It slices, it dices, it julienne fries

He's better than the "vego-matic" at the New England Expo - yes he cleans, he cooks and he celebrates Eucharist. Here are two more shots of Fr Michael Zielke. The bowl he's mixing: his legendary Christmas Fruit Cake! We want to thank Fr Michael, and wish him God's Speed as he makes his journey back to Baltimore tomorrow.

"Let the wilderness and arid land rejoice!"

Yesterday, December 11, the youth of our four Church Community joined 50 other young people from our Deanery VI for an Advent Day of Prayer. They traveled up to Mt. Tabor in Golden Springs, Jamaica, to get away from the noise and lights of the commercial prep for Christmas. The day was conducted by Bill and Teresa Carroll, a newly married couple from Arizona. The are giving their first year of marriage as a year of service to the people of Jamaica. The day was a great opportunity for our youths to get to know other young Jamaicans as well as prepare spiritually for Christmas.

Bill and Teresa with the 75 youths on their Day of Prayer

Advent Gathering

This past week the friars and sisters hosted a pre-Christmas gathering for the Consecrated Women and Men of the Archdiocese of Kingdom. the evening began with Evening prayer I for the Immaculate Conception and was followed by drinks and hors d'oeuvres on the back veranda of the Friary. Ham and roasted turkey (being carved by chef Tennessee) with all the trimmings were served in the St. Louis Educational and Social Center. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together as we prepare for the Lord's arrival.

Father Michael with some of the Women Religious of Kingston Archdiocese. To Father Michael's right is 95 year old Franciscan Sr. Jean. She is a native Jamaica and it was her first visit to Above Rocks.

Fr Michael Zielke Makes Visit

We welcome the rector of St Stanislaus Basilica,

Fr Michael Zielke .

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The jury is still out - who took longer to get here: Fr Michael or the Blessed Mother Statue in memory of his late Aunt Josie. Fr Michael is seen below posing with some of our St Mary's students and visiting the statue of epic delivery. Today Fr Michael has graced us with his culinary skills. After a quick run to MegaMart and Family Pride, he's whipped up a fresh apple pie, a glombki dinner and has the fruit cakes ready to go in the oven after they cool down.

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We are blessed to have him with us!

Visit theier website: www.saintstanislaus.org/index.htm

Advent Week 2

A voice of one crying out in the desert,
Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.

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Here in Jamaica the idea of "fixing the road" is a metaphor with which all can identify. The call this second week is to make ready the way; ready for December 2010, to daily ready our hearts, and most importantly, ready for the Second Coming. What are the pot holes that impede us from making the path straight? Is there over growth that we need to trim back because our forward vision is becoming obstructed? Does "the every day rain of life" distract us? lead to greater potholes?

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Remember make straight His path!

Turkey with shoes

The family of Father Michael Martin OFM Conv. (Duke University) gathered for their Thanksgiving Feast this year with a little different twist. Along with bringing the turkey and all the trimmings to the table, each guest brought a pair of shoes to be sent to the Mission. Blessed with many gifts from the Lord, The "Martin Sisters" felt that a great way to show their thanks was to give to those who have less. A BIG thank you to all who will help our Jamaican people to travel "over the river and through the woods...!"

Advent Week 1

Therefore, stay awake!

For you do not know on which day

your Lord will come.

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As we begin this Season of Advent - as we wait for the Lord's coming at Christmas, we also prepare for the Lord's Second Coming.

We wait - be alert!