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!
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