Can you let the "invigilator" in?

Imagine my surprise when I found a note on my desk from the secretary to let the "invigilator" in to "collect the GSAT exams." The invigilator? When the lady arrived I asked: is that your name? or a title? She said my title. So I did a Google search:

Noun
1. invigilator - someone who watches examination candidates to prevent cheating Great Britain, UK, United Kingdom, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Britain, GB - a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland
proctor, monitor - someone who supervises (an examination)

You learn something new everyday!

GSAT Time at St. Mary's All Age

It's that time of the academic year here at St. Mary's All Age - GSAT Exams. All sixth grade students on the island sit for two days of testing. This test is used to determine whether a student will go on to high school or trade school. Students who do well start 1st Form/7th Grade at a high school the next September. Students who do not pass, come back to St. Mary's All Age for another year and try again next year. If you fail twice you are off to provocational/trade school.

This morning we stated with "Devotion" in Church before the students sat for their exam... a few choruses, Scripture, prayers of petition, and some more singing before pencils were put to use. Say one for the 63 students who will sit these days for GSAT 2K7.

The "Sacrey-Doo"

The latest in fashion here in Above Rocks is the 'scarey-doo.' A simple braid from back to middle; braid from front to middle; and then tease it out. Here you see little Nizole sporting the latest in hair fashions. Imagine this is an acceptable fashion at both the All Age School and the College... Imagine!

Annunciation - Blue Mountains Trip

Due to parish duties on March 19th the St Joseph Day trip to the Blue Mountains was delayed until today, the Feast of the Annunciation. While we know the roads in Jamaica need some work... the car we rented to take us to the picnic area on the roads was a double dose of travelers' delight: the gas tank was in the front seat of the car, the driver had to start the car by "popping the clutch" after he twisted the red and green wires coming out of the dash board... and we went most of the way in first gear.

When we reached the top we found a nice picnic table and ordered a pot of "Blue Mountain Coffee" to have with the homemade scones Sr Marcia made early this morning. Fr Joe put together a nice cold lunch: salami, olives, cheese and homemade rolls (Sr Naomi)... a little Red Stripe helped to take the edge off from the ride up. We ended with homemade Banana Bread, a la Fr Mike Heine...

The ride down had one added treat: rain! Needless to say all went well (I'm home doing the Blog) and we all had a great time... as we celebrate the Word becoming flesh.

Bloomfield, CT comes to Above Rocks

The sisters host the director of their community's endowment fund: Ms. Marsh Rabiteau.

Marsha flew in on Thursday and jumped right into things here in Above Rocks; her first visit was to Rock Hall for Live Stations of the Cross practice. On Friday she worked with Sr. Naomi (right) in the Cupertino Program and the Feeding Program (see Blogs below about these programs). On Saturday Sr. Marcia (left) brought Marsha on Communion Calls to the homebound in Above Rocks. Later in the day we journeyed to Devon House for a 'dip or two' of the island's best ice cream. This Morning Marsha joined us for Mass and then back to Manley for her trip home.

Vicariate Meeting

About every six weeks the missionaries from the Episcopal Vicariate of St. Catherine get together for a pastoral meeting. Here you see a cross section of the missionaries who gathered at Msgr. Albert's in Sligoville yesterday. Fr John (Marist), Fr Joe, Fr Mike, Sr Mary Lou (Marist), Fr Adam (standing, a SVD) and then the Sisters of Divine Love from the Philippines: Sr MaLou and Sr Sonia. Our next meeting (May 26) will take us to the Portmore section of St. Catherine's.

The RAINS have returned!

After months of no rain we have been blessed with rain every day this week. Not since mid-November have we seen any real rain to speak of... Like last year we went from Christmas until March 1st without a drop.

Today there is some thunder and lightening... it's more like October than late March.

But we are not complaining: the buckets and barrels are full and there is some pressure in the pipe for 'city water.' Thank you Jesus!

Curley Adopts the Mission

Our high school, Archbishop Curley, in Baltimore, Maryland has been very good with sending things down for the mission... at Christmas 900 toys and just last week two boxes of Home Coming Shirts from last October.

To the right you see some of our 'kids' posing with Fr Mike Heine... with these shirts they become honorary members of the Curley Family.

Here (to the left) you see Fr Mike delivering some of the Curley Toys to the basic School here in Above Rocks. Thirty-six (36) children ages 3, 4 and 5 wait anxiously for their turn to play with the new toys. Fr Mike is flanked by two teachers.

PINTO KITCHEN OPENS!

In September we re-claimed Sacred Hearts Basic School at our Mission in Pinto. Last year this school was down to only 2 students. Through the summer the school was cleaned up and painted; new equipment and books purchased; a bathroom and a kitchen were installed; a new principal and now 12 students grace our school. Since September we have been doing the meals on wheels method of providing a hot lunch(see the styro boxes). The meal is cooked here here at St Mary's and carted to Pinto - 20 minutes each way. Today after a lot of hard work the kitchen at Sacred Hearts Basic School opened... and the first batch of fried chicken and rice & peas fed the 12 hungry mouths. THANKS for helping us make this happen through your love and support.

SUNDAY and the SCRUTINIES

This year we have three women preparing for

Sacraments at the Easter Vigil. On Friday evening they received the Creed... today the second scrutiny. Each week the anticipation mounts for the annual Baptisms at the River!

Nothing at St Mary's is easy and it's never dull. At 10:50am (Mass is at 11am) a church sister comes running into the friary... Br Michael, Br Michael... Miss Mimes is going... come!

Miss Mimes frequently passes out... but today she was pulseless and not breathing... Fr Mike anointed her while I got an airway... and started a sternal rub... within 30 seconds she took a gasp and half the church sisters gathered 'round ran out of the church... she's dead! she's dead! If we were in the states we'd work her up for a syncopal episode and she'd probably get a pacemaker... here we give her some juice, and wait for the next episode.

PEACE!

STEWARDSHIP SATURDAY

As part of our 'stewardship plan' for St Mary's and Missions we have planned work days. Our theme is: taking care of those you have given us. Today was our first attempt at our cemetery in Cassava River. Church brothers and sisters from the mission churches were asked to give of their time and talent: a Saturday morning and the wielding of a machete.

Our attempt to make real that stewardship is more than just what you can put in the Sunday collection; some can give of their time to work on a Saturday or visit the Remand Centre on a Thursday. Some can wield a machete or cutlass - but keep me away and I'll do the raking... Some can bag rice and peas for our home bound... every member, young or old, owns a care or walks, has a gift - a talent the Church needs.

No gathering or workday at a cemetery would be allowed without a visit from the "white lady." The fear of "duppy" (aka, cemetery ghosts) are best held in check by a little "white" rum and Pepsi. The "white lady" visited mid-morning and had her effect... spirits were lifted and the "duppy" were kept at bay.

Just as important: the Ladies of Cassava would never allow us to leave without a meal... made on an open charcoal grill! The menu included: roasted bread fruit and run-down mackerel; white rice and rice & peas, curried chicken and brown stew chicken; boiled green bananas and yams; and cold juice enough for all to have their fill.

A good day was had by all and the "dew rain" (a light shower) held off until we were just ready to eat. The overhang of the school building provided sufficient coverage form the elements.

FRIDAYS OF LENT

During the Fridays of Lent we begin with Stations of the Cross at 5pm with Mass to follow soon after. Here you see Fr Michael and Miss Bernadette at the 14th Station.

This evening's service was over-ridden by a much needed thundershower... The stations end each visit with the phrase she waited silently, prayed silently, watched silently. The contrast of "silently" while the rain fell loud on our zinc roof was a meditation in itself.

Also this evening our Catecumens were give the profession of faith as they journey toward the waters of Easter... Easter Saturday Morning we return to the river for baptisms and then a parade back to the Church.

CUPERTINO PROGRAM

Four days a week the friars and sisters assist at the Cupertino Program. A before and after school program that assists struggling students.

St Joseph of Cupertino, a Franciscan Friar, was a struggling student who was almost denied ordination. He is the patron saint of struggling students.

Here in Jamaica 40% of the children who make it through high school are illiterate and 54% of the children who leave school at the 8th grade are illiterate.

Sister Naomi helps Robert, aka Bamboo, with his studies. Our hope is that every child who comes through the program will be able to read and write... one child at a time.

Fr Joseph Dorniak, Pastor

Father Joseph Dorniak, OFM Conv, is the Pastor of St Mary's and Missions. Fr Joseph is a native of Bridgeport, CT; his past assignments include: high school teacher, parish priest, retreat director, resident artist and missionary in Ghana, West Africa.

Here Fr Joe meets with a young family interested in getting their child Baptized. Mama Ditty (in the foreground in the hat) is a church elder at Holy Family and offers to stand for the young family.

In addition to his pastoral duties, Fr Joseph, oversees the properties of the Mission.

Humble Beginnings...

Today we put up our new Blog for St Mary's, Above Rocks, and Missions. We hope that this 'new communication' mode will allow us to get the message of the Mission in Jamaica out to our friars and sisters, family and friends, benefactors and new supporters of the Mission. Let us know how it looks... What would you like to see on the page? Your feedback will help us create and recreate this page. PEACE!