Strike

The shocking news of those killed off the coast of Gaza left the city in disbelief. In the morning as I was walking to work, the streets were quite empty, groups of arabs huddled in shops watching the TV news or listening to the radio.

Everyone else was talking about it - with opposing views. Even at work.

On the way home, shops were closed in the Old City as arabs went on strike to protest at the Israeli strike on the Aid flotilla that left an uncertain number of people dead. The streets were eerily quiet. Military presence did not seem to have been increased. But it must have been serious enough because the PM has cancelled a meeting with Obama and returned home to Israel.

Let's pray that common sense will prevail and no violence will erupt in the next few days.

Trinity Sunday

Another Sunday feast today - the Trinity - a celebration of community in self-giving love. Not an easy doctrine to explain.

This morning I watched my Sunday religious programme as usual (actually I haven't done it for 2 weeks because I was too tired). It was the life of Pope John Paul 1 and his short reign as pope - 33 days only. Most of you would remember him - the smiling pope. It was a sad story. You can watch it also on Youtube, I think, but all in italian.

Weatherwise it was very hot today but the evening became cool. Time of drinking lots of water and staying indoors.

Everyone is saying my swollen lips and ulcers and sores are due to stress and fatigue. I'm sure it is. But also lack of vitamin C I think. Fr Marcello and I went out and passed by an italian ice-cream shop - he had an ice-cream and I had a yoghurt (non-sugar) with some berries. It helped alot - cooling my body down, and bring done the swelling as well.

Yesterday I met some Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate - I have not seen them for some time. They expressed shock at my loss in weight, swelling of my lips and yellow skin. They were very insistent about me going straight to the doctor ... believe me... even at 10pm they called me up and made me promise otherwise they will drag me to the doctor on Monday. They are very insistent ... it gets frightening! And I know they're capable of dragging me off. Oh my ...

Right now there's a programme about the Israeli team that served in Haiti after the earthquake. They did a great job; working 24/7 with minimum equipment. It's true what the documentary says - thousands were saved because of the Israeli team, the only well-organised medical team at that time.

News in brief

So the past 3 days were not too good - healthwise. My lips are still swollen, with a cold sore and ulcers. Felt terribly weak and disoriented several times. And mind you, overworked. Last night finished work at 11.45pm and got home only at 12.30am. Luckily Yusuf who also did overtime drove me home.

The weather hasn't helped. The hot hamsiin suddenly turned to a cold strong wind the last 2 nights. Had to even turn on the heater!

Bishop Shomali's ordination was grand. It went very well and everyone was pleased. He's a descendent of the shepherds from Shepherds' Field, and now he's a pastor in both senses. I didn't stay for dinner even though he invited me. I was simply too tired.

Today the DVD commemorating the Pope's visit to the Holyland a year ago was launched. It was very well done. We had a preview of it today at the Notre Dame Center.

The Sisters of Mother Theresa in Bethlehem told me to tell you all, especially the benefactors, that the mentally-handicapped boy who needed special transportation and school fees has had a sudden change for the better. The parents say he has become very calm, and even communicates with other people - something he has never done. They say it's due to your care, generosity and prayers. The boy will now be transferred to a normal school next academic year. What a miracle! Thanks to all of you! The sisters and the family are praying for all of you!

Update

Monday morning Sr. Alphonse Rose (Missionary of Charity) celebrated her silver jubilee. Most of the sisters from Bethlehem, Nablus and Gaza came to celebrate with her. Five priests concelebrated the Mass. Sr. Alphonse lit 25 candles to commemorate the years of her dedication and renewed her vows. She had served in India and Yemen before coming to the Holyland. After Mass there was lunch cooked by the sisters ... great stuff of course, but I had to run off to work.

Tuesday was a hectic day as bishop-elect Fr. Shomali came to do some interviews. I had to run off in between to have several meetings but managed to catch up with him as he left. He invited me to the dinner after the Consecration Mass. I don't mind except that I'll have to come home alone in the night .... not a nice thing when there're alleys to cross and check points and the Old City.

The canaries are all brooding but only 3 babies have hatched. Don't know if they'll survive as canary catastrophe has struck Israel. All babies either die or eggs don't hatch.

Today is a hot day. We're all rushing to do last minute preparations for Fr Shomali's consecration tomorrow in Bethlehem. Haven't had time to update the blog as a result.

One funny thing - either I've been bitten by something or allergic because since yesterday my lips have swollen really bad. Gotta find out why.

Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost - feast of the wheat harvest, feast of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. What a fantastic day here in Jerusalem where it all happened! Thousands of people streamed through the windowless Upper Room throughout the day. At 4pm the Custos, who was confirmed for another 3 yrs of office yesterday, came in procession with hundreds of local christians, religious and friars. Vespers was sung and the decree of confirmation was announced by the Visitator General. The Custos wore the mitre and ring and officially took possession of the Last Supper Room - his official title is Superior of Mt. Zion (Last Supper Room) and the Holy Sepulchre. It was very impressive and touching - especially when you realise the friars were kicked out of the Last Supper Room 400 years ago by the muslim powers and till today it is occupied by the State of Israel even though the friars still possess the title deeds. It is on such a day as this that the Custos makes his official entry to show that he is still the rightful owner of the Last Supper Room.

Later in the evening there was a cookout at St. Saviour's monastery - barbecue and salads. It was good to meet up with many other guys whom I've not met for a long time. I didn't eat much, but chatted alot (the chicken wasn't well barbecued).

Holyland News

Back from the dead

Weather report for Angela Lee: hot hamsiin daytime but by sunset it gets terribly cold and windy.

The Jewish Pentecost is just over. Thousands of Jews converged at the Wailing Wall for prayers, thereby entering the Old City, and military presence was heavy. Still is. Rowdy groups of yeshiva students marched down our street late in the night, singing, shouting and waking everyone up.

Yesterday while walking home from work through a narrow stretch of "road" (due to the light rail works along the main thoroughfare) for pedestrians I heard strange clop-clop noises behind me. Turned around and saw an enormous horse looking right in my face. What a fright! There were two mounted police on two beautiful but really enormous horses (9 feet high) behind me. I quickly squeezed to a corner to let them pass .... not funny if you're trampled by two monster horses.

On my way home I decided to stop by the Chinese restaurant to buy some soup. Haven't had a decent meal these two weeks (no breakfast and lunch, dinner of carrot sticks, tomatoes and maybe a piece of cheese). Lost so much weight that the lady in charge of the restaurant got worried and the "por por" quickly cooked up chicken porridge (HK style) served in a huge bowl. It was delicious but I don't know if all that rice was good for me. They refused to accept any payment, and even had me pack several dumplings (jiao zi) home which they had just wrapped. Even the Spanish ambassador today remarked that I had gone too thin; and so did my students whom I said goodbye the day before, and several other guys in my house. Must be serious. No wonder I've been feeling listless and faint. An arab shopkeeper stopped me in the Old City and gave me a pendant with a Jesus icon and said "God will protect you" and another bought herbs for me to boil and drink. Boy ... when muslims start doing that, you know it's serious! But then again, it's touching to know that people care.

Lorenzo, one my students, came to visit me. We had a good chat. Andre, another student also came to chat. Come to think of it, so did one of their professors. Sounds like hospital visiting time.

Soon it'll be our Pentecost. We'll have big celebrations at the Last Supper Room. Make sure you pray to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance!

Thanking God

Another hamsiin day. Yellow dull skies, stiffling heat. But it's getting festive in the streets ... the Jewish Pentecost will start tonight. Observant Jews will spend the whole night studying the Bible till tomorrow morning when they pray the morning prayers. I wish christians would pick up this tradition to celebrate our feastdays ... stay up all night to study the gospels.

This morning I bade goodbye to my students. Exams lasted from 8am to 1pm. I was exhausted at the end as there was no break. They're a good bunch. They study hard, and ask interesting questions during class - intelligent questions. It shows that they're interested. Hope they'll persevere and get ordained.

I was lucky this evening as I was returning home carrying 4 kg of computer, books etc... Fr Peter was on his way to Bethlehem and had a taxi to bring him there. He offered to drop me off at New Gate so I save 1km of walking. I was very grateful and he said "Don't thank me, thank God. He sent me at the right time when you needed help." How true.

Bugs have been biting my neck the whole night. Now it's all red and inflamed. Gotta get some cream ... but more importantly I gotta disinfect my bed.

Hamsiin again

Yesterday was a brutal hamsiin ... suffocating dry hot winds tearing across the Judean hills. It leaves you gasping for air. Today is not as bad, but you can't see the sun .... it's just a yellow haze across the sky. That's the Pentecost wind!

The Jews are preparing to celebrate the Feast of Shavuot (meaning "50" weeks after Passover) or the wheat harvest; for us it is called Pentecost ("50" in greek). It'll be special this year for us because we'll have a new bishop - Msgr. William Shomali, a local vocation from Shepherds' Field. He will be consecrated on the 27th of May.

News is everywhere that Noam Chomsky cannot enter Israel. But good news that the Tomb of the Prophet Ezekiel in Baghdad will not be turned into a mosque ... as rumours will have it. http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/JewishNews/Article.aspx?id=175556  But knowing this part of the world, things can flip over anytime.

And yesterday saw another wave of rioting - this time by ultra orthodox Jews who were protesting against the govt. removing ancient human remains in order to build a bomb proof section of a hospital in Ashkalon.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/some-700-haredim-riot-in-jerusalem-after-graves-removed-from-ashkelon-er-site-1.290726  I walked pass the neighbourhood yesterday morning and rubbish was strewned across road after road, some smouldering from fires. It was filthy and unbearable. It definitely stank. All because of some bones which according to the govt. are not even Jewish.

Remember Fatima?

Yesterday was Naqba Day - the Palestinian response to the Israeli Jerusalem Day. It literally means "Disaster Day" because from their point of view, their land and rights were taken away. Well what we need to be thankful is that there was no violence.

Because Ascension Day fell on May 13th, we did not celebrate Our Lady of Fatima. But the Pope didn't ... he went to Fatima for the feast. How much we need to heed the message of Fatima today. The persecution of the Church today fulfills the 3rd secret of Fatima released on June 26th 2000 - written by Lucia and containing some words of Our Lady:

J.M.J.

The third part of the secret revealed at the Cova da Iria-Fátima, on 13 May 1917.

I write in obedience to you, my God, who command me to do so through his Excellency the Bishop of Leiria and through your Most Holy Mother and mine.

After the two parts which I have already explained, at the left of Our Lady and a little above, we saw an Angel with a flaming sword in his left hand; flashing, it gave out flames that looked as though they would set the world on fire; but they died out in contact with the splendour that Our Lady radiated towards him from her right hand: pointing to the earth with his right hand, the Angel cried out in a loud voice: 'Penance, Penance, Penance!'. And we saw in an immense light that is God: 'something similar to how people appear in a mirror when they pass in front of it' a Bishop dressed in White 'we had the impression that it was the Holy Father'. Other Bishops, Priests, men and women Religious going up a steep mountain, at the top of which there was a big Cross of rough-hewn trunks as of a cork-tree with the bark; before reaching there the Holy Father passed through a big city half in ruins and half trembling with halting step, afflicted with pain and sorrow, he prayed for the souls of the corpses he met on his way; having reached the top of the mountain, on his knees at the foot of the big Cross he was killed by a group of soldiers who fired bullets and arrows at him, and in the same way there died one after another the other Bishops, Priests, men and women Religious, and various lay people of different ranks and positions. Beneath the two arms of the Cross there were two Angels each with a crystal aspersorium in his hand, in which they gathered up the blood of the Martyrs and with it sprinkled the souls that were making their way to God.

Tuy-3-1-1944.

Believe it or not

This morning I read that Goh Keng Swee had died. I don't think people younger than me would remember him. But believe it or not ... last week, I kept dreaming of him; and his name kept popping up in my head. Very distracting. I decided to go search him up on Wikipedia to see if he was dead ... after so many years of not hearing his news. Found that he was still alive. But didn't understand why in the world he kept appearing in my dreams. Now perhaps I know .... maybe he needed prayers, maybe he wanted to say something. Anyway I'll pray for his soul.

Mind you ... Run Run Shaw has been in my dreams several times too last week.

Jonah and the whale

News is abuzz about a grey whale appearing in Herzliya beach. How did it get into the Mediterranean Sea?  Or as scientists are asking: how did it even get into the Atlantic Ocean since grey whales have not been sighted there for 300 years. But the whale's appearance would surely now make you think about Jonah in the whale's belly ... yes there're whales in the Mediterranean Sea ... now at least. http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8672000/8672970.stm 

Jerusalem Day passed without major incidents. Thank goodness. But soldiers are still packing the major road corners of the Old City.

And thanks to the guys who donated whistles. Yes, that's one of the items for our earthquake survival pack. I'm keeping one and distributing the rest to Mother Theresa's sisters.

You know it's summer here because the sun rises by 4am (solar time); but more significantly the imam begins the first call to prayer at 2.50am.

Thanks

Thanks to Cecille Chan for helping the poor in Jerusalem. Also to the Quah family. The donations will be distributed to the 4 communities of Mother Theresa's sisters (Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nablus and Gaza) as well as sponsoring food/school fees to poor children in Musky (Cairo) and some unexpected emergency cases.

Ascension Day

The incessant droning of the surveillance helicopter is driving us crazy. The whole day and night it has been flying a few hundred metres above our monastery. It's there to keep security for the thousands of Israelis who have marched into the Old City since yesterday to celebrate Jerusalem Day. A musical event took place in the Sultan's Pool in the Hinnom Valley east of the Old City, blaring music through the night. Fireworks appeared erratically in no unified order. And hundreds of Israeli youths bearing flags chant and danced down the streets.

Soldiers packed every important corner of the Old City. Meantime palestinians youths are also packing the same corners but at opposite ends of the soldiers, smoking and chatting but warily watching if the Israelis will dare encroach into their space. There is tension in the air. It's the same story every year in the Old City.

But for us, it's Ascension Day. Christians are flocking up the Mt. of Olives for prayers and liturgies the whole of last night till this morning. Christ's return into heaven completes his mission of redemption. It's going to his Father's house where he will prepare a place for us. Eternal Life spent not in heaven is truly hell. Where Jesus goes, we too will go when He comes to take us with him.

Jerusalem Day

Today is Jerusalem Day. That's when Israelis celebrate the taking of East Jerusalem and uniting it with Israeli controlled West Jerusalem. There'll probably be celebrtions and marches in the streets... and in the Old City... which will fan anger from the palestinians who see it as occupation of their land. The Palestinians will counter this with their own celebration of Nakbar Day (Day of anger). Let's just hope no violence will erupt.

Did you read about the huge earthquake in Indonesia a couple of days ago? It's coming to Israel one of these days. All the warning signs are there.

Last night Sr Vicenta gave her words of wisdom "We must be living Joyful Mysteries to others, not Sorrowful Mysteries".

Sandstorm

Yesterday saw another hamsiin blowing into Jerusalem. It was stiffling hot and the sky was dull yellow with sand and dust. But suddenly by late afternoon a very strong and cold wind began wrecking havoc in the city. Sounds like Pentecost 2000 years ago.

In a couple of days we'll celebrate Ascension Day. It gets quite complicated this year as the Orthodox churches also celebrate it in our tiny enclosure of the Chapel of the Ascension up on the Mt. of Olives. Well the chapel is actually Crusader in structure but was taken over by the Muslims and turned into a mosque. But once a year we have a right to celebrate Mass and pray there. And the Orthodox join in, on outside the chapel in the courtyard surrounding the chapel/mosque. But with hundreds of people squeezed into a tiny enclosure, it'll prove to be quite a feat to get through all the liturgies.

St. Moscati again

Yesterday was exhausting because even though it was Saturday, I went back to work ... in fact up to 6pm. Returned home tired. But it was pretty hot as well, and with a mind still on working mode, I couldn't sleep. So I decided to take a sleeping pill to help me sleep ... which was too bad, because I didn't wake up at 4am to watch the 2nd part of the film on St. Giuseppe Moscati.

I was pretty annoyed with myself. I was looking forward to watching this fantastic film on the life of the Doctor of the Poor. So later in the afternoon when I had free time, I searched Youtube and guess what? I found it in 2 versions. There's an abridged version in 3 parts (about 30 minutes total) with english subtitles "Giuseppe Moscati - the healing love"; and the full film in 11 parts entitled "Giorgio Piromallo" (the friend turned enemy of the St. Moscati) in italian. The ending is a surprise ... believe me .... a BIG surprise/shock. You just have to watch it. Those of you who went to Naples and celebrated Mass at Gesu Nuovo Church where St. Moscati is buried (and all his personal items are exhibited), you'll recognise many of the places in the movie.

And talking about the Doctor Saint, this afternoon Khalil the cook baked an excellent cheesecake (1st time ever in our convent). I was terribly tempted and tried a small slice. Paid the price. Nausea, giddiness. Had to stay in bed most of the afternoon as a result. What would St. Moscati have said?

Yossi and his wife run a petshop in the New City and I sometimes go there to relax and watch the fish and birds and rabbits and hamsters. This morning I stopped by with Fr Marcello, and they told me everyone else who has canaries all complain that eggs are not hatching. So I'm not the only one suffering from a bad clutch. Something is wrong, perhaps in the weather. Canaries throughout Israel (as far as we know) are not breeding well. Frightening thought isn't it? Someone suggested that the earthquake is coming and the canaries can feel it.

St. Moscati, pray for us!

Summer

The weather has turned summer - hot and bright. Roses are blooming everywhere but many have been burnt brown by the sun. It's this time of the year that students prepare for exams. It's cramming in the library. Suddenly there're not enough carrels for the students who are seldom seen in the library. Well, at least they go there once a year.

Fr. Vincenzo from Musky spoke to me a while ago saying there's a lady with 5 children who had just been kicked out of her apartment because she could not pay the rent. I think he said they're living under a staircase for the moment, but he's helping her look for a cheap room where they can shelter safely from the weather and thugs. But he'll need some financial help for this.

The canaries are a disappointment this year. So say everyone here. Only one baby survived ... from the trusty red factor mum. The other 2 chicks that I was handfeeding died because they refused food. They were quite big already, with feathers. But one day they refused to eat and died. Everyone says it's better to give the canaries away. I'm ok with that if the guys from Mondo X will take them. I only trust them with the birds.  But our superior says we should not give them all away.

The other day was Sr. Philippa's feastday. She's in Kracow now I think. I hadn't wish her a happy feastday yet. Sr. Vicenta reminded me. Now we have Sr. Aquila to replace Sr. Veronica who is in Poland for their General Chapter.

Today is Chadwick's funeral. Let's pray for his soul. And for his family.

Aliens

So the President of Kalmykia claims he was abducted by aliens. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8662822.stm      I say it's better to let the Monster Raving Looney Party (UK) http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/05/04/uk.election.loony.party.witney/index.html?hpt=C2  to rule the tiny buddhist Russian state instead. It happens to be my favourite political party in the UK. Evelyn, if you're reading this, you'll remember the Looney Party and me (1980 HJC!!!!)

And Stephan Hawkings warns not to contact aliens because they may not have peaceful intentions -  http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/science/space/article7107207.ece 

Back in Israel we have more mundane problems .... like severe diarrhea and vomiting. It's like 10 days now and yesterday night it was terrible. I had cramps in my stomach for the rest of the day. Then I learn that many of our seminarians are also down with diarrhea and vomiting. Apparently it's a virus attacking ... ohhh an alien attack. Hawkings is right - aliens are out to harm us.

Tribute

A tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for their faith this century.

5th Sunday of Easter

Yesterday early morning, I think Fr. Niccacci was sick because he was awake the whole night ... how do I know? He was dragging furniture in his room at 2.30am and again at 4am. And his room is next to mine. Well it seems some of us were indeed sick ... diarrhea. Fr Pazzini thinks it's the Gorgonzola (Israeli version)  that was served for dinner. Anyway even without the Gorgonzola, my diarrhea is into its 2nd week. Not that it's as severe as last week. But it's bothersome when you have to work.

As I was already awakened by dragging furniture, I couldn't fall back to sleep, so I decided to watch EWTN. They were showing a dramatised life of St. (Dr.) Giuseppe Moscati, who served among the squalor and sick of Naples. It was very beautifully done, and it was only part 1 (all in italian). Hope I can catch Part 2 next week. I prayed and said Mass at the tomb of St. Moscatti some years ago, and prayed for his intercession for all your healings. He was a great man, who gave up high society (royal Napolitan society!) to go even shoeless  (robbery didn't stop him) among the streets caring for the cholera victims. He's the patron saint of doctors and people who are sick. You can watch parts of this movie on Youtube.

                                           St. Moscati, pray for us!

Later in the morning I got back to work in my room and TBN (I think it's my favourite Christian channel online) was showing "A nun's story"starring Katherine Hepburn. Many of you will remember this 1959 production of a real life Belgian nun sent to Congo in the missions, and her struggles as a nurse with a headstrong doctor, attacks from locals and the deeper struggle of obedience to her Congregation and her nationalism as a Belgian in the 2nd World War. The film ends with her decision to return to the Congo village and serve the people there. You can watch it on Youtube as well.

Both stories are strong messages of conviction, perseverance, struggles and lots of sacrifice and love for the poor.

St Joseph's feast

Yesterday was the feast of St. Joseph and the beginning of the month of Mary. Reciting the rosary here in the Holyland is unique because the mysteries reflected upon are actual places here that we can visit. For example the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sorrowful mysteries (The Scourging, the Crowning of Thorns and the carrying of the Cross) all took place here where I live. You should try and come on a pilgrimage based on the rosary. believe me, it's special.

Here's a lovely prayer to St. Joseph : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwsQf02phgw 
And here's the litany of St. Joseph: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDzHyTHtvYs 

The NPO One Laptop per Child has given "thousands of laptop computers" to students in Gaza. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8651580.stm Nice thought .... but did they ever think how it'll work when in Gaza there's no electricity? and if the computers are downed, there are no spare parts or support for repairs? I say - give them basic hygiene (toothbrush and toothpaste), give them medicine, give them school books that don't need electricity, give them security to walk to and from school.

EWTN is playing the video on the life of St. Gianna Molla, the mother who sacrificed her life so her baby could be born. I think she's a great patron saint that we need today. Ask her to intercede for you. And also to St Joseph the foster father of Jesus - Joseph the provider, the carer, the protector, the labourer, defender of the Church.

Yesterday

Yesterday morning rained and it was pretty cold. But that did not stop a demonstration of secular Jews in front of the Grand Rabbinate. I think it's because the Rabbinate wants to close down the city on the Sabbath and the secular Jews are against it. The demonstration was pretty noisy, with drums beating, flags flying and lots of chanting. The police dispersed the crowd a little while after.

Still can't get around the fact that Chadwick died.

There's an exhibition on the Shroud at the Notre Dame Center. Very interesting. There's actually a lifesize bronze figure based on the figure on the shroud.

A S'pore group has brought several hand-dynamo type torches .... big help to those Christians in Gaza who do not have electricity nor money to buy kerosene. And the type they got is great because it can also charge mobile phones for up to 3 minutes! Well done, guys! Thanks!