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Hermanamiento is a Spanish noun that is used to describe the linkage or the relationship of becoming brothers and sisters together. It is a “sisterhood” and “brotherhood”. We use it in Sister Parish because it most accurately describes this relationship that is developed.
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Sister Parish, Inc. www.sisterparish.org
It’s been ten days since I returned from Guatemala, the last day of my trip being a visit to our sister parish in Tierra Nueva Dos. 
Maybe it’s partly due to returning to bitterly cold Minnesota weather or the fact that I caught a miserable cold on the way home, but I’m still reluctant to dive back into our culture. I can’t turn on the water faucet without being reminded of the vast differences in our cultures, in what we have and they don’t; in what they have and we don’t.
This wasn’t my first trip to Guatemala, I had been there twice almost 20 years ago, but it was my first time in TN2. My visit was brief, less than 24 hours, but I won’t forget it. The people and love I experienced in that short time will forever be a part of me. I speak only un poco español (a little Spanish) and met dozens of people in a flurry, but I’d like to share some impressions.
I had a good guía (guide) and a warm introduction to our sister parish, San Marcos Evangelista (St. Mark the Evangelist, right) because I was traveling with Louise Eidsmoe, President of the Sister Parish Board and SJA parishioner. She’s been there many times. Dozens of parishioners hugged Louise and then, without hesitation, turned and hugged me too, her amiga.
Before visiting TN2, Louise and I had seen the ancient Mayan ruins in Palenque, Mexico and taken a bus across the border to Panajachel, Guatemala. We saw the effects of the destruction caused by Hurricane Stan in 2005. We visited Santiago Atítlan and its church that allegedly houses Father Stanley Rother’s heart because he stood up for the Tzutuil people. We visited the Peace Park honoring the unarmed civilians who were gunned down by the Guatemalan army in 1990 (see more of this story by Ross Starkson at this SJA link). We saw the beauty of the Guatemalan mountains and Lake Atítlan. So, I was steeped in the culture and ready for TN2.
You don’t remember TN2 for its natural beauty. It’s a squatter city on the outskirts of Guatemala City. The houses there are made out of cement blocks and corrugated tin sheets. Many still have dirt floors. The streets are narrow and dusty and full of pot holes. But, there is beauty there. The beauty lies in the people, their sense of purpose and hope and their love. And, of course, you will always find a flower growing someplace!
We were driven to TN2 by Shannon Lockhardt, Executive Director of Sister Parish, Inc., her husband, Luis, and 18 month old son, Liam. We arrived about 3:00 pm and one of the first things I noticed on the wall by the church was the familiar SJA logo.
Chairs were soon set up for a meeting with the Scholarship Committee in the parish center. I met Antonita, Nellie, Albertine, Carmen, Hortencia, Walter, Miriam, Juan Carlos, Mario, Andelacio and many others. What I remember most is the hospitality (the meeting could not end until they provided us with a treat) and the struggle to communicate in Spanish. I quickly learned the word “nieto/a” (grandson/ daughter) as I showed pictures of my family. Everyone was so eager to share. Louise and I were bestowed the honor of being communion helpers the next day. Be there at 6:00 am to get instructions, they said (Mass starts at 6:30 am).
Miriam’s family was having una fiesta de cumpleaños (birthday party) for her 40th birthday. We were invited. We met her Mom, Dad, brothers, sisters, sister-in-laws, nephews, nieces, aunts and uncles. We ate tostados and dessert. We were warmly welcomed.
At 5:00 we were expected back at church for choir practice with a group that will be singing during Holy Week (I think – we had no interpreters). After meeting at the church, the music group (musicians and singers pictured to the right) and we visitors walked to a little tienda (store) about a block away. [I do not know the real reason for the change in venue, but what I think happened is that one of the singers had to tend her mother’s tienda so the group took the practice to her so she could join in.] Behind the tienda was a curtain that blocked off storage and a door to living quarters. There was a little empty space in the back corner and that’s where we all squeezed in, a few of us on stools. Being a choir member at St. Joan’s, this music making in a cluttered back room of a tienda brought tears to my eyes – the kids were really good and sang and played lots of songs for us. Then they turned to us and asked us for a song. My mind went completely blank, but Louise and I managed to sing a couple of verses of “If I Had a Hammer” and the guitarist picked up the tune and played along with us. The kids smiled.
We spent the night with Eluvia (well known to past TN2 delegates) and her grandkids, Jonathan and Arlene. They gave up their beds for us. Eluvia had been without water for a month; it came on during the night. After our early morning Mass, Eluvia made us a breakfast of eggs, Guatemalan black beans and warm tortillas. Then, it was back to the church to participate in a celebration in honor of the students who had received scholarships.
Soon it was time for me to head for the airport (Louise was staying longer in Guatemala). Mario took me to the airport in his taxi; he drives taxi in Guatemala City for a living. He proudly showed me pictures of his wife, Sonja, and his three hijos (sons). As Mario said good-bye at the airport I understood two of his parting words – muy contento (very happy), but it didn’t matter. I knew what he was saying by the look on his face and his warm embrace.
I have now experienced the hermanamiento between St. Joan’s and San Marcos Evangelista, and understand how important that connection is. We may have more material things than they do, but they are a model of openness, warmth and hospitality. We are both enriched by our relationship.
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