Guatemala Mission News: March 2023
Medical Program: The new laboratory in the Novillero medical clinic is now in operation thanks to many donations. Julianne Connell Sachs (director, Family-to-Family program), Olive Villelli-LaPlante (member, FTF Board of Directors), Donna Connell (president, Guatemala Commission), Sr. Rosa Florinda Tzul Say (Sister of Charity, NY), and clinic nurses joined Dr. Jose Miguel Vasquez and Neftalí Pablo (lab technician) for the blessing and opening of the laboratory on February 8th. It was a prayerful event with Fr. Cristobal, associate priest at Nahuala, sprinkling with holy water each of the four rooms of the laboratory. This new lab in Novillero makes it possible for more people to undergo needed medical tests. Neftalí is now splitting his time between this new lab and the existing one in Nahualá. Last year 934 patients were referred to the laboratory in Nahualá and 2711 laboratory tests were conducted.
In January, Dr. Jose Miguel provided a detailed financial report for the medical program which is funded by many donors from the Spokane diocese and the Sisters of Charity of New York.
Thank you to all of you who support the medical clinics! As always, 100% of your donations are sent directly to the medical program. Dr. Jose Miguel extends his gratitude and thankfulness to all – “On behalf of everyone (patients and workers) THANK YOU AND BLESSINGS!”
In Antigua Ixtahuacan, catechists’ training for the large parish of Santa Catalina occurs one Saturday each month. Pastor Fr. Nicasio, Sr. Rosita (SCNY), and two deacons conduct the training with about 102 Eucharistic ministers, 50 musicians, 100 lectors, and 110 sacramental preparation catechists. The catechists come from the town of Old Ixtahuacan and the thirty-two outlying communities.
Deacon Ovidio, youth group leader, reported on several activities including youth group days at various locations such as a nearby lake. About 400 young people from the 32 surrounding communities meet to reflect, sing, discuss moral and spiritual behavior, and pray. In addition, twenty students studying at the high school level in Ixtahuacan are receiving scholarships, thanks to Spokane donors.
About 70 children in the religious education program stayed after their instruction to greet the parish council and the visitors from Spokane. The children and teachers gratefully thanked the Spokane community for its financial and prayer support.
The Minor Seminary, Seminario Menor Señor San José, in Sololá, includes thirty-three young men this year with Rector Adrian Ruyán Coroy. Along with a traditional high school curriculum, including religion, students engage in community service projects. They work in groups, determine a need in the community, find resources for the project, and carry out the project. Past projects have included planting gardens and raising chickens.
The Minor Seminary will be celebrating thirty years of operation on March 20th. They are planning a fiesta with other seminaries to include sports, cultural events, and religious activities. Fr. Adrian reported that they recently completed the remodel of showers and bathrooms (thanks to Spokane donors) and will now begin with the kitchen remodel when funds are available.
After meeting with Bishop Domingo Buezo Leiva and Fr. Adrian, the three Spokane visitors were invited to attend Mass at the Minor Seminary and dinner. Mass included an inspiring homily by the Bishop and beautiful music, with seminarians playing piano and guitar and singing.
Lourdes Tzoc Ramirez, director of Nawal Estereo Radio station, and radio staff members affirmed that they continue to broadcast eighteen hours each day of the week, covering topics such as agricultural practices, medicinal plants, youth and women’s issues, religious events, and health news. Broadcasts reach over 1.5 million people with the use of a transmitter. In addition, they transmit on Facebook Live using cameras and video equipment, with staff members self-trained on usage of the new technology.
Both staff members and members of the Board of Directors mourned the recent passing of Sr. Janet Druffel, SSND, of Colton, Washington. She was the first female director of the radio station and remained on the Board of Directors until the last few years. Lourdes is the first indigenous woman director, and the second woman director after Sr. Janet.
Staff members again expressed their appreciation for donations over the past four years, which included funds to purchase a new truck, a transmitter, cameras, and video equipment. However, the transmitter was unfortunately destroyed during an electrical storm. Radio staff raised one-half of needed funds through a raffle. Recently, upon hearing of the need, a donor from the Spokane diocese sent funds to complete the purchase of a new transmitter along with the funds necessary to install a canopy over the building to prevent the ceiling from leaking, which causes mold and moisture to accumulate in the building, endangering equipment and the employees. The entire team is incredibly grateful and stated that this donation will be an enormous help in sustaining and growing their work. In gratitude, they plan to hold a ceremony in honor of the donation.
Our Lady of the Highway Preschool: Dr. Jose Miguel took the three visitors to the preschool near Novillero to visit with the teacher, Elena. Sixteen students were to begin school the following day. Elena showed many different educational tools that she uses with the children to learn shapes, colors, numbers, language (Quiche, Spanish and some English), fine and gross motor skills, art, math, and more. Many of the educational tools were donated by people of the Spokane Diocese while others were recycled materials, such as scraps of paper rolled into small balls to create letters. Spokane visitors participated in a demonstration of active learning using puppets (to learn verbal skills) and small hula hoops (to learn following directions and language). Elena's methods were lively, enthusiastic, and engaging.
Elena invites students of ages three, four, and five to enroll in the preschool by going house to house and talking with parents. She also tutors students who are in primary grades. For these families who live with a scarcity of housing and food, there is no tuition, thanks to supporting churches in the Spokane diocese.
On this trip, the Spokane visitors could well imagine the school in session, as Julianne witnessed in 2019; “With every second full of learning, an energetic and dynamic teacher, a space bursting with color and possibility, and engaged and active children, the preschool was vibrant” (Inland Catholic, 2019).
Colegio Nahualá students and staff presented a wonderful and lively program which included ceremonial dancing and traditional clothing. Many students from first through fifth grade participated in several delightful and practiced performances. The closing number was a ceremonial dance portraying customs of Holy Week including washing of clothes and hair, making tortillas, swinging “noise makers”, and praying to the Virgin Mary. Staff of Nawal Estereo broadcast the event live, using generators because there was an electrical shortage throughout Nahualá.
Fr. Carlos, Pastor of Santa Catalina Church, Nahualá, and Juan Fernando Tambriz, principal, expressed gratitude for the financial support from the people of the Diocese of Spokane.
This year there is increased enrollment at the school with 360 students in basico (7th-9th grade) and 200 in primario (K-6th grade). They also have kindergarten and preschool children.
The school is very old, having been rebuilt in 1977 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame after the 1976 earthquake. Fr. Carlos reported that they have been remodeling and maintaining the school as much as possible. They have ordered additional student desks for the growing enrollment, thanks to donations from Spokane.
Fr. Carlos stated that the teachers continue here, despite being paid well below standard, because their hearts are here – they love this school, and many attended as children.
