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Basilian Fathers Missions Newsletter of the Latin American Apostolate Spring 2017

Education at a High

Level in Cali, Colombia

When the Basilians went to Cali over 25 years ago the parish and the Instituto Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (INSA) was a small parish and a school with few students. Teachers did their best to help students learn but interest was low. Over the years, the Basilians along with devoted laymen and women have brought the school to the forefront of the educational scene in Cali and the surrounding districts. Students now excel on standardized testing and in November 2016 the research firm “Sapiens” recognized the school as one of the 40 best in the Cali region based on the results of the standardized test SABER. Father Francisco Amico CSB, Rector, and Father Rafael Lopera CSB, Director, have formed an academic community that enjoys teaching and learning. 700 families have students enrolled.

All parents must be involved in the education of the students at INSA and formation in the faith is an important element in the curriculum. Celebration of the Eucharist with parents and students and the parish community is a joyful event each Sunday; the presence

of God’s Spirit it alive in this community. (See page 3)

Vibrant Basilian Ministry

in Tehuacán, Mexico

The Basilian Fathers first went to Mexico in the 1960’s and began to serve the parish of San Lorenzo Teotipilco in Tehuacán in 1978. A few months ago, Father John Huber CSB of the Basilian General Council visited with the Basilians in Mexico City and in Tehuacán and found a lively and friendly community made up of Basilian priests and scholastics (seminarians) from Mexico, the USA, Italy, and Colombia all working together in the Basilian ministry of education and evangelization.

Fathers Alberto Ferrara and Daniel Porter live in Casa San Felipe. The two serve in the parish of San Lorenzo. Father Daniel devotes hours every day of the week visiting the sick in the several hospitals in Tehuacán. Father Alberto spends his days ministering to the infirm in soul and

spirit. People come from the city and the surrounding areas to seek his blessing and hear his words of

healing and forgiveness. (See page 2)

Father Alberto Ferrara CSB blesses the sick after Mass in San Lorenzo.

John Huber, Roberto (Beto) Rojas, Jess Owens, Juan Carlos Rojas, Arturo Jerónimo, Daniel Porter, Alberto Ferrara

Please donate to the Basilian

Latin American Apostolate.

We count on your assistance.

Padre Francisco Amico CSB and the students of el INSA.

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Mexico, (cont. from page 1)

The other house in Tehuacán is the parish house, or rectory. Fathers Beto Rojas, Jess Owens and Juan Carlos Rojas live here with the scholastic Arturo Jerónimo. Father Juan Carlos came in July and has assumed responsibility for the chapel of El Carmen. Father Jess continues at the chapel of St. Cecilia. Arturo, who has completed two years of theology (and who has two more years of study), is responsible for the chapel of Vista Hermosa, celebrating regularly with the people the Liturgy of the Word and offering them Communion. Father Beto, although parish priest for the whole parish, is especially dedicated to the ministry in the main church of San Lorenzo.

In Mexico City there are 8 Basilians living in the Escolasticado, a house where the scholastics (seminarians) live while they are studying. Father Paul Walsh CSB is the Director of Scholastics and Father René Espejel CSB is his assistant; Father René also serves as the Basilian Superior in Mexico. Three scholastics live here: Alejandro Estrada, Alberto Juárez and Javier de la Rosa. They are currently studying Theology courses at the Universidad Pontificia in Mexico City. Three Basilian Associates live with the scholastics and are studying at the Universidad Intercontinental and at the Pontificia. All the members of the Scholasticate community spend Holy Week on a mission in some of the poor and remote areas that are not served by a permanent priest. The priests and the scholastics and associates lead Holy Week services and scripture studies. This is an experience of ministry in the countryside with communities living very difficult lives. These young Basilians served their brothers and sisters who daily live the cross – and the resurrection – of Jesus.

(See the photo to the right.)

Meet Aron Fernandez The Director of Operations at St. Joseph Mission Center is Aron Fernandez, a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He manages the daily work of the Mission Center and is assisted by accountant María Hernández. Aron shares these comments:

“It is my pleasure and privilege to support the Basilian Fathers in their ministry and charitable work across the Americas. Basilians are humble, gracious, good-hearted and well-educated; I am very fortunate to work alongside such admirable men.

To all of you reading, who follow and donate to the Basilians Fathers – may I say, I am honored to be at the hub of your endeavors to support the Basilian Fathers Missions and it is a privilege to serve you as well. Thank you for your continued generosity.”

Padre Beto Rojas CSB leads a scripture class at San Lorenzo.

Basilian scholastic Alejandro Estrada CSB leads the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) during the Lenten Mission.

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Colombia (cont. from page 1) The parish is involved in the “Continental Mission of the Church” in Colombia; this is a major evangelization ministry. Father Rafael Lopera CSB is guiding the project. The parish is divided into sectors and in each sector there is a “Casa Católica” which is a center for community, information, and celebration. Father Frank Amico CSB has supervised the renovation of the chapel in the 7 de Agosto barrio; it is now a beautiful worship site for the community.

Casa Annonay is located in Bogotá and is a house for the postulants. The postulants begin an academic and religious formation and also work in apostolic ministry. Father Oscar Gómez CSB is the Director.

Father Robert Seguin CSB is the Administrator of the chapel of St. Francis of Assisi in Taganga, a village near Santa Marta. For years there has been no priest in Taganga; everyone is very grateful for a Basilian ministry and presence.

Medellín is another city in Colombia where the Basilians minister. They serve in the parish of San Basilio and several scholastics (seminarians) are studying there. Father Robert Barringer CSB is the Director of Studies and Director of Scholastics and Father Pedro Mora CSB is the Pastor of the parish. The parish is in a problematic area of Medellín and conflicts break out due to the ongoing hunger, unemployment and poverty in certain areas. However, Gospel hope is made present through the ministry of the Basilian priests and scholastics. They have formed small faith communities and have begun several social projects. St. Basil, pray for all of us.

All the Basilians in Colombia gathered for the annual retreat led by Bishop Julio García of the Istmina diocese.

The Basilian scholastics and members of the San Basilio parish community in Medellin.

Repent and believe in the Good News. (Bogotá)

Capilla de San Francisco de Asís

Your donations make Basilian

ministry in Mexico and Colombia

possible. Please be generous.

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A Message from Father Vince Dulock CSB

Dear Friends of the Basilian Missions,

Peace and greetings to you in this most important time of year for Christians. The

Paschal Mystery, Christ’s dying and rising, is what makes us Christians and give us hope

of eternal glory with Christ Jesus our Lord.

I first want to introduce myself. I am Father Vincent Dulock CSB the new Director of

St. Joseph’s Mission Center in Sugar Land. It is my pleasure to serve the Basilian

Fathers Missions and be a link with you and our missionaries in Mexico and Columbia.

If you are receiving this newsletter it is because you have helped us in the past or we are hopeful of your

generosity to serve Christ by supporting our mission to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. God loves

every creature he has created and continues to love them despite unbelief or sin. The world needs to know

this great good news of God’s magnificent mercy. What could be more important to know and believe this?

Yet there are still many who have not heard this Good News or have not penetrated to its depths. Your

support will help us make them more aware of this great invitation to life. Please be generous and help us if

you can. God is never outdone in generosity and will surely bless your efforts.

Please know that you are always in our prayers and thoughts as you help us with your prayers and donations

to be heralds of the Good News of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

In gratitude for your service …

Director of the Mission Center

Non-Profit Organization US Postage

PAID Permit No. 10970

Houston TX

Basilian Fathers Missions Latin American Apostolate

PO Box 708 Sugar Land TX 77487-0708