Four Months

Dear Friends,

It has been four months today since the friars left St Mary's and Missions. Today we have been informed that a lay couple will be assuming administration of St Mary's and Missions. With this email we will be turning over access for all future postings.

Thank you for your love and support over the years. Please offer that same support to those who follow. The test is in the continuance of that which has been begin, while we have time, let us continue to do good!

PEACE!
Br Michael Duffy, ofm conv

While we have time, let us do good!

St Francis is attributed with saying: “while we have time, let us do good!” I would hope that almost six years after arriving here in Above Rocks, we have been able to “some good?” Everything comes full circle. On the evening of August 16^th, 2005 we gathered here to celebrate Eucharist. Present at that “first mass” were: Fr Mike, Scheppy, Marc, Miss Lewis, Sr Claudette, Patrick Murphy, Mama “G”, Sr Jude, Fr Joe, Vernon, Mrs Brown, Chrisma and myself . . . today we gather around this same altar, to celebrate Eucharist, with the faith communities of: Holy Family, Cassava River, Our Lady of Lourdes, Rock Hall, St Mary’s, Above Rocks, and Sacred Hearts, Pinto.

When we arrived Msgr Albert gave us two charges: give the people good Liturgy and take back those schools. In his initial directives he went on: (1) stop the hand out mentality and preach stewardship and (2) encourage evangelization and catechesis.

We, the Friars: here present and those who have come and gone, committed ourselves to good liturgy, taking back the schools, mechanisms for charity, evangelization and catechesis. For the past six years we have made it a point to have this church open daily, and that the Sunday celebration of Eucharist is central to the life of the Mission. We have committed our selves to weekly Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for over five years – and this past Tuesday we gathered one last time for praise and worship, evening prayer and benediction.

We, the friars, have committed ourselves to taking back the schools – a return to some sense of order, good principals, weekly Mass and regular participation in school devotions, meetings and functions. We have made strides, BUT, we are far from finished in this area.

We, the friars, have tried to bring order to chaos and dignity to charity. We have preached, encouraged and participated in every evangelization effort that the vicariate or archdiocese has offered. We have supported, re tooled, and tried many avenues for effective Sunday School and sacramental catechesis.

I bring up these few points not to pat ourselves on our backs, but to encourage you . . . let you hear what the objectives were, and let the long term effects be the evaluation of our six years here.

Yes it breaks our hearts to be leaving – but as a seasoned missionary shared with me: the six years have prepared you for something Michael, and at the same time it has prepared the people of God for something. I don’t know what it is . . . You may or may not know what it is . . . and only time will tell.

Today after we depart – actually as of now, Tennessee Lewis, our own 10-A-C, is the Parish Manager. Tennessee will be the day-to-day, go to man until a permanent pastor or archdiocesan administrator is appointed. Tennessee will serve as the link with the chancery – but please, please do not take advantage of his nice side: he has no authority to give land, allow use of, lend out, etc… yes, he will make sure the auditorium is available: opened and closed when necessary. But that’s about it.

Lest we be remiss, and at the danger of omitting someone by name, suffice to say we owe a debt of thanks to many people who “while we have had time” have helped us to do good. Each of you know in your heart who you are – to each of you we say thanks! To those who have been somehow slighted or hurt – lest anyone have a heavy heart – we offer apologies and beg your forgiveness.

As we said from the first time we announced our departure – please do not honor us with gifts and praises, but honor us with continuing the charge that we have tried to do these past six years: work for good Sunday Celebrations . . . keep the schools under the Archdiocese – Catholic! . . . offer charity to those who are in need. . . continue to evangelize. . . and re-start Sunday School come September.

This is the gift we desire, a gift that keeps on giving. For as St Francis ends his testament: “I have done my part; may the Lord teach you yours!” AMEN!

MOP in Above Rocks

This morning we were joined by the Brothers from the Missionary of the Poor Community. There are 100 Brothers in Jamaica who minister to the poorest of the poor. They came to Above Rocks to say good bye to the friars and thank them for their work in Jamaica. Saint Mary's and Missions has collected food each week and delivered it to the MOPs to distribute to their poor. Saint Francis would be proud.

MOPs with Saint Francis

Good Soil

Today we reflected on the parable of the sower and the seed. For our Mission Churches it was the last time Mass will be celebrated by our friars. Next week our final Mass for all four Churches will be in Saint Mary's. The friars are grateful to God for calling us to serve in this rich soil of Jamaica. Below are some of the fruitful seeds. (click on picture for larger view)

Holy Family, Cassava River - following 7:00am Mass

Our Lady of Lourdes, Rock Hall following 9:00am Mass

Saint Mary's, Above Rocks following 11:00am Mass

Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Pinto following 1:00pm Mass

Camps Continue

Even though we have 10 days left in Jamaica, the Football Camp continues full swing. Over 60 footballers attended the camp from 9-12 each day this week. Thanks to our friends from Conneticut who fund this program each year, the kids enjoy this yearly event. Next week the kids hit the courts for the second annual basketball camp.

Goalkeeper Jaheam makes a dive to stop a shot

Common Signage

Thanks to our friends at St. Denis Church, Manasquan N.J. and St. Pio in Lavallette N.J., two of our Churches have been able to install new signs. The Archdiocese of Kingston and the Dioceses of Montego Bay and Mandeville encouraged all Catholic Churches to install common signs to show the unity of our faith. Although these signs are beautiful, we have encouraged all our people to be Living Signs of the love for Jesus Christ!

Corpus Christi 2011

The Body of Christ the Solemnity and the reality . . . Today in his homily Fr Mike reminded us that we become the Body as we partake of the Sacrament and today the body is increased with the Sacraments of Baptism and First Eucharist. Shauna makes her First Communion with Roshane and Oliver after being Baptized this morning. Mrs Rowe (left/her guardian) and Mrs Murphy (right-center/sponsor) proudly look on. Both Mrs Rowe and Mrs Murphy are Catechist at St Mary's.

Shauna - Fr Mike - Roshane
Oliver

Monday, 20 June 2011 - Leaving a Mark

Before Fr Joseph left in February 2008 he completed a beautiful piece of and for Our Lady of Lourdes, Rock Hall, which hangs proudly in the sanctuary. A year before he did a mural on the wall in Pinto's sanctuary of the Children Coming to Jesus. Before his departure we never got to a piece for St Mary's Above Rocks. But he did do a beautiful San Damiano Cross that has hung in the (now empty) sisters' convent. Now St Mary's can boast of a Joe Dorniak Original!

Sunday, 19 June 2011 - Time

Time waits for no one . . . 28 days! So much to do, so little time.

Prayer, Water and an Oxymoron

After 49 days we saw a trickle of water in the pipes and at day 56 we can say: okay today we got some pipe water. Thanks for the prayers for water. One should always be careful for what they pray. We are now in a seven day run of daily rain, with on and off flash flood watches and warnings. The reservoir is now over flowing and minor land slippages have occurred. On Sunday we had five sheep join us in Cassava River, four in Rock Hall, six in Above Rocks, and no one showed in Pinto. On Saturday the Office Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management [ODPEM] was scheduled to have an all day workshop, seminar and display. At midday it was announced that the ODPEM event scheduled for Saturday, June 4th, at the Wyndham Hotel was being postponed due to inclement weather. Imagine, in spite of rain Sunday Service goes on, people come out, but the ODPEM has to postpone . . .huh?

35 Days

Yes 35 days with no pipe water to speak of . . . why? The locals stole the pipes! After two weeks without water this go-round, we called and were informed that the pump was acting up and had to be serviced, so power had been cut. This past week, week 5, Fr Mike called N.W.C. (the National Water Commission) to ask if and/or when we might get some pipe water: oh Father, they stole the pipes. While the pump was off line, no water was flowing so the pipes were stolen - to sell for scrap metal. Meanwhile we suffer - and the folks without tanks, all the more, because someone stole the pipes for scrap metal.

Do you not know all that has been happening these days?

It all started back in February 2008 when Fr Joe was re-assigned state-side.Then Fr Brad came and stayed for just about two years, and then he took an assignment state-side.Most recently Br Joe came, stayed about 2 months, and asked t go home.

Each time that has left just Fr Mike and I here . . . our Rule calls for houses of at least three, our contract with the Archdiocese is also for three. We had hoped that our friars from Poland would send two friars to help us; on March 25^th they informed us they had no one to send. We hoped our Minister General could secure help from our friars in India or the Philippines, on April 13^th he emailed and told us there was no one to send.

Just one year ago, Fr Mike and I – last year April in Buffalo we stood before our Province Chapter and said – with Br Joe coming in August – we have the necessary three, we recommend we renew our contract. So we did.

On April 14^th – Fr Mike and I reported to the Province Council as it is now obvious that there is no third friar coming, what can we do? On Thursday, April 14^th our Council voted to withdraw from the Mission in Jamaica, effective 17 July 2011.

While we had always hoped that a third, or even a 4th, friar would come and join us, we now have our answer – there is no one in line to come and help, and our rule of three cannot be fulfilled, nor set aside.

So it is with a very heavy heart that I report to you today that as of Sunday, 17 July the Conventual Franciscan Friars, St Anthony of Padua Province, USA, will be leaving St Mary’s and Missions, and handing the Mission back to the Archdiocese of Kingston.

Like Fr Mike told us in his reflection: a stranger came and walked with the two on the road for a while – then they each went their way – changed by the experience of the Breaking of the Break. Though we each will go our own separate ways – may we continue to be united through the Break of the Bread

We thank you for your love and support over these past almost six years, and we pray you will continue to work with us – in proclaiming the Good News, until that last Mass on Sunday July 17^th. May the Lord give you PEACE!

Br Michael Duffy, ofm conv

Archbishop-elect is St Mary's College Grad

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed the Most Reverend Charles Dufour as the new Archbishop of Kingston.

Archbishop-elect Dufour, who is currently the Bishop of Montego Bay, is to be installed in his new post on June 16. His appointment comes as a result of the resignation of the Most Reverend Donald J. Reece, as Archbishop of Kingston, who had reached the canonical age of retirement. In a 15 April release, the Roman Catholic Church said subsequent notice would be sent out regarding time and other particulars for the new appointment.

Today at St Mary's and Missions - when we prayed for Archbishop-elect during the General Intercessions, there were looks of surprise. When mentioned during the Eucharistic Prayer there were smiles. When the above press release was read during the announcements, there was spontaneous applause - hometown boys makes good!

Pennies for the Misision

Archbishop Curley High School - Franciscan Youth Ministry (F Y M) conducted a penny dive during this Lenten Season for the Mission. over these "forty days" they have been able to raise in excess of $1,600 for St Mary's and Missions feeding program. Below are members of the FYM presenting the check to Br Michael Duffy, Mission Director.

The 8th Sacrament

Yesterday St Mary's and Missions conducted their Parish-based Pre-Synod Gathering. The directives from the Archdiocese suggested that between lunch and the aftrenoon working sessions a game or some "fun activity" be had . . . so why not:

A good time was had by all!

Jesus met the woman at the well . . .

While a water incident during Lent is great food-for-thought, especially on the Woman at the Well Sunday, 21 days with minimal pipe water is pushing the metaphor. They tell us that the pump in the field is broken, that's why the water has been so scarce. Interestingly enough the boss downtown knows nothing of a broken, non-functioning pump, in our district. May the power of your prayers over come the shake down for cash that accompanies such water shortages. For many of our people they are bone-dry, and this morning one member of staff arrived with his five gallon bucket begging water, only to turn our pipe on and clouded water trickled out. We too are at the bottom of the tank (barrel). Pray, pray!

A Thousand Words . . .

Napoleon Bonaparte is attributed with saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." These before and after shots of Elon's Painting Project - St Mary's All Age School - speak volumes.

ELON UNIVERSITY - Spring Break Visit

Fr Gerry Waterman, Catholic Campus Minister at Elon University, and twelve students have chosen to spend their spring break with us in Above Rocks. Here Team Elon pose for a picture on the steps of St Mary's after the 11am Sunday Mass. Elon will work with St Mary's All Age Students, Grade Six students, in preparation for the GSAT (Grade Six Achievement Test) which they will sit this Thursday and Friday. Elon's afternoons willpick up where Duke left off - putting a coat of paint on St Mary's All Age. More pictures can be found in the bottom right hand of their web page.

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VISIT ELON CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY and

FOLLOW THEIR WEEK WITH US AT:

www.elon.edu/ccm/

bottom right hand box

DUKE UNIVERSITY

As we approach the First Sunday of Lent and sit on the eve of the Road to the Final Four, we say good bye to Duke Team Jamaica. Fr Michael Martin, Catholic Campus Minister, and sixteen students just finished a week of service here at St Mary's and Missions. Below you will see them pose for a photo before the newly painted walls of St Mary's All Age - they have left their mark here in Above Rocks, and we look forward to their videos and photos that they promise to send by email chronicling their week of service. Go Blue Devils and God's Speed Duke Team JAM!

.

Visit Duke Catholic Campus Ministry at:

www.catholic.duke.edu

Can you identify these two people?

email us at: bro_duffy@hotmail.com

The Doctor Is In

This past week we welcomed back Dr. Glasier and Nurse Jane from our sister parish of St. Louis Batesville IN. The medical team conducted clinics in our four Church Communities and were able to see over 250 people in a five day period. This year they were accompanied by their new pastor Father Randall Summers. Father Randy celebrated Mass, visited the sick and gave a hand in the pharmacy. We are always thankful for the relationship we have with our sisters and brothers in Batesville!

Dr. Glasier and Nurse Jane chat with a brother on their visit to the Missionaries of the Poor

Father Randy and a few of his new Jamaican friends

Getting To Know You

Last Thursday and Friday, Father Michael joined fellow missionaries from around the world and stationed in Jamaica for an inculuturation workshop. Various speakers from the University of The West Indies made presentations on Jamaican history, politics, economy and the role of men and women in the society. The workshop concluded with a panel presentation of local sisters and priests sharing their experiences of the Catholic Church in Jamaica.

Missionaries from around the world: Ireland, Philippines, Africa, USA

Above Rocks Comes to Curley

Oshane Lamont a 3rd Former at St Mary's College and an active member of St Mary's Church is visiting Archbishop Curley High School, Baltimore, MD. Oshane is shadowing at the school, visiting the different departments and participating in a youth gathering later this week (and weekend). More from Oshane after his visit. . .

"My Turn" by Craig Baldwin '11

Just one month after the Team Curley visit to St Mary's and Mission, Curley Senior Craig Baldwin of Parkville, MD, offers the following reflection. Craig is an active member of the Class of '11 at Archbishop Curley High School. A member of the band and Franciscan Youth Ministry, and a varsity lacrosse and wrestling athlete. In the Fall Craig will be starting his collegiate journey at Stevenson College.

_____________________

I took the Senior Service Week opportunity to Jamaica because not only did I want to make a difference in someone else’s life, but I wanted to experience a developing nation first-hand. I knew before ever making the journey that it was going to be different, but I never imagined the things I would learn on my trip; the most important was learning to be grateful. I never would have thought that after all I have learned in my eighteen years, that one of the best lessons I would ever learn would be from ten and eleven year old Jamaican children. After over ten years of Catholic education, I have undoubtedly been taught manners and how to say “please” and “thank you.” I have been taught how lucky I am to have the things I need. But, what we see as necessities in Baltimore, are delicacies in Above Rocks, Jamaica, West Indies. Some of these things include shoes, food, but most importantly, education.

At St. Mary’s [sic], Above Rocks, we spent much of our time working as tutors for the children of the All Ages School, which is for students in grades six and below. We tutored from 8:30 AM to 12 PM in a program known as Brain Camp; this program gives the children extra assistance in the areas of Reading, English, and Math. What shocked me was the amount of intelligence they had, and the progress they made during those days. During the Math portion, they handled concepts such as long division, and area and perimeter (new to them at the time) with little or no difficulty. At the beginning of the week, we began the Reading section by discussing books which children were reading on their own. On the first day, many of them were nervous about reading in front of us and asked us to read to them instead. By the end of the week, they couldn’t wait to read to us and many of them even finished their books. In English, we were teaching the children to write paragraphs about their daily routine. A ten-year-old boy, who read his paragraph to the class, wakes up every morning, ties up his family’s goat, walks a half-mile and back to fetch water, then takes a forty-five minute bus ride to school. This boy works so hard every day because the work needs to be done. He does all in which he can to make sure that he and his family survive. I remembered that as a senior preparing for college, I cannot afford to stop working hard if I ever hope to be successful.

I cannot even begin to describe how thankful these children were for the help they were receiving and how eager they were to learn every day. I learned from them how much time and energy it takes to affectively teach a concept and the amount of patience it takes to repeat the process again and again. I returned from the trip much more thankful for the effort my teachers and parents give day in and day out. Since our return from the island, my classmates and I have worked extremely hard to be resourceful and make the most of the opportunities given to us, because we have seen that those precious gifts do not come around every day. We are extremely appreciative for this service opportunity, and the life lessons we learned along the way. We pray each day that we will continue to be given the chance to rise to the occasion just as we did barely a month ago. Most of us have been accepted to colleges at this point and although we are moving on from the place that has given us so much, we will never forget the memories and the journey that changed our lives.

Sending Boxes/Packages

The Mission has been blessed with generous donations from our friends overseas. Many boxes of shoes, books, toys, etc have been shipped to us via Food For The Poor in Florida. We are also extremely grateful to Food For The Poor for shipping these donations to us at no cost to the Mission. We now ask one favour. Jamaican Customs are getting extremely difficult and there is a need to itemize each item that is sent into this tiny island nation. Before any package is sent to Food For The Poor, please e-mail either Father Michael Heine (fathermichaelheine@hotmail.com) or Brother Michael Duffy (bro_duffy@hotmail.com). We will send you a sign that we ask you to tape to the sides of each package in addition to listing what is being sent.

Thank you to all who have and continue to send generous - much needed - donations to Above Rocks!

In Memoriam

+Mavis Turner, a long time member of St. Mary's Church, Above Rocks, passed after a twenty-nine month bout with breast cancer on January 3rd, 2011. Miss Mavis, Miss T, Momma, as she was affectionately known, was a faithful member of the Catholic Women's League (CWL), and in fact requested that she be laid out in her CWL uniform. This picture of Miss Mavis was taken several years ago when the BLOG was started because her family foreign never saw any pictures of her or her sister Molly on the BLOG. So +Miss Mavis for all your people, on the island and foreign, we extend our prayerful condolences, and may you rest in peace!

The End of an Era

Today marks the end of the ministerial presence of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist at St Mary's and Missions. The sisters, Mother Marcia and Sr Naomi, have served with the friars for four years and four months, and this morning their Mother General and Vicar returned with them to Kingston - Manley Airport back to Meriden, CT, before they are re-missioned to the Holy Land.

Gregory Norbert's Poem, Fabric of Life embedded in the song Wherever You Go, best characterizes the sisters ministry here in Above Rocks and Missions:

Fabric of Life

I want to say something to all of you
Who have become a part
Of the fabric of my life
The color and texture
Which you have brought into
My being
Have become a song
And I want to sing it forever.
There is an energy in us
Which makes things happen
When the paths of other persons
Touch ours
And we have to be there
And let it happen.

When the time of our particular sunset comes
Our thing, our accomplishment
Won't really matter
A great deal.
But the clarity and care
With which we have loved others
Will speak with vitality
Of the great gift of life
We have been for each other.

Gregory Norbert, O.S.B.

Truly we have been blessed by the sisters presence . . . the feeding program, the learning centre, weekly sick calls, girls group and the Remand Centre . . . to name a few. May the sister know of our love, and each time they have something in their shoe, it's us; and we too will remember them by pebble in our shoes. They go with God!

_____

PS/ Vernon watches over the sisters' bags on last time - and the "limo" awaits the sisters . . . what happened to the days when the sisters travelled with one "grip"?

Deanery 6 Day

Yesterday we had our Deanery Day at Sacred Heart Church, Old Harbour. Donna Chambers, the MC for day, made it clear that the bathrooms attached to the church were for "clergy" use and that "porta-loos" were available for the guests. Much to my surprise did I find the following sign pasted to the door of the women's bathroom. Later in the day, during lunch, His Grace called me over, and pointing to the sign below said: "I never knew Deanery 6 was so progressive."

THANK YOU

We want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all of those parishes who sent us gift cards from your Angel Tree, Jessie Tree, Christmas Exchange and/or Three King Baskets . . . to date we have over $2,000 in gift cards. They always fit, no need for exchanges; they are usable up and down the east coast and beyond. A special shout out to the following parish families:

St Paul's, Kensington, CT

Sacred Heart, Danbury, CT

St John Kanty, Clifton, NJ
Mother Cabrini, Shamokin, PA

St Francis, Jonestown, PA

Let the Good Bye's Begin

On Friday the Principal, Mr Kirlew, the faculty, staff, PTA and students of Cassava River Infant and Primary School (aka, Holy Family) prepared a wonderful, and heartfelt, tribute for Sisters Marcia and Naomi. Over their years of service here in the mission, they have visited faithfully for Friday Devotion, see any number of children for counselling or a hug, and assisted with the Wednesday Mass. And so, the official Good Bye's begin . . .

Brain Camp II - Curley Hosts

Senior students from Archbishop Curley High School have joined us for the fourth year for their senior service week. Twelve students, two faculty advisors and a friar-priest chaplain have taken to math first period (Br Duffy), reading second period (Sr Naomi) and language arts third period with Mr Brownlee (Curley HS). These lesson classes help prepare our Grade Six students for their GSAT Exams in March. Welcome Curley!