Chrism Mass

One of the Catholic services connected with Holy Week and Easter is the Chrism Mass, a special mass in which the bishop blesses the oils used throughout the coming year for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick, and ordination.  It is also an occasion for the priests to renew their promise of obedience to their bishop.

The chrism mass today was preceded by a  meeting for all of the 55 or so priests of the country.  Here Fr. Chatsirey, the chancellor of the vicariate, explains some of the forms and procedures for people who want to marry in the church.

Shortly before the mass was to start at 5:00 PM the rains really started pouring and the wind blew it right against the glass doors–and under them.  There was a half inch of water in the main entrance and the tiles were unbelievably slippery.  Apparently that has happened before because the mops were readily available and a PVC pipe cut in half length-wise was use to push and scoop the water toward and out the door.

A Few Extra Dollars

Cambodia is a country of subsistence farmers, each family eking out a simple living on a small plot of land–and utilizing every opportunity to add a little more to the family income.  Sometimes that is by selling homegrown vegetables in the market, or selling fruit from the trees around the home from a table on the side of the road.  For this family, it means drying some sort of bean or nut or spice on the expanse of pavement in front of their shop selling pumps, compressors, and ice crushing machines.  This is in Phnom Penh city, not a rural province.

Saying Goodbye to Karen

Dee Dungy, Karen Bortvedt, Sr. Mary Little, Sami Scott, Charlie Dittmeier

Maryknoll Lay Missioners work on 3 1/2 year contracts and the end of her contract is approaching for Karen Bortvedt who was assigned to Cambodia and has been working (with great success!) at the Maryknoll Deaf Development Programme.  This evening the Maryknoll community along with a few friends of Maryknoll had a little social to officially say goodbye to Karen.  She will be missed!

Maryknoll Visitors

Sam Stanton (L) is the executive director of the Maryknoll Lay Missioners.  He and his wife Cecilia are long-term members of Maryknoll Lay Missioners and are taking an extended spiritual renewal that took them to India, Sri Lanka, and now Cambodia.  They arrived in Phnom Penh today and this evening attended our weekend mass at World Vision.  Here they talk with parishioner Tommy Boukhris (blue shirt), Sami Scott, and Russ Brine after mass.

Proof of the Season

I’ve mentioned before that I can only identify some seasons by the fruits that are available.  This vendor has a yellowish fruit just come into season.  I don’t know what it is but it’s something like a guava.  Just for good measure, she is also carrying a box of apples.

Bangkok Trip: Day 1

Every year Maryknoll priests and brothers in South Asia get together.  The March, 2017 meeting is in Bangkok, Thailand.  Click here for pictures of what was a travel day for those attending the meeting. [This photo is a motorcycle wagon full of furniture, pulled up the sidewalk in early morning Phnom Penh, hoping for some sales.]