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- Mission Mentions -

Violence Continues in Medellin

The atmosphere of Ecce Homo parish has changed considerably but the violence, even though much reduced, continues. In the past year and a half 66 people in the parish area have been killed. There are no more shoot outs in the streets and this has allowed for a more normal life. People are more willing to come into the area to help. A number of university students and other young people from the Martinez Foundation have been repairing houses, about four a month. This has been a great help to people. Another group of women from a local parish have donated a number of prefabricated homes to single mothers. People from the North have continued to adopt single mothers sending a certain amount each month which also has been a great help.

Teleconference Tries to Connect Missions

Last November our missionaries in Mexico and Colombia set up a teleconference to exchange information and hold down costs on flying to a meeting. Unfortunately, the video was poor and the audio was so bad that participants had to resort to talking via phone for part of the time. Unfortunately technology in these countries hasn’t kept pace with what we expect in the United States and Canada. Perhaps they will get the bugs worked out by next year.

Ah, Technology – Sometimes it Works

Sometimes technology works, even in Mexico. Our thanks to Mike McDonald, a friend of Father John Boscoe, who took the photos of San Jose Dixiñado and sent them to us over the internet.

New Website for Ecce Homo

The Basilians at Ecce Homo in Colombia have set up a new website called Blanquizal Hoy (Blanquizal Today). The site contains all the parish news, just like a bulletin. Where do the poor of the parish go to read it, since they have no computers? Why, to the parish center in the Internet Lounge, of course! Although they could as easily read the bulletin in print form, the novelty of reading it “on line” is a great incentive to practice reading for adults and children alike. It also serves as a catechetical aid.

Taller San Basilio – a Beacon of Hope

Fr. Pedro Mora, C.S.B. is in charge of the Taller San Basilio. This year they made 5,000 mementos for Salt and Light Television in Toronto. The taller continues to be a beacon of hope for young people. Recently, a group of women from the parish started a small home industry making pillow covers. They also hope to make stoles, chasubles, and other ornaments for liturgical use.

New Vocations in Colombia

A number of young men have shared an experience in community and the Basilians continue to work for and pray for vocations to the Basilian way of life. There are presently about 11 young men in different levels of formation in Colombia. The main part of the program is in Cali and in Bogotá. In Medellín there is an initial program for those interested in religious life and priesthood in which a number of young men have taken part. A few have decided to continue and soon will be going to Cali for further instruction.