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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.