Monday, January 13, 2014
All things work for the good, for those that love God
In my last post I spoke about crime and how it has touched one particular family here with the murder of a young mother. Ginni and I were able to get together with the mother of the murdered girl and we had a great conversation. While much healing is needed, our conversation seemed to be well received. While baptized a Catholic, over the years this woman has migrated to another church and, to my surprise, the pastor of that church has not been that supportive. I ask you all to please support us with prayer as we continue to support this family. While grieving is needed to deal with the death, hope springs eternal that maybe this tragedy would result in this woman, and her extended family returning to the Catholic church. God is good, even in the midst of evil like this. Scripture says, all things work for the good for those that love God. We believe it and trust that even this situation can be used by God to bear good fruit. Please keep us in your prayers. - Peace
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Crime on Andros
Well we have been back from our trip to the US for a few weeks and we are back in the swing of things. One disturbing reality here in the Bahamas is crime. As a resident US citizen, we occasionally get emails from the US Embassy, usually about safety precautions from pending hurricanes - however lately the safety precautions are more about crime.
Unemployment here is very high and young Bahamian men need income. With no jobs, unfortunately many are turning to crime, drugs, and gangs. Usually when we hear of these types of activities they are taking place in Nassau. By far Nassau has more crime than the other family islands that make up the Bahamas, and the Bahamas has one of the highest crime rates in the Caribbean.
Our island of Andros has not been spared this plague. With no work, once children leave the Secondary School they either go to the US or Nassau for work, or the College of the Bahamas in Nassau. Those that remain have very few options for employment. Consequently, there is a brain-drain of the best and brightest young people off Andros. Those that remain usually end up in a blue-collar job or get caught up in gangs and crime.
Prior to our leaving for Christmas in the US we had heard of a horrific murder on Andros. A man and his girlfriend were abducted and missing. The presumption is that they had been killed. The girl that was killed left a daughter, aged 5, that now her grandma must raise. While we were in the US two bodies were found, badly decomposed, and their remains sent to the US for DNA testing to see if they are the remains of the two missing persons. The rumor mill went rampant but, just prior to our return, five men were arrested and are now imprisoned in Nassau. Prison in the Bahamas is not pleasant.
While everyone waits the results of the DNA testing, and the police retain the bodies for further forensic testing, the family sits. One member of this family is a man we had recommended for the Diaconate. He is in his third year of formation and, while the family looks to him for leadership, he is hurting at the loss of his niece just as much as the rest of the family. It is unfortunate all this went down while we were away but we have set up a meeting with the family later in the week for prayer and discussion.
As Deacon I have been with families when they suffer a loss. As a hospice nurse, Ginni has done this many more times than I. This, however is different. Murder, violent murder, for money, for revenge, for what someone perceived as an insult - for whatever reason, is beyond the pale. What comfort can we provide?
It is here that we rely on the grace of God. All we can do is be a shoulder to cry on and offer whatever support the family needs throughout this ordeal. The ordeal will be longer than a natural death as the police do the forensic work they must do on the bodies - and the families wait. Wait for a time when they can put their beloved to rest.
The motive is yet unknown, but it will come out, and it will not justify the crime. We will be with the family, we will comfort them, pray with them, talk with them, and through the grace of God eventually there will be peace. Bringing peace into this situation, while members of the family will be seeking revenge, is a challenge. Revenge against members of the killer's family (or the accused's family) seemed justified to the family that has been hurt, but peace is the only thing that will heal. Maybe that is why we say Jesus is the source of 'peace that passes understanding'. Peace, forgiveness, or mercy, as a response to violence, seems incomprehensible to victims. Yet this is what Jesus taught, 'Love your enemies, pray for those that persecute you'.
It is not clear if this is a message that the family is ready to hear, but it is the only message that will bring healing. Keep us in your prayers as we prepare to deal with this as best we can - with God's help.
Peace
Unemployment here is very high and young Bahamian men need income. With no jobs, unfortunately many are turning to crime, drugs, and gangs. Usually when we hear of these types of activities they are taking place in Nassau. By far Nassau has more crime than the other family islands that make up the Bahamas, and the Bahamas has one of the highest crime rates in the Caribbean.
Our island of Andros has not been spared this plague. With no work, once children leave the Secondary School they either go to the US or Nassau for work, or the College of the Bahamas in Nassau. Those that remain have very few options for employment. Consequently, there is a brain-drain of the best and brightest young people off Andros. Those that remain usually end up in a blue-collar job or get caught up in gangs and crime.
Prior to our leaving for Christmas in the US we had heard of a horrific murder on Andros. A man and his girlfriend were abducted and missing. The presumption is that they had been killed. The girl that was killed left a daughter, aged 5, that now her grandma must raise. While we were in the US two bodies were found, badly decomposed, and their remains sent to the US for DNA testing to see if they are the remains of the two missing persons. The rumor mill went rampant but, just prior to our return, five men were arrested and are now imprisoned in Nassau. Prison in the Bahamas is not pleasant.
While everyone waits the results of the DNA testing, and the police retain the bodies for further forensic testing, the family sits. One member of this family is a man we had recommended for the Diaconate. He is in his third year of formation and, while the family looks to him for leadership, he is hurting at the loss of his niece just as much as the rest of the family. It is unfortunate all this went down while we were away but we have set up a meeting with the family later in the week for prayer and discussion.
As Deacon I have been with families when they suffer a loss. As a hospice nurse, Ginni has done this many more times than I. This, however is different. Murder, violent murder, for money, for revenge, for what someone perceived as an insult - for whatever reason, is beyond the pale. What comfort can we provide?
It is here that we rely on the grace of God. All we can do is be a shoulder to cry on and offer whatever support the family needs throughout this ordeal. The ordeal will be longer than a natural death as the police do the forensic work they must do on the bodies - and the families wait. Wait for a time when they can put their beloved to rest.
The motive is yet unknown, but it will come out, and it will not justify the crime. We will be with the family, we will comfort them, pray with them, talk with them, and through the grace of God eventually there will be peace. Bringing peace into this situation, while members of the family will be seeking revenge, is a challenge. Revenge against members of the killer's family (or the accused's family) seemed justified to the family that has been hurt, but peace is the only thing that will heal. Maybe that is why we say Jesus is the source of 'peace that passes understanding'. Peace, forgiveness, or mercy, as a response to violence, seems incomprehensible to victims. Yet this is what Jesus taught, 'Love your enemies, pray for those that persecute you'.
It is not clear if this is a message that the family is ready to hear, but it is the only message that will bring healing. Keep us in your prayers as we prepare to deal with this as best we can - with God's help.
Peace
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Christmas in TX
Hello Again
Well we got a Christmas surprise - a priest!
Yes the Archdiocese was able to send us a priest for most of Advent, through Christmas and New Year. So, for the first time in five years, Ginni and I are spending Christmas with our family. We usually get to see Mike and Joe more often, since they are in NY, relatively close to our home in MA, but our son Matt is in that alien country called Texas. So we spent two weeks with Fr. Vince, and when he had the lay of the land down pat, we left for two weeks in TX.
Fr. Vince is a wonderful priest - the retired Vicar from Jacksonville, FL. By the time we left he was driving the van, picking up people, and making himself at home. This seems to have continued since we left - here is a pic he emailed me of one of his new friends in Cargill Creek.
Our son Matt lives in Kingwood, TX a Houston Suburb. He has a great home here and his career seems to have taken off. When we arrived he met us as the airport and we found out that his wife's two sisters would be joining us for a few days. The guest list would be six visiting adults, and 5 visiting children, add in Matt's family and you have 8 adults, 6 kids and 2 dogs - where to put them all!! We came up with a great solution, Ginni and I would sleep in the pop-up trailer - giving us some silence in the midst of the reunion. What we didn't count on was the night-time temps dropping into the low 40's. It was a challenge but we did it for the 2 nights we needed to.
One thing we learned was that the hubby of one of visiting families has never been baptized. He has been going to various churches near Dallas, so he's interested, but hasn't made a decision yet. Well this missionary couldn't help but offer to take him outside into Matt's pool and do the job right now. Clearly I wasn't about to do that without talking to him in detail but it was a funny moment. I did follow up later and it looks like he's open to an email dialogue - which may lead to baptism (or not). Time will tell but if we can be part of making that a reality, you know we will try.
As I write this it is Christmas Eve. We took our grandson Jack to see a movie this afternoon but the big surprise for me is the culture shock of the Super Wal-Mart and the grocery stores. The sheer volume of what is on the shelves and prices compared to Andros is shocking. Absolutely unbelievable!
Last Sunday, we went to St. Martha's parish in Kingwood. St. Martha's has grown since our last visit here and the new church is overwhelming - our new church in Mastic Point could fit in the lobby (actually, four of our new churches could fit in their lobby. Here is a pic of St.Martha's:
One thing I know we needed to buy for Andros while we are here is communion hosts. We left Fr. Vince with enough, but he should just about use up what we left him. After Mass on Sunday I asked the Deacon at St. Martha's (one of eight Deacons they have - yes 8), where do you buy your hosts for St. Martha's. It turns out that the Houston-Galveston Archdiocese is blessed to have an order of Carmelite nuns who make and sell hosts to the parishes of the Archdiocese, AND they are only one town away.
So, yesterday Matt and I took a drive to the Carmelite monastery in New Caney, TX.. This is a cloistered monastery, meaning the Sisters live with minimal contact to the outside world. Sr. MaryAnne gave us directions over the phone and when we got there we were met by Sr. Anne, who was very helpful. Here is a pic of their facility in New Caney, TX
Sr. Anne answered the intercom when we rang the bell and directed us to go down the hall on the right and into the first parlor on the left. We found a cozy room with a table and chairs and the metal grate that would separate her from us. She came in with an armful of hosts in different shapes and sizes and for just over $30 we had over 1,000 hosts and 100 of the larger priest hosts for Mass. She was very helpful and when we left I asked if there might be one of the sisters who would be willing to adopt our mission and lift us up in her daily prayers. To my surprise Sr. Anne said "Oh I would love to do that, and thank you for asking me to". What a blessing this trip was. Praying for missionaries is one of the charisms of this order of nuns - St. Therese the Little Flower spoke of it in STORY OF A SOUL. I am very pleased that we have this type of spiritual support from these holy women of God.
Well, I have been typing for awhile so I should head back downstairs to be with the fam.
Ginni and I wish you all the very best that Christmas can bring
Till next time
Well we got a Christmas surprise - a priest!
Yes the Archdiocese was able to send us a priest for most of Advent, through Christmas and New Year. So, for the first time in five years, Ginni and I are spending Christmas with our family. We usually get to see Mike and Joe more often, since they are in NY, relatively close to our home in MA, but our son Matt is in that alien country called Texas. So we spent two weeks with Fr. Vince, and when he had the lay of the land down pat, we left for two weeks in TX.
Fr. Vince is a wonderful priest - the retired Vicar from Jacksonville, FL. By the time we left he was driving the van, picking up people, and making himself at home. This seems to have continued since we left - here is a pic he emailed me of one of his new friends in Cargill Creek.
Our son Matt lives in Kingwood, TX a Houston Suburb. He has a great home here and his career seems to have taken off. When we arrived he met us as the airport and we found out that his wife's two sisters would be joining us for a few days. The guest list would be six visiting adults, and 5 visiting children, add in Matt's family and you have 8 adults, 6 kids and 2 dogs - where to put them all!! We came up with a great solution, Ginni and I would sleep in the pop-up trailer - giving us some silence in the midst of the reunion. What we didn't count on was the night-time temps dropping into the low 40's. It was a challenge but we did it for the 2 nights we needed to.
One thing we learned was that the hubby of one of visiting families has never been baptized. He has been going to various churches near Dallas, so he's interested, but hasn't made a decision yet. Well this missionary couldn't help but offer to take him outside into Matt's pool and do the job right now. Clearly I wasn't about to do that without talking to him in detail but it was a funny moment. I did follow up later and it looks like he's open to an email dialogue - which may lead to baptism (or not). Time will tell but if we can be part of making that a reality, you know we will try.
As I write this it is Christmas Eve. We took our grandson Jack to see a movie this afternoon but the big surprise for me is the culture shock of the Super Wal-Mart and the grocery stores. The sheer volume of what is on the shelves and prices compared to Andros is shocking. Absolutely unbelievable!
Last Sunday, we went to St. Martha's parish in Kingwood. St. Martha's has grown since our last visit here and the new church is overwhelming - our new church in Mastic Point could fit in the lobby (actually, four of our new churches could fit in their lobby. Here is a pic of St.Martha's:
One thing I know we needed to buy for Andros while we are here is communion hosts. We left Fr. Vince with enough, but he should just about use up what we left him. After Mass on Sunday I asked the Deacon at St. Martha's (one of eight Deacons they have - yes 8), where do you buy your hosts for St. Martha's. It turns out that the Houston-Galveston Archdiocese is blessed to have an order of Carmelite nuns who make and sell hosts to the parishes of the Archdiocese, AND they are only one town away.
So, yesterday Matt and I took a drive to the Carmelite monastery in New Caney, TX.. This is a cloistered monastery, meaning the Sisters live with minimal contact to the outside world. Sr. MaryAnne gave us directions over the phone and when we got there we were met by Sr. Anne, who was very helpful. Here is a pic of their facility in New Caney, TX
Sr. Anne answered the intercom when we rang the bell and directed us to go down the hall on the right and into the first parlor on the left. We found a cozy room with a table and chairs and the metal grate that would separate her from us. She came in with an armful of hosts in different shapes and sizes and for just over $30 we had over 1,000 hosts and 100 of the larger priest hosts for Mass. She was very helpful and when we left I asked if there might be one of the sisters who would be willing to adopt our mission and lift us up in her daily prayers. To my surprise Sr. Anne said "Oh I would love to do that, and thank you for asking me to". What a blessing this trip was. Praying for missionaries is one of the charisms of this order of nuns - St. Therese the Little Flower spoke of it in STORY OF A SOUL. I am very pleased that we have this type of spiritual support from these holy women of God.
Well, I have been typing for awhile so I should head back downstairs to be with the fam.
Ginni and I wish you all the very best that Christmas can bring
Till next time
Friday, November 29, 2013
Dedication of Our Lady of Hope
Well I cannot believe my last post was in OCT when we opened up the restored building in Behring Point. As you will see, we have been a bit busy. But speaking of Behring Point - that building has been put to work as THE place for our religious ed classes for the primary school kids on Andros. Still no electricity, still no running water - but it works really well for our kids and seems to be a hit.
Now on to Mastic Point - if you follow the blog you know that for the last 4 years we have been travelling to North Andros to provide Sunday services for the folks up there. The ride is horrible. When we began the drive was about 40-50 minutes, now the roads have degraded so badly it is an hour and a half. Despite that, we have kept going and the community has grown from a few families to a Haitian community and other local Bahamians that have had to attend other churches since there was no Catholic presence.
Well after years of fundraising and wonderful support from St. Timothy's in Norwood, MA; St. Anthony's in Cohasset, Ma; and Immaculate Conception in Weymouth, MA - plus many, many friends and family in the US and the Bahamas this community will no longer meet in the 4th grade classroom of Mastic Point Primary School. Now we will meet in Our Lady of Hope, the newest Catholic Church in the Bahamas!
In the Rite for the Dedication of a Church there is this wonderful pic of Mary covering a church with her hands as the people gather to worship - we loved it so much we put it on the cover of the program.
The day started with us all gathering outside and the Archbishop opening the service with prayer, receiving the keys from the builder and then opening the doors so we might all process in while Ginni led us in song.
Once inside, the Archbishop blessed the Holy Water and then sprinkled the altar, the walls, and the people.
After the Holy Water came the Liturgy of the Word and the Archbishop's homily. Then came the intercession of the Saints, which I had to sing. I had no idea the litany was so long - three pages of saints who we called for their intercession in song!
This was followed by the Prayer of Dedication and Anointing. The Archbishop began by pouring Chrism all over the top and at the four corners of the altar.
Then he spread the Chrism evenly over every inch of the altar, truly consecrating it.
After anointing the altar he anointed the walls, at four distinct places where we had installed crosses for this purpose.
After the anointing came the incense. Incensing the altar, the walls, and the people, the fragrance filled the church, as will our prayers.
Now it was time to 'dress' the altar - Ginni helped as the altar clothes are spread out for the very first time.
The Archbishop then blessed the light that, for the first time, will illuminate the altar, and the church. He passed it off to the Deacon who brings the light of Christ to the altar.
After lighting the altar candles I then lit the candles at the four points on the walls where the Archbishop had anointed with Chrism, and then set the table for Eucharist.
After celebrating the Eucharist we were able to gather everyone together to pose for a group picture in front of Our Lady of Hope.
We were blessed in that all the Catholics who could, travelling north to be here for one joint service. One bus left from Behring Point, another from Fresh Creek, and a third traveled into the Haitian shanty town to bring as many as could come. While our usually gathering at the Primary School numbers in the twenties, we had over 100 plates at the reception that followed - and ran out! What a faith-filled crew we have here on Andros!
We want to thank everyone who participated - and if you were not here, but donated time or money - you participated. Thanks to everyone - and please continue to keep us in your prayers.
Till next time.
Now on to Mastic Point - if you follow the blog you know that for the last 4 years we have been travelling to North Andros to provide Sunday services for the folks up there. The ride is horrible. When we began the drive was about 40-50 minutes, now the roads have degraded so badly it is an hour and a half. Despite that, we have kept going and the community has grown from a few families to a Haitian community and other local Bahamians that have had to attend other churches since there was no Catholic presence.
Well after years of fundraising and wonderful support from St. Timothy's in Norwood, MA; St. Anthony's in Cohasset, Ma; and Immaculate Conception in Weymouth, MA - plus many, many friends and family in the US and the Bahamas this community will no longer meet in the 4th grade classroom of Mastic Point Primary School. Now we will meet in Our Lady of Hope, the newest Catholic Church in the Bahamas!
In the Rite for the Dedication of a Church there is this wonderful pic of Mary covering a church with her hands as the people gather to worship - we loved it so much we put it on the cover of the program.
The day started with us all gathering outside and the Archbishop opening the service with prayer, receiving the keys from the builder and then opening the doors so we might all process in while Ginni led us in song.
Once inside, the Archbishop blessed the Holy Water and then sprinkled the altar, the walls, and the people.
After the Holy Water came the Liturgy of the Word and the Archbishop's homily. Then came the intercession of the Saints, which I had to sing. I had no idea the litany was so long - three pages of saints who we called for their intercession in song!
This was followed by the Prayer of Dedication and Anointing. The Archbishop began by pouring Chrism all over the top and at the four corners of the altar.
Then he spread the Chrism evenly over every inch of the altar, truly consecrating it.
After anointing the altar he anointed the walls, at four distinct places where we had installed crosses for this purpose.
After the anointing came the incense. Incensing the altar, the walls, and the people, the fragrance filled the church, as will our prayers.
Now it was time to 'dress' the altar - Ginni helped as the altar clothes are spread out for the very first time.
After celebrating the Eucharist we were able to gather everyone together to pose for a group picture in front of Our Lady of Hope.
We were blessed in that all the Catholics who could, travelling north to be here for one joint service. One bus left from Behring Point, another from Fresh Creek, and a third traveled into the Haitian shanty town to bring as many as could come. While our usually gathering at the Primary School numbers in the twenties, we had over 100 plates at the reception that followed - and ran out! What a faith-filled crew we have here on Andros!
We want to thank everyone who participated - and if you were not here, but donated time or money - you participated. Thanks to everyone - and please continue to keep us in your prayers.
Till next time.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Behring Point is up and running
In my last post I told you a little bit about our project to restore a building that had been a bakery on the property of St. Mary's in Behring Pt, the southern most part of our island. Fr. Gabriel Roerig, OSB arrived on Andros in 1894 and spent 56 years serving the people of Andros. After building the church and rectory he built a small building known as the bakery. He would bake bread for all the people here with no food. The running joke here is it was called 'window bread', because he sliced it so thin you could see through it. What the locals say is, 'nobody sliced bread any thinner than Fr. Gabriel, BUT, everyone got a slice.
Anyway - we noticed the walls were solid, but the windows, doors and roof where rotted away. Knowing our kids at that end of the island had to kneel on the church floor to use the benches as desks, we decided to restore it. So here is a pic of the building after the rotted wood and roof were removed
and here is the new building - not too shabby!
We had our first lessons this week and the kids got right to work with Ms Ginni watching over them
One bit of excitement was the snake that lived in the foundation decided to make an appearance, but he soon left and we carried on quite well.
Even having a game of Simon Says between lessons.
Anyway - we noticed the walls were solid, but the windows, doors and roof where rotted away. Knowing our kids at that end of the island had to kneel on the church floor to use the benches as desks, we decided to restore it. So here is a pic of the building after the rotted wood and roof were removed
and here is the new building - not too shabby!
We had our first lessons this week and the kids got right to work with Ms Ginni watching over them
One bit of excitement was the snake that lived in the foundation decided to make an appearance, but he soon left and we carried on quite well.
Even having a game of Simon Says between lessons.
While we feel blessed to have this building - we do not have running water here, or electricity. While Fr. Gabriel lived 56 years here without electricity, in 2013 its a challenge in 90 degree heat. We were blessed to find a 'storm fan' while in Nassau. This little battery operated unit has a fan, led lights, and a radio for use during hurricanes. I bought 2 for about $60 each and leave them plugged in at the church to charge the battery and when we have class we pick them up and run the fans on the battery - it works just fine (haven't told the kids about the built in radio yet).
The lack of running water created a problem because little kids need to use the poddy when CCD lasts all morning like our class does. Someone suggested a composting toilet and we checked them out. We found one for $860 that uses no electricity and no running water - a toilet used for RV's or boats or that remote camp in the mountains. It has two tanks, one for liquid waste, one for solid. The liquid we bring home and dump in the toilet, the solid is set up with a paddle and you put in peat moss. After doing your business your turn the paddle and the solid waste and peat moss mix, naturally creating compost over time.
Next to what had been the bakery is the church and the rear door to the sacristy. Well the church is really beyond fixing but the sacristy is solid so we locked off the door into the church and used the sacristy door as the door into our new sacristy-rest room. You can imagine the interest when I had to show our kids this new invention. All the lessons went well until we said it was time to go - - then everyone had to pee. Each took their turn and it worked like a champ.
Enough for now - next time we should be opening up the new church in Mastic Point - I'll have lots to tell and hope to have pics to post as well.
Till next time
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Hello Again -
Well another month has passed since my last entry and as summer is winding down the work load is ramping up. Usually we let the kids start school and give them a month before we add CCD to their work load. This year, Discovery Day, a national holiday (US Columbus Day) is on Oct 14 so rather than start CCD and a week into it have two of our three classes cancel due to the holiday, we are starting the following week. Saturday morning the 19th will be all our Primary School kids for an all-morning session in a building we restored in Behring Point, the southern-most point on our island. It is also on the property of the very first Catholic Church built on the family islands (family islands = Bahamian islands not Nassau). Fr. Gabriel Roerig, OSB was the first priest here and he built the church:
with a 2-story rectory:
and a bakery.
The bakery is 9x32 and it is that building we restored. (The church needs a $10,000 roof and the 2nd floor of the rectory has fallen into the 1st floor, but the bakery was a restoration we could afford).
Anyway - I should have pics of the restored bakery next time - AND - children in the midst of CCD within it.
Next, of course is the progress on the new church in North Andros - the Mastic Point chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Hope is coming along - the focus of the work now is on the inside but there have been a few additions on the external work, such as the small porch being added at the entry way.
Inside, the sheet rock is up and taped and sanded - here one of the workman is beginning to prime the woodwork around the windows
and here we are with the walls primed and ready for a little color. Eventually the rear and side walls will be white and the front wall behind the altar will be baby blue (or sky blue, or light blue, or ...)
With money being tight we are doing everything on a shoe string. I found an old discarded processional cross and spent some time sanding and polishing before adding a corpus from another old broken crucifix to get what will be a very nice processional cross. I was also able to take a small wooded tabernacle from Christ the King in Cargill Creek that had been taken out of service years ago and sanded and stained and restored that. In our garage were a few old discarded chairs and tables - to say they were in rough shape was an understatement - but with more sandpaper, elbow grease, and an old can of walnut stain the table will now be our credence table and the chairs will be the presider and deacon's chairs. Now the seats of these chairs were in horrible shape and my lovely seamstress wife took it upon herself to reupholster them. Here she is in the 90 degree heat "basting" the new fabric onto the seat, prior to our stapling it down securely. (I thought basting is what you did to a turkey but I guess there is a basting stitch that pulls the fabric tight before stapling it down - who knew? Ginni knew!)
The Archbishop has confirmed he will be with us on Nov 17 to dedicate the new building so it is definitely crunch time!
One of the details of building a new church is furnishing it. We have restored 8 ten-foot pews, again with sandpaper and a dark walnut stain. St. Thomas More in Nassau has sent us an altar they have taken out of service that is fabulous. Holy Family in Nassau has recently expanded into a new church building and has donated us their old Stations of the Cross. I already mentioned the processional cross and chairs -but- we still need an Ambo(think podium), holy water font, thurible (think incensor), holy water sprinkler, etc. The details in doing this are amazing.
This leads us onto our next adventure. One of the AUTEC Catholics tells us his brother lives in the St. Petersburg diocese in FL and he is very well connected and could probably find all these things in church basements over there. If it was OK, he'd be willing to pay for the shipping of anything he could get donated. Sounded good to me - so off he goes. I get the email asking for a list, which I provide, and he goes off on his treasure hunt for us. The next I hear, an email has been sent to all the parishes in the St. Pete diocese soliciting donations for our mission church. Now that is quite the deal - but - the next day I get an email from a Deacon, the Vice-Chancellor of the diocese saying he has researched Our Lady of Hope and there is no such church in the Bahamas - what is going on? SIGH So I crank out an email explaining the church doesn't exist yet, who I am, what we're doing, etc. and cross my fingers. Next day there is a wonderful email thanking us for our service and wishing us much success in furnishing the church - Whew - what a relief.
A few weeks ago as I drove thru the Haitian shanty town to pick up people for church I was directed down new paths my van had never seen (or attempted) before. When we were back on the main road one of my friends said, "Deac, there are many more that want to come once we have a church - you're going to need a bigger bus!"
Did I tell you about Barry? Barry has been meeting with us from time to time this summer, considering joining the church. He is from North Andros and his job -- he drives a bus. Does this sound like God's plan or what!
Till next time - Peace
Well another month has passed since my last entry and as summer is winding down the work load is ramping up. Usually we let the kids start school and give them a month before we add CCD to their work load. This year, Discovery Day, a national holiday (US Columbus Day) is on Oct 14 so rather than start CCD and a week into it have two of our three classes cancel due to the holiday, we are starting the following week. Saturday morning the 19th will be all our Primary School kids for an all-morning session in a building we restored in Behring Point, the southern-most point on our island. It is also on the property of the very first Catholic Church built on the family islands (family islands = Bahamian islands not Nassau). Fr. Gabriel Roerig, OSB was the first priest here and he built the church:
with a 2-story rectory:
and a bakery.
The bakery is 9x32 and it is that building we restored. (The church needs a $10,000 roof and the 2nd floor of the rectory has fallen into the 1st floor, but the bakery was a restoration we could afford).
Anyway - I should have pics of the restored bakery next time - AND - children in the midst of CCD within it.
Next, of course is the progress on the new church in North Andros - the Mastic Point chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Hope is coming along - the focus of the work now is on the inside but there have been a few additions on the external work, such as the small porch being added at the entry way.
With money being tight we are doing everything on a shoe string. I found an old discarded processional cross and spent some time sanding and polishing before adding a corpus from another old broken crucifix to get what will be a very nice processional cross. I was also able to take a small wooded tabernacle from Christ the King in Cargill Creek that had been taken out of service years ago and sanded and stained and restored that. In our garage were a few old discarded chairs and tables - to say they were in rough shape was an understatement - but with more sandpaper, elbow grease, and an old can of walnut stain the table will now be our credence table and the chairs will be the presider and deacon's chairs. Now the seats of these chairs were in horrible shape and my lovely seamstress wife took it upon herself to reupholster them. Here she is in the 90 degree heat "basting" the new fabric onto the seat, prior to our stapling it down securely. (I thought basting is what you did to a turkey but I guess there is a basting stitch that pulls the fabric tight before stapling it down - who knew? Ginni knew!)
The Archbishop has confirmed he will be with us on Nov 17 to dedicate the new building so it is definitely crunch time!
One of the details of building a new church is furnishing it. We have restored 8 ten-foot pews, again with sandpaper and a dark walnut stain. St. Thomas More in Nassau has sent us an altar they have taken out of service that is fabulous. Holy Family in Nassau has recently expanded into a new church building and has donated us their old Stations of the Cross. I already mentioned the processional cross and chairs -but- we still need an Ambo(think podium), holy water font, thurible (think incensor), holy water sprinkler, etc. The details in doing this are amazing.
This leads us onto our next adventure. One of the AUTEC Catholics tells us his brother lives in the St. Petersburg diocese in FL and he is very well connected and could probably find all these things in church basements over there. If it was OK, he'd be willing to pay for the shipping of anything he could get donated. Sounded good to me - so off he goes. I get the email asking for a list, which I provide, and he goes off on his treasure hunt for us. The next I hear, an email has been sent to all the parishes in the St. Pete diocese soliciting donations for our mission church. Now that is quite the deal - but - the next day I get an email from a Deacon, the Vice-Chancellor of the diocese saying he has researched Our Lady of Hope and there is no such church in the Bahamas - what is going on? SIGH So I crank out an email explaining the church doesn't exist yet, who I am, what we're doing, etc. and cross my fingers. Next day there is a wonderful email thanking us for our service and wishing us much success in furnishing the church - Whew - what a relief.
A few weeks ago as I drove thru the Haitian shanty town to pick up people for church I was directed down new paths my van had never seen (or attempted) before. When we were back on the main road one of my friends said, "Deac, there are many more that want to come once we have a church - you're going to need a bigger bus!"
Did I tell you about Barry? Barry has been meeting with us from time to time this summer, considering joining the church. He is from North Andros and his job -- he drives a bus. Does this sound like God's plan or what!
Till next time - Peace
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Growing the Church
Our Lady of Hope, in Mastic Point is going up as we speak - roof and all. Since we took this pic last week the windows and doors are in and the siding is going on. We didn't have enough money to tile the floor so we were going to paint it BUT since I distributed these pics to friends and family a few have asked how they can help and that help may just be enough to put down tile! Praise God.
The interior has a long way to go. As you can see here as they begin to frame the sacristy and put in the window for that space. Suffice it say - coordinating this AND preparing for the upcoming year of CCD is a very full time job.
On the spiritual front - this year we took the summer months to begin a Charismatic Prayer Meeting at Christ the King, the southern-most parish on the island. There are several Pentecostal churches there and we have begun to notice their influence on some of our members. While this might deter some Catholic clergy, we have been 'Catholic Pentecostals' via the Charismatic Renewal for a few decades now and that spiritual expression is 'home' for us. "Did you know Deac be speakin' da tongues, mahn?" We started with six people the first week, then ten, so we'll see what happens -- right now its back to school time so people are coming back from being away all summer, some are off-island doing back to school shopping, its a bit chaotic for the next week or two -- if attendance rises or falls is the Holy Spirit's business so we will wait until October and decide if we want to add this to our ministries once we start teaching CCD.
Our Primary School students will have a new home for their classes this year. Another abandoned building has been put to work by our renovating what had been a 'bakery' on the grounds of St. Mary's in Behring Point. Fr. Gabriel, the first priest on the family islands, build a church and a rectory, then this bakery to bake bread for those who had none. People still tell me that nobody could slice bread thinner than Fr. Gabriel, but everyone got a slice. This is a pic of Fr. Gabriel with some of the local kids circa 1940
Anyway - the interior dimensions of the building we restored are 9'x32' and for the first time our kids will have tables and chairs. No more kneeling on the church floor and using the pews as desks.
Maybe next time I will have pics of this new building with tables and chairs. Our budget for that effort was nil, since we were also building the church in Mastic Point so we have the building, tables and chairs, but no running water or electricity. I was able to get a 'composting toilet' that you would put on a boat or a camper that does not need water. It will convert the waste into compost that we can use on the property. My mother used to say 'necessity is the mother of invention' and it is certainly true in this case. We will see how we last without electricity since that means no fans in the midst of the Bahamas heat. Maybe there is a solar fan in our future if I can find one.
Pray for us, we certainly need it
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