Notes from Missions International
To help us provide assistance to those in Haiti, Guatemala, Ghana, and Venezuela, please use the link for online giving.
Thank you!
misisterparish.weshareonline.org
Thank you!
misisterparish.weshareonline.org
2024 projects
Classrooms in Nanpol, Haiti are completed including a restroom with 5 toilets, 2 sinks, and 1 shower. Classes will begin in October 2024.
Windows and ceiling fans have been installed at STYDEC in Ghana
|
A water well was dug with a purification system, along with clothes, food, medicine, and books for the children with the SDMJ in Wa, Ghana
|
Due to the increase of food insecurity in Haiti, feeding centers have been started in 3 locations. |
2023 Self sustaining project in Guatemala
2022 a year of travel and self sustaining projects
A group of 16 returned from Guatemala in July, 2022. 7 sister parishes were visited with an amazing immersion experience. Please view the beautiful pictures of those parishes visited in Jalapa, Jutiapa, and Izabal, Guatemala.
A group of 16 returned from Guatemala in July, 2022. 7 sister parishes were visited with an amazing immersion experience. Please view the beautiful pictures of those parishes visited in Jalapa, Jutiapa, and Izabal, Guatemala.
We are excited to introduce the initial stages of a couple self sustaining projects in Guatemala; including 2 fish ponds, 1 chicken coop, and 2 bean fields. The profits will be used to pay the workers and help with food, medical, and shelter needs for the poor.
2020-2021 Projects
Developing countries are experiencing the side effects of Covid and there is a food insecurity and shortage. Funds, food, and medical supplies have been sent to Haiti, Guatemala, Ghana, and Venezuela.
|
|
|
In Ghana West Africa, we were able to renovate an old building to be used for the Tribunal.
This included putting in running water and a bathroom.
This included putting in running water and a bathroom.
In Izabal, Guatemala, we were able to renovate an old building to be used for the Minor Seminary.
|
|
Guatemala was hit by 2 hurricanes in November, 2020. Emergency relief was provided including food and several homes
|
|
2020 Haiti clean water project for the St. Joseph Center
Thanks to generous donations Missions International was able to buy water for a year to serve the 1000 children and mothers seen in the school, nutritional center, sewing school, medical clinic, and physical therapy center on a daily basis at the St. Joseph Center
Thanks to generous donations Missions International was able to buy water for a year to serve the 1000 children and mothers seen in the school, nutritional center, sewing school, medical clinic, and physical therapy center on a daily basis at the St. Joseph Center
Rice meals to Venezuela
|
2019 Year in Review 2019 included several in-kind donations along with financial donations. Missions International has been very blessed from your kindness. Some of the in-kind donations included: Soccer uniforms to Haiti, Ghana, and Mexico Overhead projectors to Haiti, Ghana, and Mexico Chalices to Haiti, Guatemala, and Ghana A reading curriculum for Ghana Medical supplies and rice meals for Venezuela |
Medical to Venezuela
|
2019 Ghana
2019 Haiti
2019 Ghana
With financial donation we were able to buy more chickens for a self-sustaining project in Ghana. This project includes giving eggs for the children to get needed protein, providing a source of income, and providing chicken manure for fertilizer. This fertilizer is now used to grow fruits and vegetables. The banana head to the left was grown with this fertilizer and was 170 pounds! |
|
July 2019 Ordination in Jalapa, Guatemala
It is with great joy that MI extends the invitation from Bishop Cabrera of the Jalapa Diocese to sister parishes for the ordination of 6 men on July 20 at El Santo Cisto de Esquipulas in Guatatoya, Guatemala.
It is with great joy that MI extends the invitation from Bishop Cabrera of the Jalapa Diocese to sister parishes for the ordination of 6 men on July 20 at El Santo Cisto de Esquipulas in Guatatoya, Guatemala.
|
|
2018 Year in Review
Guatemala
With the help of Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach and Food for the Poor, medical supplies were delivered to the medical clinic in Peten, Guatemala and non-electric sewing machines were delivered to the sewing school in Izabal, Guatemala.
With the help of Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach and Food for the Poor, medical supplies were delivered to the medical clinic in Peten, Guatemala and non-electric sewing machines were delivered to the sewing school in Izabal, Guatemala.
The patient monitoring system and EKG are of great help to the doctors.
|
The sewing school is now open and already trained 20 women in the first course.
|
They are learning to sew pants and shirts.
|
On October 27, 2018 the Vicariate of Izabal, Guatemala celebrated the beatification of Fr. Tulio Maruzzo Rappo, OFM and Luis Obdulio Arroyo Navarro with approximately 11,000 people present. Both men were martyred together on July 1, 1981 in Sagrado Corazon, Quirigua, (sister parish of St. Agnes in Springfield).
|
|
Ghana, West Africa
With the help of generous donations a 40 foot by 25 foot chicken coop was built and supplied with 1000 chickens. This will become a self-sustaining project that will supply an egg a day for over 250 children in need of protein.
With the help of generous donations a 40 foot by 25 foot chicken coop was built and supplied with 1000 chickens. This will become a self-sustaining project that will supply an egg a day for over 250 children in need of protein.
|
|
Venezuela
Children receive candy and a small gift for Christmas, 2018
Children receive candy and a small gift for Christmas, 2018
|
|
|
Haiti The Catholic university in Gonaives, Haiti received copying machines for the recently started nursing and civil engineering programs. Internet capabilities has also been provided to help access educational materials.
|
Guatemala The Jalapa Diocese is overjoyed with the fruits from evangelization. Currently there are 14 young men studying Philosophy, 10 young men studying Theology, and 7 in vocational discernment. That is a total of 31 men in the seminary.
|
"2018, The Year of Travel"
June 15 to June 20, 2018
29 people from the Belleville and Springfield Diocese visited their sister parishes in Guatemala.
June 15 to June 20, 2018
29 people from the Belleville and Springfield Diocese visited their sister parishes in Guatemala.
December, 2017 Water well in Ghana
|
Statue of Mary arrives in Ghana
|
On Monday, October 30 in the Diocese of Solola, Guatemala the Beatification of Father Stanley Rother Francisco was held. The parish where Fr. Stanley worked is in Santiago Atitlan. It was a celebration where many people participated. The women of Santiago Atitlan put tape in their hair as a ritual and the celebration was at the foot of the Santiago Volcano.
The 2017 sister parish conference focused on visiting your sister parish and included the wonderful above video with messages and prayers from Haiti and Guatemala.
Below you will also find the discernment document that Cheryl Sommer referenced during the panel discussion.
Below you will also find the discernment document that Cheryl Sommer referenced during the panel discussion.
| discernment.docx |
|
|
|
May, 2017
Physical therapy equipment and statue of Joseph arrive in Haiti at the St. Joseph's Center
Physical therapy equipment and statue of Joseph arrive in Haiti at the St. Joseph's Center
May, 2017 Nursing manikins are donated to the nursing school at Notre Dame University of Haiti in Gonaives
|
April, 2017
|
August, 2016
The "Strengthening Sister Parish Relationships" conference was well attended with approximately 150 representatives from sister parishes in both the Belleville and Springfield Dioceses. Bishop Julio Cabrera from Jalapa, Guatemala addressed the crowd with thanks and encouragement for the progress that has taken place since the beginning of sister parish program. It was a beautiful day with ideas that were shared to strengthen the existing relationships. If you would life further information from the conference or about your sister parish, please use the contact page.
The "Strengthening Sister Parish Relationships" conference was well attended with approximately 150 representatives from sister parishes in both the Belleville and Springfield Dioceses. Bishop Julio Cabrera from Jalapa, Guatemala addressed the crowd with thanks and encouragement for the progress that has taken place since the beginning of sister parish program. It was a beautiful day with ideas that were shared to strengthen the existing relationships. If you would life further information from the conference or about your sister parish, please use the contact page.
|
April, 2016 4X4 pick-up truck arrives in Ghana
"I wish to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude again for a mission well accomplished. Without the support from Missions International, I would never have been able to realize this project. Without doubt, this vehicle is going to enhance my work in the tribunal as well as in the seminary. It is going to aid me moving around for purposes of inquiring into peoples' marriage issues so as to pastorally help them appropriately. The Mission and Vision of Missions International have been accomplished in this my project, and I pray that God will continue to bless and keep you in all your endeavors so that you can make the gospel of Christ reach to the farthest end of the world by your support and ministry." Rev. Dr. MORNAH MATTHIAS |
New Diocese Erected on April 23, 2016
"Pope Francisco on Jan. 25 announced the creation of the diocese of Jutiapa and also announced that their new bishop would Father Felix Eduardo Antonio Calderon Cruz, a diocesan priest from the west of the country, of the Diocese of San Marcos, Guatemala. The diocese of Jutiapa has St. Francis of Assisi as its patron saint, and his Holy Church Cathedral is located in the center of the city of Jutiapa. The episcopal ordination of Father Antonio Calderon Cruz was held on April 23 with the participation of Mr. Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor Nicholas Thevening, President of the Episcopal Conference of Guatemala, the two Archbishops of Guatemala, the Episcopal Conference of Guatemala, and some bishops of Mexico, Colombia and Honduras. The principal consecrating bishop was His Excellency Monsignor Julio Edgar Cabrera, Ordinary Bishop of the diocese of Jalapa. The event was attended by many priests of the diocese of Jalapa, Zacapa, San Marcos and the Archdiocese. The Mass was celebrated in Progreso, Jutiapa, 15 kilometers from the seat of the diocese, in Sanctuary, under construction dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. It is estimated that the laity who attended were about 18 thousand. All those who participated saw with great joy the presence of a delegation from the diocese of Belleville and Springfield that was strongly applauded as a sign of gratitude for your solidarity with our parishes. United in an atmosphere of faith, joy, and especially gratitude to God and the Pope Francisco, I wish these notes help them understand what we have experienced in the diocese of Jutiapa." Padre Duarte Teodoro Beltran
"Pope Francisco on Jan. 25 announced the creation of the diocese of Jutiapa and also announced that their new bishop would Father Felix Eduardo Antonio Calderon Cruz, a diocesan priest from the west of the country, of the Diocese of San Marcos, Guatemala. The diocese of Jutiapa has St. Francis of Assisi as its patron saint, and his Holy Church Cathedral is located in the center of the city of Jutiapa. The episcopal ordination of Father Antonio Calderon Cruz was held on April 23 with the participation of Mr. Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor Nicholas Thevening, President of the Episcopal Conference of Guatemala, the two Archbishops of Guatemala, the Episcopal Conference of Guatemala, and some bishops of Mexico, Colombia and Honduras. The principal consecrating bishop was His Excellency Monsignor Julio Edgar Cabrera, Ordinary Bishop of the diocese of Jalapa. The event was attended by many priests of the diocese of Jalapa, Zacapa, San Marcos and the Archdiocese. The Mass was celebrated in Progreso, Jutiapa, 15 kilometers from the seat of the diocese, in Sanctuary, under construction dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. It is estimated that the laity who attended were about 18 thousand. All those who participated saw with great joy the presence of a delegation from the diocese of Belleville and Springfield that was strongly applauded as a sign of gratitude for your solidarity with our parishes. United in an atmosphere of faith, joy, and especially gratitude to God and the Pope Francisco, I wish these notes help them understand what we have experienced in the diocese of Jutiapa." Padre Duarte Teodoro Beltran
April 20, 2015 - THE SHIPPING CONTAINER HAS ARRIVED! Please play the slide show below to see some of the supplies that have been delivered to Juan Pablo II Hospital in Guatemala City. Your prayers and contributions have helped make this blessing a reality for the children that access services at this hospital.
More on the Water Well Project...
July 21, 2014 - Progress continues to be made on the water well project in Haiti. Here is a picture of the well at the St. Joseph Center in Gonaives, Haiti. This well was successfully completed in February 2014 and continues to provide clean water to the local community. Sister Renee, a member of the religious community operating the center, wrote in a recent letter:
"I, along with all the Sisters of our community, the
mothers and babies of the Nutritional Centre, the physically challenged children of
our Orthopedic Centre, the school staff/children, thank you whole heartedly for
your kindness. The water from this well will serve almost a thousand people each
day. (School + Centers)."
Thank you to all supporting Missions International and this project! Hundreds of lives are being touched each day through your generosity.
"I, along with all the Sisters of our community, the
mothers and babies of the Nutritional Centre, the physically challenged children of
our Orthopedic Centre, the school staff/children, thank you whole heartedly for
your kindness. The water from this well will serve almost a thousand people each
day. (School + Centers)."
Thank you to all supporting Missions International and this project! Hundreds of lives are being touched each day through your generosity.
Guatemala Trip 2013
In July I made my first trip to Guatemala and I was so blessed by this trip. Words cannot even begin to express the beautiful experience that unfolded before me. The people I met were so kind, and I learned so much. I thought I knew what was going on with our sister parishes, but going, seeing, and experiencing first-hand sheds new light on the sister parish program. I knew our sister parishes were feeding the poor, but I was amazed by the depth of the evangelization of the Catholic faith taking place. From the training of missionaries who go to every home and shack (Catholic and non-Catholic) to talk about our relationship with God to the Bible now being written in the native language of K'iché, our sister parishes are expanding the Kingdom of God with your support. The sister parishes in Guatemala even go beyond this and promote women’s rights and provide education like reading, writing, sewing, and much more. I encourage every parish in the United States to visit their sister parish and discover their brothers and sisters in Christ. -Shelly Sands, President
Bishop Cabrera with women helped by the sister parish program.
|
Bible in K'iche
|
Missionaries on the road to the next home.
|
People waiting for a new sister parish.
|
Visit from Guatemalan priest
Another way to build the relationship between you and your sister parish is to invite the pastor of your sister parish to visit your parish. In the summer of 2012 we had the pleasure of visiting with Padre Stuardo from Guatemala. Sharing time together and celebrating Mass with our brother from Guatemala was truly a gift from God. I encourage all parishes to reach out to your sister parish and communicate on a regular basis. If you have not been in contact with your sister parish in the last month or two, please email or send a letter. Many of the pastors of our sister parishes have access to a computer. If you are not sure how to contact them, please contact Missions International.