Sigonella Branch Service Project

Our Sigonella Branch participated in a Spring Family Service Project in a nun's institute foster care home located in the historic heart of the town of Pedara. The name of the institute is Collegio Maria Ausiliatrice- Istituto Sacro Cuore and is located in # 25 Via Filadelfo Faro in Pedara.  

 The nuns host a foster care home with 18 children who have been placed there by the judges because they have abusive families or they are orphans. They've asked for volunteer help to install synthetic turf in the playground area and paint some rails in the court soccer field. This would be a great "family COMREL" since you could bring your children who can play with the little guests of the home (they love playing soccer!) while the volunteers conduct the project. The children are indeed home only on Saturdays since they go to school, so this would be the best time to catch them. 

Anziani

The Volkel representation

Kyle Greider

President Fonseca and Anziano Anderso

Tyler and Bella

Sorrelli and Leslie Penrose

Nora and Bella

The nuns will provide all the working tools and have refreshments for the volunteers who decide to stay on for lunch. 

Twenty-five adults provided a little tender loving care for these Italian children on Saturday, April 14.  It was amazing to watch the primary kids engage with the Italian children in a hot game of soccer while the adults painted.

She is such a cute Nun!

Taormina

Restaurants...

Interesting walks....

Treasures to be discovered....

 What's not to like about Taormina?

One can never grow tired of Taormina.  It is the place that transforms you to “vacation!”  It makes you feel like you are on vacation when you really are just stopping by for the afternoon.  It is just 40 minutes from where we live and such a nice little get-a-way!

Shops...

Beautiful views....

Miles of beaches....

A very well preserved Greek theater!

There are summer performances at this theater, I hope to be in the seating area for one of them!

Kyle and Carmen Greider

Kyle and Carmen have been married four years and been stationed at Sigonella for one year.  Kyle is an Admin sailor and works in the Base Commander’s office.  Kyle and Carmen met in high school at a dance, even though they both attended different high schools in the Jacksonville area.  This is their first duty tour outside the United States.  They are both Primary teachers in our Base branch.

Carmen was born in Puerto Rico and immigrated to the United States.  She spent  junior high and high school years in Jacksonville, Florida.  Spanish is her first language and was the language she always spoke at home with her family, English was the school language and the second language.  Carmen’s family came to Sicily to visit a few weeks ago, they have already scheduled a return visit.    Carmen and Kyle have lived on Marani for the first year they were at Sigonella, they are moving just up the street from us in Motto S’ant Anatasia on the 22 of April.  We are glad to have neighbors that speak English. They have two cats that monopolize their free time along with Kyle’s schooling.  He is trying to finish up his BS in his spare time!

Chruch of St Nicola

Church of St Nicola and the Benedictine Monastery

Catania, Italy

We started out our day for the second time to attempt to pick up our Italian Permesso at the:

Questura Catania Ufficio Immigrazione 
Viale Africa, 25-27-29 
95129 (CATANIA - CT)

 This is the official document of residency in Italy and a must have for us!  We began this process in February! First item of business included long lines with lots of immigrants trying to accomplish the same thing.  We took the Scovilles along with us because Joel speaks fluent Italian and our success would be more likely if communication could be done in Italian.  No such luck, no permesso for us, yet!

So the next best thing would be to find something interesting to do in downtown Catania! The Church of St Nicola became the target.  It is the second largest church in Europe and largest on Sicily.  It was built after the earthquake in 1693 and never finished.  

The unfinished columns in the front of the church are evidence of the lack of funds to complete this church.

Inside the floors and paintings are beautiful but unlike most cathedrals in Italy there is no art work on the ceiling!

Beautiful pipe organ

The Mausoleum is located on both sides of the stained glass window.

The light in the top left is the hole in the roof that allows the light to come through at different angles all during the year.  It reflects on the floor to reveal the exact time and day of the year!

The circle light  from the ceiling fell on April 6th  at noon.

The entire year in one long line, the light circle in located on April 6!

Catania Ward la Pasquetta

La Pasquetta is the after Easter party held as a national holiday in Italy.  It is the first Italian cook out we have attended as well as the first after Easter party!

Artichokes are everywhere grilled and steamed!

Apalardo Brothers

Our beautiful Sorelle.

Paride Apalardo, Mike's friend at the grill.

Italian delight!

More artichokes ready for the grill.

This sweet sister claims every missionary ever in Catania has eaten in her home!  That is quite a statement, do you remember her Mike?

Beautiful day for a cookout at the church.

A little table tennis before lunch, volleyball, soccer, basketball,  and Foosball  are all set up ready for the challenge.

Good Friday in Enna

Enna is known for its spectacular panoramic views of the island interiors. On Good Friday, you can witness one of the most unique processions in Sicily, featuring hundreds of ancient Spanish costumes from the local Brotherhoods, sponsored by the European Union and known for its historical cultural value. Enna is about 77 kilometers from Motto so we were off to see the procession and take in the Good Friday events.

 

My favorite decoration in the town piazza!

Sicilian Easter bread with the hard boiled egg baked inside!

The city Library, some serious research could be done here!

Queen Eleonora, Frederick III’s wife, built the Duomo, a notable example of religious architecture in Sicily, in the 14th century. It was renovated and remodeled after the fire of 1446. A massive campanile with finely shaped decorative elements surmounts the great Baroque facade, in yellow tufa-stone.

 

The Duomo of Enna.

Brass door plates at the entry

Amazing delicate work work inside the Duomo.

 

Sixteen confraternities gather outside the Duomo to begin the procession that goes through each church in the city and down the main piazza.  Each color represents a different confraternity and a different congregation all gathered together for the Good Friday Procession.

The procession is all male of any age, some are carried, most walk.

The confraternity with yellow costumes are the oldest established in Enna and they are privileged to bring in Jesus Christ.

The Virgin Mary is the last to arrive on the shoulders of many men. This procession begins at 4:00PM and lasts until the full circle is completed around midnight.  The crowds are massive but quiet and respectful as they march through about 16 churches in honor of Good Friday and the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem.  Very spectacular to watch!

Enna also has Greek mythology ties as well.  The neighborhood of Enna is celebrated in myth as the place whence Persephone was carried off by Hades god of the underworld. The meadows abound in flowers, and a nearby cavern or grotto was believed to be where the king suddenly emerged. Demeter watched from the rock at the top of the hill behind the ancient castle as Persephone disappeared to the underworld. The Castello di Lombardi, perhaps the most important example of military architecture in Sicily. It was built by Sicilians, rebuilt by Frederick II of Sicily, and restructured under Frederick II of Aragon. The castle is named for the garrison of Lombard troops that defended it in Norman times.

The Castello!

At Demeter's table with Mt. Etna in the far background!

Demeter's table from the Castle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful valleys on either side of the castle.