St. Francis of Assisi Day- a Day to Remember

The festivities began early at about 7:15am when a couple dogs came up into the church's courtyard and right behind them came clopping two horses that were "rescue horses". By 7:30am the courtyard outside of church was filled with about 30 dogs, 8 cats, two turtles, ( one named Mary), 1 fish and the 2 rescue horses. Everyone remembered Mollie, the mule, who came every year for a blessing but sadly died last week. (She had no teeth anymore and choked on her food. She was about 40 years old.)

Fr. Ariel and Deacon Jim went to each pet individually and calling them by name blessed them in  honor of St. Francis who loved animals dearly. There were vey unique names such as "Cletus" for a bassett hound. They each received a certificate from the church's secretary. There were only a few dogs that challenged each other.

The all school Mass started in the courtyard and many animals stayed for the Mass with their owners. Father A said all the pets could stay since all were Catholic now. The children were proud to have their pets there for all to see. Many parishioners stayed with their puppies on their laps. All were very quiet during the Mass except for the tiny chihuaha who growled through most of the Mass.

Father A is known for telling jokes during his homily. His joke today dealt with animals. He asked the children if there were pets in heaven-of course they are in heaven. Father A proceeded to tell them how when each pet reaches heaven they are given a vehicle to drive. When a rat reached heaven, he was given a skateboard. The cat looked at him on the skateboard and said, "Hmmmm-meals on wheels!" This brought a laugh from all.

At the end of Mass one little PreK girl took the collar off of her boxer who then took the opportunity to check out the other dogs. The master quickly caught him and put the collar back on.

The festivities continued as the pastor bought ice cream for all the students for lunch and a chocolate cake for Sr. Mary Gabriel and myself. We also received roses from one of the students.

The first St. Francis Day celebration was beautiful and very memorable!

A joyful blessing!

All listening to the homily!

I think this puppy knows he is being blessed. Look at how he sat up and looked at Father!

BUSY WEEKEND

Respect Life Weekend-Holy Hour on  Sat. from 3:30-4:30pm. My school choir sang the Fatima Ave after each decade and sang all the traditional benediction songs. I was amazed at them. They also knelt on the hard floor for the 1st decade. Free ice cream for all!

Sunday-there was a holy hour before each Mass as part of Respect Life Weekend. I got one of my Army Dads and his two sons in 7th & 8th to lead one of the decades-it was impressive to see these men praying as a family.

Ministry Weekend after all the Masses-there are 46 different ministries in this parish-each had a spot at one of the tables put up in the courtyard. There was a booklet with the description of each ministry and a sign up form to choose the ministry(ies) you care to serve at. I was at my spot with All Saints Catholic School.

 I found out why many people came over to me to volunteer to help out in school. Father Ariel in his announcements after Mass talked about the $340,000+ mortgage the school has out. He asked for all parishioners to pitch in and help save the school. He said it was not up to Sr. Carol who has been working hard to save the school and who inherited the debt. I feel a big weight lifted from my shoulders.

After the morning Masses I headed home to watch the Packer game as I awaited the arrival of our six Sisters from Tucson. They arrived and off we went for an early St. Francis Day Dinner at the 50s Diner one of my parents own. Since we are all products of the 50s we enjoyed all the memorabilia on the walls-Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans, John Wayne, Ricky Nelson etc.  A walk down memory lane with poodle skirts and saddle shoes! We all remembered how these shoes never wore out but a pain to polish trying to keep the black polish from the white.

Next was a tour of our school and church. They were impressed with all the space we have and the beauty of the mountains all around us.

Coincidence or God is Speaking

Our pastor is on vacation so Mass was celebrated by Rev. Sean Carroll, a Jesuit. He is the Executive Director of a new Initiative by the Jesuits called Kino Border Initiative. It has been going on for 2 1/2 years. It is bi-national located in Nogales, Az and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Nogales is about 45 minutes from us.

Their ministry is to provide assistance to the Mexicans who are deported. They provide shelter, food, clothing, medical and counsel to those who are being sent back to  Mexico. He works with people on both sides of the border.

He explained how we can help: 1) through donations of clothing, food or money 2) by volunteering your time there, many high school and college groups come and give of their time. He said if you wanted to know about his mission and how you can help see him after Mass-so I did.

As a result, my students and parents will be conducting a clothing drive and he or some of his team will come to speak to my students about their project and the need for it. I know this will be an eye-opener for my students-to see the other side of the border patrol and those they "round up".

Rev Sean explained how it has not been easy getting this project going. Many nights he just wanted to walk away. He is to be commended for having this project be bi-national.

If you care to know more about this project check out their very informative website:
http://www.kinoborderinitiative.org/  Maybe you can help too!

What Would Jesus Have Done?

Wednesday, I had my 7th/8th grade Religion class in the church journaling. I was sitting in church looking out the big glass window in the sanctuary, where you can see the mountains- a beautiful view. All of a sudden I saw about five men in front of the window on the church lawn. They didn't look like men from the neighborhood and they were lurking around. I quickly put the 9th grader in charge of the class and went to make sure all the gates to the school property were locked. Then I went to the parish office to ask the secretary to help me.

 They were undocumented men who crossed the border. We went to see if they needed food or water. When we got out to the lawn they were gone but a border patrol vehicle was speeding by church. Before we knew it we had about five border patrol vehicles all around us.

 I took my class back to their room. They didn't say a word. About a half hour later I saw a border patrol in our parking lot. He told me it was safe for the students to come out for recess-they rounded all the men up.

 I took the students out for recess and there were about six border patrol vehicles still lined up on the dirt road next to the playground and by the wash that is right behind the school. I was told that the undocumented often hide out in the wash and that our church used to be the pick-up point. My 7th grade girls then told me that they saw the men too from where they sat in church. They also told me about the time the undocumented were fed in the school cafeteria by the former pastor and then he hid them on the stage while the students came in for lunch. People protested this and as a result we have the gates around school.

I really pondered my first experience here with the undocumented and the border patrol today because that morning before school started I read on the internet that about 35 bodies were dumped in the busy street of Mexico City-work of the drug lords. With all the violence in their country they risk their lives trying to escape to the U.S. knowing that they might get "rounded up" by the border patrol or die in the desert or the mountains. What is the better life for them? If Jesus were on our church grounds on Wednesday what would He have done?

Monsoon Season

Monsoon season starts in the middle of July and goes to the middle of September. We are almost at the end of it. Then it doesn't rain anymore for the rest of the year. Around 2:30 or 3:00 you hear thunder and you look out and see blue skies and you know the monsooon is rolling in for the day. Lightning comes and then the dark clouds followed by the downpour for a couple hours or just 15 minutes. It might rain on one street but not the one next to it.

Monday night I was hurrying home from school to watch the Packers play on Monday Night Football. It wasn't raining on Yaqui St. where our school is but as I turned up Cherokee it started to rain and then it poured as I hit Buffalo Trails Hwy. I made it home and it downpoured for about 45 minutes.

I waited till the end of the 1st quarter to head back to school to get my laptop. As I turned onto Buffalo Trails Hwy I was in awe as in front of me was the stem of a beautiful rainbow. As I drove I looked to the left of me and saw a white shower coming down on that neighborhood. I knew they were getting heavy rain in that one spot but not anywhere else. Turning left onto Yaqui Street I exclaimed, " Oh My God!!" There by the mountains I saw a golden glow coming from behind the clouds hanging on the top of the mountains. I thought -"Is this what the end of the world is going to look like?" I forgot all about hurrying home for the 2nd quarter. Of all the times not to have my camera in the car. Perfect picture but the beauty could no way be captured by anyone but God.

Double rainbow after monsoon.

A rainbow shines as the sky darkens again; for the monsoon returns for another soaking. 

 

Duties of a Principal

Our school-All Saints Catholic School-is located outside the city amidst the mountains and most of the roads by school are dirt or stone. I guess I shouldn't have been shocked with the two lessons the janitor taught me today.
1) I was shown the stick to carry snakes-rattlesnakes and others-off of the school grounds. The stick is about 4 feet long with a clamp at the end. Upon seeing a snake open the clamp and get the head and then carry it off school grounds-do not kill it. Capture and release program!
2) African bees are very common here. If you see a hive of bees call the beekeeper in Bisbee. He knows how to get rid of them.
Maybe I will be blessed and not have to put into action what I learned today.

1st Month of School Accomplished

It is Labor Day Weekend! Thank you, God!! This means one month of school is over and I survived! Our Supt. came for a whole day visit. She was pleased to see the great spirit among teachers and students, all classrooms were being used and positive changes are being made at  All Saints Catholic School. One of the biggest changes I have seen was today at our 3rd school Mass. The students sang songs they really enjoyed and there was even student cantors and a duet at Communion time. The pastor was very pleased with the students' participation and with all the parents who came to the Mass. We surprised the pastor and put  smile on his face!!

On a humorous note-I did playground duty at noon. One student commented to me-"You are only the 2nd teacher to be on the playground." I found out other teachers stood at the edge of the playground and I actually walked by the students. When one of the girls asked me if I could swing on the swings-I showed her. Then when I heard there were bees by the trash can I jumped off instead of completely stopping. The student quickly informed me that she didn't think jumping off the swings was allowed!! I guess she is right.