Delight Night

History of the San Marcos ~ Wilmington Partnership

 

In April, 2003, Bishops Michael A. Saltarelli  of Wilmington and Alvaro Ramazzini of San Marcos signed a partnership agreement forming a bond of friendship, spirituality and care between the two dioceses. This  covenant was a result of a series of events that began with the migration of members of the Guatemalan community, seeking work in the poultry industry, to lower Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  Before long, there were several thousand Guatemalans living in our diocese and most of them came from San Marcos, Guatemala.

 

Over several years, Bishop  Ramazzini visited his   flock in the Wilmington diocese and met Bishop Saltarelli.  Subsequently, Bishop Saltarelli visited San Marcos and met the parents, wives, friends and relatives of the newest members of the church of Wilmington. Out of these initial contacts and with the assistance of Catholic Relief Services, the  partnership emerged.

 

There have been delegations to and from San Marcos during every year of the partnership.  Almost everyone who visits San    Marcos from our diocese says that the experience of meeting the people of their diocese was “Life changing.” When our parishes and schools hear the stories of visitors from San Marcos to our diocese, they are able to  understand more clearly of the reality of life in a third world country. It strengthens our faith and our Catholic commitment to Social Justice and charity issues.

 

During these past eleven years, our Wilmington diocese has gotten to know our San Marcos friends and have come to their aid with prayer and financial support. While no one can deny that the people of San Marcos have many  material needs, this is not the foundation or purpose of the partnership. The main goal of this partnership is to have a mutual relationship of friendship and sharing of gifts. Therefore, any fundraising efforts are best done when it includes elements of spirituality, education, and   relationship building.  If you and your parish, school, organization or business  are  interested in learning more about any of these opportunities, a diocesan committee member would be happy to meet with you and your committee to help you get started.  The committee is also available as a resource for groups already involved with a San Marcos community. 

 

Projects of the San Marcos ~ Wilmington Partnership

 

Medical Needs Project

 

Two Maryknoll Sisters, Doctors Jane and Mary Lou, teach volunteer health promoters simple medical care for neighbors in their communities.  Some health promoters even diagnose and treat diabetes, suture wounds, and run small, humble neighborhood clinics on a volunteer basis.

What our Diocese has Done

Parishes and schools have had medical supply drives for OTC  medicines, vitamins, gauze, sutures, and hygiene products.  Additionally, financial donations have been given to provide solar lamps, stoves that use only one wood log, and pediatric and adult wheelchairs.

Reasons why the Medical Drives are Necessary

Children can die of simple causes like diarrhea. OTC  medicines and vitamins can  prevent or ease these afflictions. When there are no sanitary products,  diseases and skin afflictions arise.  Sutures are a prized commodity in a land where machetes and large cutting tools cause severe wounds. Stoves that use large amounts of wood in unventilated areas cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) especially in women who cook the meals for the family.  Solar Lights are needed by health  promoters who do not have electricity in their homes.  Pediatric and adult wheelchairs help the physically disabled.  The people in San Marcos do not have the financial ability to buy these necessary medical equipment and supplies.

 

Theological Formation Scholarships Lay Catechists

 

Lay catechists perform prayer and communion services, minister to the sick, preach and teach the faith to those in their villages due to a lack of priests in the San Marcos diocese.  These villages may only see a priest every 2 to 3 months.  The San Marcos diocese has about 3500 lay catechists and ongoing theological training is necessary for their continued religious formation.

What our Diocese has Done                             

Directors of Religious Education and various parishes  have met and formed relationships with some lay catechists and also have provided funding for  formal theological training .  The funding has been for both individual catechists and for all catechists in a parish based on the level of financial support. 

Reasons why Catechist Scholarship Fundraisers  are Necessary 

Without lay catechists, the villagers in remote areas of San Marcos might drift away from their Catholic faith and possibly convert to other religions that minister to them.  Catholic Lay Catechists are a symbol of hope, faith and charity in their communities and are looked upon as leaders.  They teach what they learn and will travel miles by foot to continue their catechetical studies for the good of the community.  These  catechists are good examples to us of how baptized members of the Church can be called to share in leadership. By helping these catechists, we carry out our responsibility as Catholics to promote the faith throughout the world.

 

Educational Scholarships for the Children of the Coffee Fincas

 

The poorest people live in the coastal region of San Marcos and many work as laborers in coffee fincas (plantations). One of the highest hopes of parents is that their children go to school and have a better life.

What our Diocese has Done                              

Parishes and  schools have had fundraisers  to provide uniforms, school supplies and close-toed shoes for elementary and middle school children.  Additionally, funds have been raised for teenagers who need to live in homes that are close to the high school (colegio) in addition to the school uniforms, school supplies and shoes. 

Reasons why the Scholarship Fundraisers  are Necessary                                                                                                               

The Guatemalan government requires that children have school uniforms, school supplies and closed-toed shoes and will deny them access to education if they don’t have these necessities. The parents make only a few dollars per day so the governmental school requirements are beyond their financial capability.   For those fortunate children who have finished middle school, additional funds are necessary.  There are limited high schools in San Marcos. Teenagers who live in remote areas are several walking hours away from high schools.  To make high school a reality for these teenagers, they need to live with other families who live close to the schools.  However, they need to pay room and board for the privilege.  Without financial help, children and teenagers who live in coffee fincas will be destined to a life of poverty.                      

                                                                     

Migrant House Project

 

Casa del Migrante, located in Tecun Uman, a border town to Mexico, is a safe haven where migrants can receive food, shelter, social services and legal aid. Padre Ademar Barilli, a Scalabrini father, and a good friend of ours, has done a heroic job here for 16 years. At Casa del Migrante, migrants are advised of the significant risks involved in migrating and are encouraged to think seriously about the decision to  leave their country and the effects on their families and their safety.  

What our Diocese has Done   

 Parishes and individuals have raised funds to provide basic needs of food and shelter for the migrants without  adversely judging their reasons for border crossing. 

Reasons  to Support Casa del Migrante

Migration from Guatemala to Mexico, the United States, Canada and Europe is a fact of life for people who cannot afford to feed their families.  Heroically, these migrants face human rights violations such as robbery, rape, death and incarceration so that they can give their families a better life.  Most never plan to remain in a foreign    country and migrants look forward to the day when they will be reunited with their spouses and children.  Casa del Migrante documents any human rights violations and seeks prosecution  for the assailants.  It is our Catholic Christian duty to feed, shelter and protect the least of our brethren without adverse judgment toward them.        Additionally, we can come to an informed understanding of why immigration exists.           

 

Potable Water Project

 

Catholic Relief Services and Caritas of San Marcos Diocese oversee the engineering, construction of wells, the installation of piping, sinks and latrines and coordinate the labor with villagers and artisans to provide safe, clean drinking water and bathroom facilities to families living in a designated community.  

What our Diocese has Done                

Parishes  and schools have raised funds through creative ideas centered on water. In all, our diocese has provided safe water to three communities.  These efforts ensure increased health benefits to villagers where the water project was constructed.  After the installation, some parishioners have visited the communities and met the villagers who have benefitted from the project.

Reasons why Potable Water is Necessary

Many communities in San Marcos do not have safe, clean drinking water.  This is a major health concern  resulting in many life threatening illnesses and diseases. It is especially grim for the elderly, infirm and young children. Clean, drinkable water is a basic need for all and our faith calls us to help those who do not have basic needs. 

Additional Information:

Water projects are costly: about $25,000 per community.  However, it is so necessary.  Consider joining with other parishes and/or schools to raise funds together.

What Our Diocese Has Done

 

* Three water projects have been completed providing running water and latrines to hundreds of families.

 

* Dozens of catechist leaders have received formal theological   training.

 

* Dozens of children have received educational scholarships.

 

* The migrant house has received financial aid to continue their important work.

 

* The San Marcos diocesan formation center has received a new roof, updated electrical wiring and beds.

 

* The Medical Needs Health Promoter project run by two Maryknoll sisters who are doctors have received thousands of medical    supplies, hygiene products and funds to buy wheelchairs, stoves and solar lamps.

 

* Emergency aid was given when the San Marcos area was devastated by Hurricane Stan (2005) and two large earthquakes (2012).

 

* Priests have been given financial aid for living and traveling expenses so they can carry out their important sacramental work in their villages.

 

* Juan Diego, a Catholic Bi-Lingual Mam and Spanish School now has a library used by students and the surrounding community.

 

* Christo Salvador School has received computers,  air conditioning units and funds to build student bathroom facilities.

 

How To Get Involved

 

Medical Needs:  Do a Medical Drive in your parish or school. Needs include Neosporin ointment, Cort Aid, Children´s and Adult Vitamins, Toothpaste, Acetaminophen tablets, Shampoo, and Lotion No expired or less than one year expiration dates for medicines can  be accepted.

 

Medical Equipment:                                                                                                                                                                                                  A.  Provide funds for a stove that uses only one log of wood and helps prevent COPD in women.  Cost $180.                        

B. Provide funds for adult or pediatric wheelchair.   Cost $250.  ~ $400.     

C. Provide funds for a solar lamp for health promoters who don’t have electricity in their homes.     Cost $15.

 

Catechist Formation Scholarships:                                                                                                                                                                     One year of advanced  theological training is needed to spread and enhance the Catholic faith in San Marcos.                                   Cost for one scholarship per year is $180.

 

Educational Scholarships for the Coffee Finca Children:                                                                                                                               A.  $200. per year will supply uniforms, close-toed shoes and school   supplies for a year.    Children are not permitted to go to school if they do not have these items.                                                

B.  $500. per year will provide education for teens who must live away from home to receive high school and vocational education. This cost also includes school supplies, shoes and uniforms.

 

Other Opportunities are also available.

If you would like to find out more information about any of these projects, or make a donation, please contact:

Fr. John Hynes:  302-633-4900                  

 Chris Posch, O.F.M.: 302-655-6596            

Mary Jo Frohlich:  maryjofrohlich@gmail.com or 302-559-7766