Dominicans look to 2004 with hope

By Fr. Mike Seis

	Fr. Mike Seis

This past year has been one of mixed blessing for the people of the Dominican Republic. Here in our local diocese of San Juan and our local parishes in Elias Piña and El Llano it has been a year of celebrations.

The local diocese celebrated its 50th anniversary. The diocese was created in 1953 with Thomas Reilly as the first bishop. He was a native of New York and a member of the Redemptorists.

The diocese celebrated this grand event by declaring 2003 a jubilee year. The year started with a diocesan pilgrimage to Higuey where the Shrine of our Lady of Altagracia is located (inland on the far east side of the country some 200 miles from Elias Piña). It is the most revered shrine in the country.

	Related articles ... From 10/31/2003 Compass Web issue:  • Diocesan Dominican mission celebrates 40th From 10/24/2003 Compass Web issue:  • Bishop Banks' Corner --     Joyfully celebrating anniversary From 10/10/2003 Compass Web issue:  • Seminarian finds new experiences in mission  • Diocese celebrates 40 years of mission

The shrine's basilica is on the spot where Christopher Columbus's crews planted a cross they formed from nearby nispero trees while fending off an attack by Tainos Indians. Legend says the Spaniards were nearly defeated in the surprise attack when a vision of the Virgin Mary appeared on the Cross, frightening the Indians away. Two splinters of wood believed to have come from Columbus's original cross are in the shrine.

Also in 2003, the San Juan Diocese celebrated a Eucharistic Congress in June and in December a Marian Congress to close the jubilee year.

A part from the year long celebration of the diocese, here in the mission parishes we celebrated a jubilee. On Oct. 15, with the help of Bp. Robert Banks, Fr. Ray Conard, Fr. Bill Hoffman, Fr. Tom Reynebeau, Mark Mogilka, and Gary and Helen Crevier we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the friendship and cooperation between the Dioceses of Green Bay and San Juan. This anniversary was a very joyous occasion.

Now for the mixed blessings! Although in many respects the year 2003 was a joyous and good year, it was also a difficult year for many. This past year has been disastrous for the local economy. The Dominican peso has lost more than half of its value and it was calculated that the inflation rate last year was well over 40%. That means a lot of people are suffering, especially the poor.

Here in the parish we saw a dramatic increase in demands for social assistance. Shortly before Christmas we bought a large portion of rice to distribute among the poorest communities. Although it wasn't much, it did help a number of families. A sack of rice that used to cost 500 pesos now costs nearly 1,500 pesos. The economic problems are very complex and a quick solution doesn't seem to be in sight.

The church continues to be one of the credible institutions that is trying to respond to the many needs. Every year the Dominican Episcopal Conference selects a theme for the entire country. This year in light of the bleak economic situation and other problems the theme for this year is: Es tiempo de darnos la mano, es tiempo de esperanza (It's time to give a hand, it's time for hope).

Solidarity and hope are two things this year in the Dominican Republic that all will be striving for. Solidarity - we need to help one another in all aspects. Hope - we need to be reminded that only real hope comes from the Lord. These two themes will be our mantra here in the Dominican Republic.

Through the friendship of the Diocese of Green Bay and the generosity of so many, the hope and solidarity will continue for years to come.

(Fr. Seis, a native of Antigo, is pastor of the Green Bay Diocese's mission parishes in Elias Piña and El Llano, Dominican Republic.)