In my last entry I mentioned we have a visiting priest who had been creating issue after issue. Well, over the last five weeks he has stopped using the laptop computer on the altar and has transcribed what he had on the computer into a notebook. This eliminates the computer blocking everyone's view of the altar, defusing what was a major crisis for awhile. So he still has the Sacramentary, and now his private notebook, but we're muddling through. I do find it amazing that a priest finds the new Roman Missal 'too difficult to navigate'. I thought using the Sacramentary was part of Liturgy 101 - but enough said.
Our Lent here is a busy one. In addition to the CCD and RCIA classes that fill up our week, having a priest lets us do penance services - so we are doing THREE, one for each parish. We have also added Teen Movie Nights on Friday's. This priest worked in campus ministry and brought audio visual equipment to show movies for the teens. To pull this off we go to our Parish Center Friday afternoon and re-arrange the furniture, cover up the windows with blankets and set up his equipment. When the kids get off the bus from the high school we are ready for them and start the movie around 4. Around 6 we slip out and go over to the Navy Base and pick up 3 or 4 pizzas and get back just as the movie ends for a short discussion. It is a challenge to add these extra activities to our already rather full schedule but we've been able to get it done.
Meanwhile - our work to grow the Church in North Andros continues. The Archbishop has given permission to build and the locals have given about $7000 so far towards a total of $30,000 for a 30x30 building. We already own land there and, with the Archbishops approval, we've cleared the land to get ready for putting in the foundation. The rest will have to wait until we get more funds.
One interesting development with this community is that there is a large Haitian community here but the numbers of our little faith community fluctuates in direct proportion to the raids on the Haitian shanty-town by Bahamian immigration. Right now they have been raided twice in the same week and we haven't seen anyone dare to come out of the bush to go to church. It really is scary, one week we'll have a half dozen Haitian men, the next week they're gone - poof!
The past few weeks have been stressful on a few other fronts as well - two flat tires in two weeks, for example; followed by a bathroom sink that decided this would be the time to have the drain pipe rust out. We lived for a few days with a bucket under the sink that, after using the sink, we would pour into the toilet. I was able to get parts and replace the plumbing with only one small drip remaining. I know how to fix that but it requires a part not on this island so it'll wait a week.
Next week, by the way, we go to Nassau for the Chrism Mass to recieve the holy oils for the next year (and parts for the bathroom sink). This is always a special liturgy for me because, unlike Boston, Deacons are invited to join the priests for the renewal of their vows. After the priest and deacon clergy, the women religious are also invited to do the same. How inclusive is that! It really is a powerful moment.
Well, between CCD, RCIA, Penance Services and Teen Movie Night I am a bit bushed so I am going to sign off. This Lent is certainly living up to what Lent should be. I just can't wait for Easter!
Till next time
