Sunday, July 29, 2007

The Bishop's Visit

Today was the Big Day! The Bishop visited Parroquia San Cristóbal and we all lived through the experience. Actually, other than the organ going on the fritz yesterday, too late in the day to be repaired, things went very well. Two were baptized and twenty-three were confirmed. My sister, Melanie Castillo, served as organist this morning. Both choirs sang, and the church was packed; around 250 people. We had a festive Coffee Hour with fruit salad, Sarah Williams' famous Empanadas de Bacalao and her fabulous chocolate cake, and sandwiches and cookies. Plus coffee (Panamanian, of course, the best coffee in the world) or chicha. Here are some photos of the festivities.


On the Patio Before the Service


The Procession

It's a long procession!

The Rt. Rev. Julio E. Murray, Bishop of the Diocese of Panamá, IARCA



Los Bautismos



Candidatos de Confirmación

More Candidates for Confirmation



Confirmación



Fortalece, oh Señor, a tu siervo N., con tu Espíritu Santo; dale poder para servirte; y susténtale todos los días de su vida. Amén.

Welcome the Newly Confirmed!

The Senior Choir singing "Bless This Church" (an altered version of "Bless This House" by our Director of Music and Liturgy, Mr. Percival Thomas)

El Coro de Jovenes with the Lovely Mona directing, Mr. Ricardo Staples on drums, Ms. Melanie Castillo on keyboard, and Padre on guitar, singing "Abre los Cielos" (Open the Heavens)

First Communion

9 comments:

June Butler said...

Oh, Padre Mickey, this is beautiful. I love the captions in Spanish. They give me a little practice.

It's lovely to see the words for Confirmation en español. The boys and girls look handsome and beautiful. Tell them you have a virtual friend who prays for them.

MadPriest said...

Just a non-sarcastic, unfunny, straightforward, bog-standard, great big thank you for this. I actually feel part of it, even a little proud. Ain't the internet brilliant?

Lori said...

What a beautiful day! Thanks for the pictures. It's a gift to see so many children being baptized and confirmed!!

Matthew Hubbard said...

Like madpriest said. No snarky, just thanks for the post.

Anonymous said...

What a day!
Wish I'd been there.
Lindy

Aghaveagh said...

You should be justifiably proud of everyone--the good kind of pride, no the bad kind that gets you put onto the first terrace of Dante's Purgatorio. Twenty-three confirmands! Wow.

Fabuloso! (Isn't it Spanish if you put an "o" at the end?)

I am sorry your organ is not working properly. You should talk to Mad Priest about it because Grandmere Mimi says that Mad Priest has a real difficult time getting his organ to work properly, although she says she's heard it's not a very big one.

I wish our Bishop would come visit us. We are not on his list of visits for the year, and we've sent him letters asking him to come,but to no avail. I know we can be a thorn in his side sometimes (or more like a PITA) but still...*sigh*

Anonymous said...

Wonderful, glorious...the very best NEWS for all the world to see!

Love, much happiness and inspired living to all...

Leonardo Ricardo

Jane R said...

What fun! Thanks so much for posting the pictures. Great to see the whole family (biological and of choice and of church) celebrating.

So you wait till Confirmation to have First Communion? Customs vary a lot on this -- we used to communicate the babies at Good Shepherd.

Now get some rest -- con una cerveza. (Did I spell that right?)

Reverend Ref + said...

Yes, what everybody else said . . . wonderful pictures of a wonderful event.

Although . . . I was a little disappointed that the Right Reverend in God Bishop Red Peanut wasn't in attendance. It looks like there was room for him on the font . . .

I See You!

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