The big news of the week was the inauguration of Maestro chapel which was a fantastic event! Yesterday we had the chapel full to overflowing (okay it is actually a small chapel that can seat 120) for the Inauguration Mass which had Tito and Damian animating the Liturgy. They were great as ever. During the Mass I went round and blessed every corner of the upstairs chapel and downstairs meeting rooms. Then after the Mass we had dances out on the street – some Ecuadorian dances and a Scottish one by yours truly. Note to self – for the La Paz Inauguration in two weeks, practice the Highland Fling at least a bit. It was all finished off with sandwiches and a celebration cake. Of course, there had been a lot of preparations this week and back and forward taking the new altar, seat, statues and a painting representing the title of the Chapel ‘Jesus, teacher of Truth and Love’. Everything was looking great. Let’s hope that the Chapel brings joy and unity to that part of the Parish.
Heiko Junge is a new St. James’ priest and he in Ecuador for a month before heading off to Cochabamba, Bolivia for his Language Course. Although he has a German name, he is from the States (Portland, Oregon). During this month the idea is that he should visit as many of the St. James’ parishes as possible so he was here last week for a few days. It was great to have him around and we spent our time visiting a few old folk in their houses and taking part in Masses at the school. After his time in Bolivia, he will be appointed to a parish here.
Although no building work is taking place, I have been making headway with plans for a Medical Centre: with the housing charity ‘Hogar de Cristo’ who will run it; and with some friends from a local Rotary club who will equip it. Of course the funding is coming from back home so we are waiting to see if funds come through …. Fingers, toes and everything is crossed!
One of the things that has really taken arms and legs over the years here ahs been the work with the Catechism classes that prepare kids for Communion and Confirmation. When I came there were about sixty kids for Communion and twenty for Confirmation based in two of our chapels. We now have six chapels where there are classes and this year we have over two hundred kids for First Communion in December and one hundred for Confirmation also in December. This all involves quite a bit of preparation – one of the things that I have planned in the last weeks is organizing when I am going to hear all these Confessions! And also there is the preparation of the Catechists which I do and talks to parents: I do some talks myself but I also have a six-strong team to help me. Otherwise???
Oh and finally can I just say Disco Dave is still playing a stormer. Loving his time here and he is a pleasure to have around although he does constantly take the mickey! It is a challenge. Having said that, imagine getting to the age of twenty-two (his birthday’s next week) and the only thing you’re able to cook with any confidence is sausages – no beans, no potatoes, no boiled eggs! He is the wittiest person I have ever met but his cooking skills are a joke!
No comments:
Post a Comment