The Holy Aspect of Easter

Good Friday is one of the most religious days observed in San Pedro. In days gone by, families would remain at home and prepare for the religious services. Children, in particular, were urged to stay home, asked not to argue or fight with their siblings and were even discouraged from swimming in the sea. It was the belief of their ancestors that something tragic would happen to those who disobeyed or behaved "rudely" on Good Friday. The common myth used to discourage the children from going to swim was that they would turn into mermaids/mermen. This practice seemed to work as the village was transformed into a "ghost town" on this specific day.
At midday on Good Friday, the "Celebration of the Seven Words" would commence. This is a two and a half hour service concentrating on readings of the seven times Christ spoke before he died. This is followed by a Eucharistic Service and the Adoration of the Cross before the Holy Procession begins at about 5:30 p.m. The Holy Procession was and still is the largest annual procession held in San Pedro. The entire congregation is divided into groups led first by children and followed by teenage girls, women and lastly, the men. The young ladies take turns carrying a statue of the Virgin Mary while the men carry a casket (symbolizing the death of Christ) as hymns and prayers are chanted throughout the main streets of town.

Good Friday Procession:

On Easter Sunday, Catholics rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For the first time ever, San Pedro witnessed a special procession early Easter Sunday morning. Called El Encuentro, the procession was a replay of Christ come to life, and his joyful reunion with his bereaved mother, Mary. Children dressed as angels sang carols and ended the meeting of the women & men at the Church square on a most joyful note.

El Encuentro - Easter Sunday

San Pedro AIDS Commission hosts Estrellas del Momento

El show de las Estrellas Del Momento was held on Saturday night at the SPHS Auditorium. People in attendance were entertained well into the early morning hours - singing, dancing, comedy - great entertainment was provided by the actors/singers on stage.Held as a fundraiser for the San Pedro AIDS Commission, the night was one of much laughter and entertainment.
Celia Cruz performed...
Lady Gaga...
Amanda Miguel...
and Paulina Rubio...all wowed the crowd with their vocals, dance moves and choice of songs...

Read more in this week's issue of The San Pedro Sun.

The Art of Life: Mind Space

By Christopher Emmanuel

“A cluttered mind can’t find focus”

Everything you acquire takes up mental space. I call this “Mind space”, because you hold it in your thoughts. Someone gave me a gift and I was thankful for it. But I thought to myself, “What am I going to do with it.” Have you ever gotten a gift you don’t want? But you kept it anyway because you don’t want to hurt the person - it’s like a gift you take out when they are coming over to visit. You want to be kind but you just don’t have use for it. Hey! Don’t get me wrong, who doesn’t love to get gifts? But only gifts that have value are the ones you can use. But come to think of it I am using the gift because it is the subject of this article.

We are possessed by what we own. For instance, you get a new boat, for the next while all you can think of is how you can enjoy it. Then it becomes something to maintain and the real cost comes into perspective. If you truly enjoy it, then it’s all part of the pleasure, but if you only love it when it works, you feel shackled by the thoughts when it’s not working.

So if you find your mind cluttered with too many thoughts, consider clearing your space. Physically clean out your closets and things at home that you don’t use. If you haven’t used it in six months or a year, trade it, sell it, and give it away. You will find your thoughts start to become clear.

Books by Christopher Emmanuel can be purchased at his Art Gallery in The Sunbreeze Hotel, Art of Touch, Pages Book Store, Black orchid Spa and Sol Spa.

Hugo Meyer and Victoria Wolski get engaged

A proposal is always a romantic occasion, especially when creativity and thought goes into “popping the question”. On Wednesday, April 13th, 2011, Aji Restaurant’s Hugo Meyer returned from a trip to Spain, where he had been visiting his ill father. With all intents of getting one very important question answered, he had bought a beautiful dress for his beloved Victoria Wolski, and told her that he had lunch planned for them at Las Terrazas. Joining the lunch party was Victoria’s mother and cousin.

At lunch, their waitress presented a glass with some flowers and a ring inside to Victoria’s mother. Hugo explained that the ring was for her, and he asked for her daughter’s hand in marriage. Another glass with flowers was brought out, and inside was Victoria’s engagement ring. Hugo asked that all important question, to which Victoria said yes!

Congratulations to you both, and we wish you a wonderful life together!!

DAVID HARLEY McLAIN CHARGED WITH FAILING TO REGISTER AS SEX OFFENDER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bob Troester

April 19, 2011 Phone: 405/553-8999

OKLAHOMA CITY MAN CHARGED WITH FAILING TO REGISTER AS SEX OFFENDER

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – DAVID HARLEY McLAIN, 55, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was indicted for failing to register as a sex offender, announced Sanford C. Coats, United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

The indictment alleges that from December 1, 2010, through March 30, 2011, McLlain was required to register as a sex offender pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA and also known as the “Adam Walsh Act”) after traveling from Oklahoma to New Orleans, Louisiana, and to the country of Belize. McLain was arrested on March 31, 2011, by Deputy United States Marshals with the Sex Offender Investigations Unit for the Western District of Oklahoma when he arrived at the Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, after being expelled from Belize. McLain is currently being held in the Oklahoma County Jail pending further court appearances.

The public is reminded that the indictment is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Reference is made to the indictment for further information.

This case is the result of investigations conducted by the United States Marshals Service Sex Offender Investigations Unit for the Western District of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City Police Department with substantial assistance from the Belize Police Department and the U.S. Embassy Regional Security Office in Belize. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney R. Don Gifford.