Thanks for 2009

The last few hours before 2009 slips into eternity ... never to return .... and all becomes history and we use the past tense to refer to it. And what have we done with it ... 2009?

I think of the poor people I encountered in 2009, the hungry children of Musky asking for help, the handicapped in Bethlehem, the traumatised and mentally ill in Gaza, the Palestinian students who study in the morning but work in the afternoons to pay for their studies; I think of the helplessness that at times was so overwhelming it drew close to despair, the drug addicts on Mt. Tabor and their lonely struggles. 2009 leaves many profound memories - Fr Javier and Fr Johannes died; the Pope's visit in May ... so many things.

And time continues forward, not backward (cf Khalil Gibran's "The Prophet"). We move on.

The ragazzi (rehabilitating drug addicts) of Mt. Tabor (Mt. of Transfiguration) called me several days ago asking me to go up to visit them because they baked me a cake. Well I was there yesterday. It is always so good to be with these guys ... with all their pain and struggles and lonely journey to rehabilitation, these guys can still think of others and serve them. They are one of the most sincere and humble people I have met. And they baked me a cake. A lovely fruit tart actually. I'm sharing it with the community tonight. Everyone is asking why these guys are so close to me ... well I listen to them, I speak with them, and I laugh and cry with them. They know I care and they care for me. I think it was a nice end to 2009, spending it with the Mondo X ragazzi.

And as Christmas draws toward Epiphany, I'm having a horrible past 3 days physically - feet swollen like water melons and my left fingers are enormously swollen. The pain can be excruciating. It wasn't easy going up Mt Tabor like this, but the guys appreciated it.

Thanks to all of you for your lovely gifts which I treasure - from crocodile meat for my asthma to pyjamas, food to toys, medicine galore and of course all your love, prayers and greetings. I shall say a thanksgiving Mass for all of you tomorrow to end 2009 - and we sing the Te Deum as well. Then on Jan. 1st I'll say a Mass of Mary Mother of God to bless your new year.

Thanks for all that you have done for me in 2009.