration to me at every turn in this amazing journey. However, I don’t think it was because it was my last time in Ayangue that they ‘let’ me win at cards: I won fair and square our two-hour long duel. My Prize? Getting thrown in the pool fully clothed at midnight. Lovely! So I most clearly in Farewell Period. This week I have been doing many visits to bless parishioners’ houses, arranging multiple Baptisms before I head off, doing wedding rehearsals and taking the altar servers out for a final trip. This is in the midst of wrapping things up (literally) and beginning to say tearful farewells. There is a fortnight to go but I think it will be a busy and tearful fifteen days.

Well, last weekend was very difficult as I announced that I was leaving the Missions having completed my five year stay. I first of all told Adela and Freddy at the school, the people who work in the Chapel House – they were very upset – tears and snotters etc. Then on Saturday I told the Catechists who had gathered for a regular in-service: they were shocked as none had suspected. I think they knew that my five years were up but didn’t realize it was actually coming to an end. And so chapel by chapel over the weekend, I went round telling people that I was leaving. Since this wasn’t the first time I had ever left a Parish, I thought maybe I was prepared for the reaction but, hey, they’re Latins and they know how to grieve! Grown men crying, young boys as well as women and girls. Of course, the prize for the best reaction goes to Victor Orellana who threw up when he heard. Well, I mean, no-one has ever thrown up for me before!!!! So the weekend was bad and by the time I came to Sunday I was completely drained of all energy. I had cried more or less at every Mass and at every group meeting as I explained my departure. So I was glad, more than ever, of my break day on Monday. And, since Bishop Joe Toal was out for the inauguration of Colin’s Church, I was glad to have a Scots-priests night away. After lunch we drove up the coast to Salinas, the posh seaside resort where the rich ex-presidents live. We had a rest, a walk along the shore, a good chat and a good meal. I was glad of the break away…. Because now that I am back it is just going to be one farewell after another. While I was away they apparently had a couple of secret meetings where they were arranging a farewell concert and Mass. I don’t think I need to weary for what to do over the next month. I will, though, have to be careful in how I organize my time. One of the big concerns from everybody is ‘what will happen now? Who is the new priest? Will he close things down or keep them going?’ These are legitimate concerns, I think, because even when I asked that Archbishop about people’s negative reactions to an Ecuadorian being appointed, he said those sometimes local priests who have followed foreigners have dropped special projects. Although I do not know the new priest (he is coming for lunch tomorrow), I do believe, however, that he is not that type. As far as I am aware, he is an intelligent, talented man who has been liked everywhere he has gone. He may change things, and I hope he improves things but, come the 12th August, I leave it all in God’s hands ….

Well, my visitors have left – Andy, Christine, Gerard and Christine, along with Johnny have left amidst tears and snotters! Literally as we were all suffering from a cold and cough in the last few days. It was a sad time tonight at the airport as there was a big crowd who came along to ach of the five who had become their friends in the last three weeks. Together we had done loads: visiting parishioners’ house and really getting to know them, working with them (big Christine in the Nursery and the rest down the school). Of course it was different from Andy’s last visit in 2005 because then I didn’t even live in Nueva Prosperina and hardly knew many people; now I have got to know so many people that there is tremendous opportunities to visit people and see how families truly live here. The highlight of their visit was the farewell we had this morning: Mass at the school followed by a presentation of traditional dances from the pupils along with handfuls of presents – school jerseys, Ecuador flags and home-made cards. This was followed by the visitors treating everyone in the school to hot chocolate and a bun. The school makes a real impact on anyone that visits. Last weekend we had the Parish Fiesta Football Competition. In good Ecuadorian spirit, although it was scheduled for an 8am start, it didn’t get underway until 9.30am. Some chapels had sent two or three teams but some only one. In any case we had enough teams to make three leagues: boys 10-13; boys 14-16; and girls 14-16. Gerard and Johnny got involved in two different teams and Gerard even got to the final in his category although he didn’t actually get the winners medal (we suspect a bit of cheating from the ref!). Once again though it was a good occasion for people to come together and enjoy themselves! I had also gone down to Ayangue with Andy and Christine and the crew. They were good days to relax and enjoy the seaside after all the pressure of the Parish Fiesta. One of the days we took a two-hour walk to Playa Rosada where Paul Sanders and John Keane got stranded last year. There were no problems for us about getting stranded – the only hassle was the very large waves. We all started off paddling but ended up fully in the water – fun all round! We also have another Scots visitor out in our area: Bishop Joe Toal is out visiting Colin MacInnes who is inaugurating another Church this coming Sunday. It is great to see him out here since he has himself supported both this mission and Colin’s. It is the first time I have seen him since he became Bishop last year. Bienvenido, Joe!

What a Fiesta that was! On Sunday there we had around 1400 people out at El Cenaclulo retreat centre for our Parish Fiesta. And what a great day it was. It took a lot of organizing and it was clear from about 0630 onwards that the crowds were going to be big! They were lined up all around the Church from early on … and, as I suspected, it was the people without tickets that arrived first!!! When we eventually got there – 25 buses and more on their own steam – it was a great day. We started with the presentation of the individual chapel who put on chants or songs around our theme of ‘missionary disciples’. After that we had a very moving Benediction service with Freddy and his youth group from Resucitado chapel leading us – it seemed that Freddy was transfixed in a heavenly gaze. Powerful! After that we split up into four very large groups – toddlers, kids, youth, and adults – for talks on the theme. After that I had organized a Treasure Hunt for the young folk around the Retreat Centre – that was terrific fun too. Lunch and then get ready fro Mass. Throughout the day we had music from Tito and Damian, raising above the roofs most of the time but also getting us to be truly quiet and reflective when it was needed. Tito is a great trouper. Most of all what I loved was the smiles on people’s faces. For families and young folk who live in dusty sectors where there are no places to play football, it was just great to see the kids playing on the swings, the young people playing football and basketball and the adult sitting around chatting. A great Parish day all in all. After that it was a quick turnaround as we had to get Elise and Rachel off to the airport for their farewell. Their final touch was to donate the bed they had bought and used to their new-found friend, Carmen. She had been great with them throughout their three weeks and it was moving to see how they had got close to one another, especially in the Soup Kitchen. For Elise and for Rachel it was very clear that their time here had been moving – every day was a new experience, new people and a new perspective on how poor people live. They started off knowing that poor people live in shanty towns and ended up knowing some great friends in poor conditions. Of course that is not the end of the friends as I am still surrounded with Andy and Christine, their tow kids, Gerard and Christine and their pal, Johnny. Wherever we went last week it was all eight together in the truck – a little bumpy but good fun. We went to meet the other St. James guys for our regular Monday meal, we saw the Iguanas, and we visited the Napos family, Freddy’s family and many more. More than that, they worked down the school and in the Nursery each morning so that was, as ever, a great way of getting to know the people. Now that Rachel and Elise are away, it is the Hands that will be doing the visiting and the work for the week ahead. One of the constant events of last week was the Novena in preparation for Sunday’s Fiesta. We had split it up amongst each of the chapels: they brought their own music and musicians; they lead the prayers; and they each put on a moving ceremony about the theme for that night. We also had invited speakers to lead us in the talks about being ‘missionary disciples’. In general they were good but one, in particular, was far too long – 35 minutes – which meant that people were falling off their seats …. Literally! All in all, it was much better than previous years and I think made a deep effect on many people. The Church was packed for each night. Now we have moved into a period of calm after the storm and the only remaining part of the Fiesta period is the football competition next Saturday which, with the Hands here with their footballing expertise, should be great fun!

We’re on the threshold of being overrun with guests here. Elise and Rachel continue to flourish in their Latin home but tomorrow we have five more coming: Andy, Christine, Gerard, Christine and Johnny. This has meant that part of my week was getting the house ready, moving furniture all over the place and getting new beds and sheets. It will be great to have the house so busy. We are also in the midst of our Parish Novena. We are now on Day Three and it seems to be going well. Different from previous years we have all the nights in the Parish Church where a different chapel leads the liturgy and there is a guest speaker to lead the reflection. The main theme is that we are ‘missionary disciples of Jesus Christ who came to give us life’. The Masses and Novena are all lively and there are some imaginative ideas coming out too. This morning we had our Parish Eucharistic Walk when I carry the Blessed Sacrament through the whole of the Parish visiting the eight chapels on the way. As in previous years people popped in and out of the Walk. Damian and David kept the singing going (Tito is laid up in bed) but we had to stop every so often to let the oldies at the back catch up --- I was at the front. At each chapel the catechists had prepared small prayer services and had decorated the chapel. Of course, a great innovation this year was that, when we finished at Narcisa chapel, they had prepared Hot Chocolate for us; it went down a treat. Next Sunday we have our Parish Fiesta at the retreat centre of ‘El Cenaculo’. It promises to be a great affair although there could be too many folk! Booking buses and keeping a check on them is a nightmare. At the start of the week we headed off to Ayangue with Rachel and Elise for our monthly meeting of the St. James’ Society. It was excellent weather the two days we were there and I had a chance to jog along the beach and then swim in the pool. Fantastic! As ever there were decent meals and good craic so it was terrific.

The big event of last week was my 45th Birthday. Birthdays are real serious affairs here and you cannot let one go by unnoticed. So I was not surprised that the celebrations go going two days early when I was at Friday night Mass in Narcisa chapel. They had a big banner behind the altar ‘Feliz Cumpleaños’ so there was no mistaking they were in party mood. After Mass we went back to Helena’s house where we were treated to popcorn and cake, after we had shown off our dancing skills! Then on Sunday there were two Masses where a cake made an appearance – La Paz and Resucitado chapels – and I celebrated in Ecuadorian style by biting the cake so that the people behind me could shove my face in said cakes! After that it was get-to-bed-early because there was to be a party at the school on my Birthday morning. However at 12 midnight I was awoken with a long bang as a ten-strong group serenaded me from the street. So it was up again and have more cake, more songs and more dancing. Back to bed at 1.30am. Then up again at 5am as another group of seranaders came a-calling! After that there was no point in going to sleep because it was time to get down to the school. And, as I opened the door into the main yard, there was a column on either side, fifteen fifth-year girls in pink ball gowns and fifteen fifth-year gentlemen in suits (all hired I suppose) as an entrance to what can only be described as a school show. Amazing that they had taken the time and effort. Fantastic! And, of course, I had to do a Highland Fling, although I wasn’t kilted-out! By the time the evening came, I was fiesta-ed out but not before we had the last party and the last cake of the year. Once again my face was in it! Feliz Cumpleaños! All of this was done in a backdrop of my niece, Elise, had her pal, Rachel being out here visiting for three weeks. Their plane arrived ahead of schedule and I don’t think they have stopped since they got here. After the weekend of getting to know all the people and the chapels, they got going with work down the school: peeling tatties, cutting up onions and then teaching English. In the afternoons, after catching up with sleep, we have walked around the town and met various families in their homes. Of course, the people immediately have taken them to their hearts and invited them to various places: a group took them into the city on Wednesday night; and then Carmen, their ally in the Soup Kitchen, asked them round to paint their nails. You come out to the shanty and you end up getting your nails painted!!! A big event of last week was the visit of a possible donor from the USA, Rachel Blair who had come through the local Rotary club that has done various jobs for us. Basically she is interested in helping with the equipping of the Medical Centre that we had been working on for some time. Unfortunately the funds have been slow in coming but Rachel was keen to help. So we showed her around the area, the site where the Centre is to be built and we had a long discussion with the housing charity that will run the Centre. There are still a few problems: the housing charity have still to get the legal papers to the land; the charity ‘2 Hands’ is confirming how much money is pledged for the construction; and Rotary is to sort out its paperwork. However, it all looks as if things can maybe move forward in some sort of way???? All of this happened after my fantastic visit to Quito. Of course, in the company of Colm Hogan from Tipperary, the best thing about the visit was staying with Paddy McIntyre, a very funny priest from Derry. It was indeed laugh a minute. But we managed to pack a load into the two days we were there: tourist attractions of Quito city; visit up north to wood-carving town; and a run up the cable car that gives you tremendous vies over the capital city! Thanks, Paddy!