2019

1st sunrise of 2019

2019 has arrived. It's no big deal here as muslims and jews have their new years in autumn. There were some fireworks in the park ... I heard them at midnight but it's a far cry from what the rest of the world had celebrated. The weather however was great ... the sun was out and brightly shining while the cold winter wind continued to blow.

Our Chapel ready for Adoration

We had no night Mass in our house ... we're only a skeleton crew left at home. We had instead solemn vespers with Eucharistic adoration ending with benediction and the singing of the Te Deum. It was my turn to preside at the liturgy this week so I did everything with a hoarse share throat and lots of wheezing and coughing. Survived it. And in full liturgical regalia too. Then after dinner I went for a walk ... the New City was crowded but not for New Year revellers. It doesn't work here. Most were jews going to the Wailing Wall and only a handful of tourists desperately looking for New Year countdown fun. It wasn't happening. Too bad.

Ancient pine trees at capuchin garden

This morning I started the New Year early by celebrating Mass at the M. Teresa's convent at 6.30am. Then I had to walk 2.5km to the Capuchin monastery south of Jerusalem. Its a huge piece of property with several buildings and a huge garden with pine trees and fruit/veggie garden. Their chapel is huge and they have 2 halls for meetings and talks. It's an oasis of tranquility in the middle of a residential neighbourhood. Fr. Chen from the Ecole Biblique gave a meditation on the Feast of the Mother of God, then we had an hour's quiet reflection. Then we celebrated Mass and then took a slow walk back to the New City 1.5km away. Thanks to Fr. Kevin the Capuchin superior and his community for accommodating us this morning.

Lunch was at Mian restaurant where each of us ordered a bowl of noodles. Great hot soup noodles on a cold winter's day. Well I'm having the rest of the afternoon off ... resting or reading. No stress ... just a slow start to the New Year. Tonight I'll have to preside at Vespers ... the 1st for 2019.

Last day of 2018

Streaky clouds on the last day

It's the last day of 2018 ... the year went pretty fast. I had hardly completed any of the projects for 2018. Well it leaves 2019 a lot to be done and completed.

The sky this morning splashed streaks of white clouds from east to west. Quite a show. Rather dramatic to end the year. The weather remains overcast and cold. No higher than 9 degrees in the afternoon. There was quite a drizzle in the early morning but it dried out by 9am. It's a holiday mood anyway ... everyone just doing holiday stuff like eating and watching videos.

The new Coffee Bean cafe

Being the last day of the year, we have the traditional Holy Hour with benediction plus singing of the Te Deum. However with only a skeleton crew at home and sacristan sisters new to the job, I'll have to do everything ... printing out the song sheets, preparing the incense and monstrance .... not a tranquil moment on the last day of the year.
One good piece of news though ... the Coffee Bean cafe which was closed for almost 8 months has now finally reopened. People have been waiting ... and now everyone is giving it a try. I'd like to go there one day soon ... and have sahlab. It's winter after all.

Well its back to work in the sacristy and getting the last night of 2018 ready. Tomorrow we have a recollection day. Sure hope it'll be nice an quiet ... and the weather holds up ... at least for the first day of 2019.

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

Thomas Beckett day

Christmas lights in the arab side of
town

The weather continues to be cold and gloomy ... typical of winter. Highest temp at daytime is only 9 degrees. Up in the Golan Heights, it's snowing. It should rain here in Jerusalem but it's only drizzling. Though I need to go out and do some chores ... I've kept myself in my room. The bronchitis is still not over so I'm not taking any chances. But it has improved a lot though. Anyway it's the feast of St. Thomas Beckett, Archbishop of Canterbury murdered in the cathedral.

Police on alert

Yesterday 2 great contributors to the humanities died: Sr. Wendy Beckett the hermit who became a famous art critic; and Amos Oz, Israeli's greatest writer and conscience of the country. I've been watching Sr. Wendy's series on art yesterday. She was a student of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of the Lord of the Rings and translator of the Jerusalem Bible in english.

There were several scuffles in the Old City the past few days. Police presence has been stepped up. There is a palpable tension in the atmosphere but thankfully the rains disperses everyone and keeps enemies at bay.

A shocking report by British commissions reveal that 215 million christians around the world faced persecution in 2018. This is by far the largest number of christian persecution this century.  Well no one is doing anything about it. The christian conscience of Europe is dead ... christianity in Europe is dead. https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Britain-commissions-review-of-Christian-persecution-worldwide-575721?fbclid=IwAR15IGWjNBHszD0QHArqBnJMwgjJWaVnbBRSl43h9NmnbWJd6-6o0C4897M

The talk about town ... the eastern side of town that is ... is laughing at Netanyahu being played out by Trump. The PM had relied a lot on Trump especially seeing the US embassy move to Jerusalem as a victory. Now Israel is abandoned to defend itself as US troops pullout of Syria. And the embassy move is all sound and fury, signifying nothing. Life continues in the City as if the embassy is still in Tel Aviv. No difference made. It's a hallow victory which Israel will be made to pay a lot.

Yesterday's bomb killing 4 Vietnamese tourists in Cairo was a horrible reminder NOT to go to Egypt. Israel constantly published travel warnings against going to Egypt ... but there are money minded travel agencies who risk tourists' lives by organising tours there. Tourists also should make all necessary inquiries regarding the safety of their visit. One incident like this is enough ... you can't bring dead people back to life.  https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/two-vietnamese-tourists-killed-10-injured-by-roadside-bomb-in-egypt?xtor=CS1-10&fbclid=IwAR09XeJdNvCpKXT8jBfLjddZMgEeveyhKch6Bt7gm5IMUyuXTZnEA51z0U4

Holy Innocents day

The rains have stopped after a drizzle early this morning and the sun is up .... fighting behind the clouds. It is very cold ... 7 degrees maximum today and the forecast is another storm tomorrow. It sets the mood for the feast of the Holy Innocents ... the slaughter of little babies by Herod.

Cauliflowers growing

My visit to the MC convent in Bethlehem the other day was very pleasant. The convent overlooks the vast Judean desert to the east. I offered Mass in their chapel ... which is barely 300 meters from the Basilica of the Nativity. Remembered you all at Mass .... all living and dead, all intentions and petitions. I didn't have lunch there but I visited their garden and saw Sr. Emiline had been planting a lot of veggies. There were baby cauliflowers and spinach ... typical winter veggies. Amazing.

Deserted streets in
the rain

There is revealed a dehumanising legal policy in Israel which forbids relationships between foreign workers. The punishment is deportation. Foreign workers may not have children or be married here. The govt fears that a foreign family unit might be established here ... and this is forbidden. Israel is for jews only. I wonder how the Holy Innocents feel about this ... 2000 years ago they were deemed a threat too.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-dozens-to-hundreds-how-israel-deports-foreign-worker-couples-1.6787509?fbclid=IwAR3qgQvfngmg_C58R4kngnDAviMwDS3E9tijhBq6UBPwKZ-cpkNvLNw2JDs
and
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-in-court-israel-defends-ban-on-relationships-between-foreign-workers-1.6785834?fbclid=IwAR2CFcyFZSzjECpCPMvjY_MnWLbbC1nOxiaFGbV4lL-7Vnyi47z8qFxHVm0

St. John feastday

New Gate with minimal decorations

The promised rain has come. Very strong winds, very cold and rain. Indoors it doesn't seem so apparent but the strong wind blows through the cracks under the door nd you can feel the cold air blasting across the room. I am definitely staying indoors today as my bronchitis is not yet over. I managed to get a better night's sleep last night but with the falling temp. I was kept awake by the cold.

New Gate is decorated with minimal Christmas lights as ultra-orthodox jews complain to the police every year about christian idolatry ... meaning the Christmas Tree and the Crib scene. For the past years they have called the police to tear down our decorations ... and the Mayor who needs the orthodox votes, complied and tore down all our Christmas stuff. So much for tolerance and Israel as the only island of protection for christians in the Middle East. The power of the ultra-orthodox jews is way out of proportion but they grip the govt. with fear and eternal damnation, so even the police and army and govt. bow to this minority.

Tree and Crib at Bethlehem

We're enjoying more freedom in Palestine with the muslims. All the villages and towns with christian presence are allowed to put up a Christmas Tree. Even Gaza, after 10 years of probation, has this year put up an enormous Tree in the City Square and permitted open celebration of Christmas. Of course we all know it's part of Hamas' political stunt to get european support and sympathy. After all all it's tunnels have been blown up and majority of its arab benefactor countries are now supporting Israel instead.

Just as Israel suffers from the implosion by infighting between the ultra-orthodox and the rest of judaism; Palestine suffers from implosion too ... by the unscrupulous moneymakers and the rest of the poor. Yesterday a group of palestinians were sold a tour package to the Israeli Red Sea resort city of Eilat. All duped by the arab agency because they do not have permits to leave Palestine and enter Israel. The organiser, driver and guide were arrested and the poor blokes who thought they paid for a holiday are all back home a lot less richer.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/bus-full-of-permit-less-palestinians-stopped-en-route-to-eilat-vacation/

Israel's bombardment of Syrian/Iranian military bases is still causing a lot of concern locally because no one here wants a war. Trump this morning said that he gives Israel $4.2 billion and much more each year so "Israel can take care of itself" and doesn't need American military help in Syria. Politicians and the Media are accusing the PM for relying too much on Trump ... and now Trump has turned his back on Israel. Hazardous relationship with this US president.

St. Stephan Day

Today started with very bright sunshine and even warm ... 18 degrees I think. But by 3pm the temp. began to drop and the sky got very cloudy. A storm is coming tomorrow ... a big one say the forecasters. Well I look forward to that. With my bronchitis still around, I can stay in bed and not work.

The MC Bethlehem chapel

This morning I had to go to Bethlehem and visit the Missionaries of Charity. I had 7 bags of clothes and food for the sisters who care for abandoned, handicapped men. The sisters asked me to celebrate Mass and hear confessions as well so it was only after 2 hours that I was able to leave the town, first visiting the patients in the home and surveying the convent for any needed repairs. The sisters were kind enough to cook some rice and fish for me to bring home. Bro. Leo accompanied me to carry the bags. On our way home, just before crossing the checkpoint, I decided to also pay a visit to the Caritas Baby Hospital and the Franciscan Sisters who manage the institute. This was my first time in 28 years that I've visited this place. It was a pleasant Christmas visit since I preach to the sisters for their monthly recollection days.

Our cook in festive
mood

Well celebrations are taking place in our shrines dedicated to St. Stephen ... the place of the stoning which was once a Franciscan shrine but occupied now by the Greek Orthodox; St. Stephen Basilica where he was buried (today red for by the Dominicans) ... and a late spurious legend at Beit Jamal which says the body of St. Stephen was reburied there (today cared for by the Salesians). Wherever it was, Masses are being celebrated in all these places. Tomorrow is the feast of St. John but there is no church dedicated to St. John nor any of the apostles except St. Peter (2 churches) and St. Bartolomew (in Cana) in the Holy Land.

Volcanoes Krakatau and Edna, at 2 opposite ends of the world ... are exploding at the same time. This is apocalyptic. Everyone here is talking about it. Jewish groups have started sending aid to Indonesia ... remarkable because both countries are official enemy states with no diplomatic relations.  https://www.jpost.com/Diaspora/Jewish-groups-send-aid-to-Indonesia-as-death-toll-tops-400-575377?fbclid=IwAR3jJMXnFFeLUqguFzWY0M9HEdIfsEAnuGaKBXog34hEwkzzi4HeJXH0Imk

But even more exciting ... for lack of a better word, is Israel's bombing if Syrian sites yesterday, particularly in Damascus.  It was apparently so massive the explosions were felt as far as Israel itself. In response the Syrians fired missiles into Israel but were intercepted by antimissile rangers. Smells like a war has started on our northern border .... thanks to Trump for wanting to pull out the US forces. It's open war now ... free for all. The biggest massacres and genocides will now take place.  https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/syria/syria-says-missiles-intercepted-near-damascus-1.6783667?fbclid=IwAR3Wmw1ad0Nfnw1C68ke1vR0cZVIVse1y77PiT2tjWPOnSkOGBaavR4gaJk