A SIP…

In 2004 priests and lay members of the Community of Saint Paul took over the pastoral and social care of the parish La Sagrada Familia (Holy Family) in the Dominican Republic, which is the sister parish of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee since 1981. All the priest who served here throughout the years have been diocesan priests of Milwaukee. 2016 is, thus, an important year, since we celebrate 35 years of partnership between the Archdiocese and the La Sagrada Familia. 35 years with plenty of experiences, lots of laughter and many challenges, but above all with many lives touched. It is impossible to summarize 35 years of human experiences as there is too much to process and too much to be left out. So we want to offer a sip, a glimpse, a preview of what our parish life may look like today. And besides, a general explanation takes for granted and thus forgets the stories, the names and the daily experiences of the families and people. Take some minutes to watch the video below, where instead of giving a general view we offer you “a sip” of parish life so that through it you can grasp what we live and breathe in La Sagrada Familia, and yet keep you hungry for the full taste. Enjoy the sip!

https://youtu.be/L7uDMUgaGhw

Thanks to All, Altagracia Has a New Heart

Last July, we reached out to find good hearted people to help save the life of Altagracia Pujols, a 27 year old young woman from the Dominican Republic who required an urgent cardiac surgery. We needed economic support to pay for her operation. The generosity of many friends of the Community of Saint Paul was well demonstrated again. We received the funds that she lacked for the procedure. The response was so overwhelming that the expenses of Altagracia's surgery were completely paid, with some money left over to for general use in our health center in Sabana Yegua.

There was a long waiting period, since Altagracia was underweight and had an infection that delayed the date for surgery. In addition, we had to find twelve blood donors. To those blood donors we want to express our sincere gratitude. Finally, on October 6, she had the operation in CECANOT, in Santo Domingo. The surgery was a wonderful success, and after some days of recuperation in intensive care and a hospital room, Altagracia was again in her home... happy with a healthy heart.

On behalf of Altagracia, her family and our team in the Dominican Republic, we thank you all... from the bottom of our hearts!

NEW FOOD CRISIS IN ETHIOPIA

According to a study conducted by the UN and the Ethiopian government, more than eight million people in Ethiopia need food assistance, as two consecutive years of drought have affected several regions of the country.

More than 80% of the Ethiopian population works in agriculture, which continues to be the prime financial income of the country. For that reason, the always tenuous situation becomes even more complicated when there are droughts. At present, in addition to drought, there is another equally dangerous threat: meteorological agencies have warned about possible strong rains and flooding in the next weeks, which would destroy the existing harvests and worsen the situation even more.

Thirty years ago, in the 80s, Ethiopia suffered a great famine that drew world attention. Since then the country’s economy has been improving up to the point of positioning itself among the emerging economies of Africa. However, in spite of the development of schools, roads, and hospitals under the current government, which has been in power since 1990, many people continue to live in extreme poverty. They are now experiencing more and more cases of infant malnutrition. Even though the government has begun to distribute sacks of grain and wheat among the affected communities, Ethiopians are hoping, once more, for help from outside to be able to overcome this new food crisis. For our part, we will continue contributing with our Community’s projects to strengthen the health and living conditions of the rural population in the area of Meki.

REFLECTION

Ricardo Martín

METANOIA 2.0

Ash Wednesday inaugurates a new season of Lent. Lent can become an anecdote, a missed opportunity, if we do not become very intentional about it. The forty days of Lent are an invitation to change.

When Jesus calls us to “metanoia” he is not only calling us to “repent” (as we will hear when a cross of ashes is drawn on our foreheads), but also to change. Metanoia means change, change of heart, conversion (if you prefer a more religious language.) Repentance seems to be only one step in the process of change, and it connects directly with sin when we may be asked to change things that are not necessarily sinful. Repentance also seems to reflect about the past, a past action, and change is a reference to a hopeful future.