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I 8 - The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, March 2, 1999 Flowers say it best 487 Laurier Ave., 878-2881 This Central American experience is a central one for Father Earl Taibot By IRENE GENTLE The Champion T he tiny Guatemalan village of Teculut'an now boasta a Pepsi plant. On the outskirts, it's ail spiffed up with newly paved moads. limes aure have changed since 1976, when Father Earl Talbot, now of Holy Roaary Parish, lirst made bis way to Guatemala. Then, hie arrived in the wake of a devaatating earth- quake and ended up ataying for five years. Even after returning to Canada in 1981, Father Talbot has kept bis roota to Teculut'an well watered, returning from his latest trip on Febniary 8. He and six Milton representatives made the latest trek hauling a precious cargo of $50,000. The money was raised by the joint efforts of Holy Rosary Parisb and Milton's four Catbolic achools. It included a $15,000 top-up from Dufferin-Peel Catholic students. Snereturning, more money has been raised via a February 16 Mardi-Gras 'Jesus Jani.' One thouaand students got in thse groove for four long hours to raiae $15,000 during that event. Milton's Lauren MacDonald, Anne Courtney, Marisu Hun, Brian Millette, Michael Girodat and Willy Robinson left January 29 to explore the country that not so long ago was scourged by the brutal Hurrcane Mitch. Some of the $50,000 will go towards buying build- ing supplies the for the village. The rest will help sponsor education and fund the local Nutrition House. Stili, the trip was not about rebuilding in the wake of disaster. For Father Talbot, it was another homecom- ing. For the small delegation that accompanied him, i was about stepping into a different world. "One of the thinga that fascinates our group when we go down is how expressive tbey are there," said FahrTalbot. "It bas a lasting impact on our folks." Teimpact bita hardest when thse visit coincides with Candlemas, as it did Ibis year. Staged 40 days after Christmas, Candlemas isa nine-day festival representing giving the baby Jesus to As one would expect of any self-respecting Central American nation, Candlemas in Guatemala is some- thing 10 experience. The town of 5,000 swells as prodigal sons and daughters are welcomed home for the holiday. The whole thing kicks off with a cburch service. After that, it begins to resemble a joy-filled full con- tact sport. "Everyone bas a candle and they go outside and process around the park," said Father Talbot. "The firecrackers woke us up every moming at five." Since Candlemas is a celebration of ligbt, firecrack- ers play a large mole, with new dispîsys put on nigbtly for thse duration of the festival. This year, even thse circus made it to town. "There were four Ferris wheels," said a bemused Father Talbot. 1I tbink that's a record." For the Canadian visitors, the wbole week was a tor- rent of colour, music and light. There was even a dash of faine. "We were walking beside the mayor, being treated like celebrities," recalled Father Talbot of one memo- rable procession. "It was humbling." TI time, even the moat staid Canadian representative gave way to the electric joy of thse revelry. "Wben in Rome do as the Romans do," sbrugged Father Talbot. "Even though they have little there, they like to celebrate life." Wbile thse meaning of faith may be tIse saine every- where, the face of it can differ drastically. TI Guatemala, the face of faith can be very young. Baby-faced nuns and aspirants dot the tiny town. That's a marked contrast to the Hamilton Diocese, for example, which Holy Rosary falîs within. There, the average age of those called is 60. TIse visit was not ail music and swirling colour. There was also a solemn viewing of the Hurricane Mitcb damage. TI Teculut'an, the rebuilding bas begun. New homes are being constructed away from creeks and riverbeds, on land donated by tIse Pepsi plant and the local Bisbop. Next year, Father Talbot bopes to show off some Canadian hospitality by bringing a handful of Guatemalans 10 Milton for a week. Meanwhile, he bas retumed to the parish rejuvenat- ed. "The poor evangelize us, teach us what tIse Gospel is about," he said. 1I go there to get inspired." 1-11O1ODy UIiAIAM FAINE Father EarI Talbot (lft) of Holy Rosary shows off a bit of Guatemala along wlth Blahop Reding's Lauren MacDonald (Centre> and Chaplaln Brian MilIete. Beware..l., fia sea...son is here for another long mun WIsen is a cold flot a cold? When it's tIse Olu. So button up, baby, because tIse Olu season bas blown in. TI aIl it's aching, sniffling glory. toms can often feel like a cold on For most people, the Olu is kind of steroids. That means a cough, like a spectacular cold. While it bas headache, appetite bass, muscle aches, it's own influenza virus, the symp- fatigue and fever. For the ufcrtunate, tIse Olu can also come hand in hand with stomach ache and diarrhea. On tIse other hand, a mild Olu can feel just like a cold. For moat people tIse Olu will come and go in a week or two. Sure, il may esee CARD on page 18 Beginner to Advanced Levels in Dresg and jumping B.H.S.I. Senior Qualified Coach 30+ years of experience Special Aduit and Special Children Lessons ~ Special Senior Group Lessons (over 50 years of age) Lessons include: Private, Semi-private or Group ( 6 persons max.) 120' x 70' brightly lit indoor arena with dust-free footing - 120' x 150' outdoor sand ring 8295 Indian Trail 5194856-0505 Situated on Guelph Lino 12 minutes north of 401 near Hwy. 7