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Far from Home …. Close in Spirit
Our 2014 journey to our sister parish in Balaclava Jamaica was one filled with hope and forward progress. Arriving after many hours of travel it only took minutes to feel at home. Fr. Mushi’s kind smile and welcome along with tentative hello’s from the two young boys he brought along to help was all it took to know we were with our family in Christ.
Our week was spent not only working on projects but spiritually connecting with our brothers and sisters thru sacramental familiarity. On four occasions we were blessed to share Eucharistic with the sick and homebound. Each time we were met with open arms, grateful smiles, and good laughter. As fulfilling as assisting Fr. Mushi was, it was none the less trumped by participating in the Baptism of two young and vibrant little girls. One of our own can now proudly call himself a Godfather to two family members in Jamaica. Josh Dickey had the honor of standing with the girls and their family and professed our faith as one family, forever linking them in Spirit regardless of distance. We had the unfortunate opportunity as well to celebrate and send off a brother to his final resting place. Though the funeral we came to learn was extremely modest and simple according to their social customs, it was beautiful and filled with great respect. May our brother rest peacefully with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Each morning we celebrated mass with the community and the Sisters of Charity. I quickly learned that mass without a piano or organ is beautiful in simplicity. The joy that flowed through their singing voices was felt and appreciated. Both Sandra Scheuler and I had the opportunity to participate in the celebration of mass by Lectoring.
On top of the great spiritual experiences, we were able to connect with our brothers and sisters on a human level thru hard work and celebration. We helped the Sisters of Charity paint the breezeway leading to the Church a beautiful shade of blue. Kids and residents of the home alike came together as one along side us to make their environment more beautiful than it already was. Josh and Kent also helped the men erect a tent structure to shade us from the afternoon sun for their annual Parish Barbecue. We enjoyed great food, music, games and company during the afternoon of their barbecue along with an excellent soccer match between the local boys.
We also spent much of our time meeting with the scholarship recipients and discussing the launch of the scholarship program with the community and their Parish Council. The scholarship has been in the making for many months and this trip was the launching pad for releasing the funds to assist the first scholarship recipients in their educational expenses. Our goal with this 2014 trip was to establish a solid foundation in which the program would thrive thru the many years to come. We were able to jointly discuss and problem solve the challenges that may arise but more importantly jointly express the successes this program will bring to the youth in their community. Everyone involved committed to making this program a long lasting success.
Thus, as I conclude this overview of our 2014 Jamaica trip, I ask one thing from you as you read this. Keep our family in Jamaica ever in your prayers and know that even though our difference may seem to be many, they are few in reality. We all strive to meet each other in Christ’s love and strive for a better future for our youth regardless if we are here in Kansas City or there in Balaclava Jamaica.
Pax, Staci Streich
Our 2014 journey to our sister parish in Balaclava Jamaica was one filled with hope and forward progress. Arriving after many hours of travel it only took minutes to feel at home. Fr. Mushi’s kind smile and welcome along with tentative hello’s from the two young boys he brought along to help was all it took to know we were with our family in Christ.
Our week was spent not only working on projects but spiritually connecting with our brothers and sisters thru sacramental familiarity. On four occasions we were blessed to share Eucharistic with the sick and homebound. Each time we were met with open arms, grateful smiles, and good laughter. As fulfilling as assisting Fr. Mushi was, it was none the less trumped by participating in the Baptism of two young and vibrant little girls. One of our own can now proudly call himself a Godfather to two family members in Jamaica. Josh Dickey had the honor of standing with the girls and their family and professed our faith as one family, forever linking them in Spirit regardless of distance. We had the unfortunate opportunity as well to celebrate and send off a brother to his final resting place. Though the funeral we came to learn was extremely modest and simple according to their social customs, it was beautiful and filled with great respect. May our brother rest peacefully with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Each morning we celebrated mass with the community and the Sisters of Charity. I quickly learned that mass without a piano or organ is beautiful in simplicity. The joy that flowed through their singing voices was felt and appreciated. Both Sandra Scheuler and I had the opportunity to participate in the celebration of mass by Lectoring.
On top of the great spiritual experiences, we were able to connect with our brothers and sisters on a human level thru hard work and celebration. We helped the Sisters of Charity paint the breezeway leading to the Church a beautiful shade of blue. Kids and residents of the home alike came together as one along side us to make their environment more beautiful than it already was. Josh and Kent also helped the men erect a tent structure to shade us from the afternoon sun for their annual Parish Barbecue. We enjoyed great food, music, games and company during the afternoon of their barbecue along with an excellent soccer match between the local boys.
We also spent much of our time meeting with the scholarship recipients and discussing the launch of the scholarship program with the community and their Parish Council. The scholarship has been in the making for many months and this trip was the launching pad for releasing the funds to assist the first scholarship recipients in their educational expenses. Our goal with this 2014 trip was to establish a solid foundation in which the program would thrive thru the many years to come. We were able to jointly discuss and problem solve the challenges that may arise but more importantly jointly express the successes this program will bring to the youth in their community. Everyone involved committed to making this program a long lasting success.
Thus, as I conclude this overview of our 2014 Jamaica trip, I ask one thing from you as you read this. Keep our family in Jamaica ever in your prayers and know that even though our difference may seem to be many, they are few in reality. We all strive to meet each other in Christ’s love and strive for a better future for our youth regardless if we are here in Kansas City or there in Balaclava Jamaica.
Pax, Staci Streich
