During a world tour sponsored by the International Peace Foundation, the renowned Clown Reinhard visited Mercy last Saturday and performed in front of a tough and demanding crowd of 100 Mercy children. Yet as tough and demanding as our kids normally are, it didn’t take Clown Reinhard long to win them over. In fact, the moment he appeared, introduced himself, sat down on a chair, and fell on his behind, he had our children in stitches. Several young boys and girls were rolling on the floor with laughter (see photo below). After the show, Clown Reinhard gave a playful clown workshop for our kids. 

Last week, five hundred and five slum children received their diplomas during the annual Mercy Preschool graduation ceremonies. Moms, dads, grandmoms, brothers, sisters, aunties, community leaders, and many of our local school sponsors joined in the celebration, a balance of traditional pomp and riotous fun. Fr. Joe, wearing his doctoral robes for the occasion, presented a diploma to each graduating student; and at the end of the ceremony, in a thunderous “call and response” speech, Fr. Joe encouraged the children in no uncertain terms to stay in school. “If your mom plays cards and your dad is drunk, what do you do?” he shouted out.

There is at least one wonderful advantage to life in a large family like ours.

We (my Mercy Centre family and I) stumble through life… never knowing the lyrics nor the music to the songs that every new day brings to each of us… never knowing the storyline of each sunrise or sunset.

The Bourbon St. Restaurant and Oyster Bar is holding its 16^th Annual “Fr. Joe Maier-Mercy Centre” Charity Golf Classic on Friday, March 11, at the Royal Golf & Country Club. Please join us as a player and/or sponsor. You can also contribute to the post-tournament auction. There are many ways to help, and all proceeds will go for our children’s shelters and slum education programs. A link to more details, visit bourbonstbkk.com. Tele.: 02 259-0328/9.

The Bourbon St. Restaurant and Oyster Bar is holding its 16^th Annual “Fr. Joe Maier-Mercy Centre” Charity Golf Classic on Friday, March 11, at the Royal Golf & Country Club, 12 Noon, Shotgun. Please join us as a player and/or sponsor. Or you can contribute to the post-tournament auction. There are many ways you can help, and all proceeds will go for our children’s shelters and slum education programs. A link to more details, visit bourbonstbkk.com. Tele.: 02 259-0328/9.