Hello everyone. Sorry it has been such a long time since my last blog but I was in Guatemala for a week for Maryknoll's Latin American Region Assembly and then things have been very busy since I returned to Cochabamba. The meeting was held in Antigua, Guatemala, a colonial city with a rich history. I enjoyed the meeting for 2 main reasons: it was a chance to meet the other Maryknollers in the region that I did not know and it also gave me a deeper sense of the priorities and the issues that face Maryknoll in the future. The meeting was characterized by a wonderful spirit as we were able to look at the future with both realism and hope. Everyone went forth with a renewed spirit as they returned to their missions.
Since I arrived back home in Coch things have been very busy. I arrived home on Friday of the Feast of Santa Vera Cruz. That is the parish that our chapel is a part of as well as the feast of our own barrio of Nueva Vera Cruz. We had 5 guests for the weekend since we wanted to share the fullness of the fiesta with them. This serves as a major gathering of the indiginous in the area since there is a Pre Incan festival of the planting that precedes the arrivial of the first missioners here. Several thousands gathered at the Church for the fiesta which offered the opportunity of offering prayers for the success of the agricultural life here. It is also an opportunity to gather for fun, games and the occassional picking of pockets ( which I experienced Sunday afternoon).
It was a good time to see the inculturation of the gospel with the indiginous beliefs of the people here and to see the way people try to live their lives of faith.
Soon we will be hosting the summer rush of short term missioners and volunteers many of whom are coming for the summer (North American summer, it is winter here). Several will be working with us here in our barrio. I will update you soon on how they enjoy their time here.
Again thanks for all your prayers and support. It is always wonderful to hear news from home so please keep in touch.
Mass in La Costanera
incense is a very6 important symbol for the indiginous people
Two of Our Volunteers
Holly and Liz are with us for 6 weeks
Two of our Short Term Volunteers
Ryan and Liz
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View from the front of the chapel.
A sunset over the barrio
View of the courtyard of the chapel
One of the Kids in the Parish
One of the young girls in the parish school program
Kids from the School Program
Views of the Barrio
View from the front gate of the chapel.
The street in front of the chapel.
View from the side of the chapel.
The barrio of Nueva Vera Cruz
Recent Mass in La Rivera
Some of the residents of La Rivera gather at a private house for our Saturday night celebration
View of the barrio from the chapel
El Club de Mulheres
Some women from the barrio gather every Friday afternoon for the Women's CLub meeting.
Baptism of 3 Brothers and Sisters, December 21
Wedding, December 21, Nueva Vera Cruz
La Riveira
The Community at La Riviera
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La Riviera
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La Riviera
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La Riviera
La Rivera at a Recent Mass
3 comments:
The missioners and volunteers will be a welcome sight and presence for all in the area I am sure. (The picking of pockets part might be something to share with them sooner rather than later!)
You sound so busy that it will be nice for you to have assistance before you head home in the summer to rejuvenate.
Father Timothy,
Our very good & Spiritual friend Maureen B. had passed along this wonderful news of your whereabouts and what you've been up to.
I am positive the people there will learn much from you, as well as you sharing your lifelong closeness with God with them. They are very blessed to have you there!
And we're also very much happy to once again "connect" with you!!
God Bless you always!
Chris & Maureen Johnson
Hola Padrecito:
¿Cómo está? ¡Qué sorpresa! Well, Mrs. Zito was very kind to send us your website. You have been missed very much around here! But you know something... la gente de Bolivia son muy afortunados en tener un Padrecito Norteamericano muy Santo entre ellos... ¡Qué Nuestro Señor continúe dándole esa alma de Misionero, así como también la fortaleza para esta honorable misión! A few words for you to practice your Spanish!
Con cariño,
Lucia & Pedro
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