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
Thursday, September 24, 2009
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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