Peace be with you!

My name is Nader Ata. I am a Conventual Franciscan Friar of the Our Lady of Angels Province, USA. I am a transitional deacon preparing for Priesthood Ordination in the fall.

Seeking to live with Franciscan Joy each and every day!

*All of photos on this blog were taken by me unless noted otherwise. Please ask permission before using them. Thank You!*

*Also I am not the greatest speller or writer in the world, so please let me know if something is misspelled. Thank you!"

Enjoy!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

MerryThanksAdventGivingChristmas!

You are probably wondering what MerryThanksAdventGiving Christmas means.  To be honest it sums up the experience I had of all this holidays and times in the Church during my time in Costa Rica. At the same time there were Christmas Decorations, Thanksgiving Decoration, and Advent Decorations present either at school, the friary, or FrancisCrops.

Here is a photo of the Christmas Tree that was at the FrancisCorps in November.
Below and above are photos of the Thanksgiving Day celebration that we had in the Primary School.  For the first time in 60 years they had a Thanksgiving Celebration in the Primary School for yours' truly. The teacher - one of my families in Costa Rica - wanted to celebrate this day with me.  We had salad, turkey, stuffing, vegetables, mashed potatoes, gravy, and dessert.  It was a Thanksgiving Luncheon to Remember Costa Rican Style. 

Here is a photo of the area outside of the 3/4 grade classrooms decorated for our Christmas Octave of Breakfasts. 

Here is a photo of Roberto (Professor of P.E.) and his wife Alejandra in their house during Advent/Christmas time.
At Mesoamérica we had a Christmas Celebration and was in charge of dessert.  Above is a Christmas Tree made from cupcakes and below is an Advent Wreath made from cupcakes.
Here is Ligia my teacher and Carmen the academic director serving the food.

The following photos are from the Christmas decorations that were present in the Chapel and Friary. I helped out in the Chapel with Fray Jorge as the mastermind, but I was the mastermind in the Friary.


Thursday, December 9, 2010

Gary's Visit, Volcán Poas and some Nature Shots

For five days from December 2-7 I was blessed to have a visit from Fray Gary, my director of Formation.  He met with me, the friars, and also people of the school. He was my first personal visitor and I enjoyed every moment of the visit.

One of the things that I got to do on Gary's Visit is go to Volcán Poas, here are photos from trip.
Strawberries growing on the side of mountian!
Cows in the middle of the road.
An image of the volcano.
An explanation of the volcano.
The volcano, can't you see it! I couldn't.
Gary and I with the volcano in the background. It was pouring.
A mysterious yet beautiful walkway.
Gary and Toño
The Three of Us

Below are some nature shots from Costa Rica.

St. Francis and the Negrita!
Francis and the wolf in Alejuela 

One of my favorite photos from Costa Rica, this photo reminds me of the Lion King!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Graduations Galore and First Communion!


Since Costa Rica obviously runs on a different schedule, all of the end of the year celebrations are in December. 

Below is the Farewell Party for the 6th graders in the Primary School who are now in the High School
The Men
The Women
The passing of the school flag.

Next we have the First Communion of the students in 3rd Grade.  For one it is different to have First Communion at this age level but it was even more different to have the First Communion in December.  Either way it was beautiful.
Above are the children and below the parents.

Graduation #1: Preschool
Above the children singing to their parents and below the parents singing to their children.

Graduation #2: Primary School

Graduation #3: High School

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Día del Maestro Part 3 of 3: Favorite Photos

Doña Marta ready to rock n' roll at the Carnival Hammer Game
Teacher Fabiana going big or going home on the Hammer Game.
Teacher Ariana showing us how to win this game.
Teacher Hilda riding the bull:
One of the funniest photos I have ever taken
María Laura showing the bull who is boss!
One of the workers after making it to the top of the pole!
Some nice looking cowgirls and the Gringo cowboy.
Teacher Anabelle making her Birthday wish:
Just like at the arch she has going.
Teacher Gabby showing us younger folks how to dance!
The teachers having a great time dancing!
A photo of me trying to dance!!!
María Laura - She make an excellent cowgirl!
Mariela and Melany
Teacher Anabelle
This is what happens 
Me sleeping on the bus ride home! 
(See I do put embarrassing photos of me on my blog too!)