A Video from George Mason University

HOLY WEEK - 2010

...And so the holiest of weeks begins . . . Passion/Palm Sunday 2010.

George Mason University

George Mason University - Catholic Campus Ministry - Alternate Spring Break where? St Mary's and Missions in Above Rocks, but of course! Under the direction of Catherine Horan, Assoc. Campus Minister, a group of fourteen young adults set aside the beaches of Florida or Cancun for a week in the hills of Above Rocks. Each day the students ran our Brain Camp in the mornings and then assisted with all the ministries of the mission each afternoon, with a significant ministry of presence at Rock Hall All Age. Each day these committed young adults spent time in prayer and reflection in addition to their daily ministry and chores.

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Some may ask: What's the connection with George Mason? Catherine Horan's sister is a novice with the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist (Meriden, CT). Catherine's connection with the FSE Community drove her to ask: Would you be able to host us? So here they are. And they have been a great group!

Fr Raymond and the Bolio's

We want to say welcome and thanks to Fr Raymond Borkowksi, Mission Animator for the St Anthony Province, and David and Christine Bolio, benefactors of the annual football camp. For both Fr Raymond and the Bolio's this is their third visit to Above Rocks and Missions. Needless to say it was a busy week that went fast: home visits, school mass, sick calls, brain camp, and sandwiches to make . . . all part of a day here at St Mary's and Missions. Like the locals here would say: we want to big up Fr Raymond and the Bolio's for their untiring support of St Mary's and Missions.

Vocation Visit . . .

This weekend we are hosting Fr Rick and Jonathan from St Bonaventure Friary in Toronto, Canada, also this weekend Howard Ainsworth (a young man from Reconciliation Parish in Portmore, Jamaica) joined us for a "live in" experience. Jonathan is a first year postulant with the friars, and Howard is looking. The weekend provided time for each to see the mission and pick each others brains as they worked and prayed with us.

Consecrated Men and Women In Jamaica Unite

Consecrated Women and Men of Jamaica gather in Montego Bay

On February 18th, 50 Consecrated Women and Men from the three (Arch)dioceses of Jamaica (Kingston, Mandeville and Montego Bay) gathered in Montego Bay for a day of prayer and reflection. Although the Island is about the size of Long Island NY, travel can make it feel like Texas. Driving 117 miles can take up to three and a half hours! This Gathering was designed to bring men and women from all points of Jamaica together to share and support each other. Hopefully this will be a first of many gatherings.

Father Michael, Brother Michael, Father Brad and Brother Bernie SVD

prepare for meeting.

Lent 2010

The season of Lent is well under way in our four Church Communities. Ash Wednesday (a national holiday here in Jamaica) saw large crowds at all Churches as our people were marked with the sign of the cross in ashes and challenged to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel. The Community decided to collect food at Sunday Mass during the season and deliver the food to Mt. Tabor, a home for abandoned physically challenged children run by the Missionaries of The Poor. A Day of Retreat is also scheduled for the Community on March 20.

Chris and Corrodious unload the truck full of tin food, bananas, sugar cane, flour, milk and sugar at the Missionaries of the Poor