Mission of Love - students journey to Guatemala

by Faith Moldan

When most people took vacations to resorts last summer, twenty-three adults and students went to San Lucas, Guatemala. They were on a mission retreat, a mission of service and of love.

Students from Sleepy Eye and chaperones were picked up and chartered to New Ulm, where the rest of the travelers were picked up.

The first morning in San Lucas they went to a school Mass with students. Then, a walking tour after breakfast. During this walking tour, the travelers saw the school, clinic, and coffee and processing station, and parish buildings.

During the rest of the week, students and adults sorted coffee beans and helped build a house.

The religious experiences were moving. In Santiago there was a stop at the offices of Father Stan Rother who was assassinated there 20 years ago, and we celebrated daily Mass in San Lucas or at the nearby farm communities.

Eight students were from St. Mary High School, Sleepy Eye, two from Sleepy Eye Public High School, one from Clements, and seven from New Ulm Schools. The chaperones included Father Brian Oestreich, Craig Timmerman, Franz Vancura, Evelyn Domeier, and Pam Kesteloot.

The trip lasted one week, and will always be remembered because of the amazing experiences. More trips are planned for 2002 and donations to aid the Mission in San Lucas are always welcome. Juan Ana Coffee from San Lucas is also available in New Ulm’s Hy-Vee Store.

For further information contact the diocesan San Lucas Mission Office, or Father Brian Oestreich, director of Vocations for the Diocese of New Ulm at (507) 359-2966.