Jan. 1st 2009

Last evening we ended 2008 with an adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We sang vespers, then Fr Claudio our dean read some read some prayers for meditation, then he gave the benediction with the B. Sacrament. We also sang the Te Deum ("We praise you o God" - prayer of thanksgiving) for the blessings of 2008.

After that we had a lovely dinner of seafood platter, fettucine and fish cooked by our Bro. Rosario. Then for dessert we had panettone, chocolates and almond sweets. The atmosphere was light-hearted and everyone enjoyed the fraternity for the last moments of 2008. At midnight we would have met again to exchange greetings but though I was awake, I decided to stay warm in bed. The weather is cold - last night it fell to 7 degrees. Today it's 5 degrees and tonight 4 degrees.

This morning we celebrated the Solemnity of the Mother of God at 8am. We sang the Mass and then had a late breakfast and exchanged greetings. Did my daily chores of feeding the birds, tortoises and cat. Then I stayed home to stay warm and safe. It is sooooo cold.

In the afternoon it was a crazy run of events. Had to go to the New City to do an errand but some friends from San Francisco called and we planned to meet up. At the same time some other friends from Washington were waiting to see me downstairs. Rushed down, met them, went out to the New City to do my errand (they came along), stayed with them for a late lunch at Nafoura restaurent in the Old City (pretty good food but a little expensive), went off to the Holy Sepulchre to book for a Mass tomorrow for the Missionaries of Charity, then rushed home to avoid the Friday prayers of the Muslims (remember the liturgical day begins at sunset). Soldiers everywhere in the streets of the Old City, pretty tense. Wanted to get home quick.

Thus past the first day of 2009.