Nely, Roger, and Hannah outside Casa Guadalupe before the Pan De Vida Retreat

Brother Mateo with the Missionaries of Charity in the kitchen of the Convent before the Transitus Celebration

Community building in the Mountains of Comayagua...... and a water fight!!!!!!

The past few months have definitely been a marathon of work and changes, but things remain relatively the same in Honduras. With Honduras winning a spot to compete in the World Cup next summer in South Africa, it would be an understatement to say that this has been a momentous occasion of excitement, exhilaration, and elation. Honduras has been nobly trudging through a very dark and difficult time within its history, and such a win was not only a miracle, but a very inspiring and enlightening way to take the focus off of what political or personal agendas people might have, equalizing and unifying a shattered community.

This unity has ironically been transposed onto the community, which recently received four new additions from the United States. Over the past 2 months, we have all experienced a Pan De Vida retreat, the Transitus of Saint Francis, and most importantly community building.

This recent Pan De Vida took place at Casa Guadalupe during a very ominous and gray week in Honduras. Mel Zelaya had returned to the country earlier that week, and everyone was put under strict curfews due to the unstable political conditions. Whether or not the Pan de Vida retreat would even take place was a very touchy situation since the country had been under a "toque de queda," or a nationwide curfew.

Despite all of the chaos, God valiantly triumphed and the retreat occurred without a problem. A little over 100 adolescent boys and girls filed into Casa Guadalupe with anticipation and a certain level of anxiety not knowing what really would occur during the weekend. For many, this was their first encounter with Eucharistic Adoration and Eucharistic Healing. Even though the world might have seemed fractured and there might not be that much hope, our Lord shined through filling our sorrows with His grace and love. Seeing so many conversions and changed young children of God was truly inspiring.

Regardless of what the world might say while reflecting on the situations within Honduras, one aspect of society shines brighter than them all...... HOPE. Honduras may have entered a very difficult time within its history, but the people remain faithful, and with an armament of faith are willing to weather the battle forbearingly.

CALLING ALL SAINTS - HONDURAS NEEDS YOUR HELP!!!!

Dear Friends,

We are writing to give you a brief update on the status of things here in Honduras. It has been a challenge and a gift to be invited to be with the people of this beautiful country in a very critical time. The need for the Church to be united in prayer in the world that we currently live in is immense. In times of crisis we come to realize that God continues to ask us to be an active part of the Church-militant; standing in the gap and learning how to be intercessors for the poor, those in turmoil, those needing conversion and the desperate of heart.

Honduras is in crisis. Over the past several days (and years) we have seen a drama unfold that puts the country today at a critical crossroads. The president, Mel Zelaya, who was elected in 2006 has been gradually and deliberately aligning himself and this country with other Socialist nations. In the past year he joined a list of several other nations to include Nicaragua, Bolivia, Venezuela, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Saint Vincent, Granada, Antigua, Barbados, and Ecuador in the Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América (ALBA) whose goals put the country on a course in the direction of a socialist dictatorship and a disregard for defending democratic rule and practices. He preports to be a voice for the poor and marginalized but has spoken for them and the country without comprehensive consensus and support.

With this brief background the events of the past week have taken place. Mel decided to try to push through a referendum vote that would allow for his term as president to be extended. This is directly against the constitution of the Republic and only the Congress can pass a referendum that allows for the possibility of the constitution being changed. He decided in the process to ignore the legal channels and to continue without the support of the Congress and the Supreme Court. Because the military refused to defy the Congress's order and the written constitution and help him distribute the materials for the scheduled vote this past Sunday, he fired the head of the military. It was determined that his actions in firing him were illegal and the Supreme Court issued an order that he be reinstated. Mel refused to reinstate him and went as far as to enter the military base with many of his followers where they had confiscated the voting boxes distributed for the vote to redistribute them. This again took place after the Congress had determined that the vote was illegal.

The Congress and Supreme Court entered an emergency session on Saturday to determine their needed response in the protection of the country and in protection of democracy and the Constitution. They determined that the president's choices were clearly illegal and that it was necessary to remove him from office and have him transported to Costa Rica where they could prevent as much chaos as possible from taking place on the Sunday when the vote was supposedly going to take place. And then the world drama began.

An emergency meeting of the countries represented in the ALBA agreement was immediately organized in Nicaragua. Mel was flown there by Hugo Chavez from Costa Rica. The organization of American States and well as the United Nations also scheduled emergency meetings to take place over the next few days and to decide the position other nations would take on what had taken place in Honduras.

There has been an overwhelming response on the part of the international community in defending a former president who clearly committed illegal acts to move the country of Honduras back in the direction of socialism. There has not been balance in the international communities reporting in addressing directly the clear violations that lead up to the arrest of Zeleya and his transport to Costa Rica. What has proceeded is confusion and uncertainty.

The newly appointed president (not a military officer) but the next in line for the presidency, Michiletti, has been doing what he can to calm the situation and make decisions based on protecting the country as democratic and peaceful. Of note is that Michiletti is from the same political party as Zelaya and a a party they have decided that the goals of Mel's presidency are clearly not there own and have withdrawn their support of him. Mel's return to Honduras on Saturday after the warning given by the international community of restoring him to power in 72 hours puts the people of Honduras (with a clear majority not supporting the return to the presidency of Mel), the Congress and the Supreme Court in a very difficult position.

What can we do? WE NEED TO FAST, PRAY AND MAKE SACRIFICES THAT GOD MIGHT HEAR THE CRIES OF HIS PEOPLE AND MOVE WITH COMPASSION ON THEIR BEHALF! We have been doing almost continual adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in a round-the-clock schedule knowing that Jesus Christ is our peace and can make a way out of no way. The power of the prayers of His faithful in the past has stopped wars, averted disasters, and can calm this storm. We are begging our friends and family members to join us in praying for a demonstration of God's power and a preservation of peace and right in this country. We are part of the same body and really need your help.

We have attached to this blog a novena to Our Lady Help of Christians and are going to start praying it here today. Please join us in praying with the specific intention that peace would reign in this country and that Jesus would be recognized as the One that the people are crying out for and need.

We will try and send you updates on the situation in the country every few days via this blog. Thank you for your willingness to be a part of seeing the body of Christ in Honduras preserved from all evil and free to continue to choose Christ.

May the Lord continue to give you His peace.

Carol Restaine & the Missioners of Christ

NOVENA IN HONOUR OF MARY
HELP OF CHRISTIANS

DAY 1

Faith and the acceptance of the Word of God: Luke 1: 26-38

O Mary, powerful help of those Christians

who approach the throne of your mercy with trust!

Listen to the prayers of your children

who invoke your help to avoid sin and the occasions of sin.

Hail Mary, Glory Be

Almighty and merciful Lord, in a marvelous manner you deigned to make the most holy Virgin Mary a powerful helper in defense of Christians. Grant that, having fought the good fight under her protection during our life, we may be victorious over our infernal enemy at the hour of our death. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

DAY 2

Sincere humility: Luke 1: 48

O Mary most holy, kind and merciful mother,

with your visible help you freed the Christian people

from the ferocious assaults of the Muslims.

Free our souls from the attacks of the devil,

the world, and the flesh,

so that we may always overcome the enemies of our salvation.

Hail Mary, Glory Be

Almighty and merciful Lord, in a marvelous manner you deigned to make the most holy Virgin Mary a powerful helper in defense of Christians. Grant that, having fought the good fight under her protection during our life, we may be victorious over our infernal enemy at the hour of our death. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

DAY 3

Active charity: Luke 1: 36-39

Most powerful Queen of heaven,

you triumphed over heresies

which sought to tear your children away from the Church.

Come to our assistance so that we may remain steadfast in our faith

and may guard the purity of our hearts

in the midst of the many dangers that beset us.

Hail Mary, Glory Be

Almighty and merciful Lord, in a marvelous manner you deigned to make the most holy Virgin Mary a powerful helper in defense of Christians. Grant that, having fought the good fight under her protection during our life, we may be victorious over our infernal enemy at the hour of our death. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

DAY 4

Filial love for God: Luke 2: 21, 22, 40

Mary, our most amiable Mother,

you are the Queen of martyrs

because of the heroic courage and strength you exercised on earth.

Obtain for us the strength we need to be constant in your service

and always to show ourselves your devoted children in life and in death.

Hail Mary, Glory Be

Almighty and merciful Lord, in a marvelous manner you deigned to make the most holy Virgin Mary a powerful helper in defense of Christians. Grant that, having fought the good fight under her protection during our life, we may be victorious over our infernal enemy at the hour of our death. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

DAY 5

Gratitude for our gifts: Luke 1: 46-49

Loving Mother Mary,

you showed your powerful protection in the triumph of Pope Pius VII.

Spread your mantle over the Church;

and protect our Shepherd, the Holy Father,

from the attacks of the enemy,

free him from all attacks,

and assist him always as he steers the bark of St. Peter to safety.

Hail Mary, Glory Be

Almighty and merciful Lord, in a marvelous manner you deigned to make the most holy Virgin Mary a powerful helper in defense of Christians. Grant that, having fought the good fight under her protection during our life, we may be victorious over our infernal enemy at the hour of our death. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

DAY 6

Gratitude shown in the offering at the temple: Luke 2: 22-24

Mary, Queen of the Apostles,

take under your protection all the ministers

and the faithful of the Catholic Church.

Fill them with a burning zeal for the salvation of souls,

and give special assistance to missionaries

so that they may succeed to attract all souls to faith in Jesus Christ

and thus form one flock under the guidance of one Shepherd.

Hail Mary, Glory Be

Almighty and merciful Lord, in a marvelous manner you deigned to make the most holy Virgin Mary a powerful helper in defense of Christians. Grant that, having fought the good fight under her protection during our life, we may be victorious over our infernal enemy at the hour of our death. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

DAY 7

Poverty accepted with dignity and with trust in the Lord: Luke 1: 48; 2: 24

Loving and merciful Mother,

you saved Christians from countless misfortunes.

Free us from the plague of infidelity

which seeks to alienate us from the Church and religious observances

by means of corrupt publications

and schools and irreligious sects.

Grant perseverance to the good,

give strength to the weak,

and move sinners to repentance,

so that truth and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ may triumph in the world.

Hail Mary, Glory Be

Almighty and merciful Lord, in a marvelous manner you deigned to make the most holy Virgin Mary a powerful helper in defense of Christians. Grant that, having fought the good fight under her protection during our life, we may be victorious over our infernal enemy at the hour of our death. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

DAY 8

Prayer in the apostolic community: Acts 1:12-14

Mary, Pillar of the Church and Help of Christians,

we beg to keep us firmly rooted in our faith

and to protect in us our freedom as children of God.

We promise not to stain our souls with sin

and to obey our Holy Father and the Bishops

in communion with him.

We want to live and die in the bosom of the Church

and to attain eternal salvation.

Hail Mary, Glory Be

Almighty and merciful Lord, in a marvelous manner you deigned to make the most holy Virgin Mary a powerful helper in defense of Christians. Grant that, having fought the good fight under her protection during our life, we may be victorious over our infernal enemy at the hour of our death. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

DAY 9

Mary, Mother of Jesus and our Mother: John 19: 25-27

Most loving Mother Mary,

you have always been the Help of Christians.

Help us with your powerful protection in life

and especially at the hour of our death,

so that, after having loved and venerated you on earth,

we may come to proclaim your mercy in heaven.

Hail Mary, Glory Be

Almighty and merciful Lord, in a marvelous manner you deigned to make the most holy Virgin Mary a powerful helper in defense of Christians. Grant that, having fought the good fight under her protection during our life, we may be victorious over our infernal enemy at the hour of our death. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Holy Week Missions

May the peace of the Risen Lord be upon you all!

To conclude the Lenten Season, we had three missions during Holy Week. Two teams went into the mountains to do missions, and one team stayed and did local missions within the neighborhood.

The following is a reflection was written by Diana, one of our Honduras long-term missioners who has lived in the community for a year and half. She with a number of other missioners lead a team into the mountains of La Florida.



"During Holy Week we did a holy mission in a parish named Holy Family in La Florida, La Paz with a priest named Father Maximilian. We went to a number of villages that are a bit away from the city. During the week we participated with the people in different celebrations. We visited homes to encourage the people and to speak to them about the Love of God. Sometimes they feel distant and excluded, and for them to know and to hear the Word of God gives them strength. Visiting these villages helped us to realize how extensive the Catholic Church is and that we need to work more. The people mantain their faith mainly by family tradition, and to help them to grow deeper in their faith was our mission. These people have mass every 6 months or once a year because the parish is large and Fr. Max has much work and is unable to make many visits to each village. Fr. Max has 40 youth that are currently in school while living and working with him in his parish. We work with this particular priest a lot."

We also had another team that went to the mountains of Tutule (pronounced too-too-leh). Here are some photos from their team.

Emily leading the children in praise songs.

Via Crucis.
(The Way of the Cross)

Mode of transportation: a coffee truck!

Team Tutule!
On the steps of the local parish.

I, myself, had the opportunity to participate in the local mission. One big blessing during this time was that we had two family visits taking place - Mark's sister and cousin came to visit, as well as Therese's dad and two brothers, who had come to surprise her. As it turned out, God had a bigger surprise, particularly for Therese - she had appendicitis! She had to have a appendectomy, but is now recovering and healing. Please keep in her your prayers as she continues to heal from the surgery.

Therese with her dad.

On Tuesday MJ and I lead a day of reflection with the help of local youth and Therese's brothers for all the residents at the Missionaries of Charity home. Among the residents are elderly men, women and mothers with aids, and children with aids or who have been orphaned as a result of aids. We started off the day praising our Lord with song, and then spent time with each group, singing, giving them a short teaching, and doing projects with the children. We concluded with Holy Hour and confessions. It was a beautiful day and an awesome reminder of what a precious gift TIME can be when given to others.

Me with Kenny, one of the children who lives at the MOC's.

Therese's brothers David and Greg with the boys.

The team at the end of the day with the children.

On Wednesday, we did the stations of the cross with the children of our barrio. It was wonderful to lead them in such a powerful way of prayer. We started off with a group of about 20, and people joined us as we continued along. We ended in front of our local parish and left solemnly anticipating the Lord's rising.

I hope that all of you had a blessed Lenten season.
CHRIST IS RISEN, ALLELUIA!!

Through Mary's heart,
Cecilia

Spring 2009 - Our Newest Additions!

The following biographies are of our newest missionaries that arrived this past January. Please continue to keep them in your prayers!

My name is Nereida Carolina Ballesteros Villamil. I was born in Siguatepeque, Comayagua. I am 28 years old, and am the third of six siblings. My brother Maynor also belongs to the Misioners of Christ. I am a public accountant, and worked for a family as an accountant for 10 years. I like to read and learn a little about everything. I belong to the parish of San Pablo in Siguatepeque and to the youth group “Missioners of Christ and Mary”. My best friend – Jesus. I love to talk to him.

My name is Rudy Benitez. I come from a family of 8 children, 3 boys and 5 girls. My new Christian life began when I was 18 years old through a priest named Father Maximiliano. He invited me to the youth group and at the same time to a mission with the Missioners of Christ. Through him I came to know the Missioners, and in seeing the testimony of the Christian life, I wanted to be a missionary. I spoke with Carolina and she gave me strength to continue to see if it was God’s as will – and it is, because now I find myself living in the community of the Missioners and I am here giving all that I can to find the call of God.

My name is Cecilia, but am often called Cece or Ceci. I hail from the San Francisco Bay Area of California, and am Filipina by blood and in heart. I am the only girl in a family of 5 children, and have the 4 coolest brothers a girl could ever have. I am 21 years old and just graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and minors in Philosophy & Religion, and Business Administration this past December. I take after my namesake and patron - St. Cecilia, music is one of my greatest passions and my favorite way to speak with our Lord. I am very excited to serve God among His poor, and am humbled that He would call me to serve Him this way. May the good God bless you and may Mary keep you, always!

My name is Edwin. I am 20 years old and am from Agua Blanca, Minas de Oro in Comayagua. I’m from a humble Catholic family. My hope has always been to serve and to surrender my youth to God. God has now given me this opportunity to be a missionary, so I’m going to work hard for God as a Missioner of Christ.