Painting the New Chapel in Pilancon

Pastor Ted Freeman and George Bodine, friends that grew up together in Auburn, NY, arrived on Columbus Day (by the way he's buried in Santo Domingo, we have DNA, no one else does) for a week of work in the parish of Don Juan.
Most of their valuable time was spent painting the new chapel in Pilancon.The people of Pilancon are very proud of their new facility. In the previous post you can see what the previous chapel looked like.

Interior of the chapel
Pastor Ted grew up as a member of the first black catholic family in Auburn. He considers himself now to be Catholic and Baptist. He is a product of total Catholic education.

Remember what Jesus said to his disciples when they complained about someone who was not a member of their company but curing in Jesus’ name? ‘Let them be if they are not against us.’

Pastor Ted is a go-getter and has fallen in love with the people of Pilancon. He has great ideas for projects there as well as other campos of the parish.
Mass attendance in the new facility has tripled. Let's hope that trend continues!

New Chapel in Pilancon

The current chapel in Pilancon

My anniversary gift to myself was completing the structure of the new chapel in Pilancon.
We still lack doors and windows, which will cost about $1000.

Front view of the new chapel in Pilancon
Then with the grace of God, we will have the funds to purchase pews, an altar, a lectern, a and celebrant's chair, which will like cost about another $1500.
Bit by bit we will get there.

Inside view of the new chapel
Prices here continue to climb with the outrageous cost of transportation. Diesel fuel, which is the cheapest fuel here, now costs more than $5.10 per gallon.

Our first Community Bank

Our first Banco Comunitario is off the ground with its Directive Board elected and its first three loans made!
A Community Bank is a form of micro credit but differs in this important way, it insists on participants having savings accounts and saving each week. Loans are based on a formula that is a multiple of what they have saved.

Directive Board Members

First Loan: Rosalia Rodriquez was loaned $211 to buy supplies to make sweets and snacks as street vender.


Second Loan: Margarita Castro was loaned $264 to buy supplies and more cooking utensils to make snacks and personal articles to sell to schoolchildren on the break.

Third Loan: Emperatriz Carrasco was loaned $400 to buy a small generator to keep working as a beautician when there is no electricity, which is about half the time.

Fr. Luciano Perez Rivera

Fr. Luciano Perez Rivera was ordained a priest on July 23rd.Fr. Luciano Perez Rivera is native of San Juan Bautista parish in Don Juan and is from the community of Bosque Abajo. Bosque Abajo is one of our campos, which is a what we call a very small rural village. The ordination of Fr. Luciano Perez Rivera is our third ordination to the priesthood in the last five years.

The happiness of a new priestFr. Luciano Perez Rivera is member of the Carmelite Order and a good friend of mine.
Please remember him in your prayers as he will you.

Fr. Ron's 50th Anniversary Celebration in Don Juan

Alter prepared with flowers

Cardinal preaching during the mass

Deacon proclaiming the gospel

Offertory preparations
My remarks at the end of mass

The Cardinal and I with my beautiful cake

Holy Thursday morning mass

People gathering for mass at the campo, Batuey Frias after rising at 4 am to do a penitential march for three hours
Betania reading the Scripture during mass
Washing of the feet during the mass of Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday morning mass at the cathedral of Santo Domingo during which priests renew their vows of their priesthood.
I went to the services because this year I am celebrating my 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood.

Missionaries from Sacred Heart Parish in Auburn

On March 20th four parishioners from Sacred Heart Parish in Auburn arrived for five days of activity with our school in Don Juan.

Arrival of group from Sacred Heart Parish
They took photos of all of our 400 and some students. Sacred Heart raises money to support our school by having parishioners “adopt” students. The parishioners are given a picture of their student for whom they then send money each month to support the education and nutrition.

Pat taking photos of the children

While visiting the group helped the students to make cards to thank their supporters, worked with some of the children on their computer skills, and introduced them to some of the books brought for the school library.

Lynda assisting some children in one classroom

Sarah working with one class in the school

Visiting the chapel Sacred Heart helped build
We are very grateful for their ongoing wonderful, generous support.

We are looking for support to complete this new chapel in Peluncon. The parishioners in the DR have gotten the chapel to this point through their own efforts.
Chapel in process