Hari ini Sabtu, 12 Maret 2011

I had to wake up early in the morning to accompany Romo Boedi while riding mountain bikes. The first major adjustment for me was the road. Since cars here are right hand drive, the flow of traffic likewise follows that orientation, so unlike the Philippines, here you have to take the left side of the road when driving. Another thing is that I am not really used to riding bikes although I know how to, but the distance we travelled this morning was relatively far for me. But everything paid well after seeing Citra land which is called the Singapore of Surabaya, literally because of the Merlion in a man made lake in the property. Also, it seems that Indonesians like putting rotundas, circles or satelites as they call them here, which are relatively ladder with status or great figures of horses, elephants or abstract art work. Its as if one is transported to European places where great monuments are built to decorate their edifices, road works and gateways.

We likewise stopped over two of the other relatively big parishes here in Surabaya, the Parish of Sanctus Jakobus in Citra land and Aloysius Gonzaga or Algonz near the Rumah Sakit Mitra Keluarga. Both could be said to  be well off in terms of building, construction and facility. But the later can boast to be the best, with Mary wearing gold in a quite big chapel outside the church. The main church was likewise relatively huge with Golden angels greeting those who enter its main door. The pastoran or priest house was likewise extraordinary, having  a good elevator and spectacular balcony where onecan view the sunrise. But most importantly, the priests in these parishes are very welcoming and warmly greets fellow priests with such enthusiasm and excitement as if they don’t regularly see each other.

Later during the day, we had the launching of our teen’s catechism, a project for english speaking youth Catholics from Redemptor Mundi and other parishes. Since I had been a member of the MUKHA AD, a youth group composed of both lay and student brothers, I tried to pattern ot after that. But as a famous saying would say, one man’s medicine can be another man’s poison. I can’t completely say that the program is a disaster nor a failure, but I think more assessment should be made as to the interest of the teens and how they would like to address their own personal issues at present. I also wonder if catechism is what theyreally need at present? Well, as per recommendation of people involved, we have to continue theprogram and evaluate later, and maybe we can do better next time. It was a tiring and enjoyable day, but what can be beneficial to the teens, that could be the more basic and essential question. It was a good start with God leading the way, may he direct its progress and see it to completion.

I am a bit worried because my laptop can’t receive wifi signal, actually it does but thereis something wrong with the connection, anyway I hope and pray it starts working again, I feel uneasy when some of my things are not working.