"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
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email address: bennyinmex@yahoo.com
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