FROM THE DIRECTOR…
GOODBYE - HELLO
Dear Fellow Missionaries,
This month we hear from Fr. Gonzalo Ituarte-Verduzco, O.P., the new pastor of San
Jacinto Mission in Ocosingo, Chiapas, Mexico. Fr. Raymundo Tamayo, O.P., who had been
pastor, was nominated student master for our house of studies in Mexico City. As sad as we
are to lose him in Ocosingo, he will be a wonderful director of our Mexican seminarians.
Fr. Gonzalo is no stranger to Ocosingo or Chiapas. He was first assigned to Ocosingo as
a newly ordained priest. He went on to become assistant to Bishop Samuel Ruiz, and then
Vicar General of the diocese. Since February, he has taken on his new assignment.
Personally speaking, I am pleased, since Fr. Gonzalo and I were classmates in the
philosophy program at our house in Oakland. So, we greet an old friend. God bless his
efforts.
Warmly,
Fr. Donald, O.P. |
THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
An Update on Ocosingo
Dear Missionary brothers and sisters - our friends of the Dominican Mission Foundation:
Since February 2, 2002, I have had the joy of returning to Ocosingo as part of our
missionary team, after fourteen years working in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas. It
was a blessing to have worked here in Ocosingo from 1978 until 1987. Today I see growth
and development of our evangelization in every direction among the Mayans whom we serve.
I would like to share with you my first impressions and experiences, and invite you to
continue along the journey with us here, announcing the Good News among the poorest of the
poor.
The city of Ocosingo has grown tremendously. And now it is a majority Mayan city, which
has made for many differences from the past. The Indians have moved in for many reasons:
to escape the poverty of the countryside, to access education for their children, to find
opportunities for work, to distance themselves from the religious and political conflicts
in many of the villages, and to flee the brutal effects of the war, which has been going
on since 1994.... |
