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Basilian Fathers Missions Newsletter of the Latin American Apostolate Fall – Winter 2020

Basilians in Mexico and Colombia Nurture Future Priests for Ministry

In the 1930s, the Basilian Fathers saw a need to minister to Hispanic communities around the city of Houston, TX. From St. Anne Parish and St. Thomas High School in Houston, priests went into nearby counties to offer Sunday Mass. Father John Collins CSB established the Basilian Missions in Texas and other Basilians joined in this ministry. Soon, the Hispanic Catholic community had churches in Richmond, Rosenberg, and other towns. A Mission Center was soon established in Sugar Land, TX.

When the Basilians expanded into Mexico in the 1960s, all the priests were from Canada or the USA. When the Basilians went to Colombia in 1987, there was only one Colombian Basilian priest. However, because of the faithful witness of the Basilians, young men from Mexico and Colombia joined them in their

ministry of education and evangelization. Basilians serve people who hunger for the Word of God; they also hunger for daily bread on their tables. In Mexico and Colombia, a new generation of Basilians are living the Basilian way of life and are being prepared to minister to God’s people. Your support is needed.

In the 1950s, Basilian Fathers John Collins and Bob Lowery

break ground for the Mission Center in Sugar Land, TX.

In Tehuacán, Mexico Basilian Novices in Mexico are beginning the path to Basilian

priesthood. Father Beto Rojas (far right) is the Director of Novices and Father Jess Owens (center in white) is Assistant.

Father Jess has served in Mexico since 1973.

In Bogotá, Colombia Basilian scholastics (seminarians) gather for Eucharist. Father Pedro Mora CSB (in sweater) is the superior and Father Carlos

Rodríguez CSB (center) is the Assistant.

Support the Basilians in Mexico and Colombia who are preparing

for the priesthood. “The harvest is plentiful, but the

laborers are few.” Matt. 9:37

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Hope in Uncertainty Anderson Úsuga CSB is a Basilian Scholastic (seminarian), born in 1992 in Medellín, Colombia. He professed his first vows as a Basilian in 2016. He is currently studying his first year of Theology at the Universidad de Santo Tomás in Bogotá, Colombia.

We have been living through difficult times, for an invisible

enemy has us on the brink of despair. We leave our homes in fear because this enemy is lethal and attacks without compassion. We must isolate ourselves socially, when we are supposed to live in society and to be concerned about others. We are going through a time of uncertainty because of Covid-19 which affects the entire human race with its contagion. Despite scientific and technological advancement, we have yet to completely control or eradicate the virus. We can see that life is more delicate than we thought. This historic moment is giving us the opportunity to slow the fast pace of our life that prevents us from understanding what is happening in reality. This crisis has shown that we must search out creative ways of doing things; some of us are studying virtually and others are working from home. This is an opportunity to share our experience of faith in God with others. This is an important time for all people to see God's love in their lives. No one is saved alone; life is fragile and protecting it is everyone's duty. The real cure is for us to be more authentically human, living as the image and likeness of God who created us. This will allow us to face life with serenity and peace. Alone, we are vulnerable, but we can face difficulties together. We must put Christian hope into practice every day. We must live patiently as Jesus did in the critical moments of his life; his cross is the sign of victory that gives us hope. We need to be a sign of love and dedication to help the world that needs us so much. The Basilians in Colombia, as well as our brothers in Mexico, give thanks to God for so many faithful supporters of our work. Because of your generosity you are a source of hope in a world where people, especially the poor, cry out for justice. May God bless your hearts and fill them with much peace and love. Thank you for your generous giving. We are praying for you in Colombia and in Mexico.

Words of Pope Francis Message of Pope Francis

Like a new flame the Good News springs up in the night of a world faced with epochal challenges and now oppressed by a pandemic testing our whole human family. Dear Brothers and Sisters, indifference, self-centeredness, division, and forgetfulness are not words we want to hear at this time. May Christ, who has already defeated death and opened for us the way to eternal salvation, dispel the darkness of our suffering humanity and lead us to the light of his glorious day that knows no end.

Urbi et Orbi, April 12, 2020

Basilian Ministry, Medellín Colombia

Casa Rosada Presidencia Argentina

A sacred moment at San Basilio with Father Óscar Gómez

The San Basilio artisans’ workshop provides job training.

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Indigenous people and their supporters kept a silent prayer vigil in the parish church of San Lorenzo.

Basilian Ministry in Tehuacán

Two years ago, Sergio Rivera Hernández, a Mexican human rights activist, disappeared. He was apparently the victim of violence. The investigation into his disappearance was cursory and 3 indigenous men were arbitrarily arrested and jailed without definitive proof. When they were called as witnesses in court, the judge ordered them to testify in Spanish. The first language of these people is Náhuatl and they are not fluent in Spanish. They were sent back to jail. In September 2020, after two years of incarceration with no trial, indigenous people and other supporters staged a peaceful sit-in demonstration in Tehuacán.

Father Alejandro Estrada CSB, the pastor of the parish of San Lorenzo, and his fellow Basilians, opened the church for people to sleep. Parishioners provided food for the protestors. After three days of protests the jailed men were finally released.

There is more to be done, but this protest showed that change can come through peaceful means. Lauro Sánchez CSB, a Basilian scholastic who is from the area and knows the people and the situation, tells us: “I believe that following Christ carries demands; one of them is to be on the side of justice and peace.”

“Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me.”

Aron Fernandez Director of Operations

St. Therese of Lisieux is the Patroness of Catholic Missions. Therese entered the cloistered Carmelite convent at the age of 15. Although very young at the

time of her death, just 24 years old, having had little life experience or travel, St. Therese earnestly prayed, “I would be a missionary, not for a few years only, but from the beginning of creation until the consummation of the ages.” I ask you to please remember St. Therese during these difficult times. Although not everyone may be able to donate by a gift, please offer your prayers for the success of the Missions and our Basilian priests. Thank you for all your support of the Basilian Fathers Missions. May God generously bless you and those you love.

Indigenous rights protestors outside the Palacio de Justicia

Three days a week the Basilians and people of the parish of San Basilio in Medellín serve lunch to people who need food.

Your contribution will support this ministry.

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Vince Dulock CSB

A Message from Father Vince Dulock CSB

Dear Friends of the Basilian Missions, peace and greetings in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We are living in an unprecedented time with all that is going on in the world: the pandemic, the unemployment due to it, the fires, the hurricanes, and in the USA, the election of our leaders. If you are hurting economically, I only ask for your prayers for our missionaries. Of course, if you are financially able, I ask for your monetary gifts as well. You will be remembered in our prayers at the Mission Center and by our missionaries.

We as Catholic Christians are blessed with many gifts: the Word of God, the Church, the sacraments, and the material gifts that God has given us. Our thanksgiving can be the greatest prayer to our Father God. Our missionaries are sharing these gifts with those to whom we minister in Tehuacán Mexico and Medellín, Colombia. Your support in the past has made our missions possible and I am sure the Lord has blessed you because of it. The Covid-19 pandemic has united all peoples of this world no matter our faith, country, or ethnicity. Your gifts can unite us even more deeply with those who need our help. Every gift counts.

Remember, Jesus sent his disciples to the whole world: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations.” (Mt. 28:19). Our Basilian missionaries are trying to do this. But most of the time the places where we go to preach the good news are materially poor. Won’t you support our missionary activities in Latin America? I am praying for all of you and asking God to protect you from Covid-19. May Jesus the Healer give us courage.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Non-Profit Organization US Postage

PAID Permit No.

10970 Houston TX

Basilian Fathers Missions Latin American Apostolate

PO Box 708 Sugar Land TX 77487-0708

Director of the Basilian Mission Center