Father Patrick did a wonderful job putting bluish lights in the upper hallway that give a beautiful glow at night.
The night scene of the belen or creche Father Patrick did has a similar beauty.
Father Patrick placed an infant Jesus (Niño) on its own stand for people to venerate at any time. Many visiting the Christmas Village do so, as this mom and child are doing.
Since November 27, from 6-9PM every night of the week, the doors of the Guam Friary open to several hundred people, especially the children, who come to view the Christmas Village. It will continue till January 8.
Postulants helping bag sandwiches for the night's refreshments
A new fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order was established in Hawaii last November 11. The fraternity has Blessed (Mother) Marianne Cope for its patron. Blessed Marianne was a Franciscan sister who, like Saint Damien, worked with people suffering from leprosy in Hawaii. Father Gordon Combs, OFM Cap, has been Spiritual Assistant to the Hawaii SFO for many years. The ceremony was held during Mass at Immaculate Conception Church in Ewa, a parish administered by the friars with Father Michel Dalton, OFM Cap, serving as pastor.
Around December 8 (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception) every year, the Chamorros in Southern California come together to celebrate the Eucharist for the intention of the patients from Guam referred to hospitals and medical centers in the Los Angeles area. December 8 is an important day for Chamorros, as it is the day that we give honor to Our Lady of Camarin, Guam's patroness.
A replica of the statue of Our Lady of Camarin permanently rests in the chapel of Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, since many people from Guam are referred to that hospital for medical treatment. The original statue was found, according to an old story, in the waters off Merizo, Guam and for many years has been revered in the Cathedral in Agana.
People instinctively reach out to honor their spiritual mother.
Juana Santiago Cruz, Fr Eric's former parishioner in Merizo, who now lives in California.
The gentleman on the right (Ken Kisa), holding his young son, was Fr Eric's altar server in Saipan back in 1991. He now lives in California. His wife and parents stand on the left.
Friends from the Chamorro Community in Southern California.
Putting the Christmas Village together is a massive effort, taking two months' of daily work. But the Quinata and Villagomez families, and their helpers, do a masterful job. They are true artists!
Years ago someone donated a LED light panel to the Friary so it can advertise the upcoming Christmas Village. The sign faces the main road and cars can see it lit at night.
The Friary Christmas Village has become a major Guam event during the holidays. The last time it was held, over 10,000 people came to the Friary to view it.
The huge collection of pieces that make up the Village is the property of the Quinata and Villagomez families, who have spent years building up the collection. They generously share their ornaments with the friars to hold this annual fundraising event.
It takes about two months to put it up, and the family members volunteer their many hours and physical efforts to do so. Since they come after working hours, they have dinner at the Friary. God bless them! It has become the Christmas event of the island in recent years.
For the past month and a half, the Quinata and Villagomez families have been putting in many hours at the Friary every evening constructing the Christmas Village. Since they come after work, they also have dinner at the Friary as they hammer, saw and glue the Village together. Tonight had the special addition of a birthday celebration - Annie Quinata's. Her grandchildren got her a cake for the occasion.
Father Bob Maher, who had to sit for the beginning of the liturgy as he recuperates from leg surgery, is administrator of Saint George parish in Waimanalo.
The facade of Saint George Church
Waimanalo lies on the lush eastern side of Oahu, which gets more rain and cooling breezes than the leeward side. The Ko'olau Mountains tower above the town.
Brother Nate Santos, who comes from Santa Rita, Guam, is in his second year of college and studying at Holy Names University in Oakland, California. Besides a full-time academic schedule, Brother Nate brings Holy Communion to the sick as his weekly ministry.
The Berkeley Capuchin Friary (Saint Conrad Friary)
where Brother Nate lives
The campanile (bell tower) of the UC Berkeley campus can be seen from the roof top of the friary.
And on a less foggy day, one can see the Golden Gate Bridge from the same friary roof top.
The commemoration of the passing of Saint Francis to Eternal Life
The Guam friars celebrated the Transitus on Thursday, September 29. Every deceased friar of the Vice Province was remembered with a candle lit in their memory. Father Andre and the postulants organized the service.
The friars, including Archbishop Apuron (left), sing the opening song.
Father Patrick Castro arranged the candle lighting space.
Over 300 people gathered at Saint Fidelis Friary on Friday, September 23, for the final night of the novena to Padre Pio, followed by Mass, procession and dinner.
The rain started before dawn and kept pouring and pouring, but the people ketp coming and coming. The rain stopped just before 6pm, and the prayers began around 620pm. The rain never returned and a great, and dry, time was had by all.
The sanctuary was decked out beautifully with autumn colors.
Padre Pio and Our Lady (unseen here) were both decorated with flower leis.
The men begin carrying the andas, or pallet, of Padre Pio for the procession.
A rear view of the candle light procession.
Archbishop Anthony Apuron graced us with his presence. Fr. Andre stands on the left.
A relic of Padre Pio (one of his blood stained handkerchiefs) is venerated.
The fiesta meal had more than enough food, provided by the people themselves.
Established so far back we can't be sure when (probably the 1910s), the San Francisco Fraternity of the SFO is the pioneer of the two SFO fraternities on Guam, and meets every first Sunday of the month at the Friary. They keep alive the Franciscan tradition in the Chamorro language.
