¡Saludos! ¿Cómo están? Espero que estén bien. To translate those words into English: “Salutations! How are you? I hope that you are well.” You might be wondering why I’ve opened this reflection with a little bit of Español or Spanish. As it turns out, I am actually on my way to the Archdiocesan Mission Parish of Jesucristo Resucitado in Venezuela. Some of you might be thinking, “Wait a second. Didn’t Fr. James just get back from Venezuela after serving there for three years?” You are absolutely correct.
I did return from the mission territory back in early July but I’ve now been asked to make a return trip to celebrate a wedding for some folks that I got to know there. In addition, the mission parish depends upon donations from our Archdiocese. Since it is difficult, that is to say nearly impossible, to send those donations through the postal system the most reliable way to get medicine and other items is to physically bring them.
Please pray for the 60,000 parishioners of Jesucristo Resucitado. They are living through some very challenging circumstances that test their faith and resolve on a daily basis. Please also pray for Fr. Greg Schaffer, the pastor of the parish and a priest of our Archdiocese. He has been generously serving our spiritual siblings in that South American country for over twenty years.
Good Lord willing my trip will go from today, November 15
th
, until the 21
st
. I’ll be flying from Minneapolis to Miami. From there I will fly to Caracas, the capitol city of Venezuela. After that, it will be an hour-long plane ride to Ciudad Guayana. I will land in the city of Puerto Ordaz to celebrate the wedding. Afterwards, I’ll travel across the other large city that is across the Caroni River called San Felix, where I will reconnect with parishioners from Jesucristo Resucitado. Please know that you and your loved ones will be in my heartfelt prayers as I travel. May Our Lady of Coromoto, Patroness of Venezuela, pray for all of us in our journeys of faith.
