Pastor at diocesan mission in Dominican Republic reports

Greetings from the Dominican Republic. There has been a lot of activity in our diocesan mission the past few months. The biggest news is the number of baptisms celebrated in the two parishes(Santa Teresa in Elias Piña and San Isidro in El Llano). Since Easter, we've celebrated nearly 1,000 baptisms.

All of our local communities have been working very hard in preparing the celebrations. In one place we celebrated 120 in one celebration. It's quite an experience to celebrate so many baptisms at the same time. When there are so many there is a little mayhem, but that's to be expected.

Another reason for such an increase in baptisms is the recent migration of Haitians to the Dominican side of the border. The church in our area is growing by leaps and bounds.

In June we had visitors from the Diocese of Green Bay: a group of young people from different parishes. They got to know another culture and know another reality.

They came face-to-face with the daily challenges and struggles of many our people. They lived with families from the parish to really know the reality. They accompanied me to different campos and so saw first-hand some of the work we do. They were present at one celebration of more than 60 baptisms! I think it was a good experience for all. Plans are already being made for next year's group. Contact Tony Pichler at the diocesan office if you're interested -- (920)437-7531 or toll-free, 1-877-500-3580, ext 8309, or by e-mail, tpichler@gbdioc.org.

Here in the Diocese of San Juan our parishes are participating in our diocesan synod. Next year, the Diocese of San Juan is celebrating its 50th anniversary. And next year the Diocese of Green Bay will celebrate 40 years of our presence in the Dominican Republic.

One activity is an adult formation program that is taking place in all the parishes. We have more than 100 small groups in the two parishes that meet weekly. It could be compared to the Renew program.

Another big activity is planned for the Feast of Christ the King. All parishes in the diocese are going to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage on the same day. We're hoping to marry at least 50 couples on this day in the parishes.

The sad news from here is that Fr. Bill Hoffman has returned to the Green Bay Diocese after 19 years of faithful service to the parishes of Elias Piña, El Llano and San Juan. The entire diocese of San Juan will miss him. We wish him the very best in his new endeavors in Green Bay.

Wishing you all the very best from our diocesan mission.