Wednesday 23rd April
It is a privilege to be able to live with the priests and seminarian
here at the parish house. Few people manage to meet priests and
religious other than in a formal manner. Here I get to know them as
ordinary people with a special calling in their lives. Last night I
watched the last half of Chelsea versus Althletico Madrid with Fr.
Clement who is a Chelsea supporter. Over meals we talk about a
variety of topics in a very open way. At supper Harrison (the
seminarian) told us that a man he had been visiting in the hospital
had just died. This man had mental problems and was termed 'mad' by
many. A couple of days ago Harrison found him in the church grounds
collapsed on the floor. He complained about his legs which were
swollen. He was taken to Monze Hospital and Harrison visited, taking
him bottles of coke and other items he requested. It appeared that
the man talked to Harrison but few others. On Monday he said he felt
much better, yet he died yesterday.
I went again along the railway line on Monday and after a couple of
failures found a nice place with trees and some scrub. I sat for a
while watching and reading. It did me good to be back in the
countryside. On the way I passed grass and meadows teaming with
numerous varieties of beautiful butterflies. I will return and
explore some more.
On Tuesday Raymond took me to see the owner of a house that might be
suitable to rent. Unfortunately someone else is interested. The house
has a separate building with a further two self - contained units,
which used to be servants quarters. Raymond told me that his was
where the white people used to live in colonial times. It is now home
to the more affluent in Monze. The other party is interested in
renting both buildings. It looks therefore that I will lose it. This
is a shame because it seemed ideal for me and the following
volunteers to have as a wonderful retreat, where we could relax –
it would also be somewhere my friends could come to see me. I hope to
confirm the position today and deside where I will spend the
remainder of my stay in Monze.
Chris
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