Today I participated in the dedication of Colegio Episcopal San Francisco de Asís. This is the newest school of the Diocese of Panamá, and it is located in a new barriada named Brisas de Golf (Gulf Breezes). The schools of Iglesia Episcopal de Panamá are considered some of the best schools in the country, and members of the community approached the Bishop and requested a school in this new neighborhood. They found the land and also financing for the school. It is a bilingual school, teaching in Español and English. It is a primary school at present, but will soon include a secondary school.
When I arrived I was greeted by Bishop Murray, who then asked if I would "help us with the incense." I thought he just wanted me to get the thang lit, but then he asked me to be thurifer. I pointed out that I was not wearing 4th Century street clothes, but he said it didn't matter, as Padre Forero was going to be crucifer and he wasn't vested, either. So I handed my camera to Padre Carlos Austin and swung the pot.
We had a procession, plaque blessing, ribbon cutting, and a Santa Eucaristía. After the Eucharist we had many thankyous and acknowledgements and then a great presentation, as who can resist Children Doing Folk Dances???? No one, that's who!!! Then we had a Lovely Repast.
Between Padre Carlos y Yo, tenemos muchos fótos. ¡Mira!
Bishop Julio Murray and Profesora Marcella Dickens, Directora de Colegio Episcopal de San Francisco de Asís.
Procession
Padre Luís reads the Gospel
From the Bishop's perspective, kinda
Crowd
Plaque blessing
Ribbon cutting
The Procession continues. . .
The Altar
La Santa Eucaristía
El Congregación
Bendiciones
The Benediction
Then Padre Carlos gave me the camera back.
And Now. . .LITTLE KIDS DOING FOLK DANCING!!!
A good shot of her tembleques
La Comida
LA ESCUELA
Computer Lab
Tropical Forest right next to school!
There is a contest for School Queen. Here are the candidates. Vote early and vote often!
7 comments:
Handling the thurifer once again, I see.
Once a Stinky, always a Stinky.
What a magnificent looking school! Just from the decorations, etc. -- and especially the dancing -- you can sense a good spirit there.
Good to see you swinging the smokepot, but hope you didn't bop anyone! Pero, Padre, donde estan las oleadas de fumo?!
Bien nifty...I vote for all the young ladies as they are all lovely!
Three Cheers!
the word verifiction is Flans...love it.
Wow, that is a really nice new school. So new and so clean.
Anglicans at work in the vineyards of the lord and not an Orthodite in sight! + Many blessing on la Iglesia Anglicana de Panama as you minister and gently witness among the people there. + God's blessings on your union and continued work as a diocese in la Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America.
I hope that you do not have the trouble with taggers like we do. That great white expanse would be too much temptation for them here. It only takes one to break the spell and then they all start tagging the building.
I am thinking that the name of the new barrio is las Brisas del Golfo.
What the others said!
What a fresh, beautiful and happy place. Blessings indeed!
Nice to get a look atthe new school. For queen I vote for the beautiful Harpy Eagle!
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