BUSY DAY FOR SURE
Friday Morning
Desmond, project manager for our renovation project, and I shopped for small items for the renovation in downtown Kingstown. You had to see this funny mess up on the corner - a concrete truck, a taxi and several cars played "chicken" to see who would "give" first.
The streets were crowded with vendors and shoppers all day.
Friday Afternoon
Niel, maintenance man/gardener, finally got the blinds up in my bathroom and bedroom.
They just arrived today.
Friday Night
It has been a long time since I have attended a teen event. The youth ministry department of the diocese hosted a party in the lower level of the Pastoral Centre tonight. I went down to support the effort and to introduce myself. I knew some of the young people from various times I have been down.
Guests at the youth Party dropped by to talk to Martin (Irish volunteer) and myself who were out on the balcony.
They are Felicisia (left) and Pastoral Centre staff member, Catherine, on the right).
THE END OF ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE ISLANDS
Thursday Evening
DON'T BE MAKING FUN OF MY CAR!
Thursday Most of the Day
Oh please no! Not that car!
Des and I spent the day looking for small items for the renovation projects.
Driving down here is an adventure, but so is riding shotgun when they drive on the left side of the road. This car squeaks, rattles and sometimes stalls at the most inconvenient times, but Martin (one of the Irish volunteers) swears by it.
MORNING MASS AND EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Thursday Morning
In the absence of Bishop County, I had morning Mass. At the end of Mass the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for adoration till noon. Several ladies come for that each Thursday.
This is the old chapel - a big closet really. There is only room for five or six people so the bishop and Pastoral Centre staff are looking forward to the dedication of the new Saint James Chapel in September when I come down again.
PREACHING AT THE SOUP KITCHEN
Wednesday Night
I was invited to preach and lead a discussion of the Parable of The Sower and the Seed for the clients and volunteers at the new "soup kitchen." The service took place in what we would call a new open air "picnic shelter" right outside the kitchen where "guests" can sit and eat.
During the dialogue, the little girl in the blue dress with the white dots came up and gave a spontaneous little sermon on the Martha and Mary story from the gospel. About 25 people came to the service which is held every Wednesday night.
This photo was taken during the dedication several months back.
A VISIT WITH FATHER MARK
PASTOR
Our Lady Queen of the Universe Church
Town of Layou
Wednesday Afternoon
Father Mark lives in a little apartment above the small chapel/church.
Father Mark is responsible for the landscaping around the Pastoral Centre. It is a hobby of his - maintaining plants and trees. He is one of the most authentic priests I have ever met.
Father Mark's Our Lady Queen of the Universe Church.
I had Mass for the deacon formation class there a couple of years ago.
When this old retreat house was condemned because of structural problems, the diocese had to quit using it. Next door to Father Mark's church, there is a dream to someday have enough resources to reopen it.
It was a very popular place when it was able to be used safely.
Because it has a small beach front, it was popular for youth retreats. Religious education groups still come and use the yard of the church and swim in the water, but the retreat house is too dangerous to use. Maybe someday.........?
CELEBRATING THE END OF THE FIRST FULL DAY OF VOLUNTEER WORK
Tuesday Night
Irish volunteer Fergal and myself, enjoying a nice gin and tonic on the deck.
Fergal and Desmond (local project manager for the renovation project) joined us on the deck in having a gin and tonic to celebrate a long day of hard work.
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