Friday, December 18, 2009
Merry Christmas from Hato Nuevo!
Angel greets the shepherds
Mary, Joseph and the Infant Jesus
Mary and Joseph set out to Bethlehem.
Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and the Kings
~Padre Ron
Mary, Joseph and the Infant Jesus
Mary and Joseph set out to Bethlehem.
Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and the Kings
~Padre Ron
Feliz Navidad from Portal de Belen
Christmas scene at Portal de Belen
Hi Everyone,
Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo from Portal de Belen.
The photos below are from the Portal de Belen Christmas Pageant and Dia de los ninos.
Jesus' birthday cake during the Day the of Children celebration
Day of the Children with Sr. Teresa as a clown
Iris instructs parents on Christmas
~Padre Ron
Hi Everyone,
Feliz Navidad y Prospero Ano Nuevo from Portal de Belen.
The photos below are from the Portal de Belen Christmas Pageant and Dia de los ninos.
Jesus' birthday cake during the Day the of Children celebration
Day of the Children with Sr. Teresa as a clown
Iris instructs parents on Christmas
~Padre Ron
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Signs of success
People frequently ask me to describe the benefits of supporting the Portal de Belen daycare center, as well as the other projects of the foundation; the school in Don Juan and the daycare center and school in Hato Nuevo. Through the following photos and text, I hope to share just one example among many of the positive outcomes from your support of my work in the DR.
Last Sunday I met with some of the first children who entered the Portal de Belen program back in 1998. When they began the program in 1998 they were just 3 and 4 years old. I wish I had pictures of them then to compare with these young adolescents now. In the pictures that I took last Sunday they are now 15,14, and 13 yrs old. Not all of our first student could attend our gathering as some were participating in a program at the High School that took place at the same time.
14 and 15 year olds
As a side note, it is important to remember that one of the criteria for entering Portal is that the child must be from the poorest of the poor families in Monte Plata. My driver, Eddie, has children that are not eligible for the program as Eddie earns too much. When he is able to find work full time, his income is $400 a month.
What struck me was how bright, normal, healthy, engaging and engaged these young people now are. Nowhere in their current selves can be seen the marks of their poverty as children.
13 year olds
This is one of the principal goals of early childhood programming at Portal de Belen. Children are first enrolled between 18 months to 2 years old, a new group of 30 each year, and remain in the program for three years. We provide the children with healthy, balanced nutrition at an early age, and believe that this will help them to develop with healthy bodies, minds and attitudes, and to become contributing young adults.
Youth Group
This also the belief of the foundation.
What I can see today is how successful this program has been since I first met these children 11 yrs ago. These images of healthy, well-adjusted teenagers demonstrate the success of our philosophy.
Additionally, the sisters at El Portal de Belen meet regularly with the parents to train them in parenting and caring for their children, including the topic of hygiene. Keep in mind that in the DR water can be difficult to come by, for the poor especially.
some members of the folk choir
Most of these young people continue to be involved in their parish as members of the young group, as well as some missionaries to other young people their age, and a few sing in the folk choir of San Antonio de Padua, at their parish in Monte Plata.
misionarios
I congratulate the sisters at Portal de Belen for all they have accomplished so far, and I thank all of you who help support all the projects of the foundation!
Below are four progress photos of the construction of the new classrooms at Portal. The new classrooms will become the new home of programs for the mentally challenged and for preschool children.
The school, Santa Maria Josefa Rossello, opened in Don Juan in the fall of 2005 and the project in Hato Nuevo began in the spring of 2007. As the program at Portal de Belen started eleven years ago, we are able to record and share data on the history of programming there. As time progresses, I hope to share with you many more success stories from all three of our locations!
Que Dios siempre le bendiga
~P.Ron Gaesser
Last Sunday I met with some of the first children who entered the Portal de Belen program back in 1998. When they began the program in 1998 they were just 3 and 4 years old. I wish I had pictures of them then to compare with these young adolescents now. In the pictures that I took last Sunday they are now 15,14, and 13 yrs old. Not all of our first student could attend our gathering as some were participating in a program at the High School that took place at the same time.
14 and 15 year olds
As a side note, it is important to remember that one of the criteria for entering Portal is that the child must be from the poorest of the poor families in Monte Plata. My driver, Eddie, has children that are not eligible for the program as Eddie earns too much. When he is able to find work full time, his income is $400 a month.
What struck me was how bright, normal, healthy, engaging and engaged these young people now are. Nowhere in their current selves can be seen the marks of their poverty as children.
13 year olds
This is one of the principal goals of early childhood programming at Portal de Belen. Children are first enrolled between 18 months to 2 years old, a new group of 30 each year, and remain in the program for three years. We provide the children with healthy, balanced nutrition at an early age, and believe that this will help them to develop with healthy bodies, minds and attitudes, and to become contributing young adults.
Youth Group
This also the belief of the foundation.
What I can see today is how successful this program has been since I first met these children 11 yrs ago. These images of healthy, well-adjusted teenagers demonstrate the success of our philosophy.
Additionally, the sisters at El Portal de Belen meet regularly with the parents to train them in parenting and caring for their children, including the topic of hygiene. Keep in mind that in the DR water can be difficult to come by, for the poor especially.
some members of the folk choir
Most of these young people continue to be involved in their parish as members of the young group, as well as some missionaries to other young people their age, and a few sing in the folk choir of San Antonio de Padua, at their parish in Monte Plata.
misionarios
I congratulate the sisters at Portal de Belen for all they have accomplished so far, and I thank all of you who help support all the projects of the foundation!
Below are four progress photos of the construction of the new classrooms at Portal. The new classrooms will become the new home of programs for the mentally challenged and for preschool children.
The school, Santa Maria Josefa Rossello, opened in Don Juan in the fall of 2005 and the project in Hato Nuevo began in the spring of 2007. As the program at Portal de Belen started eleven years ago, we are able to record and share data on the history of programming there. As time progresses, I hope to share with you many more success stories from all three of our locations!
Que Dios siempre le bendiga
~P.Ron Gaesser
Monday, November 9, 2009
Announcing my new Website!
With the expert skill of Michael Piliero we now have a new Website!
I celebrated his wedding to his beautiful bride in exchange for the website.
I will continue to update this blog, and when I have time to learn how to use flickr, I will also be adding photos and videos to the website.
www.frrongaessersprojects.org. Give it a look.
Blessing of the new classrooms
As I mentioned before, this fall saw the opening of the first four grades of the grammar school in Hato Nuevo, which serve 120 additional children. October 28th I blessed the new classrooms whose finishing touches were furnished by some of the wealthy ladies of the DR.
Assembly of children and ladies for the blessings
The foundation obtained the money to build the structure, finish the basement and first floor as well as the bathrooms on the second floor, and to put a roof over the open center of the building to prevent future inundations of the classrooms from torrential downpours.
Children performing during the blessings
Children ready to sing during the blessings
In other thoughts, I could not help but notice on my return to the DR at the end of October how empty the airports were. It reminded me of air traffic after 9/11.
Much love to all who care and help me with my now over 800 "grandkids" and growing.
~P.Ron
Assembly of children and ladies for the blessings
The foundation obtained the money to build the structure, finish the basement and first floor as well as the bathrooms on the second floor, and to put a roof over the open center of the building to prevent future inundations of the classrooms from torrential downpours.
Children performing during the blessings
Children ready to sing during the blessings
In other thoughts, I could not help but notice on my return to the DR at the end of October how empty the airports were. It reminded me of air traffic after 9/11.
Much love to all who care and help me with my now over 800 "grandkids" and growing.
~P.Ron
Monday, October 26, 2009
New school year enrollment
Today I would like to share with you our enrollment numbers from August, the opening of the school year.
The day care center in Monte Plata has over 125 little ones, from infants in the nursery, to classes for mentally challenged and autistic children, as well as children needing help to get up to speed to enter grammar school.
Preschool class at Portal de Belen
Challenged children at Portal de Belen
At the school at Don Juan we were able to add the 7th grade because of the two new classrooms that were just built. That school now serves children from preschool through 7th grade, for a total of 406 children. Next year an eighth grade will be added to the school.
New classroom at Don Juan
New second floor classroom at Don Juan
In Hato Nuevo this school year, the number of children we serve has grown by leaps and bounds! The daycare has 90 little ones, 90 children attend the after school program for those not in school or who have problems learning, and grades one through four study at the grammar school. This significant growth demonstrates that the sisters in Hato Nuevo have gained the confidence of the people there.
Third grade students at Hato Nuevo
Fourth grade students at Hato Nuevo
Que Dios siempre le bendiga
~P.Ron Gaesser
The day care center in Monte Plata has over 125 little ones, from infants in the nursery, to classes for mentally challenged and autistic children, as well as children needing help to get up to speed to enter grammar school.
Preschool class at Portal de Belen
Challenged children at Portal de Belen
At the school at Don Juan we were able to add the 7th grade because of the two new classrooms that were just built. That school now serves children from preschool through 7th grade, for a total of 406 children. Next year an eighth grade will be added to the school.
New classroom at Don Juan
New second floor classroom at Don Juan
In Hato Nuevo this school year, the number of children we serve has grown by leaps and bounds! The daycare has 90 little ones, 90 children attend the after school program for those not in school or who have problems learning, and grades one through four study at the grammar school. This significant growth demonstrates that the sisters in Hato Nuevo have gained the confidence of the people there.
Third grade students at Hato Nuevo
Fourth grade students at Hato Nuevo
Que Dios siempre le bendiga
~P.Ron Gaesser
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Faith
Thursday, October 1st was the feast of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus, who is the patron saint of the little chapel in L'Elmo. A Carmalite nun who never left the convent, Teresa is the patron of missions because of her intense prayers for the missions. She died at the age of 24, after 18 months of suffering from tuberculosis. What has always fascinated me is that on her deathbed she spent hours wrestling with her doubts about faith in God.
As a result, the recent revelations over the doubts of faith of Mother Teresa of Calcutta don't surprise me.
At times, I wrestle with my own faith. Although working with God's favorites, the poor, constantly reinforces and strengthens my faith.
Children at mass
The Catholic chaplain at the University of Rochester, NY, Fr.Brian Cool (whom I have known since he was 2 years old), is working to raise funds and book students to come and build a new chapel for the people of L'Elmo, hopefully this January.
The chapel at present
Preparing for mass inside the chapel
Two members of the little community of L'Elmo, despite their poverty, generously have donated the land for the new chapel.
Several views of the donated land which will be the site of the new chapel
God continues to surprise me with the generosity of others.
~P.Ron, Don Juan DR.
As a result, the recent revelations over the doubts of faith of Mother Teresa of Calcutta don't surprise me.
At times, I wrestle with my own faith. Although working with God's favorites, the poor, constantly reinforces and strengthens my faith.
Children at mass
The Catholic chaplain at the University of Rochester, NY, Fr.Brian Cool (whom I have known since he was 2 years old), is working to raise funds and book students to come and build a new chapel for the people of L'Elmo, hopefully this January.
The chapel at present
Preparing for mass inside the chapel
Two members of the little community of L'Elmo, despite their poverty, generously have donated the land for the new chapel.
Several views of the donated land which will be the site of the new chapel
God continues to surprise me with the generosity of others.
~P.Ron, Don Juan DR.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Remembering two special people
Since July, two of my very good friends here in the DR have passed away.
Both were very warm and welcoming when I first arrived here, and continued to be so throughout our relationships.
The first was Dona Rosario, a woman of some 80 years. Dona died of cancer after a lifetime of service to her community and church in Monte. She also functioned as the chaplain to the inmates at the Provincial Prison in Monte Plata. All who were fortunate enough to know her loved her. She raised at least six children and one niece, who all matured into professionals, besides running various businesses with her husband, also deceased, of some 50 years. A great inspiration to all with her faith, Dona dedicated herself to countless charitable activities, both in her church and local community.
The other was the permanent deacon in Monte Plata, Andres Martinez. He was a simple, beautiful person, a dedicated husband, and a wonderful father to his ten children. Andres lived his life very committed to his faith community, and was a successful businessman as well.
Two wonderful persons, both unique and irreplaceable.
I have been coming to the DR for some ten years and feel their loss personally.
~P. Ron
Both were very warm and welcoming when I first arrived here, and continued to be so throughout our relationships.
The first was Dona Rosario, a woman of some 80 years. Dona died of cancer after a lifetime of service to her community and church in Monte. She also functioned as the chaplain to the inmates at the Provincial Prison in Monte Plata. All who were fortunate enough to know her loved her. She raised at least six children and one niece, who all matured into professionals, besides running various businesses with her husband, also deceased, of some 50 years. A great inspiration to all with her faith, Dona dedicated herself to countless charitable activities, both in her church and local community.
The other was the permanent deacon in Monte Plata, Andres Martinez. He was a simple, beautiful person, a dedicated husband, and a wonderful father to his ten children. Andres lived his life very committed to his faith community, and was a successful businessman as well.
Two wonderful persons, both unique and irreplaceable.
I have been coming to the DR for some ten years and feel their loss personally.
~P. Ron
Books about Dominican identity
There are two books worth reading if you want to understand well the Dominican identity and personality.
The first is Black Behind the Ears by Geinetta E.B. Candelario.
This book gives an in depth understanding of the Dominican sense of themselves. Candelario is a professor of Sociology and Latin American Studies at Smith College. Parts of the book are a bit dense and college-oriented, but skip those parts if you care to and read only the more direct explanations. It's worth the read.
The other book I will recommend today is The Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Oscar Diaz.
This book is quite a bit spicy and racy in its sexuality at times. One comment is that it requires a highly flammable warning. But again, worth the read. The book has won the Pulitzer Prize and been translated into 24 languages. I have been reading it in English and Spanish at the same time. The Spanish translation comes no where near the original English text in its power of language and graphic descriptions, but helps me get a handle on Dominican slang.
Without reading it first, I gave the Spanish edition to the Mother Superior when she was here. Should be an education and a half for this Argentinean sister. Glad it is not as descriptive in Spanish as it is in English!
~P.Ron
The first is Black Behind the Ears by Geinetta E.B. Candelario.
This book gives an in depth understanding of the Dominican sense of themselves. Candelario is a professor of Sociology and Latin American Studies at Smith College. Parts of the book are a bit dense and college-oriented, but skip those parts if you care to and read only the more direct explanations. It's worth the read.The other book I will recommend today is The Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Oscar Diaz.
This book is quite a bit spicy and racy in its sexuality at times. One comment is that it requires a highly flammable warning. But again, worth the read. The book has won the Pulitzer Prize and been translated into 24 languages. I have been reading it in English and Spanish at the same time. The Spanish translation comes no where near the original English text in its power of language and graphic descriptions, but helps me get a handle on Dominican slang.
Without reading it first, I gave the Spanish edition to the Mother Superior when she was here. Should be an education and a half for this Argentinean sister. Glad it is not as descriptive in Spanish as it is in English!
~P.Ron
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Fr. Ron
On Dec. 23, 1935, Mildred and Walter Gaesser gave birth to their second of five boys (me) in Rochester, NY. In 1949 I entered St. Andrew’s Seminary completing four years of high school and two of college, followed by the remaining years of college at St. Bernard’s where I obtained a masters in theology.
After ordination on June 3, 1961, my first assignment was at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rochester, NY where I remained for six years. In 1967 my next assignment took me to Auburn, New York where I spent 14 years in various assignments, which included a pastorate at St. Joseph’s Cayuga, NY from 1972 – 1981 and college chaplain to Auburn Community College and Eisenhower College in Seneca Falls. By 1970 I also acquired a masters in counseling and psychology from Syracuse University. It was a wonderful and invigorating time of my life – best of all worlds – pastor, college chaplain and instructor in psychology at Finger Lakes Community College.
The next six years were spent at St. Columba in Caledonia, NY. Then in 1987 I was named pastor of St. Catherine of Siena in Ithaca and All Saints in Lansing, NY. In 2003 I retired from St. Catherine’s at the age of 67 and began that summer to live and work in the parishes of Monte Plata, Dominican Republic where I now hang my hat. I now call the Dominican Republic my home and my plan is to die and be buried here. (But not for a few more years.)
In January, 2002 I had major prostate cancer surgery. Unfortunately the cancer had already metastasized to the lymph node system, but with constant medication, the cancer remains contained. Hopefully research will come up with a cure for my aggressive cancer.
I entered the diocesan seminary with the idea of being a missionary, but I am a late bloomer in this career. I love what I am doing now and hope that with more than 700 grandchildren in three projects in the DR, that they are my insurance policy for a long life, caring for God’s wonderful and most beautiful children as well as ministering to several thousand people in 17 communities in the parish of San Juan Bautista in Don Juan, DR. One pastor and one assistant priest reside in Monte Plata, and along with me in Don Juan, together we care for more than 42,000 people and 43 communities.
~P.Ron
After ordination on June 3, 1961, my first assignment was at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rochester, NY where I remained for six years. In 1967 my next assignment took me to Auburn, New York where I spent 14 years in various assignments, which included a pastorate at St. Joseph’s Cayuga, NY from 1972 – 1981 and college chaplain to Auburn Community College and Eisenhower College in Seneca Falls. By 1970 I also acquired a masters in counseling and psychology from Syracuse University. It was a wonderful and invigorating time of my life – best of all worlds – pastor, college chaplain and instructor in psychology at Finger Lakes Community College.
The next six years were spent at St. Columba in Caledonia, NY. Then in 1987 I was named pastor of St. Catherine of Siena in Ithaca and All Saints in Lansing, NY. In 2003 I retired from St. Catherine’s at the age of 67 and began that summer to live and work in the parishes of Monte Plata, Dominican Republic where I now hang my hat. I now call the Dominican Republic my home and my plan is to die and be buried here. (But not for a few more years.)
In January, 2002 I had major prostate cancer surgery. Unfortunately the cancer had already metastasized to the lymph node system, but with constant medication, the cancer remains contained. Hopefully research will come up with a cure for my aggressive cancer.
I entered the diocesan seminary with the idea of being a missionary, but I am a late bloomer in this career. I love what I am doing now and hope that with more than 700 grandchildren in three projects in the DR, that they are my insurance policy for a long life, caring for God’s wonderful and most beautiful children as well as ministering to several thousand people in 17 communities in the parish of San Juan Bautista in Don Juan, DR. One pastor and one assistant priest reside in Monte Plata, and along with me in Don Juan, together we care for more than 42,000 people and 43 communities.
~P.Ron
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
A celebration at Don Juan
On September 18th Sr. Rosario, superior of the nuns in Don Juan, arrived for a ten-day visit from Argentina.
La Madre Rosario
The principal reason for her visit was to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the presence of the Daughters of Misericordia of Argentina in mission here in Don Juan, Dominican Republic.
There was a four-day celebration that culminated with mass by the Auxiliary Bishop of Santo Domingo, Mons. Pablo Cedano.
Bishop welcomes soon to be sister Maria Josefa
Some of the young people put on a play depicting the life and vocation of St. Maria Josefa Rossello, foundress of their congregation.
Sisters and actresses
Young actresses
All in all it was a wonderful, well-attended celebration of the generosity and commitment of these women and their work with the poor and needy, especially with the children these past ten years.
Sr. Maximina, who initiated the mission here in Don Juan, also came for the celebration. She is well remembered and loved by the people.
Sr. Maximina
Maxie is one of my favorite people. She is six months older than me.
Her heart and spirit is that of a young adventurer in the spirit and love of the Lord. Maxie is a person always open to life. Her generosity and concern for others is second nature to her, and she is always available for the needs of others. Words fail me to express adequately her simple and natural beauty as a person of deep faith and as a loving human being.
~P. Ron
La Madre Rosario
The principal reason for her visit was to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the presence of the Daughters of Misericordia of Argentina in mission here in Don Juan, Dominican Republic.
There was a four-day celebration that culminated with mass by the Auxiliary Bishop of Santo Domingo, Mons. Pablo Cedano.
Bishop welcomes soon to be sister Maria Josefa
Some of the young people put on a play depicting the life and vocation of St. Maria Josefa Rossello, foundress of their congregation.
Sisters and actresses
Young actresses
All in all it was a wonderful, well-attended celebration of the generosity and commitment of these women and their work with the poor and needy, especially with the children these past ten years.
Sr. Maximina, who initiated the mission here in Don Juan, also came for the celebration. She is well remembered and loved by the people.
Sr. Maximina
Maxie is one of my favorite people. She is six months older than me.
Her heart and spirit is that of a young adventurer in the spirit and love of the Lord. Maxie is a person always open to life. Her generosity and concern for others is second nature to her, and she is always available for the needs of others. Words fail me to express adequately her simple and natural beauty as a person of deep faith and as a loving human being.
~P. Ron
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