Particularly Panamanian...

There was a very interesting conversation at the table today when it was explained to me that Panamanians don't think of themselves as South Americans or as Central Americans.  Independence from Colombia was achieved (depending on whom you believe) by revolution or by means of a business deal - most people I have heard speaking about it seem to believe it was a mixture of both.  Nonetheless, the fact that they did achieve independence from Colombia does mean that they don't feel they belong with South American countries to the South. 

Similarly, to the north, the only border Panama has is with Costa Rica.  They do seem to value the relationship with Costa Rica but don't feel they belong with the other Central American countries (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras...).  They don't even participate fully in the economic community that exists at theat level.  It's actually quite noticeable in one way - there are many bodies/ quangos, both national and international, that have offices here.  It is curious that they are very often called the Association, or Institute, of something or other... for South America and Panama; or else, ... for Central American, the Caribbean, and Panama.  One of those quirky little things that is probably more important to the Panamanians than it is to anyone else.

I suspect part of the reason for this sense of independence from neighbouring countries probably has to do with the Canal which has meant that Panama has a decidedly international background.  People from every country on the planet have moved and settled here.  I suppose that the Canal also gives Panama a certain economic independence that other countries in the region don't have.

Another thing that I have noticed here - that I have never seen anywhere else, is that the clouds go in both directions.  It is very noticeable that at more or less any time of the day or the night, you can see clouds, large bodies of cloud, that move in opposite directions towards each other.  In Ireland, on the continent of Europe, in North America, and even when I lived in Ecuador, I never saw this - that's not to say of course that it doesn't happen, but I never noticed it.  In my experience, the clouds in the sky at any particular time tend to go in the same general direction.

Whatever direction they are going in, however, the cloud formations can be spectacular and very beautiful.  I include some photos at the end of this post.

This morning I had two Masses in the Barrio of Santa Librada (where I was last week).  Once again large numbers of people with, particularly striking, lots of young people who were very involved in all that was going on.  An interesting thing was that I had the opportunity to chat with one of the Permanent Deacons, and another man who is training to be a Permanent Deacon.

Both men are married and have full-time jobs; and both feel called to serve in the Christian community.  They preside at Sunday services where there is no priest; the preside at weddings, baptisms, and funerals; and they are involved in the community at many many levels.  The Archdiocese of Dublin has recently made a big deal about introducing the Permanent Diaconate and has presented it as being another aspect of the ministry of the church - which, of course, it is.  However, we all know that, at least in Dublin, the Diaconate has been introduced, not because of what if offers the church in and of itself but as a response to the fall in the number of priests available for parishes.  Hopefully, with time, the Diaconate will come to be appreciated for what it brings to the community and will not just be considerered as something to make up for there not being a priest.

One interesting thing here that has definitely, in my opinion, made a huge contribution towards a proper appreciation of the Diaconate is that the Deacons are active in parishes that have no resident priest - thus giving a certain degree of independence.  Priests from local parishes share the commitment to say mass in these parishes from time to time so that they don't always remain without the Eucharist but, and even on Sunday, it is very often the Deacon who presides - he is also a very important leader in the community.

I haven't come across any Sisters (nuns) working in parishes yet but I'm sure they are there - the Sisters that I have met seem to be mostly involved in schools, health care, working with special needs children, with those with HIV, with the elderly, and with the handicapped.

Anyway, it has just gone half-past-eight so it will soon be time for night prayers and then, to bed for another early rise at 5am tomorrow morning, as they say here... "si Dios quiere" (if God wills it).  In the meantime I hope you enjoy the cloud formations
Buenas Noches