Christmas in July

This week we are conducting our first of three Bible Camps. 45 boys and girls from Cassava River gather at Holy Family Church to learn about Jesus and his friend Francis of Assisi. Monday they learned about how the cross spoke to young Francis. Tuesday they heard the story about Francis and the leper. Today we focused on Francis and Greccio where he began the first Nativity scene. Thursday they celebrate creation with Francis and Friday concludes with St. Clare and Community.

Three Kings Jamaica Style

The girls show off their Christmas rings.

Father Michael leads "St. Francis, St. Francis may we cross your bridge" game.

John Carroll High School II

As was posted on May 23, John Carroll High School in Fort Pierce Florida made a substantial donation toward our Summer Bible School. John Carroll High School in Bel Air Maryland has made a substantial donation in the persons of Ms. Emily Burdshaw and Mrs. Louise Geczy. This past year Emily choose the Mission as her Senior Project. She collected over 4000 books for our students and raised money to help buy rice. This week she flew from Baltimore with her Senior Project Coordinator and teacher at John Carroll to offer her help at Bible camp in Cassava River. Emily is also a member of St. Joan of Arc Parish where an Archbishop Curley (Franciscan High School in Baltimore) alum Fr. Sam Young is pastor.

Emily rides to camp with her two new friends the Jamaica way - in the back of the truck

Loise and Emily pay a visit to Mrs. McCormick

Summer Help: Friar Nader Ata

We welcome Friar Nader Ata one of our friars in initial formation (training). Nader is a priesthood candidate currently residing at our House of Formation in San Antonio, Texas, while taking classes at the Oblate School of Theology. Nader arrived on July 17th but with the AEC Youth Convention . . . Football Camp and now Bible Camp. . . We've all been busy and Nader has been pitching right in!

Doing what most friars can do best . . . EAT!

Friar Nader poses with a few members of the chuch community at Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary after Mass on Sunday. . .

At Holy Family Bible Camp, Cassava River, helping with the water relay. Alex Small (left) a chucrh member Bible Camp Volunteer looks on. . .

Future Reggae Boyz

This week we held the 3rd annual football (soccer) camp for 10-15 year old boys from Above Rocks and Cassava River. 60 future football stars began each day with prayer followed by various drills and exercises. Each day ended with a "friendly" game. Thanks again to our friends from Meridan CT. for sponsoring the camp again this year!

See You In St. Lucia!

Sunday marked the end of the 3rd Annual AEC Youth Assembly. It was announced that the 4th Assembly will be held in 2012 on the Island of St. Lucia. The National Arena was the site for the ending day that included testimonies by a married couple, a seminarian and a Novice-our own Sister Najole who will make her First profession on August 15th.

In the afternoon Archbishop Reese of Kingston ordained a native Jamaican to the Priesthood.

A special thank you to all who supported the Assembly with their prayers and financial gifts!

Bishops And Their Young Flock

One of the highlights of the Assembly days was the opportunity for the youth of the Caribbean to get to know the Bishops of the AEC (Antilles Episcopal Conference) and the Bishops to get to know their young flock. Each afternoon the (Arch)bishops held rap sessions with the pilgrims to learn about their issues and to offer their support to the Young Church.

Ava Gay (wearing hat) and Bishop Luigi Secco, Bishop of Willemstad, Aruba, are focused on the live Stations of the Cross.


Our girls share a light moment with Bishop Charles Dufour, a Saint Mary's College Graduate and the Bishop of Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Youth Assembly Phase Two

This past Tuesday the pilgrims began the second phase of the Youth Assembly. 1500 young people gathered at Saint George's College for Liturgies, workshops, Stations of the Cross and socializing. The smiles on our kids faces says it all!