Today is, of course, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Here it's not a Holy Day of Obligation...but it is of course still a solemnity. The title of this blog is a very common exclamation during the rosary and other prayers here ... "Hail most pure Mary, conceived without sin" ... but in Spanish it flows better.
This week I am finishing up my catechesis classes and starting tests. I have about 10-15 kids that, God willing, will be confirmed in January during the Bishop's pastoral visit. I have been reviewing like crazy with them, and hope that they will all do well on the oral exams Fr. OHare and I will give to each student individually next week. As some of the younger students don't read and write well yet (though they are in fifth grade) and even some of the eighth graders struggle, oral exams just seem like the best way to see what they really do know about the faith.
PLEASE pray for my host family...Berihuete has been in the capital for several weeks for doctor's appointments (He has been ill since March or so). Then last week he fell and hit his head while his daughter and wife were right beside. As far as I know, he will be staying in the capital for a good bit longer because he is having a lot of trouble getting around now.
Also, please keep Maria and Guerris in your prayers. They are two teachers at the parish school who will be married on December 27th here at the parish. A young couple's marriage in the Church is a rare occurence here, so we are all very excited. If you could pray, though, that their hearts be open to the grace of the sacrament and to each other...and that others will be inspired by their faith and commitment.
What else? it's guanabana season now, so I am very excited about that. If you've never tried one, I hope you get to one day. A yummy fruit good on its own or in juice! I also recently just learned from the sisters in Pedro Santana how to make pickled beets which I am anxious to try.
Hey...why don't you people leave comments. I like to read comments once in a while :-)
That's all for today. I have some pictures, but right now I am not using my own computer so I can't upload. Missing you all...please pray for me!
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3 comments:
Yay! So good to hear from you! Probably people don't leave comments because the link is *very* small, and you have to be logged in with some kind of ID (Google counts, but still). I'm intrigued by the fruit you mention; is it anything like what's available around here? I'll be praying for you host family!
"it's guanabana season now, so I am very excited about that. If you've never tried one, I hope you get to one day."
Wow, that's a pretty slick ploy to get folks to come visit Banica. ;)
And sadly, it seems I will have to clarify my comment about Sam's previous blog. I am grateful for *most* of the things she prepares. But beets???? Oh my, no! :)
Hey Sam! Thought I'd drop by and say hi. I'm heading back out to the middle east next week for another few months. It's not so bad, I'm just a little bummed to be missing Christmas at home (although not quite as bummed as my mom...this will be the first time one of us isn't around for Christmas). Anyway, I've enjoyed your posts and staying updated with what's going on with you. I hope things keep going well. Take it easy.
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