Late in the season -- TOMAS

Late in this hurricane season - TOMAS - has his "eye" looking at the Caribbean and some computer models have Jamaica in the bull's eye for later this week; others believe it will stall mid-week and then go due north - from those lips to God's ears! Keep the peoples of the Caribbean in prayer as Tomas, no doubter, bears down on the islands.

Peace!

St Mary's College . . . makes the cut at 20 . . . makes the cut to 10 . . . off today to the RJR Studio to tape for Sunday night's episode . . . decked out in traditional cloth and ready to deliver a cultural tune . . . Go St Mary's College! ! !

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TD 16 or Nicole - six of one, hald dozen

On Tuesday, 28 September TD 16 organized around midday into Tropical Storm Nicole as the sisters were in route from Miami to Kingston airport. Our ride from the airport to St Mary's was punctuated with periods of heavy rain and distant lightening. By the time we arrived back at St Mary's the storm was starting to wreak its havoc. By 9pm the winds picked up and soon the power (electrical current) was gone. Wednesday, 29 September was a day of heavy downpours alternating with driving winds that blew rain under our doors and into our rooms. Needless to say it was a long day - no power and heavy rains, soon we saw the mud slides beginning and tree tops were snapped off. On Thursday, 30 September the rains had subsided into period bands of rain, consistent with the back side of the storm. Schools remained closed on Thursday, with some confusion between the Office of Disaster Preparedness and the Ministry of Education . . . On Friday the Ministry said that all school should open: the principal, a handful of teachers and one student reported at St Mary's All Age (519 students); at St Mary's College (920 students) the principal, vice principal and a dozen teachers reported to attend to the five students that reported to school.

Here we had road blocks and downed power lines that prevented buses, mini vans and coaster buses to make the rounds. The road re-opened, one lane, on Saturday; thus many of our people could make it to market.

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TD or Tropical Storm; six of one, half dozen the other - both bring massive amounts of water that spells landslides in the hills and wide spread flooding down in Kingston. Lord, spare us from strong winds, floods and other natural disasters . AMEN!

XXVI Sunday - See Luke 16: 19 - 31

Help us UPgrade . . .

Dear Readers-

Greetings in the Lord!

We have never used this medium to put out a request, but at the urging of a few of our friends of the Blog - we have decided to make an all call for new or used USCCB version of the current Lectionary. The one volume all inclusive would be just fine. The multiple volume, coloured set, would be great. We are hoping to upgrade to the state-side version, so as to make the readings available from the USCCB site for our Readers to prepare. If your parish is up-grading, your used copies would be just fine. If someone donated one in memory of . . . we'd be happy to put it to good use. Please email us if you can help, and we will let you know the best way to get those Lectionaries to us. . . in all four (4) would be needed. In advance THANKS for any help you can lend in securing these volumes.

PEACE!

The Friars and Sisters

bro_duffy@hotmail.com

Catechetical Sunday

Catechetical Sunday 2010 - Sunday School re-opens today at St Mary's, Above Rocks. This year we are using the Alpha approach - feed 'em, teach 'em and church 'em. We begin with songs and prayers, then a little breakfast; the lesson for the day and then attendance at the 11am Mass or Service. Here are our faithful followers, Mrs Rowe (Confirmation prep), Mrs Murphy (Communion prep) and Brother Joseph (Coordinator). As Father Mike says: feed my sheep, don't count my sheep. May our numbers continue to increase!

We begin again, Academic Year 2010 - 2011

Like schools round this hemisphere the first week of September heralds the beginnings of another Academic Year. Here at St Mary's, Above Rocks, and Missions the same story - we begin again: St Mary's College [SMC] (900+) St Mary's All-Age [SMAA] (Morning Shift - Grades 1, 2,3 and 4; Afternoon Shift - Grades 5 through 9, totalling 500+).

Mrs Rowe, Acting Principal SMAA, make her first address

to the students and parents as she assumes her duties.

"She was my teacher; now she's the principal."

Parents and children listen to the principal's address

Waiting in line to get in . . .

Clearing security

Proud Prefects at SMC