First Message To All

Greetings from LeMars, Iowa and Gehlen Catholic Mission Honduras 'Changing Lives.'


On behalf of our entire school, Gehlen Mission Honduras, Mission Honduras LeMars, and Then Feed Just One, I would like to welcome all of you to our mission program next spring. It promises to be hard, challenging, and hot. But, make no mistake - worth it. Worth it beyond measure. From those I work closely with I also extend a warm welcome: Francis Seivert, Carolyn Bickford, Sister Joan Polak, Linda Reichle, Fr. Jerome Cosgrove, Merica Clinkenbeard, Mary Casey, and Katie Falkowski.

To the 22 students and chaperones from Springfield Catholic High, Springfield, Missouri, thanks for your commitment to this program, and stay in close contact with Mrs. Clinkenbeard.

To the 20 students and chaperones from St. Thomas More in Rapid City, South Dakota, thanks for your commitment to this program, and please stay in close contact with Mary Casey and Katie Falkowski.

To the 16 students and chaperones from Bishop Heelan in Sioux City, Iowa, thanks as well for your commitment to this program, and please stay in touch with Fr. Cosgrove.

And finally, to the 24 students and chaperones from Gehlen Catholic, LeMars, Iowa, thanks for your commitment to this program.

I have placed all your cell numbers in Carolyn Bickford's phone. When I wish to communicate with you by email I will notify you by text message from her phone. Please stay close to your email from here out. Very soon I will activate our 'blog' at www.gehlenmissionhonduras.org

I will post many of my communications right on the blog so that parents and family members can keep up to date with all the information.

We have a great deal of work ahead of us. I will be in touch with you on a regular basis and keep you posted on all developments. We are still in pursuit of the actual flight arrangements but I do not see a great deal of problem from here on out.

At this time I would ask all of you to get your passport process started. You may also look into your shots. To all Missiouri and STM, I have sent the main packet of information - please get those from your directors. All information concerning the shots and med's you need is in the booklet. I will get copies of the packet out to all Heelan and Gehlen missioners very soon.

Remember the deadline for paying for the trip - it is in the packet. There might still be some changes in cost because this is a group ticket. I will keep you posted and let you know the final cost sometime yet this fall.

On the front wall of my classroom, sandwiched between two large cut-outs of Mother Teresa, I have one of her famous quotes. It reads: "If you pray you will believe, if you believe you will love, and if you love you will serve." Keep praying for the good people of Honduras and around the world that so much need our help. I deeply believe in the 'power of young people like you.' You are a great testament to your generation.
Once again thanks for your belief and trust and welcome to this program.

Take Care,
Richard Seivert
Mission Honduras