Pastor's Pen - November 29, 2015

For over 34 years the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has sponsored a “sister” parish, Holy Family, (La Sagrada Familia Parroquia), in the Province of Azua in the southwest corner of the Dominican
Republic. There has been a relationship of continuously sharing lay missionaries and two Milwaukee priests, who pastor the parish out of the city of Sabana Yegua. The parish encompasses 27 villages and has grown to 27,152 parishioners.

The people have many physical needs because of extreme poverty. There is no plumbing, drinkable water, or consistent electricity. In addition to these woes, the parish suffered severe damage from October, 2012 Hurricane Sandy. They are still rebuilding. There is a native health care staff and a native social worker. The parish has to serve physical, spiritual and educational needs as it dreams of a better future.

Spiritually the staff nurtures evangelization, catechesis, sacraments, prayer groups, adult and youth formation and leadership training (30% of the people are illiterate). Thanks to the financial generosity of the people of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee over the years these endeavors are going on and there now exists a main parish church, a number of village chapels, a small parish staff, a health center, 18 pharmacies and two nutrition centers for children (malnourished children are provided 2 meals a day).

The people of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee have again been asked to participate in and support a collection for La Sagrada Familia Parish. This week each parish household will receive a mailing from the Archdiocesan World Mission Of!ice. Your gift can be returned by using the reply card or online at


www.worldmissions.archmildonate.org. In addition to your donation, we hope that you will pray for our brothers and sisters in the Dominican Republic that the bond between us grows stronger. Thank you!

Fr. Ralph