The Fr Robert Page

RMTEx
(Religious Ministry Team EXpeditionary course)

Message Received: 8.14.2010

Hello everyone,
I am going to send you this update in four parts because of the number of pictures attached. I realized after my last update that attaching too many pictures prevented some of you from receiving the email. I am graduating this Wednesday and will get to see my family again for 2 weeks before flying to Okinawa!

1. Monday morning - 0500 at our schoolhouse, dressed and packed with everything I'll have in the field.

2. Here is a picture of our base camp - it was about a 10 minute van ride from our schoolhouse and in the middle of the woods.

3. These tents were thankfully waterproof and had mosquito net doors but were shared by 2 people (a little tight) and didn't offer much ventilation; I learned to stay hydrated and take baby wipe "showers".

4. These bleachers were our main rally point for briefings and chow (which is what we're doing here). We had our first taste of MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) - it's amazing what you'll eat when you're hungry.

5. See what I mean? It wasn't all that bad though.

6. The last picture is before Mass on Monday morning 0715 with Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Military Archdiocese (my new boss). Along with Fr. Jim Hamel (Air Force) and Fr. Joe Kokorum (Army) both are also from the Archdiocese of Newark.

Part 2 coming tonight (I'm off to dinner)

RMTEx Part Two
Message Received 8.15.2010

Everyone,

On Tuesday of RMTEX week we headed to the Confidence course which is a series of obstacles whose purpose is to put us in uncomfortable positions (mentally and physically). I don't have too many photos from that day since I was climbing, crawling, squeezing myself through some tough spots and my camera would have been destroyed in the process. Here is one that someone took of my team (four of us) negotiating over progressively taller walls (the last ones were over 12 feet high).

1. Our strategy was to put the heavier, stronger guys up first - so I acted like a step ladder.

2. And then I'd swing around and push my teammate up.

3. We had the use of a cord on the final wall, so we tried that.

4. So they could just grab me and pull.

5. Finally on top of the last wall, it was great.

6. But I was so tired, I just wanted to take a nap!

RMTEx Part Three
Message Received 8.15.2010

On Wednesday of RMTEX we did something that, frankly, I was a little nervous about heading to the site. It was Victory Tower, which included my first experience of rappelling - but that turned out to be one of the most exciting experiences I had all week.

b1. Victory Tower is 50 feet high - here's a picture of the rappelling side of it. We did that twice.

b2. We then went down a cargo net - same size - it was a piece of cake.

b3. The last part of Victory Tower were the rope bridges and "slide for life". The rope bridges were on the outsides and the slide for life was in the middle (this picture is from the perspective of the slide for life).

b4. There's me negotiating the slide for life - once you got the hang of it, it wasn't that tough. You just had to forget that all your classmates were watching you!

b5. And after you were done, you could take a rest and cheer everybody else! And while it looks like we're laying in a rock pit, those are actually chopped-up tires!

Japan (via St Catherine's)

Message Received: 9.4.2010

We received the email below from a lovely lady who is living in Japan (originally from Verona). Her husband is in the military stationed there. She was kind enough to be at the airport when Fr. Robert arrived in Japan.
She includes a brief overview of his arrival and also sent some pictures that I am sure you all will enjoy seeing.
Best Regards,
Dolores

From Eileen O'Reilly
The first picture is the gaggle of supporters from the Navy/Marine Corps station who showed up to welcome him -- I was the only Air Force outcast...tee hee...

We were wondering what was taking him so long and discovered that he was the LONE individual pulled aside for a piece by piece customs inspection...poor Padre!! In the last photo I asked him to say Hello to his friends and family at St Catherines! He is in wonderful hands; the spouses of the chapel (military chapels are multi-denominational) have stocked his hotel room with food and supplies (and hopefully a rain jacket, as we're having the back end of a tropical storm blow through; I'm shocked they even were able to land!) so I took my peanut-free welcome basket back home with me and we will eat it here, no problem!

I'm sure you will hear from him once he's gotten some much deserved sleep but figured you'd all want to know right away. He has all my information so we have him covered on all sides - and if he ends up using my car until he buys one of his own, he'll even have a NY Yankees bumper sticker to sport!

Regards,
Eileen O'Reilly

Okinawa Hai

Message Received: 11.26.10
My dear friends,
I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to send a recent update - sitting at my computer on November 26th, I'm wondering how it's already the end of November!?

Well my flight across the Pacific (at least what my brain hasn't suppressed) wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But it was still VERY long. For about the first two months I lived in a BOQ (bachelor officer quarters) which was a step up from my accommodations at boot camp. I applied for permission to live off base, which I received and have enjoyed for a month now.

My duty here is as a "base" chaplain as opposed to being an "operational" chaplain. An operational chaplain is assigned to a specific Marine unit and provides for those Marines. As a base chaplain, I work in a more general capacity. My work week is very similar to what it was in the parish (except my uniform of the day is MARPAT and not the Roman collar).

Okinawa is a subtropic climate so I have enjoyed the warmer days - even through the late Fall. The summers are brutal here (as I am told) but the environment reminds me a lot of southern California - I've already gotten into the ocean quite a bit and signed up for scuba lessons (no chance for hockey here!)

The biggest challenge is providing pastoral care for 7 chapels across the island - there are three other priests here to help, but we'll be down to 2 by next summer. Some tough times are ahead - please pray for me!

Here are some photos:
1. East china sea - this picture was taken right off a coastal route the 2nd week I arrived.

2. An Okinawan native - geckos are plentiful here and better than any bug spray, they are the best pest control

3. The Blessed Sacrament/Daily Mass chapel at Camp Courtney where I work.

4. The Marine Corps Bday is Nov 10 and each Battalion has a Ball. Here I am in front of a big fake cake

5. This is the Chatan sea wall about a 2 minute walk from my house

6. And while no pets are allowed, I got these two traditional lion dogs. Called "shisa" and of Chinese influence, they are on homes and at the front doors of many residents and businesses. The lore is that one scares away bad luck (the fellow on the left bearing his teeth) while the other keeps good luck (mouth is shut, holding the good luck in).

You remain in my prayers and thoughts - have a blessed Advent!

Peace,

Fr Robert

Sailor on Liberty

Message Received: 1.3.11

My friends,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! As I prepare to get back to work tomorrow morning after enjoying 96 hours of liberty (4 day weekend) I wanted to send a few photos to let you know what a military chaplain does while on liberty.

1. Okinawa boasts one of the largest aquariums in the world (it had been the biggest up until a year ago). Here is a picture of the main tank - they have 3 whale sharks in there (the biggest fish in the ocean) and they are accompanied by countless manta rays and large fish.

2. The imitation jaws of a megadolon - a prehistoric shark

3. Here's a photo of the priest I am replacing - Fr Robert Keane (what is it with me working with other Fr Robert's??). He is a Jesuit from Boston who has been in the Navy for over 20 years. A fine priest and mentor, he has been a huge source of support and help as I prepare to take the reins this March.

4. Near the Aquarium is a reconstructed Ryukyu village (Okinawa is part of the Ryukyu islands).

5. Here's a picture of me jamming on a Japanese banjo (called a shamisen) with Fr Keane. There were some ladies there who offered us green tea and taught us how to play.

Not much else to report for now, just busy with work (just like home). I certainly missed being with everyone and celebrating Christmas in the parish, I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday.

Peace in the New Year,
Fr. Robert

Memorial Day Message

Message Recevied: 5.30.11

I can't believe it's 6 months since I've reported in - the time has gone too quickly! Then again, with Confirmation, Lent, Penance Services, RCIA, the Easter Vigil, 1st Communions: I guess that explains why the past months have been a blur.

Luckily, life is slowing down a notch (even though I experienced my first "SUPER" typhoon this weekend). This time of year is called the PCS (permanent change of station) season. It's a time when you finish your orders, pack up and move to another duty station.

Luckily, it's also Memorial Day weekend and I am enjoying a 96 with beautiful weather! I'm heading out in a moment to head to the northern section of the island where there's less development - heading for a hike with a couple friends.

I heard the great news that SCS is getting a new priest! He will be very lucky to start out in Cedar Grove with all of you.

And my prayers and thoughts are with the parish as you gear up for the Carnival! It was a ton of work, but a great experience to see everybody pull together as a community.

Well, I'm heading off - I can't stay inside on a day like this (see right - taken from my balcony)
Peace,
Fr Robert