Activities related to the Mission Project in Mexico
March 1, 2018
On Thursday, March 1st, we celebrated the Funeral Liturgy for Sr. Dorothy Ann. Later that same day I left for Pueblo, Mexico. I arrived at 8:30 PM and was met by Mercedes, Roberta, and Sr. Ines who had left a day earlier. I changed by ticket so that I would be home for the funeral. From the airport to Mercedes’ home in Tehuacan is 200 kilometers, about two hours away. Traffic is very heavy on the mostly single lane highway.
Friday March 2, 2018
From Tehuacan, we drove to Santa Maria del Monte the small town where Mercedes is originally from and most of her family still lives there. She does not live there, she lives in Tehuacan and wanted us to see another part of Puebla. Santa Maria is at a higher elevation and has more vegetation. It is cooler; driving through pine forests through winding roads we went, crossing what they call the “dark Sierra Madre.” In contrast, we found Tehuacan marked by dry, dusty, rocky ground and warmer temperatures. We also got a bit more familiar with distances. Sometimes it is not so much the distance as driving on roads that have a lot of dangerous curves. You really need nerves of steel to handle the traffic. Many 18 wheelers and 24 wheelers travel together for protection from highway robbers.
Saturday AM, March 3, 2018
On Saturday morning we met with Fr. Roberto, a Basilian priest who is the superior of the Basilian community in Tehuacan, and pastor of San Lorenzo, the main parish. Fr. Roberto was ordained by one of our good friends, Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, whom some of you may remember.
“Fr. Beto” is a very busy and zealous person, pastor of a very extensive territory. He was gracious and welcoming, making time out of his busy schedule to lead us to the sites where they minister. All of the buildings housing “capillas” (or chapels) are under construction. They are scattered throughout the various colonias. We visited the following “capillas” located in the different sectors:
• San Lorenzo, the main parish;
• Santa Catalina;
• Santa Cecilia;
• “Manantiales” (Springs)—Señor de Tajalpan;
• Capilla del Carmen;
• Centro de Salud (a center that helps people who need food, or a doctor, or psychological counseling). A variety of therapeutic services are available for couples, and anyone who needs their services. All the doctors, psychologists, and other folks are volunteers. Father “Beto” is also a psychologist and gives one day a week to counseling at the center.
As you can see, Saturday was quite a long day with a lot of things to see and take in.
Sunday, March 4th.
The other site we visited is called “Vista Hermosa”. This is the place that has been given to Mercedes and Roberta to do pastoral work, and it is also the place where the sisters would be of service.
Although this location is not really very far, it is a feat to get there because of the ruts on the climbing curvy, rocky, road. When we arrived, we greeted the people who were already there at the “capilla”. We had classes before Mass. Roberta taught her group of children, and I gave a talk to the parents of the children who are going to receive First Holy Communion and those preparing for Confirmation.
Around 10:30 Fr. “Beto” arrived to celebrate Mass. About 250 parishioners were present. We had a lively choir who played guitar and other instruments; these parents had their own children with them singing full throated and on key.
At the presentation of the gifts, the bread and wine were brought up as usual, but wait(!), here comes a large heavy box with a purple bow: the box contained a small “office refrigerator” to be used to keep the hosts and other items for Mass. This was a first! “Bring up the Gifts,” and here’s a refrigerator!
We finally got home around 2 or 3 and got something to eat.
We ate our meals together and took the opportunity to share about the many things we saw and the people we encountered.
Monday, March 5th.
We all got together to make an outline of each day of the presence of the sisters during Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday. We sorted out and planned each day: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, for home visits and work with the various groups in the evening. We went through the Liturgies for Holy Thursday, and Good Friday, how they would be done with the people—processions, via crucis, and other services without a priest.
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Tuesday, we rose around 2:00 AM in order to be ready to leave early so that we would arrive at the airport on time. We made good time (Not that many people were on the road at that early hour) and were at the airport around 5:00 am. We arrived around noon or so at DFW.
Thank you for your prayers and support,
Sr. Gabriela
Sr. Ines
N.B. Questions and answers:
The names of the sisters going on the project are:
• Sr. Yolanda Cruz and Sr. Ines Meneses;
• The cost of the project has been covered by donations specifically for this purpose. No monies from other Mission Funds are being used for this activity.
• Keep Mercedes, Roberta, Sr. Yolanda, and Sr. Ines in your prayers. The sisters depart on March 22nd.
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