FORMER PASTORS RALLY SUPPORT

     Recognizing the need for additional support for the Saltillo Mission,  former pastors of the Mississippi sponsored Mission in Mexico, wrote a letter to all the pastors of  the Diocese of Biloxi, Mississippi, to gather support for the Annual Mission Appeal.

     The Mission, supported by the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi, has fallen on hard times in recent years due to the lack of  support coming from the groups that in the past made yearly missionary trips to the Mexico based Mission and which no longer come. 

     Drug violence in Mexico forced the groups to cancel their trips, when they would bring needed material items and also medical and financial support.  

     In addition to the drug violence, a severe drought has taken its toll on the thousands of  parishioners of the parish.   The Mission consists of  8 chapels in the City of Saltillo, as well as 39 churches in the mountain regions outside of the City.  The Mission is  also in the  process of taking on additional areas, both in the City and in the Ranchos.

     The San Miguel Church is the central location for the Mission and provides a medical and dental clinic to take care of the many that need medical  and dental care.   Medical  and dental care is limited to those who cannot afford it.

     Former pastors Michael Thornton, Louis Lohan, Patrick Mockler, as well as Saltillo native Father Sergio Balderas, penned an emergency letter, which was sent to every church pastor in the Biloxi Diocese, in an effort to help the Mission. "Recent events in Mexico have made the annual collection more important than ever for the ongoing funding of the Saltillo Mission.  For many years over twenty groups from Mississippi and other states were able to visit the mission each year.  These groups worked at the Mission and often made generous financial donations to the Mission.  This amounted to around 50% of the operation expenses.  Outbreaks of violence through much of Mexico have forced our parishes to discontinue the mission trips. It is difficult to predict when the situation there may improve.  Resulting from all of this is the need to increase the annual collection so that the funding of the mission may continue,"  the priests stated.

     Father Benny in his Annual Mission Appeal also stated that adding to the problems are the floods brought on by hurricanes in the southern  and central part of Mexico which have wiped out thousands of acres of crops.

     The four priests implored the pastors to do a little extra this year to promote the annual collection.

     "Rest assured  that your poor brothers and sisters of the Saltillo Mission pray for you every day.  And you are in my prayers as well. God Bless you all!",  commented Father Benny, pastor of the Saltillo Mission.

     Donations for the continuance of the Mission can be sent to any Catholic Church in Mississippi with notation for "Saltillo Mission",  or to Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church in LaPlace, Louisiana, marked for "Saltillo Mission",or  contact Father Benny by email at bennyinmex@yahoo.com

or Saltillo Mission San Miguel on Facebook whose email is saltillomission@hotmail.com

     Our  Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE----PATRONESS OF THE AMERICAS

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

HAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE!!!!

     On the morning of  December 9, 1531,  Juan Diego was walking to Mass. When he passed Tepeyac Hill  he heard a sound coming from the top of the hill.  Looking up he heard celestial music and  a young native woman, about 16 years old, 4 foot 8 inches tall, who began talking  to him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oUlFt5VErg&feature=related


     He stopped to see what was happening, when the young woman asked him to come up to the top of the hill.  "For I am your merciful Mother," she said, " to you and all mankind who love me and trust in me to invoke my help.  Therefore, go to the Bishop in Mexico City and say that the Virgin  Mary sent you to make known to him my great desires."

     The Virgin asked him to tell the Bishop of her desire that a chapel be built on the spot where they were standing.

     Upon telling the Bishop of the vision, the Bishop did not believe him and dismissed him.

     When Juan Diego returned to the hill, he told the Blessed Mother of his failure to convince the Bishop, she instructed him to return to the Bishop and repeat her wishes.  Upon meeting the Bishop a second time, the Bishop asked for a sign from the Lady.  When Juan Diego  told her of the need for a sign, she told him to return the next morning and she would give him a sign for the Bishop.

     Juan Diego did not return the next morning because his uncle Juan Bernadino became suddenly ill and Juan Diego went to fetch a doctor for his uncle.   Two days later, on December 12, Juan Diego was on his way to a Church at Tlateloco, to seek a priest for his dying uncle.  On the way, he was stopped by Our Lady who asked him why he did not keep his appointment and he explained about his dying uncle.

     The Lady told him not to worry about his uncle, that indeed, he had already been healed.  Our Lady also appeared to the uncle that day and restored his health.  Juan Diego was 57 years old and his uncle 68 years old.  Both had been among the first of the natives to be baptized into the Catholic Faith.

     Our Lady instructed Juan Diego to climb to the top of Tepeyac Hill and there he would find many kinds of flowers blooming and that he was to cut them and bring them to her.  It was the middle of the winter and the rugged rocky hill was not known to grow anything so Juan Diego doubted he would find anything growing there.  When he reached the top of the hill, to his shock and amazement he found a lovely garden growing there with beautiful Castillian roses.   He cut them and placed them in his tilma.   When he returned to the Lady, she rearranged them and instructed him to take them to the Bishop as a sign and  not to open his tilma until he was in the presence of  the Bishop.

     Juan Diego did as She wished and stood radiantly before the Bishop and opened his tilma and let the roses fall to the floor.  The Bishop was amazed at the image he observed on the tilma.  It was a beautiful image of the Blessed Virgin Mary as she appeared to Juan Diego.   The Bishop agreed to build the chapel and  8 million people were converted to the Catholic Faith within 7 years.

     The original image of Our Lady of Guadalupe is on display at the Basilica in Mexico City.  It is one of the most visited Catholic Shrines in the world.   Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared "Patroness of the Americas" by the Vatican in 1946.  In 2009 on Friday and Saturday, December 11 and 12, a record 6.1 million pilgrims visited the Basilica to commemorate the anniversary.

     The image and tilma are still in perfect condition after 480 years.  The tilma is made from the maguey cactus plant which normally does not last more than 30 years.  Even a bomb exploding near the image did not damage it.

     Juan Diego was declared a Saint on July 31, 2002.  His feast day is December 9, and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is on December 12.

The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City

THE LORD IS WITH YOU!!!!


BLESSED ARE YOU AMONG WOMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

AVE MARIA, PRAY FOR US!!!!!!!!!!!!

MISSION NEEDS HELP NOW!!!

Father Benny working in the Barrios

Father Benny Piovan, the pastor of the Mississippi sponsored Mission in Saltillo, Mexico issued the following Emergency Appeal for support for the people of Mexico who are in dire need of help.

" My dear sisters and brothers in Christ: Greetings from the 40 ranchos and 8 very large subdivisions which are part of the Saltillo Mission which Padre Patrick Quinn established in 1969. 

     Here at San Miguel, we are still working to continue the work of the Saltillo Mission.  However,
the situation is getting even more critical due to the ever rising cost of living with the cost of the basic foods like rice, beans, eggs, flour, etc.   To compound the problem in the rural communities is the two years of drought which has made it impossible to raise any crops like beans and corn.

     Due to lack of rain (in  some areas 15 months without a single drop) not only has there been no crops, but also their animals like goats and cattle have  died.

     The prospect for the winter is for the drought to continue  and a  harsh cold for months to come.

     In some areas the temperature at night has dropped to 10 degrees centigrade,and  the winter is just beginning.  Clothes and blankets are  not enough to warm people who have little or nothing to put in their stomach to generate some natural heat.

Little Girl lives the Barrio

     IN the name of your poor brothers and sisters of the Saltillo Mission I appeal for your help and generosity."

Typical house in Barrios

     Fraternally yours in Christ,

     Fr. "Benny" Benjamin Piovan
     Pastor of San Miguel Arcangel
     Avenida Central 4649 y Calle 44
     Col. Vista Hermosa
     Codigo Postal 25010  
     Saltillo, Mexico

Father Benny can be reached on email at:  bennyinmex@yahoo.com
Saltillo Mission is on Facebook at  "Saltillo Mission San Miguel"      

FATHER BENNY PIOVAN----taking a vacation

Padre Benny working in Saltillo Barrio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6qRMHpV7Pc

                       (Pescador de hombres)

Father Benjamin Piovan, the Pastor of the Mississippi Catholic Mission in Saltillo, Coah., Mexico finally  takes his vacation this week, after 2 years.   Due to his busy schedule running such a vast and heavily populated Mission left him with no time to take his vacation.  Also, adding to his schedule last year was the building of the new church at San Miguel, where the Mission is headquartered, and the little chapel in the newest barrio.

Most Mississippi priests take a month off every summer and some in the Mississippi Dioceses take 2 or 3 months off.   

Besides running the parish, which consists of 7 large churches in the Barrios of the City of Saltillo and 24 mountain rancho churches each month, he has now been  asked  to take over 16 more ranchos and one more in the City.    He also took time off to visit the Ascension of our Lord Church in LaPlace, La. to fill in for 2 weeks for the pastor there. Father Benny, as he is affectionately known, was founding pastor of the LaPlace Church in 1979 and remained pastor until he "RETIRED" in 2006, then became a Missionary Priest in Saltillo.  Father Benny was assisting the Mississippi priest that was Pastor, and when he returned to Mississippi, another came for 2 years and then had to return to Mississippi.  That is when the Mississippi Bishop asked Fr. Piovan to run the Mission for the time being.   Mississippi opened the Mission in 1969 at Perpetuo Socorro Church, which then moved to San Miguel in 1997, after the death of  Father Patrick Quinn, the Pastor at the time.

Thanks to God, there are now 2 newly ordained Mexican priests who work with Padre Benny since they were ordained at San Miguel in February.   They will continue to hold down the fort while Padre Benny is in Italy, where he is from.   Fr. Benny was born in Padua, Italy, and in February celebrated his 75th birthday.  " I love doing Missionary work and I will continue to do God's work here as long as my health lets me," stated Father Benny.  Father Benny has served many roles as a priest, from teacher, counselor, chaplain, builder, missionary, priest, as well as accomplished gardener and raiser of chickens, birds, etc.  The vegetables and chickens he likes to share with the people in the ranchos and barrios.  

Padre Evelio y Padre David

Padre David Martinez and Padre Evelio Rodriguez are the two new padres working at the Mission with Father Benny.  They belong to a new Order named Misioneros Siervos de la Divina Misericordia and are happy be serving at the Mission since there is always lots of God's work to do.

The Mission will be in good hands while the Pastor is away with  the two new padres as well as the steady hand of the long time secretary, Ines Laureano, as well as a number of  really good catechists.

Ines and two Mission supporters

The Mission also provides a medical and dental clinic at San Miguel, with a doctor and dentist to provide dental and medical treatment for the many poor people of the barrios.  Visiting missionaries through  the years brought needed medicines from home to give to the Mission for use in the clinic as well as the distant ranchos served by Padre Benny and his two Mexican priests, but since the groups have stopped coming to the Mission because of the drug cartel violence,  needed medicines have been hard to come by.

Also, Father Benny announced that he has taken a massive overhaul of the youth program in the parish as well as starting youth recreation programs.  He said the youth are the future of the Church.

And there you have it, the Mission goes on. Padre Benny, Padre David y Padre Evelio are certainly "Pescadors de Hombres."

PESCADOR DE HOMBRES

HERE I AM LORD!

Padre Patrick Quinn

I HEARD YOU CALLING IN THE NIGHT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk2CHhjlFj4&feature=related



CALLED BY NAME:  Some of Those that answered the Call! 

Fr.Mike Thornton and Fr. Louie Lohan

Ralph Bandy and family

Fr. Dean Danos

Jeanne Harbison

Jeanne Harbison and  Father Quinn

L.J. Livaccari and Kathy Chapman

L.J. Livaccari and Julius Broussard 

Fr. Patrick Mockler

Dr. Matt Kuluz

Fr. Henry McInerney

Father Benny Piovan

Bragg Moore

Rebecca Boudreaux

Since Father Patrick Quinn first started the Catholic Mission in 1969 in Saltillo, Mexico, thousands of Missionaries have traveled there answering the call to make the long trek South of the Border, Down Mexico Way, to aid and support the Mission.    The Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi, Mississippi answered the call from Pope Pius XII to open missions in Latin America, calling Latin America, "the world's largest mission field, " and Fr. Quinn volunteered to go and chose Saltillo, due to its closeness to Mississippi with the help of the Mississippians in mind.  Many Mexicans never saw a priest or waited years to receive the sacraments.  Many lived and still do live, as millions of the world's poor, in pathetic living conditions.  Many from Mississippi as well as other states answered the call, bringing needed clothing and medical supplies to the Mission to provide to the residents.

The Mission not only built churches in the City of Saltillo, and in distant mountain ranchos, but brought material support and medical help to the many poor of the area.  Many homes  were built in the barrios for those living in shanties, with money donated by those in the United States.

Many said "Here I Am Lord" and made trips with groups year after year.   They gave up their time and money and summer vacation to drive the 1000 miles or more to help and Fr. Quinn and the Mexicans appreciated it.   The Mexicans and Americans quickly became close.  The Saltillo Experience started out as a youth experience, but then spread to adult groups too.  No one could refuse the requests of  one of the Giants of the Earth, the man they called Padre Quinn.  They even wrote songs about him. 

Some of the great missionaries who brought literally thousands to the mission over many years are those like Ralph Bandy, a retiree from Gautier with his converted Greyhound Bus, and year after year brought tons of clothing and medical supplies to the Mission.  Ralph and Fr. Quinn quickly became

good friends. Ralph later married a Mexican girl and named his son after Fr. Quinn.  And those youth group leaders like Bragg Moore, Jeanne Harbison, Kathy Chapman,  Ruth Higginbotham, and adults like L. J. Livaccari, Julius Broussard,  Rebecca Boudreaux,  Father  Henry McInerney  and Father Dean Danos as well as many others too many to mention, who tirelessly planned and organized the many trips bringing thousands of missionaries and supplies to the mission over the years.  They will live in the hearts and minds of the Mexican people for years to come.  

We also thank those priests that Chose to serve at the Mission, like Fr. Quinn, Father Mike Flannery, Father Mike Thornton, Father Louie Lohan,  Fr. Patrick Murray,  Father Paul Madden, Father Patrick Mockler, Fr. Benny Piovan and others who served as pastor or associate pastor of the mission over

the years.    

What a Wonderful Experience!  God Bless you all!

Anyone else that wants to be remembered can send their memories of  Father Quinn to the Mission and their writings will be included in a  Book of Memories of  Father Quinn located in his side chapel  of the new San Miguel Church.

Father Quinn's Book

The Mission is on Facebook (Saltillo Mission San Miguel)

Father Benny's email addres is bennyinmex@yahoo.com

The secretary's email address is maineslaureano@hotmail.com or saltillomission@hotmail.com

MISSION IN ACTION

"COME HOLY SPIRIT AND FILL THE HEARTS OF YOUR FAITHFUL  AND KINDLE  IN THEM  THE FIRE OF YOUR LOVE"

Father Benny Piovan, Pastor of the Saltillo Mission San  Miguel has sent an update on the work of the Mission:

Dear Friends and Benefactors of the San Miguel Mission in Saltillo, Mexico,

It is with great joy that I send you this update on how your prayers and financial contributions help us provide for the ever-growing and developing needs of your Mission.

Last year, for the summer of 2010 we undertook a massive overhaul of the youth program in the San Miguel Parish and expanded it to the 24 rural communities in the Ranchos.  Then in the fall we did and overhaul as well with the Catechism program; changing the day of CCD classes from Saturday to Sunday, the students attending their classes either before Mass or right after Mass, while the parents attending at the same time their Adult Education program.  Then parents and children go to Mass together.  But the most important change has been extending the program of CCD to all the students to all the grades.  As before they would come to CCD class one year in the third grade for their First Holy Communion and then return only in the 8th grade for their Confirmation. Now they are required to attend every year from Kindergarten through 8th grade without skipping.  The same was implemented in the Ranchos.

Now during their summer of 2011 we have these ongoing programs: Vacation Bible School for all children and teenagers alike---2 weeks.  For CCD students who failed to attend last year we implemented a 4 week intensive CCD class and for all students who failed subjects in their school, a 4 week remedial course in their subject areas.

As part of the religious manifestations we offered a live Station of the Cross the Saturday before Palm Sunday, a live presentation of the Resurrection of Our Lord on Easter Sunday night, a live presentation of the Ascension for the Feast of Ascension and a live  presentation on Pentecost.  Then for the Feast of Corpus Christi we had a solemn high Mass and procession with the participation of the First Communion children and their families.  These have been all new programs this year.  We also held a Prayer Contest in all the 7 chapels in the City of Saltillo with the children of CCD which we did at each grade level and then at parish levels.  We awarded the top three winners in every grade in all the chapels.

We heard a lot of prayers that Sunday  afternoon and so did the parents!  This  took place Sunday, June 5th, and then on Sunday, July 3rd, we held a Choir Singing Contest among the choirs of the Parish. We have 8 choirs!

Now for the summer we started a sports program as well with teams from the 7 chapels in basketball, volleyball and soccer.  Baseball will follow soon.

With the beginning of the new school year we will offer retreats to all the children and their parents and godparents every weekend.  A big Rosary  Celebration is being organized for Mission Sunday, October 23rd.  A live presentation of the Apparition of Our Lady to San Juan Diego for December 9-12, 2011 and a live Nativity for Christmas and the Epiphany, 2012.

As you can see be are keeping very active.  This is our way of helping these children and their parents from turning   to violence, drugs and alcohol to a better and all around healthier lifestyle.

Your prayers and your  donations make all this possible.  Thank you! Thank you!  Thank you!

I love you all,

Fr. Benny

 Phone #011 52 844 482 5882
email address: bennyinmex@yahoo.com
Follow us on Facebook:  Saltillo Mission San Miguel        

FATHER BENNY IN MISSISSIPPI---Makes Mission Appeal

     Father Benny Piovan, Pastor of the Mississippi sponsored Catholic Mission in Saltillo,  Mexico, was in Mississippi this week to make an urgent Mission Appeal.

     His appeal is as follows: " Dear People of the Catholic Diocese of Biloxi, Ms.

     I am writing  you today to make a special appeal to your generosity on behalf of the San Miguel Mission in Saltillo, Mexico, which you sponsor as a Diocese.  First of all here is a brief background on how the mission was started and of your involvement and commitment to support it.

     The Saltillo Mission was established in 1969 when Fr.Patrick Quinn of the Diocese of Natchez--Jackson was sent by then Bishop Brunini under the invitation of then Pope Paul VI.  Fr. Quinn started his mission at Our  Lady of Perpetual Help--Perpetuo Socorro and stayed there as Pastor until  he died on January 9, 1997.  At his death the parish was divided and the task and work of the mission was transferred to San Miguel. Msgr. Michael Thornton from Biloxi served as pastor there for 7 years.  When the one Catholic Diocese of Mississippi was divided into  the two now existing Catholic Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi, the respective bishops agreed to continue sponsoring and supporting the San Miguel Mission mainly in two ways: shared financial assistance and by supplying a pastor on a rotating term of 6 years.  When Msgr. Michael Thornton's term was up,  the Diocese of Jackson sent Fr. William Cullen who stayed 3  years.  Then because of his health he returned to Jackson, and to complete his remaining three (3) years, Bishop Latino sent Fr. Richard Smith, who served two (2) years.  Then because of lack of priests Bishop Latino called him back to Jackson, and asked me (Fr. Benjamin Piovan) to take his place to complete the one (1) year left for the Jackson Diocese term.

     I arrived at San Miguel Mission on the 18th day of November, 2006.  Fr. Cullen left Saltillo on January 15th, 2007 and Fr. Smith arrived at that time, and left when recalled on January 6, 2009.  My background is: born in Italy (Padova) in 1936, Ordained as a Salesian priest in 1964.  Incarnated into the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1973 and now retired and serving as a missionary at San Miguel in Saltillo since November 18, 2006.  All during the years of the mission of the one diocese then two dioceses of Mississippi continued to sponsor the mission financially and until two years ago with many groups visiting the mission during  the spring break and mostly in the summer weeks.  Then two years ago these visits were suspended as you well know because of the insecurity and violence which we experience in Mexico (and here in the states as well).

     The financial support of the Saltillo Mission depend mostly on the donations of the 2nd collection which each diocese take up in January each year for the mission.

     It takes about $150,000.00 a year to run the Saltillo Mission with each diocese agreeing to contribute half. Last year (2010) the collection came on the heels of the one for the people of Haiti with the total for the Saltillo Mission of about $40,000.  This past January 2011 the collection amounted to about $30000.00.  With things as they are we at the Mission just cannot make it.  In your well known generosity could you please have either this summer or this fall 2011 a FUND GAP Collection to help us out through this year 2011?

     Personally I am retired. I do not receive a penny of stipend from the Mississippi Dioceses. I am not a financial burden on the Biloxi Diocese for my medical or any other expenses. My personal pension benefits I put all into the mission so that we can keep going and doing the Work of Evangelizing for the poor people of this desert, semi-desert area of  Saltillo.  Many of you and your teenagers have visited this area at one time or another, so you know what the conditions are."

     I plead you PLEASE HELP!

     God Bless you,

      Fr. Benny
       Your Missionary in Saltillo

     My phone number in Mexico: #011 52 844 482 5882              
      My email address:  bennyinmex@yahoo.com
Follow us on Facebook at Saltillo Mission San Miguel 
Parroquia San Miguel Arcangel
   Avenido Central 4649 y Calle 44
    Col. Vista Hermosa
     Codigo Postal 25010
      Saltillo, Coah., Mexico