Father Joe's Articles

It's our pride

2 October 2020

This junk dealer guy, a stranger, not from around these parts, tried to take away our pride.  My own very pride, me, the teacher, and my class full of raggedy, rag-a-muffin six years old. But it didn’t work.  Of course, it didn’t work.  How could it?
Dear everyone


To write to you at the end of a school day.  The kids are fine.  Everyone is healthy. True, they wear masks (most of the time – wash their hands proper – and are as cheerful and happy as five and six year olds can be / We strive for social distancing – and achieve it …. Somewhat …as much as can be expected at kindergarten level.
 
BANGKOK — Redemptorist Father Joe Maier, 80, opened his first school in Bangkok’s market-side slum district of Klong Toey in a swine slaughterhouse more than 40 years ago.

Sea Angels in Rags

17 June 2020

Dear everyone,

We began the old fashioned way:  food for our “Sea Angels in Rags” basic Thai reading & writing & arithmetic.  Food because literally there was nothing to eat on that island, which the angels chose for us. 
Join one Infantry – Defend our Angels in Rags.

IT WAS LIKE  CLARION TRUMPET CALL – WITH THE RISING OF THE EARLY MORNING SUN  SHINING OVER THE RUSTY TIN ROOF OF OUR SLUM KITCHEN SCHOOL.  BEFORE SUN-UP REALLY .  THEY WERE ALL THERE.STANDING, SITTING, CANES AND WALKING STICKS ,  BUT ALL THERE.  WE HAVE COME TO ANSWER THE CALL.  
 

Temple kitchens are always off to the side, unnoticed unless you are part of the kitchen staff ­­— those devoted ladies who cook and clean for every ceremonial meal.  Auntie Grannie is one of the selfless.