A Look Back

Editor’s note: In recognition of the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the Diocese of New Ulm (November 18, 2007), The Prairie Catholic will be taking “a look back” each month through November on the important history since the conception of the diocese.

This month, Msgr. Greg Schaffer, pastor of the Diocese of New Ulm’s Mission parish of San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala for the past 44 years, reflects on the history of the Mission and its people.

by Msgr. Greg Schaffer

On the back of the Mission Christmas card of this past December, there is a picture of the city street of San Lucas Toliman behind the present rectory and between the two grade-school buildings.

Encarnacion Ajcot (pictured) asked to write the Christmas letter this past year wanting to thank many, many people for so much care and concern for so many years. Known by all who have met her as 'Chona,' she has worked with the Mission of San Lucas since 1964. Her efforts over the years took on different responsibilities but always dealt in some way with food services. Today she continues in charge of all the food service provided by the Mission. Her exceptional talent as a cook has brought her to the USA to prepare typical Guatemalan buffet meals for various and sundry groups. The picture on the back of the Christmas card is what that street looked like when Chona began her work with the Mission as a fourteen year old in 1964.

On December 7, 2006 at the Church of the Holy Redeemer, Marshall, MN, the Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Donald Peter Neisen. Don was 86 years old. I was honored to be able to celebrate that Mass with Fr. Jerry Meidl, the pastor at Holy Redeemer and good friend, the family, and the parish community Don so loved and served during his long life on this earth. It was indeed a celebration of the life Don now lives with God - the life he richly deserves. Back in 1963 Don was good enough to accompany me and introduce me to San Lucas Toliman in the Departamento of Solola in the west central highlands of Guatemala. He walked closely with us as we made our way through those first difficult years of learning from a people of a culture so different from our own. He walked at our side as we struggled to serve a people steeped in the process of poverty. The people knew what had to be done so they could grow to the life of dignified human beings. We had to learn to listen, to understand, and to respond. Don put together our first Mission Office in his own home one block east of the church in Marshall. He and close friend, Don Gesme, published a monthly newsletter about those first years of Mission efforts. His dedicated and hard work is paramount to what the Mission is today.

Some years ago now, Fr. Patrick Payton of the Community of the University of Notre Dame, came through San Lucas Toliman. He was doing some research on the diocesan and religious community efforts to serve the people of Latin America responding to Pope John XXIII, of happy memory, call for help. I have heard several fine speakers talk of Pope John's statement, 'When I think of Latin America I can't sleep at night!' I don't know where this statement is documented but it certainly sounds like something John the XXIII would say. Anyway, there was quite a response in the early '60s from American and Canadian as well as European dioceses and religious communities. Some were long lasting, others were short lived. Father Payton's research showed him that the Diocese of New Ulm, and the Diocese of Jefferson City, MO, were two of the longest continuous standing diocesan Mission efforts begun in response to that call from Pope John XXIII. Bishop Alphonse Schladweiler's pastoral care responded to Bishop Anglecio Melotto's pastoral concern and the diocesan Mission of San Lucas began.

A Mission Statement was eventually written but is not widely known. I think the Statement is excellent. Two principle authors are Fr. Phil Schotzko, currently pastor of the Church of St. Peter, St. Peter, MN and diocesan Director of the Propagation of the Faith, and Sister Linda Wanner, SSND, Academic Coordinator for the Missionaries of the Fraternity of Mary Seminary in Guatemala City. Sister Linda came to San Lucas Toliman in 1980 and did marvelous work in the educational programs of the parish for ten years. Fr. Phil served the parish of San Lucas from 1984 to 1990. His parish service was vast and multidimensional. Gifted as a Spiritual Director, working with youth and youth groups, and blessed with the ability to celebrate liturgy with real meaning; Fr. Phil blessed all of us with his presence. He is responsible for the building of four churches because of the need (and the urgings of the people). Each of the twenty-two communities we serve have active youth groups who owe their beginnings to Fr. Phil Schotzko. Sister Linda and Fr. Phil guided five of us working in San Lucas in the writing of this Mission Statement in the 1980’s. I look to it today for encouragement and inspiration. After twenty years, I would not change a word. Please allow me to share it with you:

As disciples of the Lord, open to the movement of the Spirit, we are called to promote the kingdom of God as a viable option for the people of San Lucas. Based on the life of Jesus, revealed in the Scriptures and reflected in the inherent spirituality of the people, we seek to facilitate each person's and each community's spiritual journey through the celebration of the sacraments and a life of mutual service.

As Jesus responded to the people and their needs, we believe it is our mission also to respond to the expressed felt needs of the people of San Lucas and of the surrounding areas that form the larger community. In our response, we include the individuals with specific needs who come to the mission seeking help. Our purpose is to deal with both the immediate effects of poverty and their root causes.

Recognizing that all of us are made in the image and likeness of God, our goal is to enhance and enrich the whole person. Thus, we promote the dignity, self-respect, and development of the people we have been called to serve. This is a step by step process which shows itself in educational, medical, nutritional, spiritual, and socio-economic planning and programs.

As a cross-cultural parish we are aware of the rich heritage of the Guatemalan people and recognize that the process of on-going conversation for all of us is facilitated by the mutual sharing of cultural values and spiritual insights. Thus, we recognize we are called to be a bridge, to share with our brothers and sisters in the United States of America who has been associated with our mission, either as members of the Diocese of New Ulm or as benefactors, by offering hospitality, and by sharing the culture, struggles, hopes, and aspirations of the people of Guatemala.

Within our mission we constantly seek alternative ways to peace and justice that are based on the interdependence of people who share their gifts and resources in an atmosphere of Christian love.