August 28, 2023
Dear Diary,
It was Fr. Luis’s “homecoming” this weekend, back to the parish he went to when he immigrated here, got involved and decided to pursue priesthood. Thank heaven he’s now over at Christ the King, though! Ultra-wasp for more English language immersion. I can’t tell if that’s working. He doesn’t talk much around me. Usually I get complaints. “I can’t understand what he says!”
So I went over to our huge west side parish for Luis’s special return, to concelebrate the main Sunday Mass with him and Fr. Ernesto and stay afterwards for a major case of heartburn, just like every time to go there. I can’t help myself. The food is out of this world. This time, along will all the great stuff as usual, they had fahitas with a real kick and these cheese things called poo-poo-zas. ? Dunno. The people are so warm and friendly, but it was good to get back for a ‘siesta’ and elka seltzer – I wonder how you say that in Mexican?
I even wore that Our Lady of Guadalupe detachable panel on the back of my cape that Mr. Domenico made for me for the two baptisms after Mass. Olay¡¡
I’ve learned enough of the lingo for some of the Mass. Sr. Randi and Fr. Ernesto taught me how to do the “Señor” with the squiggle, “ten piedad!” Then I’m thinking, “eleven piedad, twelve piedad…” but I don’t say it. They’re happy people but they have a serious side too, I think. So I try say “pee-ay-dad” right but if it has the word “pie” in it … as a native of Pie Town I get distracted. But the people really, really appreciate my being there, I can tell! Gosh I love Hispanic ministry.
NOTE: Didn’t ask Gilbert but I’ll get Tommy to look up “las-tee-ma”. If it wasn’t a dish there, I’m guessing it probably means ‘great’ or ‘cool’? I heard it alot after Mass so maybe it is a dish I missed. Too tired to use my phone. And spelling… well, not tonight.
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Every time I read one these diary entries, I imagine Fr Z chucking to himself as he intentionally misspells words. I know it cracks me up.
SeelDad: Hey! These are +F. Atticus’ diary entries! We are just humble transcribers of what we get intermittently from the “mole”.
Glad to see +Atticus getting with the pueblo, enjoying their food and learning some Spanish. Just hope he does not confuse Mexicans with Puerto Ricans, much less Cubans. That is not the way to win friends among the Hispanic communities.
I recognize some of my former parish here, though luckily not my bishop. A beautiful, enormous, predominantly-Salvadoran parish. And, oh, the processions! And the food!
I do laugh remembering the parish festival for our patronal feast day. There was a beautiful Mass, a rosary procession, and a giant potluck. All of the gringos made a beeline to the excellent home-made Salvadoran food – pupusas, arroz con pollo, fried yucca… and the Salvadorans didn’t want anything but the exotic American food – domino’s pizza and Costo pigs-in-a-blanket.
Talk about cultural exchange!