Penultimate

-

A few weeks ago, as the time was drawing nearer to mid-May and the start line with CMSI in Cairo, it all seemed so very far away.

Today, as I celebrate Holy Communion once again in this lovely Cathedral, its hard to believe that I'm nearing the end of week three and that week four of five begins tomorrow!

Five weeks seems a long time, and I guess in some ways it is. But it really has flown and as I prepared for this morning's mass, it wasn't without a slight pang.

Its lovely to be in control of one's own destiny and steering the ship, as it were. I know the administrative functions aren't perhaps as onerous as parish life, but it does get one thinking.

There was quite a big congregation for this morning's 1030am Holy Communion, some of whom I hadn't seen before.

I met one lovely man at the door and as he put out his hand, he said 'Are you Father Mike?'

I replied in the affirmative, and he said 'good. I heard all about you.' And I was promptly invited to dinner in his home some time later this week.

During the service I was regularly assaulted by a coterie of flies. It seemed almost personal! I guess 'someone' is unhappy with a thriving congregation!

The congregation here have been really welcoming, and one feels for a church when they have no permanent priest. There is a sense of waiting, and resignation. Although it does seem like there will be a replacement arriving from the UK sometime in the autumn, so that's a positive!

When we retired for coffee in the usual spot, after my customary time with the neighbouring community outside, I noted that my sermon appears to have prompted quite an oblique discussion; ranging from women's ordination, to same-sex relationships, and apostleship. Well, at least they had plenty of food for thought!

Then it was off to drop my laundry to Moustafa, with the customary joke, of course.

In the morning I'm off to Alex for the day to visit the Dean at St. Mark's Cathedral, and the famous library, among others. 

And it's quite the early start. 

So an early supper and off to bed at a reasonable hour! (This is the small sandwich...)






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hurry up...and wait!

-
Image
The Sabbath is a day of rest, But I'm not sure that Moses, when he presented The Ten Commandments had airport waiting lounges in mind. The 'plane arrived late and so, the departure was affected. Still, the onboard food was quite good and the seat-back entertainment drowned out the child that seemd to sceam all the way from Dublin to Cairo, some 5,000+ miles away. Cairo airport was exactly as expected. Busy, hectic, efficient?...I'm not convinced. And, of course, the baggage was also delayed. Still, shortly after 1am I made my way into the stunning balminess of ther Cairo evening. The weater app told me it was still 29c...with sand! That's a new one on me. And in a sea of faces, I saw Mr. George, the diocesan driver, with my name on a sheet held high above his head. As we left the airport, the October Bridge was affected by an incident, which made the M50 look positively Teutonic in its efficiency. Not to mention the hair raising motorcyclists with sometimes three passen...
Read more

A purple patch!

-
Image
It's hot wearing clericals in Cairo - even when they're linen! I know that sounds obvious, but remind me never to complain about the heat in Rathfarnham parish again! Today I finally got to meet with Archbishop Samy in his office here in the Diocesan building.  He has a huge area of responsibility.  The province of Alexandria contains the Diocese of Egypt, along with several other Dioceses, and takes in much of North Africa, parts of East and West Africa, and stretches as far east as Somalia! So, I'm grateful for him taking the time out of his busy schedule to chat about my contribution to ministry in Cairo. There is a vacancy in the English speaking congregation in the Cathedral, which also has an Arabic, a Sudanese, and other smaller congregations. At the moment it is being covered by a priest with other areas of responsibility. I'm told that he'll be especially delighted with the extra help. So, it's parish ministry in a very interesting city-centre environme...
Read more

First Things...

-
Image
It is truly an incredible honour to have been selected by CMS Ireland to have the opportunity to work in Cairo among the permanent and indeed, transient community in what promises to be a vibrant Cathedral ministry. When I was first informed of the possibility of a placement in the architecturally striking All Saints Cathedral in Cairo last year it all seemed so very far away, nebulous, and perhaps even a little out of my reach. I had imagined that there would be enormous interest in the position and I didn't dare to seriously consider the possibility that I would be chosen from among so many. Now, with less than two weeks to go until I fly out of Dublin, it is suddenly  very real  and pressing! To have the opportunity to serve Christ, our Church and whomever I come into contact with in my pastoral role, and in a land as old as time itself, seems almost too good to be true. Nevertheless, time marches on and Cairo draws ever nearer. I will miss all in Rathfarnham Parish as I tr...
Read more