Amigos de Banica

Sorry - long time, no blog

2009-03-27T07:01:00.000-07:00

For several months we have been without regular access to internet (needing to depend on local government-run internet centers which have poor internet service).

Lack of internet access combined with lots of work has resulted in no blogging.

A new internet system is expected to be installed in the parish by Easter. Then the blogging can resume and will include updates on the following:

- 2-day parish pilgrimage to Higüey
- very successful catechist workshops that trained over 30 catechists from every community in the parish - Samantha Kepler did a tremendous job running the workshops!
- piano classes for junior high and high school students (given by Samantha and myself)
- visit by a group of friends of mine from Queen of Apostles Parish (Alexandria) and Our Lady of Angels Parish (Woodbridge)
- visit by Marymount University students to do service project in Fr. Murphy's parish
- visit by George Mason University students (including my mom as one of the group leaders) to do service project in various communities of the parish
- profile of the two tremendous American volunteers serving here (Tom Brock, the director of the Parish Center, and Samantha Kepler, who serves the parish in various capacities including as a catechist, catechist formator, and director of the choir)

Article in the Arlington Catholic Herald

2009-01-26T11:21:00.001-08:00

Please see this article on our parish school - and please give money if you can!

http://www.catholicherald.com/detail/9126.html

Priesthood Vocations Retreat

2009-01-19T14:33:00.000-08:00

Seven young men from the parish recently participated in a weekend discernment retreat for young men considering the priesthood. Over 50 young men from the Diocese of San Juan de La Maguana participated.

I didn't pressure any of these young men to participate - I just made the announcement at the weekend Masses and they each told me that they are sincerely considering becoming priests.

Two weeks after the retreat I hosted a dinner for them at the rectory so that we could talk about their experience. These are some of the "cool" kids in Bánica and so it was inspiring to hear them speak sincerely of their interest in the priesthood. Most of them spoke of the aspiration to be a man who preaches and who helps others. (Priests in this region dedicate themselves not only to sacramental ministry but also do a lot of community organizing and working with public works projects.)

Please pray for them: their names are Hanibal, Lewis, Joel, Sterling, Nito, Nuno, and Mello. (Two more wanted to participate but were unable: Martire and Macho.)

Vocation Field Trip for the Señoritas

2009-01-18T13:43:00.000-08:00

Last week 63 teenage girls from Bánica and several neighboring campos piled in to the parish bus and Land Rover for a vocations field trip. Samantha and I had the pleasure of introducing them to the consecrated religious life!

First we visited the Missionaries of Charity who run an orphanage in the nearby town of Las Matas (no photos taken at the request of the Sisters). Then we visited the Cathedral (most had never seen it before) where we prayed and Samantha gave the girls a brief reflection on discernment. The day concluded with a visit to the cloistered Franciscan Sisters in San Juan.

It was an unforgettable experience for the girls and I am sure that the Holy Spirit assisted at least a few to begin to hear their call to the consecrated life.

Photos show Samantha giving a talk to the girls in the Cathedral in San Juan, listening to a talk by the Mother Superior of the cloistered Franciscan Sisters, and then a shot of the whole group in front of the monastery.

Award-Winning Parish School: Colegio Parroquial San Francisco Javier

2008-12-19T15:21:00.000-08:00

The youth are the hope of tomorrow and so their formation today is central in the mission of the Church. The parish school here in Bánica, now in its 5th year of operation, is contributing marvelously to this mission.

The "Colegio" currently enrolls 175 students from pre-K through 8th grade. The teachers are dedicated and hard-working and the fruits of their labor are seen in the students' national test-scores which rank better than any other school in the District.

The school day here in the Dominican Republic is half of what it is in the US; older students attend during the first half of the day and younger students attend in the afternoon. Photos of the two groups are shown here.

A Robust Youth Apostolate!

2008-12-08T10:42:00.001-08:00

Unlike American youth whose lives are often inundated with stress, media, and over-activity, the youth of Banica are in a much different situation. Their lifestyle is very easygoing (perhaps too much so), and they lack sufficient activities. The good news is that this makes them very much available for participating in religious activities.

Here are photos of three youth groups that meet weekly. Approximately 60 high school students participate in the youth group here in the town of Banica; 30 in the nearby pueblo of Sabana Cruz (mostly girls), and 25 in the nearby pueblo of Higüerito (mostly boys).

Please pray for them, and especially for those among them whom God is calling to the priesthood and religious life. Certainly there are a good number of such vocations among these 100+ young men and ladies.

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi: The Annual Pilgrimage of thousands to Banica

2008-10-14T14:55:00.000-07:00

The town of Banica was established in 1507, and sometime between then and now the pious belief became established that St. Francis of Assisi appeared in a nearby cave. For many years now thousands of pilgrims have made pilgrimage from across the nation to visit the cave (which is no easy ascent) and celebrate the Feast of St. Francis (October 4).

The annual event includes several processions and features two Dominican musical traditions: “Salves” (African style chants sung antiphonally in Spanish) and the playing of the “palos” (long thin drums similar to congas).

Photos below show the two processions (the first on September 24 to begin a Novena of preparation; the second on the feast day of St. Francis).

The Kirby Family: Two Years in the Mission Field

2008-10-14T14:41:00.000-07:00

No blog entry can sufficiently capture the two year experience of the Kirby Family here in Banica. David and Virginia and their three children (Steven, Sandy, and William) have left an indelible mark of love and service here.

God’s mysterious plan called them to serve here and they responded generously and faithfully to that call.

Dave and Virginia have been a tremendous team as they have coordinated the logistics of the Parish Center. The Parish Center, or “El Centro,” serves three main logistical functions:

- the distribution of soup to the most needy in all the campos of the area (this is a program funded and sponsored by USAID).
- logistical support of all kinds for Medical Missionaries who have a fully operational clinic in nearby Haiti (Thomassique)
- providing complete accommodations for the American youth groups who come here for weeks at a time every spring and summer to do service projects

The Kirby’s have not been “employees” during these past two years but rather a Catholic missionary family. They have proclaimed the Gospel by actions and not by giving sermons. They have given the Banica community an example of Catholic family life and have tried to “set their light on a lampstand” as the Gospel says, so that others may come to know the same love of God which makes them who they are.

A barbecue farewell took place at “El Centro” with a group of invited friends from the community.

Please pray for the Kirby’s as they transition back to life in the US and begin the next chapter in their life.

Photos show the Kirby’s at the local waterfall (a local hideaway) for a break away from the Parish Center; Virginia leading choir practice; myself with two of the best altar boys in town; a photo with their friends from the farewell bbq taken in front of the newly installed Marian Grotto; a few tearful moments of farewell; a photo with the daily Mass people with whom they have prayed for the past two years.

!Que viva La Familia Kirby!

High School Graduation in Banica

2008-09-09T18:03:00.000-07:00

For some reason the graduation ceremony (for those who finished their studies in June) took place this past Saturday evening.

This year's graduating class (18 students in all) includes two young ladies of great faith. Ginabel and Stephanie have been very active in the Church (choir, youth group, and more). They will begin their university studies this coming January, and both will be missed here very much in the community.

Joining the three of us in the photo is a former parish altar boy who is about to enter the police academy.

Three young adults of whom we can all be very proud!

Bringing hope to Haiti - Nativity Parish in Burke

2008-09-09T17:39:00.000-07:00

Banica is located just 5 minutes from the border with Haiti. Haiti is a nation that suffers extreme poverty as a few facts can indicate: (1) it is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere; (2) it is the third hungriest nation, behind Somalia and Afghanistan; (3) 85% of her people survive on less than $1 US per day.

Fr. Martin (pastor of Nativity parish in Burke) heard God's call to rally his people in support of Haiti. This past Friday, September 5, a ceremony took place in El Corte, a Haitian town just about 30 minutes from Banica. Fr. Martin was to be joined by Mr. Jim McDaniels in the blessing of a community of 150 newly built homes and several other facilities, made possible by the tremendous generosity of Nativity parishioners and Food for the Poor.

Unfortunately travel conditions in the US cancelled their flight and they were unable to attend. I was asked by a representative from Food for the Poor to stand in for Fr. Martin.

Two photos show a gentleman addressing the 100+ persons assembled in the new community center offering words of thanks to representatives of Food for the Poor.

Two photos capture the scene after the gathering, near the sign which proudly welcomes people to "Nativity Village III."

Two photos show some of the homes and the chicken-raising facility.

All of this construction took place in the course of about 3 months and it now literally makes this portion of the beautiful Haitian hillside gleam - with hope.

Thanks be to God, to Fr. Martin, Nativity parishioners, and Food for the Poor!

Fr. Jack O'Hara and Peter Dirr

2008-09-09T17:25:00.000-07:00

Fr. Murphy and I welcomed Fr. Jack O'Hara and Mr. Peter Dirr for a brief visit. Both are very much loved and appreciated here in Banica. Fr. O'Hara has previously served here as parochial vicar and continues to support the work of the mission in important ways. Mr. Peter Dirr (who serves on the Board of Directors of Medical Missionaries) supports the mission very generously as well and this visit included a meeting with Bishop Grullon to discuss future projects.

The photo shows Fr. O'Hara, Peter, myself, and Homero Matos (a pillar of the community here in Banica) after dinner in a family's backyard enramada.

Our Lady of Angels Youth Group

2008-08-16T18:17:00.000-07:00

Our Lady of Angels Youth Group came in June to serve for two weeks this summer and they were a wonderful group! The chapel which they began to build is fittingly called "Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles."

[Another youth group continued work on this chapel, and at this point it is in need of just a few finishing touches before it is ready for regular use.]

The chapel is now the welcome mat for the Banica/Pedro Santana Mission in the Dominican Republic. When visitors arrive and then make the 5 hour trek from the airport to Banica the very first chapel that they will see on their way here is the chapel of "Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles" in Palital.

The chapel features a beautiful set of Stations of the Cross which the OLA youth painted.

Special thanks are due to Shannon Flanagan (OLA's youth minister) and Luke Schulte (her fiance), who applied their artistic talent to the creation of a 40-foot mural of the life of St. Francis of Assisi. This mural next to the parish church here in Banica will now be a source of inspiration for the 20,000+ pilgrims who come here for the annual fiesta of St. Francis of Assisi in October.

Thank you, Luke and Shannon! May God bless you as you prepare to become one in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony!

E P D

2008-08-16T17:53:00.000-07:00

Those three letters appear on the tombstones here in Banica and it means "En Paz Descanse." (In peace may he/she rest.)

Today was the funeral for Rosa Emma Carbajal, whose nickname is "Mason." She was 98 years old, very devoted to the Blessed Mother, and was receiving sacraments regularly (including anointing of the sick the day before she died). She died on the Solemnity of the Assumption - probably not a coincidence.

Photos above show the procession from her home, then to the church, and then finally to the cemetery. En paz descanse.

Two men, two weddings, one great Catholic School

2008-08-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

School starts this Monday, August 18 - this is the 4th year of operation for the parish school here "El Colegio Parroquial San Francisco Javier."

The two men standing tall on the wall of the school basketball court are the principal (Hecfredes Gomez) and the vice principal (Gueris Rodriguez).

Hecfredes was married in the Church last year and has a newborn son (Daniel). Gueris is engaged to be married in the Church this December.

Please pray for these two great Catholic men to lead the way for 175 students to have an excellent school year this year!

Matthew Shufflebarger - Catholic engineer volunteer

2008-08-15T18:02:00.001-07:00

Matthew Shufflebarger is a rising senior at the University of Virginia where he studies engineering, and he spent two months here this summer serving in Banica.

Matt has connections to two parishes in the Diocese of Arlington - Our Lady of Angels Parish in Woodbridge, and St. Louis Parish in Alexandria. Both parishes have reason to be very proud of Matt.

He applied his engineering talent and heartfelt dedication to various projects, including the re-design of the water system in the Parish Center, a nicely made wooden pantry cabinet for the Kirby family, and a Blessed Mother grotto.

Photos above show the grotto and then his last weekend relaxing at the local waterfall with the Kirby Family.

I speak for many in expressing the hope that Matt will have the opportunity to return again here in the future. He really made a difference. Please pray for him as he returns for his final year at UVA.

A Dominican Franciscan Vocation

2008-08-15T17:27:00.000-07:00

That's not a typo! Eighteen year-old Maria Luz has just entered the community of the Franciscan Catechetical Sisters. Maria Luz is from the eastern part of the Diocese called Azua. She has discerned a call to serve as a religious sister and last weekend formally entered the Franciscan congregation that happens to serve in Fr. Murphy's parish (San Jose in Pedro Santana).

As part of an effort to promote vocations the Sisters elected to have the ceremony take place here in our area. It happened that Fr. Murphy was out of town and so I had the great privilege to celebrate this Holy Mass and preside over the simple ceremony for Maria Luz.

Photos show Maria Luz formally signing papers regarding her commitment to enter into formation, a photo with me, and then a photo with Sisters in her community.

In person and in photos she appears to be about 14 years old but I was assured that she is indeed 18 years old :)

Please pray for Maria Luz so that the Holy Spirit will be her Master in this beautiful process of discernment.

Good Shepherd Youth Group

2008-07-21T12:30:00.000-07:00

Youth from Good Shepherd Parish in Alexandria came for a week to do various work projects in Pedro Santana under Fr. Murphy's direction. Among their painting projects was a very well-done artistic one. The Youth Center (run by the Kirby family) now features both the emblems of the Vatican and the Dominican Republic. Special thanks go to Kat Dunford, Katie Norberg, Oscar Saravia, Michelle Vasquez, and Esteban de Los Santos Alcantara for their fine work.

Photos above are a group shot with Fr. Murphy and various shots of the emblems.

May God bless the youth of Good Shepherd, their chaperones, and especially their leader for the week, Leo (a seminarian in formation with the Companions of the Cross).

Last Mass; Mission Accomplished; Heading Home

2008-07-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

After celebrating approximately 3,000 Holy Masses, administering 1000 Baptisms, and clocking 60,000 kilometers on his motorcycle in service to the people of Banica, Pedro Santana, and over 40 mission communities over the past five years, Fr. Gee celebrated his last daily 7am Mass and headed home. (See www.frgee.blogspot.com to appreciate all the incredible work that Father Gee has done over the past five years.)

Photos above show him making his daily holy hour before Mass (as he has done faithfully throughout his time here), his last Mass, and departing for the airport.

Mission accomplished, Father Gee. Ad multos annos!

Farewell to Maria Egger

2008-07-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

The youth of St. Francis parish in Banica (and the 18 mission communities) have been blessed the past two years to have had the very generous service of Maire Egger. After graduating from college "Maria" (as she is known here) has served in various positions in service in both Banica and Pedro Santana.

As a catechist she has done tremendous work in forming the next generation of Catholics. I have seen her in action during her last month here and she is indeed a very talented catechist. As a talented musician she also has been giving violin lessons with the result that 4 young ladies in Banica now play the violin rather well. These young ladies will maintain their repertoire by playing at daily Mass now at least once a week.

The farewell fiesta for Fr. Gee this past weekend was also a farewell fiesta for her, as she leaves this week with a heavy heart. She commented to me today, "I wish I could stay here another year."

Photos show her bidding farewell after Mass in Banica last weekend to some of the youth, leading her violin students during the farewell Misa, and then a goodbye visit to some of the children in the pueblo of Pilon.

Que Dios te pague, Maria, for all that you have done these past two years bringing children the love and knowledge of God.

A Grateful Community, a Great Priest

2008-07-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

This weekend was 5 years in the making. In God's Providence the people of Banica and the surrounding pueblos were blessed to have Fr. Daniel N. Gee as their shepherd since May 2003. With untiring dedication to the spiritual welfare of his flock Fr. Gee made a lifelong impact on the people of St. Francisco de Asis Parish and its many mission chapels.

Approximately 500 people attended his farewell Mass and reception. There were tears on many faces.

Photos show preparations for the party, standing room only Mass, the party, and most especially shots of the newly named "Fr. Gee Basketball Court" - a fitting permanent reminder of how much he has done for the youth here.

Our Lady of Hope Youth Group

2008-07-13T19:45:00.000-07:00

Fr. Belli and Ed Rogers (parish youth director) brought down a great group of teens and chaperones to work on several chapels this past week. One of the teens said to me today, "I have never been happier."

How true it is that the youth receive as much or even more than they give during their experience here. A week or more spent in a simple, materially poor place offers much opportunity to experience the wealth of God's grace and the pure pleasure of one another's company.

Photos above show the teens at work and then after the last of several holy hours prayed this week. (Fr. Belli is a great priest and he made sure to reserve extended time for prayer and Eucharistic adoration for the group during the week.)

Historic Technological Moment!

2008-07-06T18:02:00.000-07:00

For the first time in the history of Banica (founded 1504) there is a fully operational cell-phone tower in its midst. The tower is visible from the 2nd floor of the rectory (see photo). Various opinions have been offered about the impact that this will have on the lifestyle here.

First Baptisms

2008-07-05T14:14:00.000-07:00

Baptism is both the fruit and seed of missionary work and today was my first chance to administer the sacrament. It was about an hour-long trek by motorcycle up through the hills to get to the pueblo of Manyaya - and there awaiting the Sacrament were Antonio, Gabriel, Milsin, Sonia, Marta, Annet, and Yahaira. The chapel in Manyaya is named for St. Anthony. I myself was baptized in the Church of St. Anthony (Ozone Park in New York City) and so today reminded me to be grateful for the Sacrament of Baptism in my own life.

Fr. Murphy, the "Loma Priest"

2008-06-29T17:48:00.001-07:00

The Diocese of Arlington generously provides two priests to serve this region of the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana. Fr. Chris Murphy has been serving here for the past 3 years. He is pastor of the parish in the neighboring town (Pedro Santana) and also has charge of 20+ outlying missions in the mountainous region along the Haitian border.

This past weekend I joined Fr. Murphy in his regular visit to 5 mountain pueblos - a few photos can be seen below.

Fr. Murphy is a true missionary priest as he travels many kilometers every week through treacherous terrain (on his motorcycle and sometimes on a mule) to reach his parishioners. This weekend I was privileged to see how much he loves his people and how much they love him.

Missionaries must ride...

2008-06-25T19:19:00.000-07:00

Fr. O'Hare comfortably riding past the parish's basketball court.

Lulun, the parish's motorcycle instructor, and Fr. O'Hare, before a lesson. Mrs. O'Hare, please notice that your son is wearing all the appropriate safety gear - don't worry for a moment.

Our two dogs

2008-06-25T13:52:00.000-07:00

This photo proves that Bautista (a mutt pup who arrived on the Vigil of the Solemnity of the Birth of St. John the Baptist) is not afraid of Sixto (the young dog who arrived on the feast of Pope St. Sixtus). It's a safer and a happier place with these two creatures around.

More photos

2008-06-24T17:29:00.001-07:00

Some of Fr. O'Hare's new parishioners - children in the pueblo of Palistal. The young boy on the right is trying on Father's shades - a future priest perhaps?

A photo after Mass celebrated in the pueblo of Rincon Grande Abajo.

Fr. O'Hare, Cassie Kepler, Estefani, William Kirby, and a boy from Banica hanging out at El Centro (the youth group center run by the Kirby Family). Cassie and 12 other teens are here from Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church (Woodbridge, VA) helping to build the new chapel in the pueblo of Palistal.

Some photos of the past week

2008-06-24T17:25:00.000-07:00

Fr. O'Hare, Bishop Grullon, and Fr. Murphy after the celebration of the Diocese's Patronal Feast Day Mass of St. John the Baptist

Succeeding a great priest...

2008-06-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

Following Fr. Gee's example I have decided to set up a blog. I think it will serve three purposes:
1) Give glory to God by describing the great things He is doing here in Banica and the surrounding pueblos.
2) Provide a window into the Banica mission so that all who are interested, especially the priests and people of the Diocese of Arlington, can appreciate how this outreach of the Diocese of Arlington is bearing fruit.
3) Enable my family, friends, and loved ones to keep me in their hearts and their prayers.

Today is my first full day here at San Francisco de Asis in Banica. The photo of Fr. Gee and myself was taken in the sacristy after the Wednesday night holy hour. Fr. Gee is a great priest and I am honored to be following in his footsteps.

Como El Padre Gee he decidido crear un 'blog' - por tres razones:
1) Para dar gracias a Dios por las maravillas que El esta haciendo aqui en Banica y los pueblos alrededor.
2) Para que todos los que estan interesados, especialmente los sacerdotes y la gente de la Diocesis de Arlington, puedan apreciar el fruto de esta mision.
3) Para que mi familia, amigos, y seres queridos puedan mantenerse unidos conmigo mientras que estoy sirviendo en un lugar tan lejos.

Hoy fue mi primer dia aqui en la Iglesia de San Francisco de Asis en Banica. Esta tarde despues de la hora santa que tiene lugar todos los miercoles tome una foto con el Padre Gee. El Padre Gee es un magnifico sacerdote y para mi es un gran privilegio servir las comunidades que el ha servido estos cinco anos pasados.