special edition 2007 - catholic world mission · 2018. 9. 19. · more than 35,000 people are...

Living Stones Page 3

Mission Hope Page 4

Be Not Afraid Page 5

Megamissions 2007 Page 5

Conquering Poverty with the Richness of our Catholic Faith

S p e c i a l E d i t i o n 2 0 0 7

Evangelizer Summer 2007 7/3/07 2:06 PM

2 EVANGELIZER SUMMER 2007

In this, my third year as bishop in thisbeautiful Prelature of Cancún-Chetumal in

the Yucatan Peninsula, Iwanted to thank you foryour continuous support.Without your generosity,we would never have beenable to accomplish somany life changingprojects in so little time.Furthermore, I wish to takethis opportunity to update

you on the blessings we have received andmilestones we have reached together as wecontinue to evangelize the poor with love.

First, I would like to thank PopeBenedict XVI, in challenging all Catholics inhis encyclical letter called “God is Love”(Deus Caritas Est) to live the gospel to itsultimate consequences. Indeed, God is love,and by our actions we become agents of hislove in this world. Your support for CatholicWorld Mission (CWM) is one expression ofthis love, through which we are able tobring in a very real manner hope to morepeople every day. Most importantly, this lovehas not gone unnoticed by Our Lord, and bythe little souls you have helped personally.

In the past months we were fullyengaged in new efforts and greateroutreach around the world. This outreachincluded: the continual clean-up andrebuilding from natural disasters such asthe Tsunami and Hurricanes Katrina andWilma (see pg.4). In addition to theseefforts, we were able to start a sponsorshipprogram at an orphan school in Tanzaniaoverseen by Bishop Niwemugizi (himself, atone time, an orphan) in the Diocese ofRulenge. In the Middle East, CWMpartnered with the Vatican’s Notre DameCenter of Jerusalem to assist displacedvictims of all faiths as a consequence of thepainful conflicts in southern Lebanon.

Furthermore, in this issue ofEvangelizer, I am happy to announce thecompletion of a safe house for pregnantteenage girls in Itapecerica, the largest slumof Sao Paulo, Brazil, as an alternative toabortion. While providing housing for thesegirls, the project will also offer schooling forover 500 children and will provide anintegral Catholic education for boys andgirls ages 3 to 10. With your continued helpwe plan to open an additional grade-leveleach year.

We are also happy to report that ourMano Amiga Student Sponsorship Programhas been enthusiastically embraced bydonors across the US and Canada (see pg.8).At press time, we have secured sponsorshipsfor 7,597* students while 9,153* still needsponsors. As a sponsor, you are matchedwith a specific child, age 4-17, who is inneed of a scholarship in order to attendschool. In addition the sponsor receivesthree updates on the student during theschool year. Together, in 2007 we will joinBenedict XVI in engaging the Christianfaithful in the work of bringing the charityand message of Christ to a world with somany spiritual and material needs.

Thank you for joining us in our effortsto conquer poverty with the richness of theCatholic faith. As a final note, I wouldwelcome your prayer intentions. Theseminarians and I will pray for you inEucharistic Adoration of the BlessedSacrament, a Sacrament of Charity.

Bishop Pedro Pablo Elizondo, LCPrelate of Cancún-Chetumal, Quintana Roo, MexicoPresident, Catholic World Mission

Features4 Katrina: Mission Hope

5 MegaMissions 2007

6Your Graduates Thank You

7The Power of an EducationON THE COVER: Pope Benedict XVI greets Bishop Pedro Pablo Elizondo, LC,President of Catholic World Mission. Inset: On the same day Alejandro Pinelofounder of our Evangelizadores de Tiempo Completo – full-time LayMissionaries – program was also greeted by Pope Benedict.

©2007 CATHOLIC WORLD MISSION, INCORPORATED. All rights reserved.

S p e c i a l E d i t i o n 0 7

Dear Friend Bishop Pedro Pablo Elizondo, LC

In 1970 Pope Paul VI entrusted the Legionaries of Christ withthe pastoral care of the newly created missionary territory of

Chetumal (now Cancún-Chetumal in the state ofQuintana Roo, Mexico). Since 2004 BishopPedro Pablo Elizondo, LC has been the Prelateof Cancún-Chetumal and also the President ofCatholic World Mission (CWM). CWM existsto bring education and the message of Christ toour poorest brothers and sisters throughout theworld. We strive for the long-term transforma-

tion of poverty by alleviating immediate physical suffering andby helping the poor provide for themselves in this life and growin holiness to reap their eternal reward in heaven!

Bishop Pedro Pablo began his priestly training in Con-necticut in the late 60’s. Years later, after ordination, he served asinstructor of Novices in Cheshire, CT. He was ordained a bishopby John Paul II in 2004. In 2005 he opened a junior seminary inhis prelature. It continues to grow today.

*As of April 31, 2007

Bishop Pedro Pabloon a recent visit toBacalar.


SUMMER 2007 EVANGELIZER 3

El Salvador Living Stones Campaign

El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America,yet it is honored to be named after The Savior (English forEl Salvador). It is bordered by Guatemala, Honduras and thePacific Ocean. According to the UN Development ProgramIndicators, more than 60% of the population lives inconditions of poverty and extreme poverty. Salvadorans havethe reputation of being the hardest working people of theCentral American region, but they struggle because of lack ofeducation and basic healthcare.

In addition, ElSalvador sufferedthrough a 12 year warthat ended in 1992 andhas had to deal withdevastating naturaldisasters throughout itshistory. On January 13thand February 13th2001, El Salvador wasstruck by two massiveearthquakes that leftmore than one millionpeople without adequatehousing.

A group of 250citizens organized aid

delivery to the most effected communities in an initiative thatthey called Solidarity Saturdays. After more than 12Saturdays of delivering food and clothing to the earthquakevictims, they realized that although this initiative wasaddressing the immediate needs of the people, it would nothave a long term impact in their lives. They decided toreaddress their efforts in an initiative that would have a long-

term impact on theirlives. In May 2001they established theCIDECO Foundationin the Department ofLa Paz, which was oneof the areas that wasmost effected by theearthquakes. WhenCIDECO was estab-lished, it was only adream, but many local and international benefactors quickly joined this effort to build more than 200 homes, acommunity center, a small marketplace, a health clinic and a school.

In the first phase of the CIDECO project, completed inDecember of 2003, 115 houses were built and given tofamilies who lived under conditions of extreme poverty andhad lost everything during the earthquakes. The second phasewas completed in February of 2006; 112 more houses werebuilt and given to earthquake survivors. Furthermore, theMano Amiga El Salvador School started operating in 2002and the health clinic in 2003.

Today more than 200 families now have a clean and safeenvironment in which to develop and grow. They now haveaccess to education and health services. The Mano Amigaschool has enrolled more than 550 students and the healthclinic gives more than 20,000 medical services per year, notonly to members of the CIDECO community, but also toover 15,000 people in the neighboring communities. All ofthis was possible thanks to you! God bless you for yourintention to become part of this effort to spread the Wordof God among the neediest population of El Salvador.

A Brief History of El Salvador

Phase III of the CIDECO Project

Saint Patrick’s Church – A Community Parish�More than 35,000 people are served by the CIDECO community from Santiago to Nonualco.

� St. Patrick’s Church will be the newest addition to the CIDECO Project which already has has aCatholic school, a health clinic, a marketplace, a common area, sports facilities and low-cost housingallowing for human, educational and spiritual formation. The goal is to complete construction byMarch 2008.

� St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church which will serve as a parish and community center.

� A place to participate in the Holy Mass and receive the Sacraments.

BEFORE

AFTER



Gulf Coast Hurricane Relief Efforts in the US and Mexico

Soon after Hurricane Katrina broke the leveesaround New Orleans, President Bush sent the 82ndAirborne Division to prevent looting at St. Louis

Cathedral, located in the French Quarter. What theydiscovered there ArchbishopAlfred Hughes of NewOrleans considers a message toall of us.

In the St. AnthonyGarden behind the Cathedral,there is a large statue of Jesus,his Sacred Heart exposed andhis Hands raised to call us in.Apparently, during HurricaneKatrina, with oak andmagnolia trees crashingaround it, the thumb andindex finger of the statue’sleft hand were broken off,though the rest of the statuewas unharmed.

“The 82nd Airborne always secures the mostimportant locations in the city,” said ArchbishopHannan, the 92 year old retired archbishop of NewOrleans, “so they were sent to the Superdome and theCathedral. In cleaning up the garden they saw the statueof Christ was lacking two fingers. Immediately, theytried to find them.” They found one and when theydiscovered that Archbishop Hannan had been thechaplain to the 82nd Airborne in World War II, theypresented it to him.

The other finger had been rescued by a parishionerearlier, and both fingers were eventually presented toArchbishop Alfred Hughes, the current archbishop.

“When I celebrated Mass in St. Louis Cathedralafter the storm, I indicated to the congregation that Isaw that statue, first of all, as a symbol of God’s faithfullove for us,” Archbishop Hughes said. “His Sacred Heartwanting to transform us and strengthen us, forgive us,but also save us. Secondly, I saw the fingers broken off assymbolic that God wants us to be his partners in theworks of the renewal and restoration of the church inthe Archdiocese of New Orleans. I won’t reattach thosefingers until we have fulfilled that mission.”

The 82nd Airborne andthe ‘Hands of Christ’

In October 2005, Hurricane Wilma destroyed most ofthe Catholic parishes in Bishop Pedro Pablo’s missionTerritory. The easternmost Mexican state on the Yucatán Peninsula,

Quintana Roo, suffered an unprecedented 63 hours of highwinds and heavy rain, equivalent to five hurricanes. Hardest hitwas the northeast region, home to 75 percent of the state’s 1.1million people and heavily dependent on tourism, especiallyCancún. Ninety-eight percent of the hotels sustained damage.

Catholic World Mission and Altius sent volunteers to createa distribution network that was essential to relief efforts. Nearlytwo-thirds of the1,367 tons of food,medicine, clothing,bedding, building,and other supplieswere channeled through this network. Every night, BishopPedro Pablo Elizondo, LC, spoke with nuns, priests, laity, andothers to decide the best course of action for the followingday. The bishop visited communities daily to determine needs.

Thousands of students assisted, not only with material needs,but by canvassing communities street-by-street, and door-by-door.In this way, 131 communities were assisted. Another mission tripwas made in April 2007 and one is planned for November 2007.

In the words of the Bishop, new buildings will “save people’slives and diminish the risk they are confronted with on a yearlybasis.”The area is vulnerable to about seven hurricanes a year.

Bishop’s Mission Territory StillRecovering from Hurricanes

In September 2005 Catholic World Mission, launched “MissionHope,” our relief project for the Gulf Coast victims of HurricaneKatrina. So far Mission Hope has raised nearly $500,000 to touchthree areas beyond the current ability of civil agencies:

� Support for 48 displaced New Orleans diocesan priests.

� Funding for over two dozen reconstruction missions through our partnership with “Youth for the Third Millennium.”

� Operating funds to help Catholic schools to re-open and absorbthousands of displaced students during the 2005-2006 school year.

MISSION HOPE REPORT

The resolve of Bishop Pedro Pablo isto rebuild every destroyed parishwith strong buildings that also serveas hurricane shelters for the future.



Latin America Full Time Lay Missionaries

Bringing Christ to Remote Areas ofLatin America

While Latin American countries include many of the largest Catholicpopulations in the world, its Constitutions and public life areamong the most secular. A typical parish consists of large

populations and as many as 20-30 chapels in remote villages throughout vastterritorial expanses. In these large parishes several different languages anddialects are spoken by the indigenous people making personal ministry andCatechesis by the limited number of missionary priests exceedingly difficult.

Catholic World Mission’s Lay Missionaries or “Evangelizadores” areCatholic Catechists, fully trained in religious instruction for children andadults and paid to work full-time for the Church under the direction of theirlocal priest and bishop.

These lay people are not outsiders, but native to the parishes in which theywork and fluent in the local dialect (27 different dialects are spoken among ourETCs), making their Catholic witness tremendously powerful to their neighborsand making it possible for them to train and manage additional volunteerCatechists. Their preparation includes five intensive weeks of study and prayerand continues with one-week semester updates.

Progress and Future Projections Today this project has grown to include over 600 ETC’s Working in 58 dioceses. ETCs have trained and manage over35,000 part-timeCatechists, bringing theGospel to over2,000,000 people. Ourfive-year goal is to growthe number of ETCsannually by 7% to total912 ETCs by 2011.

Luis wasn’t sure what being Catholic meantuntil a Lay Missionary from Catholic WorldMission came to his tiny village. Luis startingattending the children’s program, received his firstcommunion, and learned more about his Faith.

Luis’ simple faith deepened with the help ofthe Lay Missionary. Excited about hisnew Faith, he wanted his parents tojoin him in receiving communion, butthey had never been married in theChurch. He pushed his parents untilthey finally did marry in the Churchwhere family and friends witnessed the ceremony.

One day the Missionary announced a Men’sRetreat sponsored by CWM. Luis ran home to tellhis father, Miguel who was reluctant to go. But, againLuis persisted saying, “Dad, I know you won’t letJesus down.” and, that’s when Miguel made a promiseto Luis to participate in the retreat.

Ten days before the retreat, Luis, Miguel’sonly son and best friend died. Miguel wasdevastated, but remembered the promise hemade to his little boy.

Miguel went to the retreat and began toexperience for himself the power of the CatholicFaith. Inspired by the memory of his son, andhis own deepening faith, Miguel decided tobecome a Lay Missionary.

He attended CWM’s training course andnow helps to bring the Gospel to other familiesin rural Mexico.

Miguel fulfilled his promise to Luis. Hetrusts his son smiles down from heaven as he doesGod’s work here on Earth.

Luis

The Legacy of Luis

2007 Holy WeekMegamissions

Every year, the ETCevangelizing effort reaches its peak in what is called “Megamissions”. Throughoutthe year thousands of families and young people in four countries are trained forspecial Holy Week door-to-door missions in the most remote areas of theirgeography.

Number of towns visited 2,840Number or missionaries 19,020Number of families 8,467 aprox.Number of priests 238Number of souls reached 127,512City with the most participants Mexico City & Tuxtla Gutierrez (Chiapas)

ETC USA – Atlanta

Right now Full-time Lay Missionaries are activein Mexico, Guatemala and Venezuela. But due to thelarge influx of Hispanicimmigrants in the United States,further complicated by the lackof Hispanic clergy to attendtheir pastoral needs, ETC’s havebegun their work among this ever-growing flock.

Our Holy Father Benedict XVI underlined theimportance of this ministry when he told AlejandroPinelo (see front cover), the apostolate’s director,“Immigrants are a priority for the Church in theUSA.” Full-time Lay Missionaries hope to meetthat priority, just as they have met them in Mexico.

NEW



Education Mano Amiga Schools

Mano Amiga Schools Help Break the Cycle of Poverty

Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty in the poorest areas ofLatin America. We address this through Catholic education centers we call“Mano Amiga” (“Helping Hand”) schools. These centers start as grade

schools and grow as we add middle school, high school, adult education and jobtraining courses for teens and parents alike. In just a few decades, this approachtransforms impoverished neighborhoods into middle class communities.

Helping Hands schools focus on completing a high school education, thereby, affording all studentscollege opportunities. We offer instruction in Christianvirtues and character development for the whole familyas part of a complete Catholic education, strengtheningfamily bonds. And we provide instruction in trades andorganizational skills to older students and younger parents.

We currently have 28 schools serving 16,750students, and by 2015 Mano Amiga schools will beserving 50,000 students!

With a mission to help lift needy families and theirchildren out of poverty, the first Helping Hand Schoolwas started in Mexico City in 1963. Its first classconsisted of 15 kindergarten boys and girls in two smallclassrooms, using a blackboard propped up by trash barrels.Today, Catholic World Mission, supports 28 Helping

Hand schools teaching over 16,000 students in Mexico, Venezuela, Chile,Argentina, El Salvador, and Colombia. Our most recent addition is a school inItapecerica, Brazil (near Sao Paulo). Helping Hand students regularly attain the topscores in regional and national tests, helping them to qualify for collegescholarships and financial aid, proving the value of an integral Catholic education.

Your Mano Amiga Graduates

Gabriella Navarro received a scholarship for higher education at theUniversity of Monterrey. She graduated from the Monterrey Mano AmigaSchool just six months ago. Her father is a carpenter and her mother worksas household help. She also has a 13 year old sister who attends the ManoAmiga Middle School.

Gabriella now affirms that, for her, Mano Amiga represents love, support,opportunities, knowledge, and respect.

Sergio tells us that all he is today, he is because of Mano Amiga Schools.“More than liking it, I feel that it changed me as a person, it formed in me alifestyle,” Sergio says. As a former student of Mano Amiga Zomeyucan he isvery proud that he is now Vice-Principal of his own Middle school.

“I would like to tell those sponsors who think of their help as nothingmore than financial assistance that they are truly transforming people’s lives.”“And who better to affirm this than someone who’s life has been changed.”

Ryan Flood, Director of Catholic World Mission

I began my “mission” at Catholic WorldMission in October of 2006. It is very excitingto work for such a vibrant dynamicorganization that is doing so much to helpthe poor, not only in body, but in spirit. Westrive for the long-term transformation ofpoverty by alleviating immediate physicalsuffering and by helping the poor provide forthemselves in this life and grow in holiness toreap the eternal reward in heaven!

My previous work has been in the area ofPlanned Giving and Major Gifts in which Iworked 7 years for the Legionaries of Christ. Itruly enjoyed my time with the Legion and havemany fond memories of the benefactors, priestsand seminarians. When I’m not working withCWM I enjoy spending time outdoors with mywife and five children (ages 6-3months).

Are you ready for a mission?In 2005 and 2006 our family participated intwo Megamissions. These missions take placeeach Holy Week throughout the world (seepage 4 for our 2007 update). The aims ofthese missions are to invite people back toMass and the Sacraments as well as helpingothers to understand the Catholic Faithbetter. In April 2005 I heard a priest give ahomily on how important it was to evangelizeour culture, a culture that is becoming moresecular by the day. He said, “Christ died for usduring this week; what better way to spendour Holy Week than bringing the Good Newsto our most needy brothers and sisters.” Thesewords cut right to my heart, I went home andproposed the idea to my family, they seemedboth a little apprehensive as well as excited –we went in a spirit of Faith. Despite our 2year old walking on a few flower beds, weparticipated each day and had a great time.We encouraged Catholics to get moreinvolved at their parish, we helped non-Catholics to understand the Catholic faithbetter and yes, we even had a few doorsslammed in our faces. We had a new baby in2007 so we did not participate. We are alllooking forward to Megamissions 2008.

You can read more about Megamissions 2007on page 4 of our newsletter. Thank you againfor all you do to help support our vitalmission of conquering poverty with therichness of our Catholic Faith. I look forwardto serving you in any capacity I can. Pleasecall or write anytime (800) 961-1853.

Ryan T. FloodDirector, Catholic World Mission



The Incredible Power of an Education

Last January, I was admitted tothe intensive care unit at SanJose Hospital in Monterrey,

Mexico. A highly respected surgeonconcluded that I needed doublebypass surgery. After the procedure,the surgeon visited me with a secondsurgeon whom I had not yet met.

This younger physician introducedhimself as Dr. Antonio Heredia.Recognizing my name, he asked, “Doyou know the Helping Hand school?”I replied, “Of course, I was its firstprincipal.” “We spoke often aboutyou,” he said. “I was one of the firststudents at Helping Hand.”

I was filled with emotion andreminisced about those first monthsof the foundation of the ManoAmiga Institute in 1974; the povertyof the children, our hope and beliefin the school’s potential to changetheir lives. Now, thirty years later, oneof those same children was acardiovascular surgeon directlyinvolved in saving my life!

My involvement in the foundationof Helping Hand was one of the mostunforgettable experiences of my life.Most of the people in the communitylived without electricity or runningwater. Their lives were full of miseryand poverty: foul smelling andcontaminated water, shacks made ofcardboard, unpaved streets, and barely-clothed children running through theneighborhoods. Upon learning aboutplans for the school, one man looked

at me and replied, “We have beenpromised so many things.”

The school’s mission was to liftchildren out of poverty and transformthem into leaders in the community.We began the first year in an eight-classroom building. Most childrenwore tattered clothing and withoutshoes. Within a week, half of theteachers and the vice principalresigned. We moved ahead and by thesecond month one hundred andtwenty students had enrolled.Uniforms were sold for 50 cents. Thecare with which the students treatedtheir new clothes was incredible!

Using an old typewriter, we wroteletters to parents, inviting them to ameeting with their child’s teacher andme. Not one parent ever missed anappointment. For some, that meantforegoing a half-day’s work. Theparents were astounded by and gratefulfor the way we treated them. No onehad ever spoken so positively withthem about their children, nor takenan interest in their children’s lives. Themothers shared their difficulties. Onemother asked me if the school wouldstop requiring her son to play sports.She explained that he was often weakbecause she did not have enough foodto feed him every morning. Herhusband had left her and their fourchildren, two of whom had disabilities.Another instance that had a profoundimpact on me was at a school partywhen a second-grade child camerunning to show me a sandwich andexclaimed, “Look, it has meat in it! Iam going to take it home and give it tomy mother!”

After that first year, I took aposition as the principal of anotherschool. Nine years later, I returned tovisit Helping Hand. The area wasunrecognizable. Not only were therecement houses, electricity and runningwater, but also neighborhoods,

shopping centers, and businesses. Theconstruction of the school, with all ofthe additions had been completed.

After I first left the Helping HandInstitute, an impoverished child namedAntonio Heredia enrolled in theschool. Thirty years later, Dr. JoseAntonio Heredia recounted to me thepositive experiences that he had as astudent. He now has his own practicein a prestigious medical center and isconsidered to be one of the best youngcardiovascular surgeons in Monterrey.

Antonio has maintained hisinvolvement in Helping Hand andsupports its programs. He said that itwas gratifying to operate on me, as hefelt it was an opportunity to expresshis gratitude for what he had receivedfrom Helping Hand.

Fr. James McKenna with Dr. Jose Antonio Heredia.

“I put CatholicWorld Mission inmy Will. It was myway of making adifference.”Please contact us at: 1-203-848-3329.God bless you.

Our legal title is: Catholic World Mission, Incorporated


O

Please contact: CATHOLIC WORLD MISSION, 33 ROSSOTTO DRIVE, HAMDEN, CT 06410, 1-800-961-8153www.catholicworldmission.org

How You Can Help – Child Sponsorship Program

CATHOLIC WORLD MISSION, 33 ROSSOTTO DRIVE, HAMDEN, CT 06410, 1-800-961-8153www.catholicworldmission.org

NonprofitU.S. Postage

PAIDCatholic World

Mission

Mano Amiga “Helping Hand” SchoolsOur sponsorship program works in conjunction with Mano Amiga “Helping Hand” Schools tosupport students in 28 elementary and high schools throughout seven Latin American countries(Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Venezuela, El Salvador, Argentina, and Colombia). As a sponsor, you arematched with a specific child, age 4-17, who is in need of a scholarship in order to attend school.Each child pays a part of his tuition based on what the family can afford. The amazing statistic isthat over 85% of Mano Amiga graduates go on to technical school, and in some cases even University.

Helping Hands Schools:� Provide Pre-K through high school education, making college studies possible for all their students� Offer Catholic education and faith activities for the whole family� Teach Christian virtues and character development, strengthening family bonds� Provide instruction in trades and organizational skills to older students and younger parents

28 Mano Amiga schools currently serve over 16,000 students, seven additional schools are slatedto open in 2008. By 2015 Catholic World Mission’s goal is to be serving 50,000 students!

Sponsor a Child Today: Help a needy child enroll in a Helping Hand School for a year or more…

Total Sponsorships Worldwide – 7,597*

Total Children Still in Waiting to be Sponsored – 9,153**As of April 31, 2007

Funding and Scholarship Opportunities:� Full annual scholarship $650 per student ($65.00 per month)�Half annual scholarship $325 per student ($32.50 per month)

Each Sponsor will receive:� Introductory Information Package (includes child’s name, birth date, grade & short profile)� Your Sponsored Child’s Progress Report (each January)� Your Sponsored Child’s Report Card (each June)


special edition 2007 - catholic world mission · 2018. 9. 19. · more than 35,000 people are...

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