From: Christine Gebel chris10@skyinet.net
Subject : Easter Greetings from the Philippines!
Happy Easter!
Holy Week is very important here, and we had Stations of the Cross followed by mass every day at 4am. I only managed to go on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I decided that it was better not to get too overtired so that I could still do my regular work well.
The stations were set up around the parish and the mass was outside too.... a different area every time. On Friday it was the whole parish that we walked around for the stations.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings I attended a mini-retreat at Xavier University. The reflections given were very nice and it was a good way to spend the Triduum... reflections in the mornings and masses/service in the afternoons.
Well... the school year here runs from June to March, so last month each of the 5 literacy centres had culmination ceremonies. Then on March 29, 30, 31 most the children from 3 of the centres (the children from the male and female minor sections of the prison obviously couldn't go) attended a summer camp. 61 children started the camp, but 2 went home early on the afternoon of the first day... one was sick with a fever, and the other just got too homesick and wouldn't stop cryiing for mama. At any rate, the kids had a ball! Attached are a couple of photos.
It's summer here now, and hot, hot, hot.... wish we could send you some of our heat!
So, hope that spring in Canada is a joyful reminder of the Resurrection as people begin to look forward to planting and being able to get outside more.
Peace, Christine Gebel
