Messages from Mexico

July 8, 2005

I just can't believe while I am here, a hurricane by my same name is also in the Gulf of Mexico and very strong, muy fuerte! I am being teased by people here.

Again my deepest thanks to all the volunteers who are keeping things going at ole SOH.

Love in the Jesus, who continues to sow His holy word in all our hearts and may Our Lady grant you a special surprise of Her love for you, ole padre Dennis
 

July 8, 2005
A Senora that is the coordinator of students at my school is now hoping something like SOH could be established in Jalapa. I have an interview next week with a newspaper writer about SOH. I will let you know more later.

Had a wonderful Mass today at the Catedral de Jalapa! It is so beautiful to be a part of so much history and beauty, all at the same time. There was a demonstration at the Catedral in front of the Palacio de Gobernador today. It seemed that the farmers were asking the Governor of Veracruz, Senor Lic Fidel Herrera B. to be more supportive of them. I pray that the governments of our two countries will be more responsive to the needs of the poor. The small pueblo is called, Totonacapan. I saw the people and they have Indian features and seem to look beyond the present moment. Many of them were wearing straw sombreros.

Love in Jesus and Our Lady of all the Americas, ole padre Dennis

July 4, 2005

One of my favorite words in Spanish is: "Veracruz." It means the true cross and was given this name by Cortes when he landed here on the Feast Day of the Cross. I believe Good Friday. It is under this sign that the world is reconciled to El Padre! It is a constant reminder of the Faith that restores all life and brings the blessings of Peace to so many who cry out for it...and the justice! I was told by a worker that the people work so hard, but get so little in return. This really touched my heart. I hope in the future, that both our governments, in the United States of America and Mexico, will work to see that all our people get back sufficient return on their labors of love. Today being the 4th of July, makes me pray that quince de septiembre and the 4th of July will be reminders that Christ gave his life so that God's Family could grow and prosper and become brothers and sisters, one with each other. When I was on the Gulf of Mexico, just north of Veracruz, I saw a couple of natural gas dereks in the Gulf. They are supported by America. I was touched that our country is helping out here in this way and I pray that it is a blessing to all!

Deepest love, as deep as the Gulf of Mexico, tu amigo y hermano, Dennis

July 1, 2005

While in Rome, Italy, the then Holy Father John Paul II blest Ysabel Gaona, married to Ignacio Leon, and a year after El Papa's blessing, Ysabel was pregnant. Earlier the doctor told Isabel and Ignacio that she couldn't have children. As they say here in Mexico, "que milagro," what a miracle! Praise God. Ignacio told me that he had written this to the Vactican and we hope this might aid in having Pope John Paul II canonized soon. There is a picture of little Juan Pablo already on the website. Who knows, this might be Juan Pablo III on his way! And they also had little Jose Eduardo a few years later.

I received a most beautiful gift from a young man named, Mark. Earlier I was joking around about getting myself a full cup of coffee by just reaching out the door of the car and picking some of the coffee beans and filling the cup. The coffee trees here in the Jalapa area are so plentiful. Well, to my surprise, Mark gave me a container made from the wood of the coffee tree. It is shaped like a small mountain with a mesa on top and the wood grain is just beautiful. And guess what? Inside were two rosaries made out of the coffee beans. It just doesn't get any better than this! Oh, when you open the wooden container it smells just like coffee. This gift may be seen on my dresser in the picture of my room, already on the website.

Deepest love and thanks, muchisimas gracias, padre Dennis

June 23, 2005

I will be leaving for the weekend tomorrow to see another city called, Vega de la Torre, close to the Gulf of Mexico and North of Jalapa. The family I am staying with have family there. This will be a time for me to relax as well. God is good, all the time!

We are getting the needed rains; so thanks be to God for this. I was really worried for the city of Naolinco, because they had put out large containers and trucks were coming to fill them with water. But El Senor y Madre de Dios sent the needed rain. Alleluia!!!

Take good care and know that you are all deep in my prayers and heart...and I take you wherever God leads me!

Que le vaya bien...have a good day...Dios te bendiga siempre...God bless you always, ole padre Dennis
 

June 21, 2005

Wow, the adventure continues to unfold. God again is my co-pilot! Give my love and prayers to all the crew. I will say Mass for all of you at the Cathedral of Jalapa tomorrow. I hope to concelebrate with Archbishop Sergio. I just can't believe that the Bishop of Assisi and the above one have the same first name...Wow!

From my journal: One thing that touched me so much during my Eucharist on Sunday, June 12th in the Cathedral of Jalapa was when I distributed Holy Communion, along side of Archbishop Sergio, was a felt awareness of El Senor giving me strength and insight to minister to whatever need that came to my awareness. Mothers were asking me to bless their children and pregnant mothers came for a blessing and some wanted me to pray for their sons who might be thinking of priesthood. Some would kiss my hand as they received and some said so much just by looking into their eyes. I just asked God to make sure I said the correct words in Spanish and blest the right parts that they requested. Manolo and I will never forget that Eucharist and the light that flooded the Cathedral that was seen in spirit only. I thank God for Manolo Casas who got me orientated to this area of Veracruz, who was a constant help as an interpreter; even for the Archbishop and the Vicar General of Jalapa; and who followed the rich tradition of his father, Jesus Casas, Sr., in having us both get shoe shines and partake of the local food. To share prayer with Mano and to share our stories was worth it all!
Deepest love and prayers, Fr. Dennis

June 18, 2005

I just returned from a city called, Naolinco, up in the mountains, and not far from Jalapa. Matter of fact, you can see the lights of Naolinco from Jalapa and from Naolinco, you can see the ligths of Jalapa. Manolo, another American teacher and now a friend, Karen and her friend Julio and I had a wonderful visit to the city. We were able to have a tour of the city by a friend of Julio, named Enrique Jimenez. Enrique grew up in the city of Naolinco. He gave us a tour of the church, called San Mateo, St. Matthew, the Apostle. He also introduced us to a local artist, named Lino Mora Rivera. Senor Mora Rivera makes masks that are used in the celebrations of the Day of the Dead and the Feast Day of St. Matthew, that are made out of wood that he carves. It was a pleasure to meet this man and see his art work up close. I was touched by his faith, especially when he said that our prayers would cross; he would pray for me in Naolinco and I would pray for him and his family in Kansas City. Wow! I also attended the mayor's birthday celebration and at the ranchero, where they had the party, I met a woman who told me that she wanted me to tell our people and the mexican people in our area that they should never forget their families and loved ones in Mexico. Let us not forget our loved ones wherever they are. We ended up the day by celebrating Karen Maish and Maestro Daniel Ramirez and Manolo Casas' departure from Jalapa on Saturday. We were able to share some parting comments with each other and to know that we have friends now in Arizona, Mexico and Kansas. God is so good to permit all this to happen! Karen and Daniel are both teachers in Phoenix, Arizona at Maricopa Community College. This college is doing great work in networking between Mexico and Arizona. And if Daniel and Karen are the example of the teachers at this college, this world is indeed blest! I will miss my friends, Daniel, Karen and good ole Mano!

I have a wonderful teacher that is helping me with my Spanish at the School called Escuela Estudiantes Extranjeros in Jalapa, Mexico. His name is Jesus Emanuel! I really thanked God for giving me such a wonderful and enjoyable person to work with on learning the language and the culture of the people here. Maestro Jesus Emanuel is very intelligent, clear and joyful. I look forward to our classes together. I am staying with Senora Albertina Sanchez and her husband, Doctor Brigido Gamboa y Leon in their home. She is taking classes in English. So together we hope to help each other learn more about our respective languages. Senor and Senora are taking good care of me while I am here. I thank God for their hospitality and delicious food.

Deepest love and prayers, tu hermano y amigo, padre Dennis

June 11, 2005

 

 

June 6, 2005

(two pictures on photo pages)

Manolo Casas and I made it safe and sound to Jalapa, Mexico.  We are staying with a wonderful lady, named, Senora Albertina Sanchez.  She has a home in which teachers stay from around the world.  So far, I met one of the teachers this morning, her name is Karen, from Arizona.  It's good to have another American in the house.

 Mano and I will head out soon to look for an internet service for me to send my emails and to see about a language school for me.  It is so good to have Mano with me to help insert myself into the culture and the language.

May El Senor y Madre de Dios bless each and everyone of you at this time.  It was great to have the buffer week after Italy, before coming to Mexico.  The grounds and buildings at Sanctuary of Hope look beautiful.  My deepest thanks to all our volunteers and staff who have worked so hard to make all this possible. 

                    Con mi amor y mis oraciones, 

                    Padre Dennis