Sister Parish Program
The main work of Missions International involves connecting Catholic parishes in Guatemala and Haiti with "sister parishes" in the United States who then provide spiritual and financial assistance to their sister parish. What is unique about Missions International's Sister Parish Program is the emphasis on relationship building. Both parishes are encouraged to pray for one another, correspond regularly about happenings in each parish, and visit one another when possible. By becoming a sister parish you can literally help meet the needs of a community and transform your lives and the lives of others. Through this relationship, you have the ability to impact the daily spiritual and physical aspects of thousands of peoples’ lives.
The sister parish program is a very simple process. We recommend the formation of a committee within both parishes to maintain cultural awareness, spiritual growth, and communication. Frequent communication with emails, letters, photos, and prayer intentions helps transform the relationship into a very real and personal friendship. Once a month, a Sunday can be designated as Sister Parish Weekend with a petition at mass and a second collection to benefit the sister parish. Trips are an excellent way of seeing firsthand the positive impact your parish is having on your sister parish/mission. By becoming a sister parish you will improve parish life, improve quality of life, and provide education for your sister parish.
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me." Then the righteous will answer him, say, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?" And the King will say to them in reply, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:35-41
The sister parish program is a very simple process. We recommend the formation of a committee within both parishes to maintain cultural awareness, spiritual growth, and communication. Frequent communication with emails, letters, photos, and prayer intentions helps transform the relationship into a very real and personal friendship. Once a month, a Sunday can be designated as Sister Parish Weekend with a petition at mass and a second collection to benefit the sister parish. Trips are an excellent way of seeing firsthand the positive impact your parish is having on your sister parish/mission. By becoming a sister parish you will improve parish life, improve quality of life, and provide education for your sister parish.
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me." Then the righteous will answer him, say, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?" And the King will say to them in reply, "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:35-41
2024 trip to Gautemalan sister parishes
28 people from the Belleville and Springfield Diocese journeyed to their sister parishes in Jalapa, Jutiapa, and Izabal, Guatemala. The trip finished with a pilgrimage to Santiago Atitlan, where Blessed Stanley Rother was martyred.
Greetings from Missions International!
On October 31, 2011, I embarked on my first trip to Haiti. Words cannot begin to describe the heartfelt love we were shown. Although poverty was all around us, the people we met were so thankful and joyful. The impact you have as a sister parish is so great. Not only do you improve the quality of life for thousands, but also as a sister parish you become part of the Universal Church. Through your prayers and support, you help to spread the Word of God and become the hands and feet of Christ in the world today. On behalf of all our brothers and sisters in Haiti, Guatemala, Venezuela, and Ghana, thank you!
Shelly Sands, President
Parishes Seeking Sister Parishes
Currently we are seeking parishes in the United States to answer the call to be part of the Universal Church as participants in the sister parish program. There are parishes in Haiti, Guatemala, Venezuela, and Ghana waiting for your answer to walk with them in solidarity. The sister parish program is a wonderful way to be the light of Christ in our world today. Our hope and prayer is that your parish will join this beautiful program and receive all the blessings that it has to offer...Blessings for your parish and your sister parish. Please contact Missions International for more information about becoming a sister parish. We will do our best to help you and your parish in this process. Please use the link below to view Missions International's procedure for aid and disclaimer.
Currently we are seeking parishes in the United States to answer the call to be part of the Universal Church as participants in the sister parish program. There are parishes in Haiti, Guatemala, Venezuela, and Ghana waiting for your answer to walk with them in solidarity. The sister parish program is a wonderful way to be the light of Christ in our world today. Our hope and prayer is that your parish will join this beautiful program and receive all the blessings that it has to offer...Blessings for your parish and your sister parish. Please contact Missions International for more information about becoming a sister parish. We will do our best to help you and your parish in this process. Please use the link below to view Missions International's procedure for aid and disclaimer.
| mi_procedure_for_aid___disclaimer.pdf |
Fr. Miguel in 1989 and a chapel of the first sister parish opened in San Raymundo, Guatemala
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Parishioner visiting school belonging to sister parish in Haiti
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