What an awesome youth group we have! Twenty-nine of our young members and seven adults have just returned from a week-long mission trip to General Cepeda, Mexico. I was extremely privileged to be with them.
We spent the week with members of Family Missions Company – a faith-filled lay Catholic ministry that trains and supports lay Catholic missionaries in various parts of the world. They have a permanent missionary base in General Cepeda, a small town in an impoverished are of Northern Mexico. That is where the Family Missions welcomes groups that would share in their work on a short-term basis. Thirty-six of our parishioners took advantage of this extraordinary opportunity.
Each day we started with an hour of prayer and faith sharing on the Gospel passage for the day’s Mass. Everyone commented on how absolutely amazing it was that each day’s Scripture focused on some aspect of Jesus’ commission to his followers to be missionaries of the Gospel. It was as if God had prepared everything to help us understand and embrace this important aspect of the Christian life.
Then, after breakfast, we split into 6 groups: Some were assigned work projects like rebuilding roofs on adobe houses and painting; some visited desperately poor homebound persons; and some came with me to celebrate Mass at one of the “ranchos” – little villages in the outlying area around General Cepeda. These villages survive, for the most part, on subsistence farming. They may get to have Mass – at best – once a month, so the Family Missions Company took advantage of having a priest with out group to offer Mass wherever I went (one every morning and one every evening). It took between a half hour and hour or so to drive each one.
We then came back to the mission house and had our main meal at 2 PM followed by a much appreciated siesta. At 5 PM we split into 3 groups to ravel to different ranchos (there are 46 ranchos under the responsibility of the on Catholic priest in town). Each group, when it arrived would locate the little chapel of the rancho, ring the bell and then send small groups to knock on doors of the very humble homes and invite the people with the words: Les invitamos a la capilla para oracion (or, Misa). The people of the ranchos had no foreknowledge that we were coming; many would just drop everything they were doing to come to the chapel to spend the evening in prayer.
There was always a time of worshipful singing; the full-time missionaries would give a teaching; I would celebrate Mass and preach (gulp!). Afterwards, at each of the ranchos, several members of our group would give short testimonies of their faith and then people would be invited to come forward if they wanted prayer for any special intention. Our youth group members responded to these requests with faith and humble love. These kids seemed to mature right before my eyes. I was extremely proud of them.
Throughout the week, whenever a serious need was made known, our kids showed a tremendously generous spirit in offering alms. I think that this was in part a response to the phenomenal sacrificial witness of the full-time missionaries – all with families who nonetheless offered everything for the sake of the Gospel of Christ. They kept sharing examples of how God could not be outdone in generosity to those who offer themselves to Him.
Everyone in our group was deeply affected by the whole experience. I will let two of our teens speak for themselves:
“Wow, what an incredible trip! All the joy, laughs, fun and faith packed into a week of mission. I learned so much from this trip because of all the time spent with God. Some of the experiences we shared were roof building, painting, evangelizing, singing and spreading the faith with others.
I feel so much closer to God from this trip and it will always be in my memories. Because of all of God’s love that was poured into my heart, I have to say that this mission trip was an OUTSTANDING experience.” - - Ryan Murphy
“On previous mission trips I have been shocked and angered by the poverty of the people. While I was definitely moved by the lack of material riches in General Cepeda, my reaction their living conditions was quite different. Instead of focusing on the poverty, I was able to see the people. Instead of feeling pity, I felt inspired by their faith. While I definitely came home with a feeling of appreciation for what I have, I also came home with an awareness of what I lack – the complete faith in and reliance on God that they people of General Cepeda have.
Their humility and compassion made me recognize and commit to improving [my own] spiritual life.” - - Ani Lockard
On the last day we were asked to share our reflections on the whole week. All were deeply touched; many described it as a “life transforming experience.” Even our hosts commented on the extraordinary blessings on our group. I am confident that our parish “missionaries” will be sharing more of their stories with you in various contexts.
On their behalf I conclude with a special word of thanks to all those who financially, or in other ways, supported this mission to Mexico. You too will share in all the graces received. There was a very special anointing on this trip; I suspect that God has a special calling for our parish. Let’s keep listening for His voice so that we may respond faithfully to whatever is in God’s heart for us.
Fr. Domenic
