São Cléofas
Local Shop
Main Street.
Men waiting for Mass.
Preparing the readings.
Inside view of São Cléofas.
A young parishioner.
The Altar.
Congregation.
Checking a bridge in the floods on the way home.
A local farm house, sheep and horses included.
The old kitchen ~ before. 
The demolished kitchen with the Dormitories doors clearly seen on the left.
The work men working on the new kitchen showing the new brick wall in construction.
The finished kitchen, with its tiled floor and wall, three new windows, two new sinks and a new ceiling. Now if we could only encourage the ladies to replace the dirty wooden table for a stainless steel one. Of course it would be expensive as it would have to be shipped up from Sao Paulo.
The eating area was tiled as well. The women are delighted with it as it makes life a lot easier for them. These facilities will be used almost every weekend.
A picture of the group taken by yours truly. The two women are religious sisters, one (right) is American {Holy Rosary Sisters} and the other (left) is Brazilian {Medical Missionaries of Mary}, both of whom helped in our deliberations. The student on the left is from Kenya and the one in the middle is from Nigeria and is coming to work with us in Castanheira after his Language School in June. Fr. Tommy Hayden came out from Ireland (center wearing a very African shirt)
Society Member Fr. Neil Cromby from Scotland led Mass on one of the days.
The congregation in the little oratory in the Central House came from many different cultures and countries: Nigeria, Kenya, Ireland North & South, USA, Scotland, and Brazil.
"Resurrection of Christ and Women at the Tomb" by FRA ANGELICO, 1440-41
Carrying the Pascal Candle from the Pascal Fire through the streets of Castanheira to the Church last night at the Celebration of The Easter Vigil.
This little lad told me he would show the new priest the way to the church, so he had as much right to be up front as anyone had. As far as he was concerned he was bringing the Light of Christ into the church too!
"This is the day which was made by the Lord:
let us rejoice and be glad."
Alleluia, alleluia.
Santa Rita Church and local hall.
Some of the crowd gathering for the Good Friday Service.
After the opening prayer and readings of Good Friday the Gospel Narrative was acted out. Here Jesus is arrested in The Garden.
And so Jesus carrying his cross leads us on the way of the cross.
It had rained an hour before hand but thankfully not for long.
Two of our main singers leading the crowd, Renat {Novice Sister} 7 Rose {Parish Secretary}. We had a lorry with speakers on it up at the front of the procession.
Jesus Falls the First Time.
Leaving the Bairro of Santa Rita.
Mary the Mother of Jesus & companions.
Jesus meets Mary.
Note the long shadows, thankfully the sun is starting to set.
Jesus with is crown of thorns.
Leaving the dirt roads behind us.
Entering one of the two tarred roads in the town.
A local man is pulled from the crowd to be Simon of Cyrene and help Jesus.
A view of the crowd. It was a much larger crowd this year it seems.
At each of the stations along the route the locals set up a little altar that caught the eye of these curious youngsters.
Now we are on the Main Street of Castanheira.
A quiet Main Street, the Military Police closed it for the procession. It really wasn't hard to close it as Good Friday is a full Bank Holiday here in Brazil. {Thbe procession was behind me!}.
Jesus Meets Veronica who wipes his face of the blood and sweat.
Always ready for a smile and a photo.
Jesus Falls the Second Time.
Sweat & Blood!
Jesus comforts the women of Jerusalem.
Smile Jesus loves you.
A view of the procession rounding the corner at the church heading for the final drama in the parish hall. Shot taken for my balcony.
Jesus is nailed to the cross.
Jesus is lifted up on the cross between the two thieves.
Jesus speaks his final words of comfort to his mother and disciples at the foot of the cross.
Jesus dies on the cross and we all kneel to pray.
The spear pierces his side and water and blood flowed from it.
