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Fr. John Joseph, pastor of Mary Gate of Heaven in Negril, Jamaica, had heart bypass surgery in Pittsburgh. Not
knowing when he might return, I was asked to help out during Holy Week and Easter. As it turned
out, Fr. JJ returned to Negril on Monday of Holy Week but was glad to have me around. It was
an awesome week.
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Chrism Mass (Jamaica)
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On Saturday, March 15, Bishop Charles Dufour of Montego Bay presided at the Chrism Mass when the Chrism,
Oil of Catechumens and Oil for the Sick are blessed. Priesthood is a central focus of the liturgy. I
usually attend the Chrism Mass in Cincinnati where the Cathedral is packed and many priests are in
attendance. There were 12 priests concelebrating, three of us visitors. Two priests were
absent. Of the 11 working in the diocese only one is Jamaican (and the bishop). The rest
are from the USA, Samoa, Fiji, Nigeria and the Philippines. Of the 11, five are leaving in the
summer. While the Church in Jamaica is small, meeting their needs is a real challenge for the
Bishop.
The Coat-of-Arms of the Diocese of Montego Bay Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
The façade of the Cathedral Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
The interior of the Cathedral Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
The view from the front doors of the Cathedral Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Another view from the front doors Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Bishop Dufour with Franciscan Br. Vince, the Master of Ceremonies Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Br. Vince giving directions to the Bishop. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Bishop Dufour with Fr. Joe Hund, pastor of our mission in Sav-la-mar Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Some of the gathered priests Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Several priests Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
All servers from the parishes and missions are invited to this Mass. The Bishop hopes to inspire vocations in this way. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Servers Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
I am with servers from St. Joseph in Sav-la-mar, one of our missions. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
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Palm Sunday (Jamaica)
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Br. Vince is the administrator and Fr. John Joseph is the pastor. Br. Tom assists in various
capacities. The 4th resident of the friary is Clare. Not to worry—Clare is a dog.
The Palms in the side yard Photo by Lascelles Mellers
Blessing the Palms Photo by Jill Watson
The servers are ready. Photo by Lascelles Mellers
The presider enters the church. Photo by Lascelles Mellers
Hey, don’t bother me. It’s Sunday afternoon and I worked hard this morning. Photo by Jeff Scheeler, OFM
Fr. John Joseph returned on Monday of Holy Week after successful heart bypass surgery. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Sometimes I just can’t resist…by the way, the little boy on the right is my friend Lascelles Mellers. Photo by Jim Bok's Camera
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Visiting Errol’s Farm (Jamaica)
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I baptized Errol Forrester two years ago. He is a faithful member of the parish. He has
a little farm in the hills. He has no running water or electricity and his transportation is
an old bicycle. The friars have assisted him with his farming. Now he has an irrigation
system and a motor scooter.
Errol on his farm Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Errol’s water tanks hold 1600 gallons. He collects rain water and has water trucked in. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
We furnished the PVC pipe and Errol installed it. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Errol turns on one of many strategically located spigots. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Errol picks some callaloo (kind of like spinach) for me. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Errol’s front door Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
The words hanging above Errol’s door Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Errol has begun to build himself a little house. When he has extra funds he buys materials. Building “little by little” is common in Jamaica. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
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Easter (Jamaica)
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Fr. John Joseph (JJ) presided at the Easter Vigil and I presided on Easter Sunday morning. Julie
Lewis and Andrew Nosworthy were baptized and Bilouxi English came into full communion. Julie
was baptized in church and Andrew in the pool at the Rayon Hotel, two doors down from the church. At
the Easter Vigil there were a few tourists. Most in attendance were the local faithful.
On Easter Sunday morning we had about 300 people in attendance, the majority tourists, and way more
than the church could hold. We rented a tent for the yard next to the church. The sun is
already quite hot at 10:00 a.m. The Easter Bunny visited after Mass, a first for the Jamaica
children—and adults, for that matter. The visitors enjoyed him too.
All the friars from both missions gathered for evening prayer and dinner later in the day. Br. Vince and I
managed to get to the beach to celebrate the joyous day.
 Clare prepares for her Easter bath. Br. Vince has to carry her to it against her will. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Once in the tub,Clare becomes resigned. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Br. Vince has the church decorated for Easter. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
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The Vigil (Jamaica)
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Fr. JJ is prepared for the Vigil. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
The faithful gather. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Julie is called forth for baptism. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Julie is baptized. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
The pool at the Rayon Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Andrew is called forth for baptism. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Andrew’s baptism Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Andrew’s baptism. I’m on the pool’s edge taking the previous photo. Photo by Jill Watson
Fr. JJ comes out of the pool after Andrew. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Back in church Julie and Andrew receive the light of Christ and are clothed in white garments. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Bilouxi makes her profession of faith with her sponsor and husband Michael. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Bilouxi, Julie and Andrew Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Michael, Br. Vince, Bilouxi, Julie, Andrew, me, Peter Fong (Godfather for Andrew) and Fr. John Joseph Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
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Easter Day (Jamaica)
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Br. Tom does the music ministry at Mary Gate. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Br. Tom with his choir; Miss Yvonne, Miss Bilouxi, Miss Pearl and Miss Kathleen Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
A little girl from the parish in her Easter finest Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
The church is packed. Photo by Lascelles Mellers
The overflow is under the tent. Photo by Lascelles Mellers
Communion distribution under the tent Photo by Lascelles Mellers
Where’s the Easter Bunny? Photo by Lascelles Mellers
There he is! Photo by Jim Bok's Camera
The Easter Bunny with parishioners and visitors Photo by Jim Bok's Camera
Tourists wanted a picture with the Easter Bunny. Photo by Jim Bok's Camera
The friars in Jamaica for Easter – Front row: Humbert (helping at Sav while Felix
is on a home visit back in Pakistan), John Joseph, Joe (pastor at St. Joseph’s in Sav), Vince. Back
row: Louie (ministering in Sav), me, Tom, and Jeff (our Vicar Provincial and assisting at Sav and its
missions for Easter). After this photo we went to the Rayon, site of the baptism, and had Easter
dinner together. Photo by Stan Holland, T.O.R.
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Chinle, AZ – On The Navajo Reservation
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My associate, Colleen Cushard, and I attended a meeting of the development directors from the 7 U.S.
Franciscan provinces. The meeting was in Albuquerque, NM, lending itself to a visitation of some
of our friars working in the area. Here is a quick visit with them.
Our Lady of Fatima is built in a Hogan shape, a traditional Navajo structure. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Fr. Blane, pastor, prepares for the entrance procession at Mass. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
A baby was baptized during Mass. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
The light of Christ is given to the child. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Blane greets folks as they leave church. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Colleen and I pose with Blane. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
We visited St. Michaels Mission, St. Michaels, AZ, on the way to Chinle. It is the first place the friars from Cincinnati went on mission in 1897. This is the original mission;
a residence for 3 friars and a small chapel. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
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Alamogordo, NM
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Frs. Bruce and Bryant Hausfeld, brothers, minister at Immaculate Conception Church and missions in
La Luz and Cloudcroft. Br. Bill Spirk assists at IC.
Fr. Bryant works with young men who are in prison and being released from prison. He
calls it ministry to inmates and exmates. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
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El Paso, Texas
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We visited the inter-provincial Border Project, a collaborative ministry to immigrants, and Fr. Henry
Beck, Catholic chaplain at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP).
Colleen is pictured with Frs. Joe Nelson and Frank Probst outside the mission of La Purissima,
the parish they administer. Fr. Francis Wendling will be joining the project after his sabbatical. Francis
has been and will continue to be the chaplain at Casa de Asis, a home for street kids in Juarez, Mexico,
just across the border. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Fr. Henry, Colleen and a student who works part time in the Newman Center office. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Henry and I sit next to the new Newman Center sign. The new center was just opened a few months ago. By the way, those are UTEP hats we are wearing. Photo by Colleen Cushard
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Casa De Asis, Juarez, Mexico
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I’ve often written about Casa de Asis, a home for street kids. It was founded by our Fr.
Francis Wendling and Sr. Frances Alonzo, a Franciscan sister. It’s one of my favorite places. During
our visit we took the kids to Peter Piper Pizza for pizza and ice cream. The place has a game
arcade and the kids have a great time.
Profe Mario, a retired school teacher/principal comes to the Casa every day to tutor and work with the children after they get home from school. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Kindergartner Jesús honing his coloring skills. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Aaron, Ernesto, Jesús and Kevin Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Did someone say pizza? Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Playtime at Peter Piper Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
More playtime Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Pizza time Photo by Colleen Cushard
Sr. Frances, aka, Madre, and me. She is the director—the “mother”—of the Casa. Photo by Colleen Cushard
Jesús likes ice cream. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Armondo likes ice cream. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
And, yes, Madre likes it too. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
Colleen with Madre Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
See why I love the Casa de Asis. Photo by Jim Bok, O.F.M.
I hope you enjoyed the tour. It gives a sense of where we are and what we do. I like to think
of this scrapbook as a photo journal of the building of the Kingdom. That’s what you and
me and the friars are doing—building the Kingdom.
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