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At a time of dramatic global changes and challenges, Catholics in the United States face special responsibilities and opportunities, We are members of a universal Church that transcends national boundaries and calls us to live in solidarity and justice with the people of the world. We are also citizens of a powerful democracy with enormous influence beyond our borders. As Catholics and Americans we are uniquely called to global solidarity. Statement from; United States Catholic Conference, Inc., Washington, D.C.1997
Sister Parishes
Church of the Immaculate Conception
Columbia Heights, Minnesota U.S.A
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La Cruz del Calvario
Esteli, Nicaragua Central America
Mission Statement
Our mission is to broaden awareness of world missions and the call to become a truly united global church. We are following in our mission to become Church, responding to God’s call to grow spiritually by opening our hearts in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of El Calvario de la Cruz Parish.
Sister Parish Committee
We are a parish of volunteers who work to fulfill our mission statement through mutual prayer, and communication between our sister parishes. Provide updates through picture bulletin boards and videos from El Calvario Parish. Encourage interconnectedness between people by fostering trips to our Sister Parish and sponsoring visitors from our Sister Parish.
Brief History
In the late 1980's the Social Concerns Committee planned to adopt a mission in Nicaragua. Sister Patrice, the Pastoral Minister, responded to this outreach mission in 1990, while on a trip to Nicaragua and met with the pastor of El Calvario Parish. The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota were living in Managua at this time and became liaisons in this relationship. In 1992 the new pastor at El Calvario Parish, Father Frutos, expressed wishes for a more meaningful relationship. A trip was planned in 1994 to visit our Sister Parish to become better acquainted. This faith journey has enriched both our parishes but still leaves the opportunity for further development, both cultural and spiritual.
Through various fundraisers and our Sunday Coin Collection we have completed several projects at El Calvario de la Cruz Parish.
- Construction and start-up of a Medical Clinic
- Construction of 10 very modest homes
- Rebuilding and repairs of existing homes
- Musical instruments for the youth of the parish
- Annual Christmas Party/Meal for children
- Emergency aid during Hurricane Mitch
- Computer and printer for church
- Pickup truck for parish
- Assistance for elderly; food, wheel charis, etch.
- Financial gift for parish needs at Christmas and Easter time
- Three trips by Immaculate Conception Church parishioners
- One trip by pastor and parishioners of El Calvario
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Sister Parish Committee
The purpose of the Sister Parish Committee is to facilitate communication, awareness and cooperative projects between El Calvario de la Cruz Parish in Esteli, Nicaragua and the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
Our Goals
♥ Work to be more visible in our Sister Parish
♥ Improve communication
♥ Engage parishioners in planning and awareness building
♥ Plan trips - targeting youth
♥ Plan fundraisers to assist our Sister Parish financially
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Help Wanted: Sister Parish Committee Members. An opportunity to make a difference in someone's life.
Requirements: Some Spanish skills (not necessary), like to travel, event planner, a communicator, a letter writer or e-mailer, a visionary, an interested person.
Benefits: Expand your horizons, meet new people, have a life changing experience, opportunities to be humbled and continued satisfaction.
Time Required: 2-3 hours a month.
Call: Kathy Morales (763) 574-1594
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Sister Parish Relationship Timeline
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1980 |
In the late 1980’s the relationship was established by Sister Patrice after a trip to Nicaragua. During this time some Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, Minnesota were living in Managua, Nicaragua and they were the liaisons in this relationship. The Sisters would travel to Esteli to deliver the checks and translate our letters.
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1990 |
Father Frutos was the new Pastor at El Calvario Parish and expressed wishes for a more meaningful relationship; not based solely on the financial assistance, but a relationship between the people of both parishes. At this same time Sister Wanda arrived at Immaculate Conception Church and also felt both parishes would benefit from a people to people relationship. The communication flourished with the help of the Franciscan Sisters. Soon the idea for a trip to our Sister Parish was in the future plans.
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1994 |
The first trip was in February and the travelers were Joan and John Szurek and Kathy Morales. This was a relationship building trip and an orientation to Nicaragua. During this trip our method of giving financial help was established. When El Calvario’s Parish Council had decided on a project they would request financial help by explaining the cost, needs, results, of the project and we have the opportunity to question, suggest, deny or approve. While the process has been refined some, we still use it today.
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1996
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The second trip was in February and the travelers were Sister Wanda, Lorraine Mell, Angie Lepsch and Kathy Morales.
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1997 |
September we welcomed visitors from El Calvario Parish, Father Frutos, Dra. Rosibel Sanchez, and a teacher, Maria Tijerino. During this time, we visited Totino Grace and Brother Milton offered Father Frutos a scholarship for a student from his parish.
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1998 |
In August, we welcomed Allen Molina to our parish. She was chosen to be the beneficiary of the scholarship at Totino Grace High School Allen stayed the first half of the school year with Mary and Larry Nawrocki and the second half with Julie and Paul Cleary. This year Nicaragua was devasted by Hurricane Mitch and we sent $8,300.00 for rebuilding efforts.
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1999
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We printed two issues of the Sister Parish Bulletin. Request for funds was made and funds were sent to purchase and repair musical instruments for the church choir. A computer was purchased in Managua by a friend of Mike Lentz and installed at the church office. Volunteers continue to work at Daytons. Arlen returns to her home in Esteli. A successful chili supper was held January 30. Funds were sent for Easter, Christmas, and the Christmas party.
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2000
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We printed the third Sister Parish Bulletin. A request for funds was made and funds were sent to build 10 modest houses and repair existing homes. Funds were sent to set-up a dispensary of medicines at a new Immaculate Conception Medical Clinic established on the church premises. Funds were sent for Easter, Christmas and the Christmas party. No longer is work available at Daytons. A chili supper was held February 12.
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2001
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The third trip was made to our Sister Parish. The travelers were Mary Ann Hoffman and Kathy Morales. We met the new Pastor of El Calvario Parish, Father Rigoberto Delgadillo. We delivered and distributed donated toothbrushes and toothpaste to children of a marginalized community and toured the houses built with our funds. A used laptop computer ws given to Father Frutos. Chili supper was held February 10. The church is now called El Calvrio of the Cross / El Calvario De La Cruz. Funds were sent for Easter, Christmas and the Christmas party. |
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A request was made for funds to purchase a car for the pastor of our Sister Parish. Funds were sent to purchase the car to enable the pastor to attend to the parishioners in the rural areas surrounding Esteli. A chili supper was held in February. Funds were sent for Easter, Christmas and the Christmas party.
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2002
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The parish had a special Mass for the elderly and later packages of basic food items, purchased with our fund donations, were distributed to all those needy parishioners. Funds were sent for Easter, Christmas and the Christmas party.
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2003
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Sent funds for Easter, Christmas, medicines for the clinic, and the Christmas party.
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2004
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Sent funds for Easter, Christmas, medicines for the clinic, and the Christmas party. |
2005 |
Sent funds for Easter, Christmas, medicines for the clinic, and the Christmas party. |
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