On this Thanksgiving Day, a day on which the Vincentian Family celebrates St. Catherine Laboure, we are celebrating a Triduum in which includes the celebration of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, St. Catherine, and the foundation of the Daughters of Charity. I find myself profoundly grateful for the great women who have been and are a part of my life: my Mom, my Aunt Hannah, my cousins – especially my cousin Mary C. who many of you know, Barbara, Margaret and Ann, dear Carol, Mary and Ann, Una — the list on both sides of our family could fill the page. Then there are and have been innumerable teachers, friends and honored and beloved critics.

One week and counting….

It’s Saturday night here in Cochabamba, and my homily’s finished for tomorrow. It’ll be my first attempt of preaching without notes. God have mercy on the folks. It’s the Feast of Cristo Rey, so it’ll be a grand celebration. Some of my fellow language students are coming and we’ll head out for some breakfast afterwards.

Hijas de La Caridad, Bolivia || Reunión Provincial

I was happy to be with the Daughters of Charity for their Provincial Meetings, November 13-15. You can view some pictures here. Because of the meetings, on Sunday morning I had the privilege of presiding at Eucharist, and preaching the homily which follows below in both English and then Spanish. During the weekend, we welcomed the new Director, Fr. Joel Vásquez Duque, C.M.

Estaba feliz de estar con las Hijas de la Caridad

USCCB Poverty USA || Pobreza USA

Homilía: 8 de Noviembre

“No se acabó la harina de la tinaja ni el aceite de la jarra tal como el Señor lo había dicho por medio de Elías.”[1 Reyes 17, 16]
El primer libro de los Reyes nos ofrece una verdad profunda de nuestra fe: si escuchamos la invitación de Dios de ser generosos, entonces nuestras vidas irán llenandose con la gracia de la abundancia.

Noticias de El Salvador

Here is the story, in English, about the continuing struggle in El Salvador that I had promised. If you want to read in Spanish, you can. ( I studied at the Center in January of 2007. )

Aquí está la historia, en inglés, de la lucha permanente en El Salvador que había prometido. Si quiere leer en español, se puede. ( Yo estudié en el Centro en enero de 2007. )

Random mobile thoughts: English Only

I failed (again) today to successfully navigate the ins and outs of the Bolivian immigration system. Becoming accustomed to frustration, and a couple brief chats with Cyril and Abdo, (confreres) has taken the edge off. I can begin to imagine what it’s like for a newcomer to the good ol’ USA. Every country has its system and its goals,some designed to keep folks out, some just designed to proptect the citzenry. Whatever the goal, it’s difficult to understand the system when you’re still learning the language, the public trans system, etc.

I got an email from a friend in El Salvador today. There’s still so much suffering there. A leader of an environmental group was found executed in “death squad” style. When I get back to Cochabmba I’ll post the story. Please consider writing Congress.

Finally, Happy St. Martin de Porres Day to all my Philly friends (and GO PHILS! — we Mets fans have to back the NL).

Comentarios || Comments

Algunos de ustedes me han recordado que el enlace “dejar un comentario” no estaba funcionando. Había apagado la función en Mocomoco porque la conexión a Internet era tan lenta, pero lo está funcionando ahora. Ustedes deben ser capaz de dejar comentarios en el futuro. Me disculpa….

Cochabamba

[ inglés abajo]

He estado en Cochabamba durante una semana, estudiar el español avanzado y la cultura aymara en el Instituto de Idiomas Maryknoll (ver fotos en Picasa). Las clases son intensas

una poca de música, hasta el fin de semana…

8 Janiu Hualiquiti – Grupo Urubamba

Aymara’s Music Podcast