The days seem to go by fast for me, how about you? The world doesn’t seem to get any calmer. I always write wondering if this will ever end. But we need to keep doing the best we can, right?

The current restrictions are quite changeable. For example, to leave or enter Madrid, it is permitted on weekdays but not on weekends. (This is to stop people from going away for the long weekends of all saints and the Almudena and spreading the virus). In all of Spain, there is a curfew between 12 midnight and 6 AM.

There are 35 neighborhoods in Madrid that are also restricted due to higher cases of COVID. The church neighborhood is one of them. We had very few people last Sunday. But there were absolutely no controls anywhere. (The Spanish police work hard Saturday nights, so Sunday morning are usually calmer).  Some people said they will try anyway to come. I do it every day and have never been stopped. (I do have permission, just in case). But if I didn’t, I would just speak English and say “Church, iglesia.” But I can’t encourage anyone to not respect the restrictions. Everyone decides for themselves. I know in my heart that the churches are not the problem. The virus has been spreading in other ways.

If you do come, we continue trying to make the best out of things. We have redone the church floor and it shines brightly! We continue with our new extraordinary!

We do have the live streaming of the Mass now thanks to Alex and Janet (although we need to improve the Internet but that had to wait for the floor to dry). You don’t need to watch at 11:00 AM, you can go to youtube and see it anytime. Only around 100 people watched it last week. And there are 300 people on this email list…… Please try and make use of this service, it was done for those of you who love OLM but have decided not to come.

Here is a link to help you: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=our+lady+of+mercy+madrid

(There are also choir videos on the search).

Fr. Micheal will be celebrating this Sunday. I am around, doing Spanish Masses. We also have Christmas lottery which I will be happy to sell before and after Mass. Fr. Sebastian is also available for that too. We also hear confessions! 🙂

By the way, this Sunday is also the second Sunday of the month and we used to ask for your contributions of food items for the struggling families of our parish. You can bring them any Sunday or during the week! Always appreciate: sunflower oil, juices, milk, parboiled rice, canned meats, fish, and veggies.

Be well and don’t lose hope!

Praying for God’s blessing upon you and your families,

Fr. Ron

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It was very crowded at the supermarket, and the customer in front of me had a large order.

As the harried-looking clerk lifted the final bag for her, its bottom gave way, sending the contents crashing to the floor.

“They just don’t make these bags like they used to,” the clerk quipped to the customer. “That was supposed to happen in your driveway!”