As most of you know, we couldn't sell our home in this economy so we rented. Well of the 3 families renting property we own back home, 2 have lost their jobs in this economy and paying rent on time has become a problem.
As we enter the summer months things change rather dramatically here. First, school is out so most families take their children and head off to Nassau or the States for the summer. They do that because there is no work here, its too hot to stay, and there is literally nothing for their children to do. At least in Nassau there is the mall, or the movies, or the bowling alley. Here there is not too much - so off they go.
This complicates ministry on several fronts, but one that is bringing me down a bit is that we haven't been able to have a priest here since Easter, that's 12 weeks and counting. Our 1st communion kids are ready for 1st penance and 1st communion but it looks like many of them will be off the island by the time we get a priest. Last week I went to Nassau and recieved another ciborium of consecrated hosts so I can continue to do Eucharistic Services. The Archdiocese is doing a great job covering the parishes in all the islands. With some priests taking well deserved vacations, and others experiencing illness, it is very difficult for them to cover all the parishes in the 'family islands' right now, so we wait. Eventually we will have a priest and we'll celebrate the Sacrament but the shortage of priests now makes me wonder where we will be in 10 years.
Now having less people to serve may seem to make our lives easier, but in reality it creates a hidden financial burden. With the loss of the people, the weekly collection drops off dramatically, while the weekly bills stay constant. So having been here over a year now I can project that things are going to get extremely tight over the next few months.
With that on the horizon, I am still waiting for the insurance money for the Church that was flooded back on Palm Sunday. The Archdiocese changed insurance companies 3 days prior to our flood. So, the insurance company that had approved our claim and authorized us to do the work (which we did), was the old insurance company and now we are waiting on the new insurance company to pay for the work we already did, on the authorization of the first insurance company
There are other financial and facilities related issues we're dealing with, but buildings and money are only one aspect of being the Administrator for this mission.
For example, in the midst of the financial issues, and the priest shortage, we have been working with a family that is desperately poor and who, we have learned, tends to control their children by beatings. Unlike the States, this is accepted and not uncommon in the Bahamas but in this family's case it is severe. We are now involved in child custody issues between parents and grand-parents and when the children confide in us we are told to be careful what we do to help because if word gets back to Mom that they've spoken to us they are beaten. I have met with social services here and they know the family. Bruises are explained as, 'she fell down' and nobody in the family will support the accusations whispered to us. It is an ongoing issue that will take time to resolve, but it is emotional and difficult for us right now.
While we struggle with all this stuff there are successes. It does look like we will be able to restore an old church that has been closed for several years, and put it to work at a Parish Center for CCD classes and parish meetings. Rather than the children sitting on the church floor and using the pews as desks we hope, with the support of the Archdiocese, to actually have tables and chairs -and- maybe even add a toilet to this building that never had running water.
Also - this is the 50th Annniversary of Nassau being designated as a Diocese. We have had several activities commemorating the Anniversary and the closing Mass for the Anniversary Year will be July 5. I have just learned that 2 of our parishioners from Andros will be recognized with a special medal commemorating their years of service to the parish, and the Church, at that Mass. So - while things are tough, there are good times and signs of hope as well.
God is good, His mercy endures for ever and ever - Amen? Amen!
Keep us in your prayers
