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......