South-to-North and North-to-South Delegations
If a delegation is an "authorized group of representatives sent forth with a purpose", then the purpose of Sister Parish Delegations is relationship. In the process, cultural exchange occurs, project needs may arise, and spiritual sharing may occur. As Tierra Nueva Dos and St. Joan of Arc began their hermanamiento, the early delegations focused on developing trust and personal and community connections. Only after that trust was established did thoughts turn to what we could do to help each other spiritually, politically, and materially.
What follows is a summation of the ongoing delegations that have occurred. Both communities look forward to adding new experiences to this page in future delegations.
Reports and Journals from Past Delegations
- 2008 Delegation
- Nine St. Joan's parishioners visited TN2 from June 20th to June 30th. This delegation visited several places in Guatemala that a St. Joan delegation had never been to before.
- 2007 Delegation
- Alba, Juan Carlos, Padre Juan Rene and Alejandro visited St. Joan on July 20th and returned on July 30th.
- 2006 Delegation
- Ten people from St. Joan's left for Guatemala on August 4th and returned on August 14th. Two of the delegates, Jeff and Rita Nohner, had the goal of producing a video that would document the trip. Watch the video.
- 2005 Delegaton
- Members of San Marcos visited St. Joan's July 8th through the 18th, 2005
- 2004 Delegation
- This group left for Guatemala on August 6th and returned on August 16th. They saw several places in Guatemala and participated in a march against violence in Guatemala City along with youth from Tierra Nueva Dos.
- 2003 Delegation
- (No link is available.)
- 2002 Delegation
- (No link is available.)
- 2001 Delegation
- (No link is available.)
- 2000 Delegation
- Our 6th delegation was our second from TNII to SJA. Four adults and four youth traveled to Minnesota in October/November, 2000.
- 1999 Delegation
- Our 5th delegation had a slightly different focus. Marge Gustafson (Youth Director) lead six youths and two adult chaperones in a more service oriented trip that left July 16th.
- 1998 Delegation
- Our very first South to North delegation occurred during Holy Week of 1998 (April 2nd-14th). The delegates were Paul, Jackie, Sandra, Aura, Hilda, Gregorio, Carlos and Bernardo. This delegation has its own website as events were updated on a daily basis.
- 1997 Delegation
- (No link is available.)
Father George Wertin's inclusion in a delegation during the fall of 1997 was very important to cementing the relationship. Accompanying Padre Jorge on the delegation were Barry Noack, Chris Reano, Mary Nelson, Mindy Ahler-Olmstead, Sherri Overstreet, Kathy Durocher and Mary Booth.
- 1996 Delegation
- Our second delegation during the summer of 1996 was highlighted by the inclusion of seven youth delegates and their advisor Marge Gustafson from the SJA staff. The youth were Alys Spensely, Jon Seckinger, Daniel and Katie Johnson, Jason Creighton, Christopher Milton and Jim Tillmans. Accompanying the youth group were Bob Heberle, Carol Gannoway, Rick Nelson and Mindy Ahler-Olmstead. Tim and Mary Beth Leone-Getten met the group while they were in Tierra Nueva Dos.
- 1995 Delegation
- The first delegation visited Tierra Nueva Dos during Holy Week in 1995. The purpose of this delegation was to establish the 1st personal connection between the communities and develop a mission statement. The pioneers were Vickie Hempe, Alex Lape, John Reinhardt, BetsyHorton, Norma and Larry Schuh and Bob Heberle