Remembering Mexico as a Journey in Hope
Contributed by Sister Mary Andrew Budinski

Seven Felicians responded eagerly to an invitation to join the ministry of presence and evangelization of Sisters Veronica Marie Lucero, Margaret Marie Padilla, and Lorena Maria Arvizu Zambrano in the rural communities of Northern Coahuila, Mexico during Holy Week 2007.

Joining me and Sister Mary Philip Kwolek from Coraopolis as volunteers for the mission were Sisters Inga Borgo (RO), Michele Mary Bolda (LI), Mary Thaddea Meyers (LI), Maryann Mueller (LO), and Mary Timothy Ruszala (LO).

Our arrival in San Antonio was greeted by the blessing of rain, the first blessing among many that would be poured upon us as we ministered together. Everyone piled into the van and after brief introductions we were on our way for a meal, some sight-seeing and a short visit with Sister Rose Marie Goins in Eagle Pass, Texas. The weary travelers still had to apply for visitors’ visas at the border and travel yet another 100 miles to the village of Santa Maria. Having arrived safely it was already pitch dark, and each of us was dropped off with a different family with whom we would spend the night.

Next morning, after a good breakfast, we were escorted to the mission of Santa Maria. When all arrived, we drove to the chapel of San Isidore in the village of Rancho Nuevo, where we were welcomed by the community and Eucharistic Ministers Mielo and his wife Terri. During a simple service and after a moving homily, the Minister invited the Sisters to come forward. He commissioned us and blessed our new venture among the people.

Sister Veronica Marie gathered the Sisters for an orientation. She explained that there existed in this area one parish and nine chapels. Through our presence five chapels would be served during Holy Week. Our assignments to the chapels were random:

• Sisters Margaret Marie, Maryann, Mary Inga, and myself accompanied the communities of Santa Maria and Rancho Nuevo
• Sisters Mary Dorothy Young, Juanella Marie Pereyra (both of the Formation House) and Mary Thaddea accompanied the community of San Juan de Sabinas
• Sisters Lorena Marie and Mary Philip accompanied the community of Sauceda de Naranjo
• Sisters Veronica Marie, Michele Marie, and Mary Timothy accompanied the community of Rancherias

We were then again introduced to new families in these respective communities who opened their homes and hearts to us.During Holy Week we made personal visits to each family in the communities, inviting them to participate in Holy Week liturgies.

Children were gathered each morning for a teaching on the meaning of the significant days in Holy Week. Afterwards we worked with the children on art pieces that would decorate the chapel for Easter.

Afternoons were spent visiting the sick, practicing with teenagers who would enact the Way of the Cross on Good Friday, and cleaning and decorating the chapel for each of the days leading to Easter Sunday.

The teams came full circle again on Easter Sunday afternoon to share impressions and challenges. We expressed admiration for the women who are the backbone of the Church in these rural communities. Their deep faith, dedication, and great love and respect for the Church will assure future generations the gift of the Catholic faith. We observed that the people’s poverty is not in ceremonies and rituals, because the lay ministers provide beautiful liturgies of the Word. The poverty lies in the lack of the availability of the sacraments. The simplicity of their lives lends itself to nurturing the values of family life, sharing, and appreciation for all God’s gifts. They are happy people because they have not traded happiness for things, yet their faces bear traces of deep sadness because of the harshness of their daily life and the dangerous work of the men who labor in the area’s coal mines.

Among the challenges we noted, not knowing the Spanish language was difficult but not a barrier. Coping with intense cold, lack of heat and/or hot water, and lack of privacy were more challenging because of the lifestyle to which we are accustomed. Such experiences were a good means to raise our level of awareness to cultural differences.

While each Sister may have kept a diary of similar activities and shared events, the personal effect of the immersion experience most likely reached a depth that will take a lifetime to plumb and ponder.

At the end of the week there was a mutual expression of satisfaction and appreciation: on the people’s part for the presence of the Sisters; and on our part for the example of the people. One woman expressed very well the Sisters’ sense of wellbeing having been in the midst of such welcoming people. “One week,” she said, “was enough to come to know and love you.”