Dear Father,

Greetings on this Happy Feast of the Annunciation - the Feast of MOP! 

This morning was quite special for us here.  At 8:30 a.m. we had Archbishop Legaspi visit our outreach ministry for the families that live on the dump-site.  It was a very good visit.  Archbishop felt very comfortable with the people there, even though he was dressed in his white cassock for Mass, he mingled quite easily with the dirty children and the people.  He gave a Easter message and blessing and then I brought him to some of the "shanties".  He had to make some effort to get into them as they were very low for him (he's 6ft something), but he insisted on going into their houses and blessing the people.  He was visibly moved.  Though he was sweating much, he didn't pull back.  We went to about 5 of the houses on the dump site.   

Then we proceeded to our apostolate where he first met and spoke with our legion of Mary and food-line people.  Then he met with our mentally-ill and other residents, the special children.  Then we went to our new centre - Nazareth - where he saw our feeding program for malnourished kids.   

Then we had Mass at the Monastery at 10 a.m.  I was concerned for the Archbishop as he had been going around and sweating a lot, but he seemed very happy to do it.  At the Homily, he said some very beautiful and moving words about MOP and yourself.  In essence, he said he is so grateful to God for the day when you knocked on his door 15 years ago.  He said that unlike other communities, MOP is a growing community, expanding both in numbers as well as in our ministry.  Several times he asked the congregation to clap in gratitude.  I wished we had taped it, but anyway.  At the Mass we also had the investiture of 4 new postulants and the admission to novitiate of 8 brothers. 

At the meal, I asked the Archbishop if he would celebrate Mass in the shed in the dump-site and he readily agreed to it anytime.  He even said, "we can also do confirmation there".  The priests who were there were surprised at this. 

All in all, it was a very gracious time.  Thank you Father, for your Yes to God several years ago that has brought about all this.  Like the Yes of Mama Mary, your Yes has become the cause of our joy and the joy of so many of our poor!

Pray for us that we may continue to say Yes to God and No to the world as we strive to live faithfully our vows, charism and spirit. 

With warmest wishes on this feast of our community,  In the joy of our Lord,

 Bro. Ambrose

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A letter received from a Religious Education Office In NY:

    The students preparing for Confirmation are very proud to present you with this donation which is even more than we originally anticipated.  Our 7^th grade students have worked diligently in saving their allowances and any unused lunch money so that we are able to present you with this generous donation.

    It is our great hope that this donation will help give the poor children of Kingston, Jamaica and their families a better quality of life.

    Thank you for giving us this opportunity to give back to those who are in great need, to help serve through the guidance of our Lord and the acts given to us through the Beatitudes.

    Please let us know if and when the “Caribbean Musical” will be in our area so that we may once again attend this most enjoyable event and so that we may also spread the word of the great works that this musical accomplishes.

Sincerely,

Coordinator for Program Administration