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| Dancers ready to begin. |
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| Fr Andrew offering a greeting. |
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| Delivering the Word. |
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| Presentation of the Word by Deacon Agapetus. |
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| Choir singers. |
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| Baby class singers. |
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| Traditional dancers. |
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| Fashion show. |
-- Christopher Bell
Saturday, July 5, 2014
St James Feast
Holy Cross takes care to celebrate the feast day of the school's namesake St James, the apostle and martyr, on a day when we are present. The celebration includes Mass followed by songs, poems, dancing, food, and a fashion show for kids from throughout the school.
Humble and Loving Hearts
Every night I go to bed with sore cheeks and an aching
heart. The muscles in my face are gaining more strength than ever due to the amount
of smiles I shed in both joy and as a mutual sign of love for those around me.
I never knew the power of a simple action, bringing two worlds together simultaneously
at no cost.
I’m honored to be here and have found gratitude in levels I
never thought possible. The simplest of actions are what mean the most and that
new-found enlightenment I will carry with me forever.
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| Colleen and Julia with women at Veronika's Place. |
Sending love and Kenyan-like speed to my mom in her race
today!
With love and gratitude,
A Meeting with Saints
The Sisters of Charity are a marvelous group of women. Early in the morning we had mass together with the Sisters and then headed to breakfast. We returned around lunchtime to meet with the mentally and physically disabled women the Sisters care for. These women are often abandoned by their parents at birth or shortly after because of their conditions. As children they are cared for at orphanages or group homes, but as adults are given to the Sisters of Charity who lovingly provide care until their deaths. I did not count how many women were present, but there were at least 30 who were unable to care for themselves. Many could not walk and were either in wheelchairs or beds. Most could not feed themselves and relied on the Sisters for everything. It was a truly humbling, and difficult, experience for me. The Sisters of Charity are awe-inspiring for their selfless and loving work.
In the afternoon we walked through Kibera, the worst slum in all of Africa. An estimated 800,000 people live there, but this is a rough estimate. I was rather apprehensive to walk through, as we have taken our bus everywhere. However, there were no problems the entire way. Some children greeted us with "How are you?," but there was not the eager touching St. James students gave us. What struck me most was the single gate that separated Kibera from a very middle-class, ordinary suburban looking area one might find in Southern California (minus 8 foot fences). Today was a struggle, but an ultimate learning experience.
-- Gabriela Gualano
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| Gate to the Missionaries of Charity Home. |
In the afternoon we walked through Kibera, the worst slum in all of Africa. An estimated 800,000 people live there, but this is a rough estimate. I was rather apprehensive to walk through, as we have taken our bus everywhere. However, there were no problems the entire way. Some children greeted us with "How are you?," but there was not the eager touching St. James students gave us. What struck me most was the single gate that separated Kibera from a very middle-class, ordinary suburban looking area one might find in Southern California (minus 8 foot fences). Today was a struggle, but an ultimate learning experience.
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| Small portion of Kibera slum. |
-- Gabriela Gualano
Friday, July 4, 2014
A Day of Celebrations!
Happy 4th of July!
We had a very busy and fun-filled day today! St. James Parish School was celebrating their Feast Day and had many celebrations planned. Mass was an extravaganza! There were dancers, instruments, singing, clapping, and everything you could imagine. Three different groups of children had choreographed dancing up and down the aisles during specified times. I have no idea how long it took them to learn the dances plus the timing of everything. Even the little nursery school students did some dancing, with the help of their teachers of course. Many of the songs were in Swahili or a combination of Swahili and English. Even without knowing the words it is a joyful experience.
After mass we were treated to a show by the students. Different grades had prepared an assortment of entertainment pieces for us. Some students played drums, others sang or recited poems, and many danced. Several times the children came into our area and guided us to the middle where we danced with them. I’m sure trying to dance their traditional Kenyan dances amused the older children.
Once lunch was over, Chris, Monsignor, and I handed out fabric dolls to the Baby Class. Wow, are they precious! These little three- and four-year olds basically mobbed Monsignor and me as they clambered over and grabbed at their new toys. I wish I could have stayed longer and played dollies with them, but there were more festivities to attend.
Finally, we had a fashion show. Teachers chose students in their classes to dress up today for a fashion show. The youngest ones were simply adorable, while the older children became rather animated. There were definitely some models in the making. Hips were swaying, eyes were rolling, heads were bouncing, kisses were blowing, and hands were gesturing, a definite entertainment piece! Interacting with the wonderful students and people of St. James has truly been a highlight of my life.
-- Gabriela Gualano
We had a very busy and fun-filled day today! St. James Parish School was celebrating their Feast Day and had many celebrations planned. Mass was an extravaganza! There were dancers, instruments, singing, clapping, and everything you could imagine. Three different groups of children had choreographed dancing up and down the aisles during specified times. I have no idea how long it took them to learn the dances plus the timing of everything. Even the little nursery school students did some dancing, with the help of their teachers of course. Many of the songs were in Swahili or a combination of Swahili and English. Even without knowing the words it is a joyful experience.
 |
| Patti and St. James boys practicing drums. |
After mass we were treated to a show by the students. Different grades had prepared an assortment of entertainment pieces for us. Some students played drums, others sang or recited poems, and many danced. Several times the children came into our area and guided us to the middle where we danced with them. I’m sure trying to dance their traditional Kenyan dances amused the older children.
 |
| Monsignor and Gabriela sharing dolls from Dollies Making a Difference. |
Once lunch was over, Chris, Monsignor, and I handed out fabric dolls to the Baby Class. Wow, are they precious! These little three- and four-year olds basically mobbed Monsignor and me as they clambered over and grabbed at their new toys. I wish I could have stayed longer and played dollies with them, but there were more festivities to attend.
 |
| Monsignor with the children. |
Finally, we had a fashion show. Teachers chose students in their classes to dress up today for a fashion show. The youngest ones were simply adorable, while the older children became rather animated. There were definitely some models in the making. Hips were swaying, eyes were rolling, heads were bouncing, kisses were blowing, and hands were gesturing, a definite entertainment piece! Interacting with the wonderful students and people of St. James has truly been a highlight of my life.
 |
| Gabriela, Sr. Mariam, and Angela after dinner |
-- Gabriela Gualano
I Can See it Now!
We have a connection -- parish to parish -- community to community. Hope and possibility so tangible I can see it in the eyes of our Kenyan friends. It moves me to great joy and gratitude.
-- Sally Cassidy
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| St. James students in Music class. |
-- Sally Cassidy
Happy 4th of July
What a thrill today to hear 500 students singing our National Anthem while standing at attention! God Bless America! But the highlight of the day was the Fashion Show. The Kindergarten kids stole the show.
-- Bruce Willison
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| St. James Feast Day and July 4th Celebrations! |
-- Bruce Willison
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Giving and Receiving
Today was a day full of giving and blessings. We arrived at Veronika’s Place, a food
distribution center for those with HIV/AIDS, to dancing, clapping, and
singing. After a heartfelt
presentation by Fr. Andrew, Monsignor, Jill, and Faith (one of the leaders) we
started distributing food to the individuals present. There are 400 individuals who receive food each month from
Veronika’s Place. What also makes
this so special is that Veronika’s Place helps people who are not affiliated
with the parish. Along with Kaley
and Justin, I interviewed some children who benefit from Veronika’s Place
either directly or indirectly.
There were many others who interviewed specific individuals as
well.
We had another shopping day, but this one especially touched me. Some of the elderly have formed a craft group where they meet and make baskets, masks, bags, and other items. Instead of selling these individually all sales benefit the entire group. These older adults do not understand or speak English as well as younger Kenyans, but still loved having their pictures taken.
After lunch we split up into small groups and visited the homes of several parishioners. I was in Monsignor’s group with Sakina and we visited Mary. She has three children ranging from 5th grade to two years old. The other two attend St. James School and Claire informed me the youngest would be in Baby Class next year. The family is doing relatively well as both parents work and they own their house. It is much simpler than our homes, but they had a few couches, a TV, refrigerator, and a housekeeper girl from the neighborhood. It was delightful speaking with them, especially the children. The girls were rather quiet, but warmed up in the end when I started helping with homework. The young child, though, is on fire! Sound familiar to anyone? He’s a two-year-old ball of personality who will drive his sisters crazy when he’s older.
-- Gabriela Gualano
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| Bruce and Mini-Spiderman |
We had another shopping day, but this one especially touched me. Some of the elderly have formed a craft group where they meet and make baskets, masks, bags, and other items. Instead of selling these individually all sales benefit the entire group. These older adults do not understand or speak English as well as younger Kenyans, but still loved having their pictures taken.
 |
| Elderly women working on bead jewelry. |
After lunch we split up into small groups and visited the homes of several parishioners. I was in Monsignor’s group with Sakina and we visited Mary. She has three children ranging from 5th grade to two years old. The other two attend St. James School and Claire informed me the youngest would be in Baby Class next year. The family is doing relatively well as both parents work and they own their house. It is much simpler than our homes, but they had a few couches, a TV, refrigerator, and a housekeeper girl from the neighborhood. It was delightful speaking with them, especially the children. The girls were rather quiet, but warmed up in the end when I started helping with homework. The young child, though, is on fire! Sound familiar to anyone? He’s a two-year-old ball of personality who will drive his sisters crazy when he’s older.
-- Gabriela Gualano
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