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

The Art of Life - The Children's Dilemma

“A human being like its creator is an enigma”

A glimmer of dawn was seeping through the bedroom window, she hadn’t slept last night. She was upset. No Mad! Her best friend Kate had a date with that cute boy in her class and it didn’t sit right with her. She wanted to punch him, shove him to the ground. Her feelings were against everything she knew. She loved Kate, wanted to hold and kiss her since they became friends in standard one. Now teenagers she craved her inside.

Is a girl who she should love? What would her church going Christian parents say? Surly she was bound for hell. Nights she prayed to the God she believed in, asking why? Why she felt the way she did.

All over the world we have holy scriptures that teach us how to conduct our lives-each claiming truth. But truth never stops evolving. Before words are printed experience change. Our children are crying out in change. Can we meet them where they are? Love them and understand who they are becoming?

All the rules in the world can’t match truth and experience. Through the filter of time all precepts become a path overgrown with the weeds of new knowledge. In the end kindness is the only form that love fits into. Evolution cannot be contained in words and rituals.

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.

Lighthouse Christian Radio hosts after Christmas Football Tournament

While many visitors to San Pedro come to enjoy the sights, sun, sea and other activities that are easily accessible from the island, a group of 18 energetic volunteers from Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA decided to spend their Christmas vacation donating their time to a worthy cause, and the major recipients of this year’s mission were the children of San Pedro.
The mission came to life as a result of communications between Lighthouse Christian Radio and the Believers World Outreach foundation in the United States. Believers World Outreach (BWO) is a non-profit organization responsible for organizing missions and sending them to various regions. They facilitate mission trips for individuals, churches and other ministry groups that desire to reach out, sharing the love of Christ beyond their own comfort zone. (http://believersworld.com/) The “After Christmas Football Tournament Program” commenced on December 28th and stretched through December 31st. With the major success of the past year’s Summer Sport Camp Program, Mr. Welsh of Lighthouse Christian Radio, decided to keep the focus on sports, but this time only on football. The group brought with them, jerseys, sports balls, back packs, trophies, medals and other gift items to the total value of over $5000.00 BZ.
The mission saw over 36 kids between the ages of 9 and 13 competing in a four day football tournament. The tournament was divided into two divisions. The first division saw competitors between he ages of 9-11while the second division had competitors between the ages of 12 and 13. Apart from sportsmanship, the program promoted lessons in devotionals, friendship and team work; encouraging the children by offering them a chance to learn some good core values as well as compete in a sport that is close to their hearts.
In the afternoons, the same teams got a chance to enjoy various events at the Central Park including face painting and vacation bible school for some of the smaller children. At the end of the four day tournament, each team received a trophy, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place received trophies as well as medals for all members of the teams.
The program ended with a New Years Day Children’s Festival at the Central Park from 3:00pm – 6:00pm. Over 300 children were in attendance, along with their parents, and had the chance to participate in funfilled activities such as water balloon toss, sack race, cabbage toss, ring toss, face painting and there was even entertainment provided by a clown.
Lighthouse Christian Radio takes this opportunity to extend a hearty thank you to the visiting mission members from the United States, the San Pedro Town Council for providing venues, Southwind Realty and all the children and parents that participated, and made this first ever After Christmas Football program a success. With this huge success, Mr. Welsh hopes to make this event an annual one.

SPRC Church holds summer program

-Press Release – San Pedro Roman Catholic Church - August 17, 2010 - The San Pedro Roman Catholic Church, together with The Legion of Mary and auxiliaries and Sister Amalia had a summer program for children in San Pedro Town. The program taught the children about The Sacraments, The Commandments, and The Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, prayers and songs. The children also learned how to make their own rosaries along with other fun crafts. It was well attended by approximately 50 children. The program started on July 6th and ended on August 13th with a mass and parents’ night, where the children performed a liturgy Dance and a skit portraying the Luminous Mystery. After the program, a small reception was held at the Church Courtyard.