Monday today

Yesterday was quite a marathon; shuttling between several churches because several groups are now in Jerusalem. The Caveros attended evening Mass at Notre Dame Centre. The chapel is very nice - I've been there only once before way back in the 1990s. The stone architecture typical of Jerusalem fits very well with the wooden furniture - somehow it matched, unlike some churches here in Jerusalem. Fr Kelly presided at the Mass; he's a Legionary of Christ. His congregation is now incharge of the Centre, which doubles as a hotel as well as a cultural centre.

We then had dinner at one of the Centre's restaurants. Simple menu, not much variety but wholesome and in good portions. I had vegetarian lasagna (was thinking of Garfield) and so did Daniel. It was a nice change from all the meat dishes.

And yesterday's procession in the Holy Sepulchre was miserable - none of the friars from St. Saviour's came; only the community of the Holy Sepulchre was there (7 friars in all) ... and it was a solemnity! I had earlier decided not to join in the procession because I had to wait for the Singapore group to arrive, but seeing the poor show, I decided to join in. And the tourists were absolutely appalling - they were oblivious to the procession; talking at the top of their voices, taking photos and barging right in the middle of the procession. Well most of the blame goes to the guides, who not being christians, don't know or don't want to know the religious aspects and practices of christian communities inside the Holy Sepulchre. I think we should ban these people from entering the basilica in future if they continue to disregard our liturgies.

Today I have classes to attend. So will be busy till 4.30pm when I accompany the Caveros to the airport. I think the other 2 groups are also leaving today. But just when you think life is getting back to the normal routine, Fr Vincenzo, my former superior who's transferred to Cairo, arrived yesterday and called me during dinner last night to say he's coming over to see me. I owe him a pizza dinner so probably tomorrow evening we'll go to an italian restaurant for that. Got to grab a couple of other guys to come along so we can split the bill. Anyway I've been out this entire week from the community dinner - which is aweful. It's good to be with the rest of the guys at home, so we can chat and laugh and build community. Hopefully we'll get back to this again soon. I noticed Matthew is also out - he's got 50 parishioners from the US visiting him. Good luck to him! The rest of the guys are sick, many have stayed in bed because its pretty cold in the nights and the central heating is not yet on. One professor mentioned that its about time it was turned on, but till now no one has dared say anything. You know the local logic ...... we'll wait for something to happen.