Overdue account of life in Hong Kong

Its been such a long time since I've written anything on my blog, and so much has happened I'll probably have forgotten most of it.

Life continues in Hong Kong where we are very busy most of the time.  As we did most of the sight-seeing last time we are not rushing around trying to see things. We do go to at least one new place every week, we visit museums and on Saturday last we walked through the walled city, which used to to be over run by criminals and such like, but in 1972 the British cleaned it up and now its a great place to relax and walk through. This time we are definately more relaxed and in our free time we are more likely to go out for a meal and a drink, mostly at Hung Hom where there is a beautiful place on the waterfront and if we go there between 5 and 8 we get our drinks for half price, and as you know thats important for tony ( two pot screamer) at 8pm we're ready for bed anyway, but they make great meals there as well (not cheap though)

We have become very involved with Fr John Wotherspoon (Brisbane man) he ministers to the sick and prisoners, both in gaol and when they are released, we go with him on a Sunday night where he has a fellowship meeting along with a lot of very willing helpers, for the first few nights we didn't get too involved, but last night it was fantastic, the people were looking for us and when we arrived they all came around us getting us chairs and wanting us to sit with them. Fr John said they are delighted to see someone else who cares for them. Last night we were helping a few of them to say a few words in English, and one woman who is just out of gaol told Tony she has two young children and would he teach them to speak english, it really is heartbreaking to see so many people there who just come for the free meal and a bit of companionship, be it only once a week.

A young couple came for the first time last night, and it turns out he spent a lot of time in Brisbane, he got married at Iona College and would love to live in Brissie. He has a very good job here, he is a school inspector. When the meeting was finished he took all of us around a hundred people in all to McDonalds and bought every one an ice cream, (he told us he was so humbled by the experience and wanted to share something he could give)

We have been to many school functions parish functions and of course the Fillopino's who love to  love to sing and dance and put on great nights on some Sunday nights.

I met a Fillopino woman yesterday who has two children in the Phillopines but there is no work there for her husband and she had to come to HK and only sees them once a year. There would be a lot of women here like that and they are all so cheerful and happy.

Healthwise we are both doing ok, I've been going for acupuncture twice a week and am beginning to get some relief at last thank God.

The chapel has just been renovated and this new statue of our Lady is really beautiful.

New statue of our Lady in the renovated chapel

 

 

 

 Fr Slawek in full form

 

 

 

 

 

 Fr Mark over from the Phillipine's 

I'm going to try and publish this now so here goes!

Tuesday

Today we had a very quiet day, we both worked at Oblate Primary and we both listened to 35 kids reading, it was very tiring but ever so rewarding.

Back in Hong Kong

We arrived back in Hong Kong a week ago today, and I must admit I have been very tardy.
The welcome we received was over powering to say the least, I became quite overcome with it.
School had already started but they were still organising and getting the classes up and running.

We had a very social week altogether, Tuesday night the principal from Oblate Primary took us out to a Thai restaurant, Wednesday we went out with the English teacher (from Newcastle) to a lovely place on the bay, Friday  was Notre Dame's  Liturgy for the students and teachers and ancillary staff. This was held at St Teresa's Church at Mon Kok, from there we were taken by the principal Stephen to a very fancy restaurant at the Grand Plazza hotel, called Jade Garden. Were hoping the social side has stopped for a while.

Friday night we went with Fr Slawek on the streets to feed the homeless, it was amazing to watch the people flock around him, they know exactly what time he will be coming, I enjoyed that experience very much.

Saturday night 3 Student teachers from a Christian Teachers College somewhere in the south of Brisbane arrived for part of their internship, very nice young women and friendly to boot. They will be teaching at Notre Dame only and I'm not sure exactly what that entails.

Sunday Tony started up choir practice and then sang at the English Mass at 4pm.

Today Monday we both were working at Oblate Primary School (OPS)

The lift at our residence has been out of order for 3 days and we had to walk up 6 flight of stairs (154) in all it was working today so I decided I would walk for the exercise anyway, hope I can continue to do it at least once or twice a week.





All for now

Breda's Return Home

I am delighted to report that Breda has returned home after her ordeal in Ireland. She has really been given a second chance in life. We are most grateful to the Medical Nursing and Ancillary staff at the Letterkenny hospital, for without them she would not be with us today.I would like to thank everyone who offered prayers for her recovery. It will be a long road before she is her old self again but by the  power of prayer she will return to full health soon.

Friday night we all met at Jacinta's house for a family reunion, it was such a lovely night to catch up  with most of our siblings.

Today we had lunch with  Anne Tara Deirdre and Tiernan, Roast beef withYorkshire Pudding, and a dessert to die for. Then we played a few games of bridge. and Tara dressed up in her formal dress, she looked so gorgeous, I will post some photos when we see her with her make up and hair done, she really is a beautiful teenager.

On Friday we bought a second hand chest of drawers, which we hope to have renovated before we leave for Hong Kong, so for the next few days its all go.

All for now

Home Sweet Home

Today I left Cairns and sadly said goodbye to my lovely family up there, I spent three delightful days with them and alas the time goes far too quickly.

As usual Jet star was late arriving and thus we didn't leave until nine forty five instead of 9am, we arrived in Brissie at noon and good old reliable Tony was there on the appointed time. Its good to be home, so now to prepare for our next travels in three weeks time, so have a lot to do between now and then.
Anne has just arrived so time to catch up on the all the local news

A Day in the Tablelands

Today we set off for a visit to see my old friend, Faz, and his family. Atherton is about an hour and a half from Cairns. We went up the Gillies highway, which was very steep and windy. We stopped en route at the Shaylee strawberry farm and picked up a couple of large punnets of the biggest, sweetest strawberries I've ever seen. We duly arrived at Faz's home. As usual, we got a huge warm welcome - a spread of home made sausage rolls, cake, chocolate biscuits, ham & cheese and of course some tea. Caught up with his mum and sister and reminisced. Faz is one of my adopted sons from way back.
We left at about 1 and went via Mareeba and stopped by Coffee Works for some lunch. Delicious coffee! Enjoyed it very much. We bought some coffee and chocolate on our way out.
We drove home leisurely and arrived ready to uncork afternoon tea. After a couple of glasses of wine over a game of up and down the river. Then had a fun time with the kids in the yard with their Nerf guns. Followed by a couple of refreshing Irish whiskeys. Then Emmy's family came around for dinner. And finished the night with a shot of Baileys!

Cairns Visit

Left Brisbane at the crack of dawn and arrived in Cairns at 9:30. Surprise, surprise, Talbot was so excited to see me that he came to the airport, even though my friends Debbie was picking me up. The three of us then went to have coffee at The Edge Cafe - the posh end of Cairns. then Debbie and I spent the morning sitting at the pier drinking lattes and had lunch. We had such a lovely morning. Debbie then took me over to Emmy and Talbot's house where we had a glass of cold refreshing wine - one or two. It was so nice seeing the kids. The family came over to have dinner. A surprise dinner - as Evelyn made me birthday noodles and Felipe roasted pork. Emmy made a chocolate cake especially decorated. We had another glass or two of wine with the cake. And they gave me a lovely present.

Then we watched the Broncos, who lost by 1 point! So sad.

Saturday: we had a quiet day at home - sat around, chatting, played cards, played Nerf guns - had a great time!

Tomorrow, please God, we hope to go to Atherton to visit my very good friends, Faz and his family.

Will add some more later...

A very special boy

Today was my second last time at Oblate Primary School, and I was pleasently surprised with my class of 4B's and C's who read "English is Fun" which I might add is not much fun for most of them so far, but today was different. I was so proud of them.( I love them sooo much)   so instead of reading more, I took the liberty of doing something different with them,  we played word games, which was more difficult than I thought, but once they got the hang of it, it was fun for them.

Then I said now we've played word games, we have to sing a happy song, (do you know a happy song?) total blank faces and a shake of the head, but I said yes you do, you all sang a happy song at Mass on Monday. Bingo!  Shy smiles and coy looks at each other.
We then sang Alleluia complete with hand movements, at first the little hands didn't lift of the table, but they got into the joy of it, it was a joy to behold.

They left the room so happy, (and one very happy volunteer) one lot said we don't want to go back to class, ( such a change)
But But there's more, my last group when I asked if they knew a happy song, and when some were shaking their heads, one little bloke said yes I know one, and he started singing the Our Father, the others then  joined in, I tell you it brought a tear to my eye.
 My time has been rewarded with that little episode. I don't know if I'll do the same next week coz I don't want to spoil the memory.


This a photo of Rebecca one of my beautiful grand-daughters.

I have no others to share today

Now today was another story altogether, we started our packing and what a nightmare that is, how I'm going to fit everything in I don't know. I think we may just squeeze it all in somehow!

We then decided to go to see Marigold Hotel, it took us over a halve hr to find the cinema, and then to find out we were at the wrong one, GRRRR!, so then we walked through the markets yet again, and then home I was very disappointed, but we still might get there on Saturday after work.

Mass at Oblate Primary School

Today I have a day off, as its the school Mass it was their 37th Anniversary.  It  was to start at ten am and by then the scholl yard was in full sun, and all the kids have to sit  there, its nothing short of cruelty). However proceedings took off around 10.15 not bad for Hong Kong.
All the Oblates came even the two old blokes who are both 90 or over, the Mass was very nice and give Fr Slavic his due he didn't keep the kids out too long in the sun, There was to be an open air concert afterwards but they cut that short and sent most of the classes back to the classroom, and just had 3 classes in the air conditioned hall. the concert was very good. Fr John Son one of the 90yr old priests was the first priest at the school, so he was invited onto the stage to cut the cake, and instead of a speech he decided to sing, so he burst into  'Edle Weis' (not sure of that spelling) and he sang three verses of that, then as quick as a wink he breaks into another one, and the teachers were all clapping in time, but Fr Slavic was clapping for him to finish, but he was not giving up the mike, he kept on going, then Fr came over for the mike and tried to take it from him, but he said he wanted to sing a hymn, and he did all 4 verses of it. Then the two priest's and the principal went to take the mike and reluctantly he gave it up!! what a laugh it was.
We were then invited to lunch and like all meals here when you go out the food just keeps coming and coming, and of course I keep eating and eating, wow I feel soo full.

Today Tony is very crook and is quite ready to return, so lucky its only another 2 weeks.


The three other principals

 Trying to get the mike from Fr John

now for some of the photos from the concert and Mass

Fillipino's Mass and Concert

Today being mother's day the Fillipino's had a special Mass at 4pm, it was 20yr anniversary of the Children of Mary in Hong Kong. Lovely singing and all the mothers were given a carnation and a special blessing it was all very nice and reminded me that last mothers day we were at Mass in Singapore and also got a carnation and a blessing from the Bishop there.

After we were sat down to a fantastic meal and a concert it was as usual fantastic and the singing was good too.

Two friends of Fr Slavic who has been visiting from Poland were there and we had a great chat with them, such nice blokes and they also enjoyed the different culture. so different to Europe, but he got up and sang a Polish song, great fun all round.

FR LUKES 25TH ANNIVERSERY

This week has been  very busy for us, Retreat for the Priests started on Sunday evening, I took the Retreat co-ordinator to HK Island in the morning then we took her to Mass at Notre Dame College and thought, well now for a weeks rest, and it was on Monday, but by Tuesday things reved up a cog or two, maybe it was that we had the day off so I decided we'd make one last trip to the markets, as time is running out I had to make it worth my while, by the time we got home we were quite exhausted!! and some more, so much to see there, and so little time left. Tony not being a great fan of these places I really had to squeeze a lot into the day, but I managed it all.

Friday I was judge of an English Book review for grade 11 students, I found this quite a challenge as I've never done anything like this before. It went all very well and very entertaining, the students work so hard to improve their English speaking, and I am just amazed how they have improved during our time here. (Not what we have done too much, but through their own efforts mostly)

Friday pm the Priests arrived back from retreat and I met Sr Inigo (key speaker) at NDC took here back to our home, let her have a rest, then back to NDC for dinner, then Fr Ronnie took Fr Brian Sr Inigo and myself to Mon Kok markets just to let them see something of HK by night.  Fr Brian was totally gobsmacked by the size of it and the number of people there, we did no shopping there, but  we had a very enjoyable evening showing the tourist's the place.

Saturday Tony and I did our Saturday lesson, and then Sr wanted to do some shopping, not a lot mind you, but she likes to walk everywhere and oh boy its so hotttttttt walking,

From there we came back had some lunch here, and then up to Mass for Fr Luke's 25th Anniversary Mass, this was really special, all the Oblate priests from HK  2 from the mainland, 3 from Australia and one young man from China taking his 2nd last vows. (not sure what they are called)

I would post some photos of this mass but   unbelieveably Tony dropped my new camera again so no photos from that event.

After that we were taken to a restaurant for a banqet ( food nowhere near as nice as the other places we've been to) but still very nice.

We then took Fr Chi, a 90yr partly retired  priest back to our place for the night, and I asked him if we would take a taxi, but he refused and said its only a ten minute walk, ( and that may be the case if you are not ninety) but it was such a  nice  night it had cooled down and there were not as many people on the streets at that time.It was very pleasent indeed! If you can imagine one sprightly 90yr old and 2old fogies wandering around the streets of Kowloon at 9pm.(and no camera) took us slightly over ten minutes! and closer to 45minutes, because he kept stopping to chat with people who knew him.

He lives in a retirement home, and he was asked by someone was  he coming there to die and his reply was quote                   "NO I'VE COME HERE TO LIVE"   I love that !!


We met a lot of the Chinese community and that was nice.

Sunday we went to the Airport and met Mary and Pete who are on their way to England for 3and a half weeks holiday. It was such a thrill to catch up with them, and Pete (my hero) fixed my camera. Thanks Pete

I think thats it for this week



Book Review

2nd Place

Special Merit

 1st Place Eric and David

 Frs David,Harry and Brian

MORE VISITORS

Saturday Fr Harry arrived with Fr Brian in tow, they have come for a retreat for a week. They had a very bad flight, as they were caught in a very bad storm over Hong Kong and had to return to Manila, they had to sit in the plane at the Airport for over two hours, and then when thy arrived back in HK there was a bank up of planes and had to circle over HK for another hr or so. They arrived something like 4 hrs late. Pleased that didn't happen to our visitors. Fr Brian was a little shook up but otherwise all was well.
We had lunch and dinner with them on Saturday and Fr Harry was in fine fettle. It was a very enjoyable evening

Saturday Sr Inigo from Delhi on Saturday am and  arrived on time.  ( She  is doing  the retreat for the priest's. 
Fr David asked us to look after her for the two days, which we did. We took her to lunch on Saturday and then walked back here, she then rested and we then took her to the Presbytery for dinner.

Sunday it was bucketing down, and I thought we'd would be unable to move anywhere, but when I asked her she said she would love to go over to HK Island and visit the Cannosian Sisters.
So herself and myself set off in the pouring rain, (me not being too sure where I was going, especially after my escapades last week)  but we met a young bloke that I knew on his way to Mass, and he wrote out the address in Chinese for me, and we got there without a hitch.

We met Sister Cynthia ( boss) she was delightful, we had coffee and lunch, and then walked us back to the Ferry. By this time the rain had cleared and it was extremely humid but we managed.

Sister Inigo has been giving retreats all over the world, so I think these priests will get a lot from her knowledge. She is a very humble woman and reminds me of Mother Teresa, she of course will have none of that.

Today was a public holiday in Hong Kong for Labour Day, its quite nice having a day off in the middle of the week, we went on the Ferry and then to the North Point markets, we had a lovely day.

now for some photos hopefully