Holy Family feast

Storm clouds over the Park

It's the feast of the Holy Family today .... and this week it's my turn to be hebdom. My team for hebdom is not quite working out ... one is still on vacation in Italy and the other is reluctant to do his duties. So me with a hoarse voice and coughing spasm had to preside the Mass this morning. Everyone wanted an english Mass so I had to organise the books and hymns. And I had to preach the homily as well. As usual it was short and to the point ... in 12 sentences. And with the gloria and creed and intercessions and hymns, I still managed to finish the Mass in 35 mins. I can understand why now so many of us were happy about the Mass.

Tourists in the rain

The rains fell this morning but stopped at midmorning. At 3pm I went to the supermarket to get some necessities ... and actually to get fresh air as I was in my room for 2 days. I was developing a headache. Unfortunately a little after 4pm the rains fell quite heavily and I was quite wet as I walked quickly home. The roads are very slippery and I was afraid of falling. The remaining tourists who have come for Christmas and still filling the streets but caught in the rain. Most tourists have already returned to their countries for the New Year. And the rains are very discouraging ... and the sun sets at 4pm and tourist sites close early ... so tourism sinks to a standstill in January and February every year. The snow has fallen in the Golan Heights and will probably continue for the next few weeks. Today's noon temp. was only 9 degrees so you get the idea how cold it is.

In a headlines news, the govt is cracking down on Israeli terrorists ... those who attack arabs and non-jews and destroy their properties. In a way it's a PR campaign to pacify the growing antisemitism in Europe and America. It's honesty and sincerity will be judged in the outcome of these arrests ... if the Israeli court will really charge and incarcerate these criminals. Several of churches and cemeteries have been burnt, destroyed and vandalised and no one has ever been charged.  https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5437107,00.html?fbclid=IwAR3w_Ic8Q1_HlL9ht9nPqPLtnSxe-URVlOlY3EkZ5KNDFon2GJJkUyoysYA