The "Solteros" (Single Men & Women’s Group) followed through on a tradition of the Holy Week and Sacred Triduum observance to plunge into the Paschal Mystery with the whole Church. COVID-19 restrictions this year modified the vision.
Deacon Arturo, who has celebrated Mass with us at El Rancho Nazaret, was ordained to the priesthood on 19th of March. In the year of St. Joseph he received holy orders at our St. Joseph’s Seminary on the feast of the great saint. (Click on the title "Meet Fr. Arturo" to continue reading)
We are mourning the death by COVID-19 of Sabas Nanco, a faithful "Seguidor de la Cruz" (Follower of the Cross). With his wife and children, we look to the final victory in Jesus Christ who will raise our mortal bodies to be like His. Until that last day we fight the good fight and call each other to hope in the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus the Lord.
For two months, all of October and November, we celebrated Sunday Mass facing the rising sunshine. Now we are back inside our "Santisima Trinidad" hall.
Our diocese, and Mexico in general, are about 6 weeks behind most of the states in the USA in terms of opening the restrictions of the pandemic shutdown. We have been celebrating Sunday Mass in the open air, under a "palapa", for four weeks. Each Sunday we have added more families who form part of the leadership to celebrate, not merely in virtual communion, but in Sacramental Communion and communion of persons.
Ruben and Martha were ready to make the announcement of their engagement to the group of Solteros (single men and women) in March, just when the Covid-19 virus shut down all meetings and gatherings. So, our couple helped to initiate the virtual communication, socialization and daily (virtual) reality of which we are all familiar.
José Vicencio left his wife, Maricela, and two sons, Fernando (26 years old) and Elohim (18), when he died a month ago. They are bereaved, but holding firmly the hope of faith. He also left the Seguidores de la Cruz, an extended spiritual family, grieving and striving to give thanks in these circumstances. We know He is faithful and has a plan, but the Heavenly Father certainly did not consult any of us on José’s departure at this particular time.
We are praying in thanksgiving for the vocation of Padre Tim who was ordained 25 years ago in the Diocese of Matamoros. He studied one more year after ordination and has been serving in the diocese and in the Servants of the Cross mission in Mexico for the past 24 years. (Read more; click on title "Padre Tim's anniversary...")
Prayers and plans are being placed before the Lord’s throne to consider how to respond to all that the Holy Spirit means to teach us in this time of quarantine. How shall we open up the school for families as the time draws closer. The more immediate concern is how the covid-19 virus will impact us in the diocese and in the city of Reynosa.
To celebrate the anniversary of the birth of St John Paul II, one hundred years, we had big dreams. What about a Mass for those in residence at El Rancho Nazaret at his very shrine, in the shadow of the great saint—would that be appropriate? Would that be wonderful? Everyone agreed it would be inspirational and would feed our longing for the Bread of Heaven during this long Eucharistic desert. Click title (Be Not Afraid) to contiue...
Browse the web version of the Spring 2020 edition or download the printable booklet to print, read and share with others. Click at the top menu the "Newsletter" button and then scroll down to "Read or download back issues of La Semilla".
Fr. Honorio, who is assigned to the downtown parish in Reynosa, Our Lady of Guadalupe, joyfully celebrated one year as a priest last month on the 22nd of February. The following day he was among the "Seguidores de la Cruz" at our 8:00 Sunday Mass. He asked for the opportunity to celebrate Mass with us and was assured, "nuestra casa es tu casa" (our house is your house).
Our next round of courses begins late this year because of the later Easter. The delay allowed an inspiring two-day conference for orienting and formally teaching forty of our leadership couples to understand and deepen in the concept of mentoring.
The All Souls Day is a very big feast in Mexico. Usually an altar is built with family members' photos, memorabilia and ceremonial food for the deceased. At "El Rancho Nazaret," this year's celebration was combined with the All Saints Day Festivities, moving forward our culture of life and love.
Nearly a new feast in our diocese, we were thrilled to "rev up" an All Saints Day celebration. Halloween is known by nearly everyone as a "night of witches", or "feast of devils". Everything has been learned from television, movies and social media. Hearing an explanation catches people completely off guard and incredulous.
In union with USA and Canada, we formed part of the Mexican contingent of the Rosary Coast to Coast event on October 13. Organized by our "Grupo Mariano", 150 prayer warriors gathered as families, Youth and Single Men & Women to pray and intercede on the anniversary of the signature apparition of Our Lady of Fatima.