Jerusalem Day 28 (Sunday 29th)

Today had a slightly slower and quieter start than the past few days.  Breeakfast was later and we headed down to reception to leave by 9.00am.

Today we headed to Abu Gosh - one of four places that have been considered the Emmaus of the Gospel. It is not considered (today) to be the site of the exchange between Jesus and the two disciples for many reasons but like every other holy site which is disputed it still has  something special about it.

The Church we visited is in the midst of a village/suburb outside of Jerusalem but is really an oasis - quiet, peaceful and peace filled. There is a community of Benedictines who have a public Solemn Mass on Sundays which attracts people from all over, pilgrims, tourists and locals. The liturgy is in French, the singing of the Mass is briliiant helped tremendously by the acoustics of the Church and the Mass was a real celebration of how a Sung Mass might be celebrated in a place where the Liturgy is important to the life style of the people.

After Mass we met a Sister of Sion who now lives the life of a Hermit. She told us of how she came to her decision ot leave the Apostolic Community but did not feel called to become a Contemplative. She told us of her journey and her life today and when we left quietly returned to her apartment close by where she lives within the grounds of another religious community - she told us their name but I didn't write it down.

Then it was back to Ecce Homo for lunch - as usual on Sunday was a picnic lunch. There were several of us around so we ate on the terrace before people wandered off to do things before we were to gather again at 6.00pm.

This afternoon and evening has been a really joyous but also sad time which began in Salle de Sion for Prayer and a Sending forth. Again, this was something that was done well with the opportunity to remember people who had touched our live during these 28 days at Ecce Homo and throughout the Holy Land.

 

Tony Mullins (Ireland) thanking Sr Bernadette Lynch on behalf of the group. 

After Prayer we went in to the dining room for our Celebratory Dinner and enjoyed a lovely meal. Tonight I sat with jacinta Forde (Ireland), Gay Morgan (Hobart), Rosemary O'Brien (Launceston), Sr Bernadette Lynch (Ecce Homo), Bernadette Fleming (Queensland) and myself.  It was a lovely meal with great craic and great food once again.

 

Five of the young people who work at Ecce Homo and help serve the meals and wash-up (with the 'assistance' of some members of the program) after meals.

Then it was back to the terrace for some singing, laughter and farewells. Tony Brennan provided the music and for some of with our iPad's provided the words for quite a number of songs.

Tony Brennan (Hobart) and his trusty (mini) guitar

A couple of people are leaving during the night - Mark Garnsey (Ulverstone) and Chris Utri (Melbourne) at the end we said goodbye to them and we've quietly wandered off to bed, happy for our time together but also aware that it is likely we will not see many of our group again.

These are some of our group from the terrace last evening. 

Peter Santamaria (Launceston) and Maria Karajovanova (Toronto, Canada)

Rosemary O'Brien (Launceston), Sr Carmel Street (Townsville) and Bernadette Fleming (Brisbane)

Our three Irish friends - Sr Carmel Solon (working in London), Sr Jacinta Forde (Dublin) and Fr Tony Mullins (Limerick)

Patricia & Rodney Dearing and Chris Utri (all Melbourne)

Sr. Gerri Boylan (Mt Magnet, (Western Australia), Fr Edward Linton (USA) and Sr Bernadette Lynch (Ecce Homo)

Sr Bernadette, Fr Frank Hanley (USA), Gay Morgan (Hobart) and Peter Santamaria (Launceston)

During the program to assist in knowing where people were especially when we were heading out on an excursion, the bus leaving from anywhere or heading back to Ecce Homo we had a buddy to check with - Fr Frank Hanley was my buddy and we managed not to get lost or lose each other during the entire 28 days - well done team.

Now bed. We have an 8.30am taxi trip to Tel Aviv in the morning. Our first flight is to Amman and there we have a number of hours waiting for our flight to Dubai with quite a number of hours there (thankfully in a lounge for part of it) before the 14 hour flight to Australia arriving at 5.30am on Wednesday morning. 

Will tell you then what happened on the way and whether we managed to meet Jesus who opened our eyes to more of the story of being a disciple.