We were late arriving at the Hotel in Tucson.
We actually left Hermosillo between 8:30 and 9:00. The stop at Santa Ana for the Drug Check went smoothly. However, I counted over 200 semis in line and 25 buses. We were in the car lane, which went quickly. Bags x-rayed and back on the vans in no time.
All went too smoothly. We were in line at the border for over 2 hours. The were hundreds of trucks in the three lanes next to us. Cars were delegated a single lane because we went to the commercial crossing. Once we got to the border area, it wasn't too bad. Again passports checked, luggage x-rayed and van searched.
We were waved through the border patrol station, probably because the other van was in front of us and we all were dressed alike.
The boys are all at Burger King. Ah, friendly food. Pictures are all posted. I am off to the solitude of my bedroom for a little quiet...well deserved may I add!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Easter Sunday
Mass began at 8:00 am at La Antorcha. We arrived early enough to help set up. We had the same rickety table as Holy Thursday, a greater array of mis-matched chairs, and many of the friends we had made over the last several days.
Since the only church in La Antorcha are the people. The sky was our room and the dusty, beaten ground the floor. We had not one, but two images of Guadalupe…one made entirely out of threads strung between nails in a spiro-graph manner. It was amazing. In true fashion, there was no crucifix. Mary seems to be the more approachable and understandable image for these simple people. There were the usual mix of dogs wandering through; kids and adults on bicycles; the people we had come to recognize like the old man in the straw had, who tears up at every service. I am sure some of the kids had never attended Mass before. They walked up to the altar and just stared. Father distributed Holy Water after mass, bless babies and also blessed us and our crosses that we received as we started our retreat the day before. It was simple and Holy.
The people were so grateful for our presence, not only at Mass, but through out the week. It was the first time that anything had happened to them like that. They didn’t make a lot of eloquent speeches, but you could see it in the weather faces, the tears in their eyes, the smiles on the faces of the mothers.
We had a little time to play a couple of more games with the children before we were off to our next Mass. As the bus left the village, the children ran after it screaming and waving. The kid that hit Matt a day earlier now called him, mi amigo. Pretty awesome stuff.
Our next Mass was at the Chapel Divino Nino, Jesus. At ten in the morning the freshly painted white walls shown even more brilliantly, the stained glass added the same “holy light” that inspired Abbot Suger in Abby of St. Denis in the 1100’s. The Chapel was filled to over-flowing. The girls who had done mission in the area were there.
I couldn’t help reflecting on the differences in the two services. The difference between roof and walls and floors. There were talks giving thanks for what we had done. But they would have gotten to that point without us, not by Easter to be sure. But these people had property and money…the people of La Antorcha, not so much. Same readings, same basically everything. But the simplicity of the people of La Antorcha touched my heart in a special way.
We returned home after mass to start cleaning, finish our retreat and of course…go out on the town. The boys have never cleaned so well and so fast as when they know they have cute girls waiting for them! The place was spotless!
Since the only church in La Antorcha are the people. The sky was our room and the dusty, beaten ground the floor. We had not one, but two images of Guadalupe…one made entirely out of threads strung between nails in a spiro-graph manner. It was amazing. In true fashion, there was no crucifix. Mary seems to be the more approachable and understandable image for these simple people. There were the usual mix of dogs wandering through; kids and adults on bicycles; the people we had come to recognize like the old man in the straw had, who tears up at every service. I am sure some of the kids had never attended Mass before. They walked up to the altar and just stared. Father distributed Holy Water after mass, bless babies and also blessed us and our crosses that we received as we started our retreat the day before. It was simple and Holy.
The people were so grateful for our presence, not only at Mass, but through out the week. It was the first time that anything had happened to them like that. They didn’t make a lot of eloquent speeches, but you could see it in the weather faces, the tears in their eyes, the smiles on the faces of the mothers.
We had a little time to play a couple of more games with the children before we were off to our next Mass. As the bus left the village, the children ran after it screaming and waving. The kid that hit Matt a day earlier now called him, mi amigo. Pretty awesome stuff.
Our next Mass was at the Chapel Divino Nino, Jesus. At ten in the morning the freshly painted white walls shown even more brilliantly, the stained glass added the same “holy light” that inspired Abbot Suger in Abby of St. Denis in the 1100’s. The Chapel was filled to over-flowing. The girls who had done mission in the area were there.
I couldn’t help reflecting on the differences in the two services. The difference between roof and walls and floors. There were talks giving thanks for what we had done. But they would have gotten to that point without us, not by Easter to be sure. But these people had property and money…the people of La Antorcha, not so much. Same readings, same basically everything. But the simplicity of the people of La Antorcha touched my heart in a special way.
We returned home after mass to start cleaning, finish our retreat and of course…go out on the town. The boys have never cleaned so well and so fast as when they know they have cute girls waiting for them! The place was spotless!
Holy Saturday
Up early again. This is beginning to sound like a broken record, since we got up early every morning! Today was the mini-Olympics at La Antorcha...there were lots of kids.
Medina brought balloons and we provided the hot air. They were the hardest balloons to inflate. In a typical Murphy’s Law way: the air pumps arrived after we were done! But everyone had a great time.
We returned to Regis and began our retreat. We met initially from 2:00 to almost 6:00. It was great and I think the kids really enjoyed the process.
Saturday evening we went to the Easter Vigil. It began with the blessing of the new fire. It was a bit windy, so most of the candles lit by the new fire didn't stay lit for long. But it was a nice liturgical end to the day.
After liturgy, we were all invited to the Velez’s for dinner. The served shrimp and fish tacos…and they were great. It was good company and good food. We ate in the back yard, which featured an outdoor kitchen, like many of the homes we visited. Better yet…a palm tree, and how could that be bad?
After dinner, the boys were joined by the kids from Regis. Which kind of became a nightly ritual.
Medina brought balloons and we provided the hot air. They were the hardest balloons to inflate. In a typical Murphy’s Law way: the air pumps arrived after we were done! But everyone had a great time.
We returned to Regis and began our retreat. We met initially from 2:00 to almost 6:00. It was great and I think the kids really enjoyed the process.
Saturday evening we went to the Easter Vigil. It began with the blessing of the new fire. It was a bit windy, so most of the candles lit by the new fire didn't stay lit for long. But it was a nice liturgical end to the day.
After liturgy, we were all invited to the Velez’s for dinner. The served shrimp and fish tacos…and they were great. It was good company and good food. We ate in the back yard, which featured an outdoor kitchen, like many of the homes we visited. Better yet…a palm tree, and how could that be bad?
After dinner, the boys were joined by the kids from Regis. Which kind of became a nightly ritual.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Good Friday
We were up a little before six today. A lot to do. We had chilaquiles for breakfast: tortillas, tomato sauce, crema, and cheese. A nice solid breakfast for a long day.
We left for La Antorche about 8:00. The bus, which had always been an hour early was 15 minutes late. We wanted to get visitas in before the 10:00 Via Crucis, the way of the cross. I made it to three homes, which I will describe in detail...or as much as I can, since my Spanish is limited and I missed some of the details.
Our first stop was at the home of Jose Alfredo. He is separated from his wife and although he has children who want him to move, he says he likes La Antorcha. He invites us to sit on this patio, which is also his dining room. His house, like many is made of what looks like might have been a beaver-board insulation for under corrugated roofing, held onto the wooden structures using bottle caps and nails. The roof of the porch is a little of everything, netting, wire, some insulation material. His table cloth is an old shower curtain. The chairs don't match nor do the glasses as he offers us water. You can see into his house, which might be 12 X 12 feet...probably less. The floor is dirt. The full size bed sits on cinder blocks. There is a stove on cinder blocks, which works because he made himself coffee. The stove is on the wall opposite the bed...with only about 2 feet to spare between the two. There is a small refrigerator also on cinder blocks, which is probably used for storage, since the town has no electricity. He like all the people here came with the hope of owning their own property. He has tools inside the door and says he does auto body work or painting. He has an old truck in the back he is working on.
Our next stop is Cleo. She lives alone with her six month old grandson, Roy. Her house is made of cardboard nailed to wooden shipping pallets. It might be 10X10. Sheets of tin are tied to the roof. She has a couple of chickens in the yard and two dogs. She has three daughters. The one daughter is in a mental hospital, Roy is her son. She doesn't know who the father is, so it seems there may have been some abuse in the hospital. Cleo has paid about $100 as a deposit for land. She is waiting for the permanent location with will cost about $1000 total. She has lived in La Antorcha for about three months. She would like to have Roy baptized. We did some asking around and hopefully that will happen on Easter Sunday since a priest is coming with us.
Patty was the last person we spoke to. She has three children. The roof of her house was black plastic sheeting. The walls were the insulation board that makes up many of the homes in La Antorcha. Her children have all been baptized. We invite her to the services. All these people have come to this area with one hope: to own land and make a better live for themselves and their children. They were warm, friendly and accepting of us. The boys will tell you about their visitas when they get home, but they will be the same. Stories of incredible poverty and incredible hospitality. It was a very emotional day.
The via cruces began pretty much on time. There were a good number a villagers there and the number grew as we wound our way through the streets. The exalumnos did a wonderful job with the stations. A couple of our boys had minor parts. The love to crucify us! Something about pale northerners on a cross! The kids did a great job and it was very moving. There are a ton of pictures on flickr.
After the via cruces we had Good Friday liturgy. Our church was a shaded path next to the arroyo. There was a really good turn-out. The veneration of the cross is always very powerful. I am not sure all of our kids had ever experienced it. But they were moved by the tears of the old Mexican women as they approached the cross. The mothers with children in arms, bringing their little ones to kiss the food of the cross.
We finished that part of the day by playing with the little kids.
We arrived back at school to pretty much do the same thing all over again. The village was much more powerful, but it was nice to be with the Fraternities and some of the family members.
We had spaghetti for dinner and quesadillas with nopales. Yum!
Now we are hosting a little retreat here with people from our Fraternities.
We left for La Antorche about 8:00. The bus, which had always been an hour early was 15 minutes late. We wanted to get visitas in before the 10:00 Via Crucis, the way of the cross. I made it to three homes, which I will describe in detail...or as much as I can, since my Spanish is limited and I missed some of the details.
Our first stop was at the home of Jose Alfredo. He is separated from his wife and although he has children who want him to move, he says he likes La Antorcha. He invites us to sit on this patio, which is also his dining room. His house, like many is made of what looks like might have been a beaver-board insulation for under corrugated roofing, held onto the wooden structures using bottle caps and nails. The roof of the porch is a little of everything, netting, wire, some insulation material. His table cloth is an old shower curtain. The chairs don't match nor do the glasses as he offers us water. You can see into his house, which might be 12 X 12 feet...probably less. The floor is dirt. The full size bed sits on cinder blocks. There is a stove on cinder blocks, which works because he made himself coffee. The stove is on the wall opposite the bed...with only about 2 feet to spare between the two. There is a small refrigerator also on cinder blocks, which is probably used for storage, since the town has no electricity. He like all the people here came with the hope of owning their own property. He has tools inside the door and says he does auto body work or painting. He has an old truck in the back he is working on.
Our next stop is Cleo. She lives alone with her six month old grandson, Roy. Her house is made of cardboard nailed to wooden shipping pallets. It might be 10X10. Sheets of tin are tied to the roof. She has a couple of chickens in the yard and two dogs. She has three daughters. The one daughter is in a mental hospital, Roy is her son. She doesn't know who the father is, so it seems there may have been some abuse in the hospital. Cleo has paid about $100 as a deposit for land. She is waiting for the permanent location with will cost about $1000 total. She has lived in La Antorcha for about three months. She would like to have Roy baptized. We did some asking around and hopefully that will happen on Easter Sunday since a priest is coming with us.
Patty was the last person we spoke to. She has three children. The roof of her house was black plastic sheeting. The walls were the insulation board that makes up many of the homes in La Antorcha. Her children have all been baptized. We invite her to the services. All these people have come to this area with one hope: to own land and make a better live for themselves and their children. They were warm, friendly and accepting of us. The boys will tell you about their visitas when they get home, but they will be the same. Stories of incredible poverty and incredible hospitality. It was a very emotional day.
The via cruces began pretty much on time. There were a good number a villagers there and the number grew as we wound our way through the streets. The exalumnos did a wonderful job with the stations. A couple of our boys had minor parts. The love to crucify us! Something about pale northerners on a cross! The kids did a great job and it was very moving. There are a ton of pictures on flickr.
After the via cruces we had Good Friday liturgy. Our church was a shaded path next to the arroyo. There was a really good turn-out. The veneration of the cross is always very powerful. I am not sure all of our kids had ever experienced it. But they were moved by the tears of the old Mexican women as they approached the cross. The mothers with children in arms, bringing their little ones to kiss the food of the cross.
We finished that part of the day by playing with the little kids.
We arrived back at school to pretty much do the same thing all over again. The village was much more powerful, but it was nice to be with the Fraternities and some of the family members.
We had spaghetti for dinner and quesadillas with nopales. Yum!
Now we are hosting a little retreat here with people from our Fraternities.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Holy Thursday
Today is long and busy. Up at 6:00, morning prayer, cleaning, breakfast.
The group split today. The returning missionaries and Javier went to Matzatan...a little town about an hour from here where Sophia's parents live. Sophia is currently an exchange student at Helias. The boys worked on a project for the parish, but did not finish. There was more to do than expected, with a lot more to do. So we are looking for a time to go there again.
The new missionaries went to La Antorcha. La Antorcha is a squatters village at the edge of town. They have no water or electricity, but ironically there are housing development all around, a cell phone tower and in the distance a big hotel. The people make bricks. I tried to explain to some of the boys the process, because it was all there. First, bricks are formed and air dried. Then they are piled carefully into a structure that is about 12 foot wide and 18 ft long and maybe 12 foot height. It is carefully planned to allow heat to be evenly distributed throughout the stack. Wood and I think there were actually tires placed in the chambers. The whole structure is then covered with clay and the fuel is lit. It heats in reduction for a week and then takes another week to cool. But all the steps of the process were visible.
This week were the first Masses celebrated here in at least 10 years. Many of the people do not have transportation, even though it is in the city limits. The first thing we did when we arrived were visitas...going door to door telling people that a priest was coming for Mass. Mass was outside in a woman's yard. The altar was a rather rickety table, smaller than a card table. The altar cloth just a scrap of frayed white linen. The managed to assemble six unmatched chairs for some of the older people, the rest leaned against the rusted truck parked in the yard or sat on a flower planter or on the ground. There was no crucifix, but someone had hung a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the chain link fence. Our boys were the apostles and had their feet washed.
After Mass, the table and chairs and Eucharist were carried to an area in the shade near a dry creek bed. We had a hour of adoration. It was quite touching to see the people kneel in the dirt in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Then some of the students brought the children over to say a prayer and explain the presence of Jesus.
After adoration, we had some time to play with the children while the ladies received instruction. After play, the kids were separated by age group and colored pictures of churches.
After another quick visita to announce tomorrows schedule we returned to school.
We had another liturgy with washing of the feet with what is left of the students here and a few parents at 6:00. Adoration lasts until 10:00 and then we are doing another hour in our chapel.
The Brothers provided dinner tonight....tamales, beef and maybe nopale...not sure...just that they were good. Have to go pray...more later. New photos are posted.
The group split today. The returning missionaries and Javier went to Matzatan...a little town about an hour from here where Sophia's parents live. Sophia is currently an exchange student at Helias. The boys worked on a project for the parish, but did not finish. There was more to do than expected, with a lot more to do. So we are looking for a time to go there again.
The new missionaries went to La Antorcha. La Antorcha is a squatters village at the edge of town. They have no water or electricity, but ironically there are housing development all around, a cell phone tower and in the distance a big hotel. The people make bricks. I tried to explain to some of the boys the process, because it was all there. First, bricks are formed and air dried. Then they are piled carefully into a structure that is about 12 foot wide and 18 ft long and maybe 12 foot height. It is carefully planned to allow heat to be evenly distributed throughout the stack. Wood and I think there were actually tires placed in the chambers. The whole structure is then covered with clay and the fuel is lit. It heats in reduction for a week and then takes another week to cool. But all the steps of the process were visible.
This week were the first Masses celebrated here in at least 10 years. Many of the people do not have transportation, even though it is in the city limits. The first thing we did when we arrived were visitas...going door to door telling people that a priest was coming for Mass. Mass was outside in a woman's yard. The altar was a rather rickety table, smaller than a card table. The altar cloth just a scrap of frayed white linen. The managed to assemble six unmatched chairs for some of the older people, the rest leaned against the rusted truck parked in the yard or sat on a flower planter or on the ground. There was no crucifix, but someone had hung a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the chain link fence. Our boys were the apostles and had their feet washed.
After Mass, the table and chairs and Eucharist were carried to an area in the shade near a dry creek bed. We had a hour of adoration. It was quite touching to see the people kneel in the dirt in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Then some of the students brought the children over to say a prayer and explain the presence of Jesus.
After adoration, we had some time to play with the children while the ladies received instruction. After play, the kids were separated by age group and colored pictures of churches.
After another quick visita to announce tomorrows schedule we returned to school.
We had another liturgy with washing of the feet with what is left of the students here and a few parents at 6:00. Adoration lasts until 10:00 and then we are doing another hour in our chapel.
The Brothers provided dinner tonight....tamales, beef and maybe nopale...not sure...just that they were good. Have to go pray...more later. New photos are posted.
Wednesday Blog on Thursday
Sorry. I just didn't stop and blog.
Yesterday was Fraternity day. The big news is that we finished the Church. We did our usual get up at 6:00 in the morning thing followed by morning prayer and a little house cleaning. And yesterday it was very little, today will have to be better.
The Fraternities had mass here at school at noon. There was a noticeable decline in kids...all headed for vacation with their parents. They boys went out to lunch with whoever was left. Yesterday was their only real shopping day, so they did. My idea of a souvenir and theirs in very different.
Today will be long. Service, visitas, cathechisis, Mass (maybe twice) and adoration. We are also invited to the Brothers for dinner tonight. I don't know how that is all going to work. But I know it is going to be a dance to get it all in! I will let you know how it all goes!
Yesterday was Fraternity day. The big news is that we finished the Church. We did our usual get up at 6:00 in the morning thing followed by morning prayer and a little house cleaning. And yesterday it was very little, today will have to be better.
The Fraternities had mass here at school at noon. There was a noticeable decline in kids...all headed for vacation with their parents. They boys went out to lunch with whoever was left. Yesterday was their only real shopping day, so they did. My idea of a souvenir and theirs in very different.
Today will be long. Service, visitas, cathechisis, Mass (maybe twice) and adoration. We are also invited to the Brothers for dinner tonight. I don't know how that is all going to work. But I know it is going to be a dance to get it all in! I will let you know how it all goes!
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