Last week of Lent

Few hawkers

The rains have finally stopped today. It's very sunny and I think it'll go up to 20 degrees in the afternoon. But indoors it's still very chilly. Yesterday evening the rain was hard. I hear near Bethlehem there was a hailstorm. There was thunder and lightening that's for sure. I think the past few nights it was done to 7 degrees.

The wet weather has damped the few hawkers who set up stall at Damascus Gate for Ramadan. Just a motley group selling toiletries and jeans, and a cart of strawberries. No music, no clowns, no buntings and lights. Event eh shops that usually sell Ramadan sweets and delicacies are not open. I guess the economy is affecting everyone. There's been alot of calls for help: from paying rent and electric/water bills to buying food and medicine. A co-ordinated effort between the Custody, Patriarchate and other Catholic agencies make sure aid is not duplicated.

It's the last week of Lent. This Sunday begins Holy Week. It'll be a busy time as the migrant communities who make up the majority of the Church members will be holding their own liturgies based on language. Everyone helps everyone else with communion and confessions. It's good collaboration especially among the asian chaplains.