Yesterday I baked chocolate chip walnut cookies for a goodbye party for our priest. Father Pat is heading to Japan to help Peruvian Japanese who have returned to Japan acclimate back to society. He doesn’t know a lick of Japanese but he’s been reading his Japanese for Dummies. Apparently, there was a large group of Japanese in the 60’s and 70’s who fled to South America to find jobs. Since then they have adopted their culture, their language and their religion.
They are ready to head back home and will need someone accustomed to South American customs to help them. Since Father Pat spent over 20 years in Cuba and knows fluent Spanish, he’s been asked to help in Japan.
I always find it amazing that Lrudlrick and I met him. Father Pat is an Irish-American who was born and raised in the Bronx. He attended St. John’s, the same school as my husband.
He found his calling and became a Franciscan father and became a pastor in Cuba. After 20 or so years, he fled to America after his visa was revoked by Castro. He’s an amazingly patient and intellectual man who isn’t afraid to speak his mind against the injustices he sees.
I’m going to miss him terribly but I know he goes where he’s needed. There are so many people who could benefit from getting to know him.
As for me, he’s asked that I help with the Catechumens and although I’ve said yes I’m not sure how long I can help. If things go the way Lrudlrick hopes, it looks like we’ll be moving before the end of the year. Don't worry folks, there is no way Lrudlrick would uproot us out of the Big Apple. The real estate market might kick us out but Lrudlrick is fighting tooth and nail. This is all circumspect of course but so far things look likely to be changing.
Oh, and for those who wondered, I did make my beef stew last night. Sure, I wound up eating dinner at 10 but, it was so worth it. Yummy beef stew with a fresh baguette. Yum... Guess what I'm having for dinner?
