Celebrations
It has been exceptionally busy this past week. My receptionist continued on her yearly holidays and my other office person remains out sick. Sadly, my associate priest, Fr. Gerard, has had to fly home to the Philippines as his sister is actively dying of cancer. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. She is still fairly young and is a religious. It's all so very sad.
Last week, we attended the 90th birthday party of a parishioner, Maria She doesn't look 90 except for the slowness of her gait. Another parishioner made a cake for her (1). Her name is Juanita and she taught herself how to make and decorate cakes! As it was also near the birthday of yet another parishioner who plays guitar for church, Joe, she is standing here with the cake she made for him (2). Juanita is a Chinese-Malaysian woman and has a great infectuous laugh; I love to make her laugh! Finally it was Fr. Robert's birthday too and so she made this last cake shaped and deocrated like a Bible (3)! Maria's cake was the most elaborate and she even checkered the interior with chocolate and vanilla cake (3-4). She explained she has these cake molds that are concentric rings. You cut the cake with the rings and then alternate the rings and the layers. Ingenious! The last shot is of all the sweet treats on display (5).
Do you remember the chicks born on Christmas eve? In case you don't, I have a photo here of the babys on their first day of life (7). See the little white one in the middle? He grew to be a glorious rooster (8). The owner, Br. Dominic calls him "Alejandro" after me. He says he's a bit of a "chicken," pardon the pun, when it comes to fighting off the older rooster. When they share a yard together with the other chooks, this young rooster usually runs and hides, according to Br. Dominic. I suggest we give him some time. He's still less than a year old to be fighting an old pro!
We had a busy week in that we gathered as a community of friars for a meeting at our Shrine. All these men stayed at our friary (except 4, and the bishop). Spring has sprung and these are some of the blooms all around the building. I am no horticulturalist, but I love the roses (15-16) especially the lavender one. (Such a delicate color.) And I am not sure what these pink star bursts are (21-22), but aren't they exotic? The pansies are small and sweet, with such a variation in bloom color all on one plant (23)! Finally, here is a photo of all the Conventual friars in Australia, including our new bishop of Parramatta, Bishop Vincent Long (in the center with the red skull cap) (24). A small but nice fraternity.