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

Padre Miguelito---Still serving God in Mississippi

     Father Michael Thornton first went  to Saltillo in 1973 to serve with Father Patrick Quinn, the founding pastor of  the Mississippi Mission in Saltillo, where it began at Iglesia de Perpetuo Socorro on Abasolo Street.   Father Quinn founded the Mission in 1969, which was co-sponsored by the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi.  

     Father Thornton, Padre Miguelito, as the Mexicans called him, served in the Biloxi Diocese before he went  to serve the Mission for 4 years in Mexico.   Padre was in charge of establishing the medical programs for the many rancho parishes of the Mission, both in the City of Saltillo and the distant ranchos.  At the time the population of the Mission was about 45,000 people spread out from the City of Saltillo to the most distant rancho which took about 5 hours to reach, depending on the conditions of the mountain roads.



     The pope at the time called Latin America "the world's largest mission field," and Father Quinn had his choice where to begin the Mission and he chose Saltillo due to his proximity to Mississippi, because Father Quinn had Mississippians in mind. 

Father Miguel in Saltillo with Father Quinn

     When Padre Thornton served in the Mission it was still trial and error for the most part.  The time served in  Saltillo was a tremendous experience for Padre Miguelito, which came in handy when he was chosen to take over the Mission upon the death of Father Quinn in 1997.   Other priests volunteered to go to Saltillo, but Father Thornton was the oldest and most experienced of  the group and was the obvious choice.  Father Thornton was a life-savior for the Mission at that time.

Father Mike saying Mass with Fr. Henry in Saltillo

     The Bishops of Mississippi are having a hard time finding a priest to volunteer to go to Mission at this time.  The Mission is in charge of a "retired" priest from Louisiana, with the help of two newly ordained Mexican priests.

     After negotiations between the Bishop of Saltillo and the Bishops of Jackson and Biloxi, it was decided that Mississippi would move the Mission to San Miguel parish on the outskirts of  Saltillo and  the parishes of the mission would  be divided, subtracted and added to upon the death of  Father Quinn.

     Father Thornton continued to say Masses in Spanish after returning to Mississippi in 1978 and was serving at Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pascagoula, Mississippi, when he was chosen to take over the Saltillo Mission in 1997.  The groups, both youth and adult groups, continued to make their week-long Saltillo Mission Experience trips after Padre Miguelito took over and moved the headquarters to San Miguel, which is located in the middle of the poorest barrios in the City of Saltillo, and the Mission flourished at that time. Father Thornton rarely had a day off and thanks to God,  rarely got  sick while working at the Mission.

     Father Thornton was easy going and very humble and always had a little smile for everyone he met.

Father in Mississippi with friends

     The Mexicans and Americans alike all loved the little Irishman and he still stays in contact with his many amigos in Saltillo. 

     Father returned to Mississippi after serving 6 years at the Mission and moved to Laurel to take over Immaculate Conception Catholic Church there and continues to serve as their pastor.   The parish there is not quite the size of  Mission, but he continues to say Masses there in English and in Spanish.

     Father Thornton was born in County Galway, Ireland on August 28, 1945, the same County as Padre Quinn.

     Father Thornton even made a return trip to visit the Mission in 2010 to visit his many friends and the current pastor, Father Benny Piovan and to see the progress of the Mission, including the grand new church at San Miguel.

Padre Miguelito with Rogelio, Olga, Erminia y Padre Sergio

     Father Michael Thornton served the people in Saltillo a total of 10 years over two tours of duty there.

  WAY TO GO PADRE MIGUELITO, JOB WELL DONE. LONG LIVE PADRE MIGUELITO!!!

THE MAN FROM SALTILLO---PADRE SERGIO

 Sergio Balderas was born on October 26, 1977, in the City of Saltillo, Mexico. His parents are Juana Delgado Sanchez and Juan Manuel Balderas Montes.  His siblings are Ana Maria, Carmen Leticia and Juan Francisco. He was baptized at the Church of Real de Catorce San Luis Potosi, and received First Communion at Iglesia de Perpetuo Socorro.  His favorite foods were beef broth, beans and egg stew.

    

     He began working as a teenager as a volunteer cathecist and driver for Padre Patrick Quinn at the Saltillo Mission in Saltillo, Mexico co-sponsored by the Dioceses of Jackson and Biloxi, Mississippi in 1969.  It was from Father Quinn and Sergio got the inspiration to become a priest.   

 

     

     He helped at the ranchos with Padre Quinn along with his sister and  brother, Carmen and Juan. He discussed a possible vocation with his sister, and one day he went to the rancho with Father Quinn after a special time with Father Quinn, he felt the call to be a priest.  Father Quinn was a great man and priest, and inspired many people to get closer to God and serve Him.

   

    Working with Padre Quinn, called El Santo de Saltillo, brought him closer to God and his church, wanting to serve God in so many ways. From a very young age, Father Sergio loved to help and serve people without anyone knowing.   

     After working for a few years in Saltillo, he decided that it was time to serve God in the priesthood.  One year he came to Mississippi, where he knew a lot of people who would make the missionary trips to the Mission each year to work with Father Quinn and his successor, Father Mike Thornton, when Father Quinn passed away in 1997.    After talking with the priests, Bishop and Father Dennis Carver, who is in charge of vocations for the Diocese of Biloxi, Sergio make the commitment to begin his journey to enter the Seminary and study for the Diocese of Biloxi.  He faced the same problem that Fr. Quinn did in going to a foreign country, but I am sure he remembered what Fr. Quinn was told by the Saltillo Bishop who said to be meek and humble and let Christ work through you, and remember we are selling the greatest product on earth--"LOVE".  Fr. Sergio is meek and humble and very spiritual.

     Sergio entered the Seminary for Mississippi priests and was ordained in June 2006, in his parish church of Perpetuo Socorro by Bishop Thomas Rodi, the Bishop of Biloxi at that time.  His mentor and friend, Padre Patrick Quinn is buried inside the church.   In a moving ceremony Father Sergio blessed Padre Quinn's grave after his ordination and brought everyone  to tears when he remembered   Father Quinn and said his grave had been blessed by many important people since his death, like Bishops and Archbishops and now it was time to be blessed by his chauffeur.    The church was packed with  family and friends, both from Mexico and Mississippi.

     Father Sergio soon became  the Director of Hispanic Ministry for the Diocese of Biloxi and travels the Diocese celebrating the Mass in Spanish and giving ACTS retreats to the Hispanic of the Diocese.   The Hispanic population is growing rapidly in South Mississippi and the Spanish Masses are mostly filled each week.   Fr. Sergio says Masses in English and Spanish, and his homilies are excellente.     

     After serving in Laurel at Immaculate Conception Church with Father Mike Thornton,  Father Sergio served at Our Lady of Fatima Church with Father Patrick  Mockler, who also served with Father Quinn in Saltillo.

     Father Sergio has now been assigned to Sacred Heart Church in D'Iberville, Mississippi.

Young Sergio

Seminarian

     But Father Sergio has not forgotten his family and friends in Saltillo, keeping in touch and visiting gong home on vacation..   He also helps  with visitors from Saltillo when they come  to visit in Mississippi, and regularly prays for the Mission and his family and friends in Mexico. His family is very proud of their son--The Man from Saltillo!!!!

     The people of Mississippi thank Saltillo and Balderas family for sending this great man to serve the people of Mississippi.  We thank him  for 5 years of wonderful service.  Fr. Sergio is  walking in the Giant Footsteps of  "El Santo de Saltillo", and I do not doubt that  he will be remembered by the people of Mexico and  Mississippi, in a way that will equal  to that  of  "The Mighty Quinn".

    

Father Sergio at his Ordination

    

     ADIOS, PADRE SERGIO!!!BRAVO!!!!

SALTILLO TRIP--Father Dean

"OLE"

     Father Dean Danos has been making missionary trips to the Saltillo, Mexico Mission for 20 years.  After working as Pastor in LaRose, La. for over 20 years, he is now Pastor of St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Thibodaux, La.

     Most groups who have been making the trip go only once a year, but Fr. Dean tries to make two missionary trips to the popular mission, started by Father Patrick Quinn in 1969, originally at  Perpetuo Socorro Catholic Church and now at San Miguel A.  Catholic Church, where it moved in 1997 upon the death of Father Quinn.

     The Mission not only consists of San Miguel Church, but 24 mountain rancho churches and 7 in the City Barrios of Saltillo, a city of  about 1 million people now.  Father Benny Piovan, retired Pastor of Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church in LaPlace, La. is the current  pastor, assisted by two recently ordained Mexico priests.

      Father Dean is scheduled to lead his group of adults and youth to Saltillo from July 9 to July 15 this year. Hooray for Father Dean! Keep up the good work.   Last July trip was cancelled when a hurricane went trough Mexico and Texas and flooded the Rio Grande and closed the international bridge.

     The Thibodaux group is looking for the usual much needed items to make the trip, such as sewing kits, hair brushes, Tylenol, vitamins, Mylanta, hard candy for children, and some winter clothes, as well as cash donations.  Give him a hand if you can. 

     Take lots of photos, Padre!!!!

     Most of the groups stopped going due to the drug violence in Mexico so his trip is that much more important.  God Bless Father Dean and his group from Thibodaux.  

Please pray for his success.  

Adios......