July 20th-30th, 2007

The Guatemalans are coming,
The Guatemalans are coming!!

It is that wonderful time of summer, which falls every other year, for members of our Sister Parish, Tierra Nueva Dos, otherwise known as TNII, to visit with us at SJA. Our Sister Parish is San Marcos Evangelista (St Mark the Evangelist) parish in the community of Tierra Nueva 2 near Guatemala City.

This relationship which started in 1995 has been a rich source of spiritual nourishment for both parishes. Every year either a group from SJA goes to Guatemala or a delegation comes to see us. This is our time to be the host parish. These regular visits are the most important way we have to maintain the vitality of our hermanamiento (sister parish relationship). When we visit, we learn about the historical, social, political and economic situations in Guatemala and we share insight into our lives with our Guatemala friends as well.

In 1993 Father George Wertin formed a committee for discussion about SJA becoming involved with an International connection. At that first meeting each of us told why we were there and the country we represented. The majority were interested in Guatemala, beginning the path that brings us to today. Sister Parish Inc. was selected to help start our journey, and from them we came in to contact with TNII. It is a one of five very large churches in the area that are manned by a Belgian order of priests doing mission work. One priest covers the entire five parishes.

In 1995 the first delegation went to TNII beginning our hermanamiento with a Sister Parish. In 1998 the first delegation from Guatemala arrived at SJA. Throughout the years there have been many delegations including groups of youth, and even a women only group. The hermanamiento has grown and grown over the years, with emphasis on relationship and maintaining awareness of both cultures. This is a very exciting time awaiting their arrival after all the ups and downs of getting things ready for them. Due to visa problems, see story, this will be a small delegation.

Alba will return for her third visit, this time with her husband Juan Carlos

We have three delegates and a Sister Parish Staff person coming.  Alba, who has been here before, is coming with her husband, Juan Carlos.  We also have the honor of welcoming the associate pastor at San Marcos, Padre Juan Rene, who celebrated mass with the delegates from SJA that were in TN2 last August.  Alejandro, from the Sister Parish staff, will accompany the delegation and help to interpret their experience for them.

SJA has stored up lots of love for the six that were supposed to be coming; now those that are arriving will be showered with that love. Please try and join some or all of the activities while they are here, as meeting these loving people will enrich your life. Plus, it is always tons of fun! The welcome party is Saturday, July 21 at 5:30 in Hospitality Hall. Hope to see you there.

View the entire delegation schedule at this link.

Nancy Lynch says, "Joy is being a wife, Mom of fourteen, eight with varying disabilities and living at home, Grandma of thirteen, and Great Grandma of three. Serenity is listening and watching the ocean, alone, at our home on Maui. Passion is friends, photography, reading, swimming and children." Nancy can be reached at nalynch@aol.com.

Have you visited SJA's Sister Parish homepage, maintained by Ross Starkson? You can find news, a history of the relationship and an archive of past delegations.
SJA's Sister Parish Homepage.