Today was a light day. We went out to Taybeh (Biblical Ephraim) for Mass in Arabic at Christ Redeemer Church. The pastor, Fr. Radd, was very welcoming. Fr's Trapp, Byrnes, and Battersby concelebrated. Steve proclaimed the second reading in English, Fr. Trapp added a few intercessions in English to the Arabic general intercessions, and some of the Eucharistic Prayer and the Doxology were in English. Otherwise, including the sign of peace, it was all english. (I particularily enjoyed the Celtic Alleluia before the Gospel, with Arabic refrain.) The choir was nice and it was a unique experience to hear so much Arabic praising Christ (we have been present in the Old City for the Islamic call to prayer, which is done in Arabic.)
After Mass, we went with some of the local teens to the ruins of St. George Church, built by the byzantines and rebuilt by the crusaders. The characteristic cross baptismal font and byzantine tile could be seen at the site. The teens were very helpful and appreciated a chance to practice their English (a few french words fit in, but we are familar with the Spanglish phenomenon ourselves, so were very forgiving.)
Fr. Radd and the parish treated us to juice, coke, and chocolate wafer cookies while Fr. Radd answered our questions. He is a very animated speaker and captured our interest for almost 50 minutes. The meeting ended with the gift of one of their "Peace Lamps," which they are distributing to motivate prayer for peace in the Holy Land. (See their website for details.)
Lunch ensued at a local restarunt (chicken and rice.) Then we returned to the compound for a relaxed afternoon. Some took naps, did laundry, or read. We will gather for EP II of Trinity Sunday at 6:45 followed by dinner and a free evening.
Fr. Battersby is experiencing the lost luggage scenario, in simili modo to our other men at the beginning of our trip. Again, may this be a case for St. Anthony and not St. Jude.
After Mass, we went with some of the local teens to the ruins of St. George Church, built by the byzantines and rebuilt by the crusaders. The characteristic cross baptismal font and byzantine tile could be seen at the site. The teens were very helpful and appreciated a chance to practice their English (a few french words fit in, but we are familar with the Spanglish phenomenon ourselves, so were very forgiving.)
Fr. Radd and the parish treated us to juice, coke, and chocolate wafer cookies while Fr. Radd answered our questions. He is a very animated speaker and captured our interest for almost 50 minutes. The meeting ended with the gift of one of their "Peace Lamps," which they are distributing to motivate prayer for peace in the Holy Land. (See their website for details.)
Lunch ensued at a local restarunt (chicken and rice.) Then we returned to the compound for a relaxed afternoon. Some took naps, did laundry, or read. We will gather for EP II of Trinity Sunday at 6:45 followed by dinner and a free evening.
Fr. Battersby is experiencing the lost luggage scenario, in simili modo to our other men at the beginning of our trip. Again, may this be a case for St. Anthony and not St. Jude.
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