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!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
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!
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!
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