From the Pearl of the Caribbean

Here in Cuba, there is what we call ?the summer for my people? a motto of the Union of young communists to take advantage of the two months of summer in the Cuban way: voluntary work, camping on the beaches, cultural events and musical groups who do a lot of dancing in the many squares and in the parks of the Pearl of the Caribbean.

The summer activities, organised by the youth ministry group for the young people, also provided many occasions for sharing our life in a perspective of faith and of sowing the grain of mustard of the Kingdom among the Cuban youth.

We want to tell you that our preparatory novena for the feast of the Virgin of the Caridad del Cobre, patroness of Cuba, was very missionary: a mission from door to door to meet children and to restart the catechesis of the children, of adolescents and of young people. Yesterday, 8th September, the churches were packed: curious people, new ones that had never set foot in a church, the faithful of lively and dynamic communities, etc. There is no doubt that Mary of Caridad still remains very Cuban and missionary.

With the feast of the Virgin of Caridad del Cobre, we also start our new pastoral year of 2006-2007. The house where we live has been recently inundated with children and young people who come in the afternoon to play basketball, football and other games, as well as others who want to learn to play the guitar. Yesterday, we had a Marial catechesis in which we celebrated our Good Mother with this hymn:

?Mother who on Cuban soil
showers us from on high with your love.
Mother of the poor and those who suffer,
Mother of joy and of sadness.

ALL YOUR CHILDREN, WE ACCLAIM YOU,
VIRGIN MAMBISA, MAY WE ALL BE BROTHERS AND SISTERS!

Mother who in your fields has sown
flowers of peace and of goodness,
give unity to you people,
affectionately sow union.?

May Jesus and Mary of Caridad continue to make the Cuban grain of mustard grow!

De Cienfuegos, Cuba.
Brother Héctor