"Adios!!" Send Off Fiesta Staged For Newest Sister Parish Delegates

June 9th, 2002

Kentucky Fried Chicken held the prominent and incongruous place in the center of a pot luck table laden with local fare and Latin American goodies at the June 9 goodbye "Fiesta" held in St. Joan's Hospitality Hall. Parents, St. Joan's staff and Sister Parish enthusiasts all contributed to a festive afternoon of conversation and food to highlight the youth delegation's trip to the Sister Parish in Tierra Nueva Dos, Guatemala, June 14th to 23rd.

"I try not to worry about Kelly but I lived in Peru for two years in the Peace Corps and I am aware of the risks that exist," remarked Colleen Stregel about her 16 year old daughter , Kelly, whose Sister Parish trip to Guatemala is imminent. Kelly's father, Jerry Streigel, a Peace Corps veteran, nodded his concern, too. Kelly along with four other high school girls and two boys, depart at dawn Friday, June 14. They are: Sheri Norrgard, Mary Spitzmueller, Jessica Lee, Joe Fischer, Briana Connors and Andy Fischer.

Youth delegates range in age from 15 to 18 and attend high-schools from Stillwater to Osseo. The common thread that wove them together was that each decided on her/his own, without parent pressure, to become a Sister Parish delegate.

The recently-formed group is being accompanied by Lisa Chirpich and her supportive husband, Kevin, and Tina Kuriger. Lisa's job description as Youth Director most likely doesn't include spending nights on a concrete floor in a third-world country, however. Lisa later wrote, "I have not been to Guatemala before but have wanted to go for quite some time so it is a dream come true.."

	Tierra Nueva Dos lies just outside the capital of Guatemala City. It began as a squatter community inhabiting land no one else wanted amongst treacherous ravines. Since the beginning of our relationship, the 36 year Civil War has ended and some standard of living increases have been realized in TNII.

Briana's mom and dad, Ann and Joe Connors, expressed similar concerns as Kelly's folks but felt reassured because of the "excellent preparation and orientation provided by Mindy, Lisa, Kevin and Trina."

Kevin Chirpich

Each of the seven youth was presented a Sister Parish T-shirt as part of the activities. Introductions also included the adult delegation departing in July. Adult delegates enjoying the fiesta were Mindy Ahler-Olmstead, Pat Johnson and Susan Sell.

Mindy, enthusiastic and committed chair of St. Joan's Sister Parish committee, attributed the successful party to the work of Julie Madden and her gifted elves, as well as all who brought dishes to share.

NotesThe adult delegation leaves July 19th and returns on July 29th. Webreporter Ginny Johnson produced a feature on the youth delegates. Her feature A member or members of the Youth Delegation will be describing their experiences during the August 25th homily.

Bob and Jean Heberle are longtime SJA'ers with a passion for peace and justice issues. Bob is an original member of the Sister Parish Committee and has visited TNII several times. Bob and Jean can be reached at heber014@umn.edu.

Todd Dalebroux his wife Karen, and their children have been active in several ministries at SJA including Sister Parish, Soup Suppers, and Religious Ed.