BOXING DAY - 2007

Definition: English custom of giving Christmas boxes containing food or money to family servants and suppliers. Celebrated in Great Britain, Commonwealths of Great Britain and Canada on December 26.

Yesterday the annual Boxing Day Fair was held here on the grounds of St. Mary's. Over the past two years we've tried to re-work the day into a day for children and their families.

Thanks to our benefactors back in the states: Curley High School (Baltimore, MD), St. Louis Parish (Batesville, IN), St. Catherine Parish (Spring Lake, NJ), the Heine Family, the Bertanzetti Family, Father Kolbe School and St Casimir Parish (Baltimore, MD) and many others... the prize selection was fantatstic and no child went home empty handed.

The day featured: the Bounce-About, Basket-Ball-Toss, Hoop La, Grab Bags, Field of Fortune... the DJ... fried and jerk chicken, beverages and ice cream.

WELCOME - Sr Veronica, FSE

Once again the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist have sent one of their sisters down for the holidays to be with Sr. Marcia and Sr. Naomi. Sr. Veronica comes from the Houston, Texas, Center where she is a practicing lawyer. We welcome Sr. Veronica to Above Rocks and pray her time with us is bllesssed!

There's no time lost... and no defense table to sit behind. Sr. Veronica puts on her work habit and is handed a knife and a bag of onions... time to prepare for the Boxing Day Fair on the 26th. If the jerk seasoning in the air doesn't get you cryin' the onions sure will. Thanks sis!

STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY

Today the 4 Churches came together for Stewardship Sunday. The afternoon service began with a Penance service, and then carols & time for individual confessions. There was wonderful attendance form Rock Hall, Pinto, & Cassava River, as well as the regulars from Above Rocks.

In his homily, Father Joe shared the Polish custom of the Christmas wafer. Each year his family would share the wafer and ask forgiveness from each other. In Jamaica we used pita bread for our wafer and the blessed bread was distributed to the people with the invitation to go home and share the bread with family, friends, and especially those who we may have hurt or have hurt us and ask and offer forgiveness.

The celebration of the Eucharist cul- minated with a procession of the manger figures to the manger, carried by our own angel contingency from each of the Churches while the Church sang The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy.

After the celebration we gathered on the Church parking lot for refreshments and a raffle. On the menu were: chicken foot soup, Juici Patties and Sorrel. And what would a Catholic event be without a raffle? Thanks to our friends at Digicel a 5" TV was claimed by, no other, than our own secretary, Hyacinth Lewis.

"I claim this child for Christ"

These words taken from the opening lines of the Rite of Baptism rang out loud as Fr Joe invited the godparents, as well as the entire congregation, to make the sign of the cross on Oshane's forehead as he entered for his big day. Oshane has been a regular around the friary since we arrived. He attends St Mary's All Age - Monday through Friday. Shows up to help on Saturday, and attends CCD and Mass regularly every Sunday morning.

After weeks of formal instruction with Fr Joe, Sr Naomi and Fr Gary, Oshane Francis Lamont approached the font for Baptism and then received First Communion. His sponsor, Miss Laurel, is also our lead singer here at St. Mary's.

May more young adults take Oshane's lead and come to the waters and participate fully in the Roman Catholic Church.

21 Septemner 2007 - 18 December 2007

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Last night as we entered the friary after Holy Hour what do we hear? ... the telephone ringing. Yes, the phone was ringing! After almost three months (shy 3 days) the phone lines have been restored. The phone company has replaced the former copper wires with a fiber optic line that has no 'scrap metal' value on the underground market. Hopefully this will fix the problem... thanks for your understanding.

Just short of four months - Father Gary

Fr Gary Johnson has been with us since August covering for Fr Mike Heine (who was away at Missionary School). This morning Fr Gary finished where he began that first Sunday, Holy Family Church, Cassava River, Glengoffe. We'd like to thank Fr Gary for his willingness to cover for Fr Mike and wish Gary well as he returns to the States and begins his next assignment in formation.

Blessings From Belmar

On November 30th Colleen and Tom Reilly of Belmar, New Jersey hosted a "Project Jamaica" cocktail party to begin the Christmas Season. Guests were invited to bring a new or gently used pair of shoes to be sent to Above Rocks. Over 600 pairs were collected and a great time was had by all!

Mrs. Reilly's 6th grade class of Saint Rose, Belmar raised money to ship the shoes. Students sold hand-made aprons, babysat and sponsored movie nights. The students also donated 1,000 colored pencils for the kids in Jamaica.

Mission Bishop

Many years ago the Friars of Saint Anthony Province traveled to Amami Oshima Japan to open a mission with the Japanese people. The lives of the friars attracted a young man who entered the Order, was ordained a priest and in 1997 became Bishop of the Diocese of Naha, Japan. Here Father Michael meets Bishop Berard Oshikawa in Rome. Father Michael was completing his missionary course and the Bishop was in Rome for meetings with the Pope.

Who knows, maybe there is a future friar, priest or bishop in Above Rocks!

ADVENT - The Coming of Our God!

Dear friends-

As we enter into the Season of Advent and wait for the coming of our God at Christmas, in our hearts and in the Second Coming... let us unite one to another through prayer and joyful expectation.

Our post have been few these days as our land line is yet to be restored. Only through the graciousness of the Franciscan Sister Allegany, in town, are we able to get on for an line and do some work.

Thanks for your patience and understanding...as they say her "phone line - soon come." How appropriate during this Advent Season.

Blessings of the Season to you and yours-
Franciscan Friars and Sisters