Greetings from Gehlen Catholic Mission Honduras ‘Changing Lives.’
As I look forward to the Gehlen portion of this year’s Mission Honduras program, I cannot fully appreciate that adventure without first and foremost speaking to and about Bishop Heelan Mission Honduras; toward the end of their very special journey. It is Tuesday morning at about 7:10 a.m. our time and most of you are just getting up in New Capital and the school of St. Terese de Jesus. You leave for Tegucigalpa tomorrow morning and your return home to the United States.
Many of you will experience, and maybe already have, a feeling like “I don’t want to leave Honduras, not just yet anyway.” Thoughts like, ‘there is so much to do, how can I leave such a beautiful people and all these children.’ I echo my brother Frank’s sentiments found in his morning blog.
We at Gehlen know those feelings and those thoughts all too well. We have them with each and every journey into Honduras and it never seems to change. Only time will tell how each of you process this experience and how it might ‘play out’ in your lives. I hope and pray that your time spent with the poor will have been worth it. It sure seems like it has on reading the many messages you have posted on the blog.
Please accept my deepest thanks and admiration for what you have done, the friends you have made, and the lasting bond that you formed with so many. I want to thank each and everyone: Fr. Cosgrove, Pat Jones, Mike Wostoupal, Jo Ann Sawin, Ramon Alcaraz, Sister Joan, Francis, and Julio. I want to thank Marta Sosa, your cooks, all the directors of St. Terese de Jesus, Fr. Patricio, and all others that helped make this mission a success. But most of all I want to thank each of you mission students that ‘put yourself out-there’ – that got out of your comfort zone; that looked, held, smelled, and lived with poverty. What a great group of adults and students you have been.
The world is a little better place today because of Bishop Heelan Mission Honduras and all the work you did. The ‘Power’ of young people - it is truly amazing. I wish each and every one of you the best in the future – no matter where you go or what you do. But please, I have only one request. Never forget those amazing young people you have met – the children of Honduras. If you ever need me or my brother Francis we promise to help you in any way.
Take Care Bishop Heelan Mission Honduras.
Richard E. Seivert
Hello Seiv:
ReplyDeleteIt is you and Carolyn and Frank who we should thank for one of the most amazing experiences of our lives. It ranks right up there with the birth of my children as far as "life changing". I also want to thank the Heelan community for keeping Heelan Mission Honduras in their prayers. I really also want to thank the PARENTS of the Missioners for "lending" us their children for this extraordinary experience. It takes a great leap of faith to allow your children to take off to a foreign country--not to mention a Third World country. The children of Honduras and the children of Heelan Honduras will always have a special place in heart. Adios for now! Senora Jo Ann