THE GOOD NEWS
ARCHBISHOP BELTRAN
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October 23, 2005 The Good News ...NOW Guatemala! The intensity and the frequency of recent hurricanes, floods and earthquakes has caused all of us much grief and concern. Many have even questioned "Why is this happening NOW?" Wrongly, some see nothing but doom and disaster. Quickly they lay blame upon someone or something in our modern age and then do nothing about it. History tells us that natural disasters have accompanied people of all times and all places. For example, on October 11th, our local newspaper was filled with information and statistics outlining numerous natural disasters over the past two centuries. Included was a report that the looming much feared bird flu was a reality present also in past history. I believe we, as a people of faith, must acknowledge that, while there are many facts contributing to natural disasters, these catastrophes are also a part of the mystery of this world. Indeed there is much that we cannot fathom. Despite this inability to comprehend nature fully, there is much we can do to alleviate suffering and develop a greater respect for the forces of nature. As people of faith, our first response should always be to turn to God in prayer. Through prayer we acknowledge God's dominion over the universe and our incapacity to comprehend the mystery of life. Through prayer we praise the Almighty and receive courage and strength. With prayer we seek God's blessing and help for the unfortunate. Flowing from our prayers of faith, we obtain the inspiration and determination needed to reach out and help others. Last week I received the following e-mail from Juana Ixbalan, the administrator of our mission in Santiago Atitlan in Guatemala: "Dear Archbishop Eusebius Beltran, Priests, Sisters and Brothers: My sincere greeting in the Name of Our Lord Jesus and our Mother Mary. The town of Santiago Atitlan, Solola, Guatemala is going through a difficult time right now because of the Storm Stan since October 3, 2005. Strong rains caused the erosion of a part of the Volcano of Atitlan where it affects the neighborhoods (villages) of Panabaj and Tzanchaz and also the entrance of Santiago Atitlan (neighborhoods of Panul and Pachichaj near the volcano). In the village of Panabaj there are approximately 700 families living there in the small parochial village in Panabaj, 99 families lived there. Many of the families are buried in the mud approximately three meters deep. Up to now 73 bodies have been found but there is still digging to find others. Right now some families are in shelters at the parochial house, in the school buildings and in some Protestant churches. In one area of Canton Panul and Pachichaj about 300 families were affected. There is a search for bodies. Many are left now - orphan children and widowed mothers - we are waiting to hear from other places where they can live. In this tragedy I lost family members - my sister, husband and their 3 year old daughter. Up to now we have not found their bodies. We ask for your prayers. I will be in communication with you and keep you up-to-date on what is happening in Santiago Atitlan. I ask that this message be shared with our friends who have visited Santiago Atitlan." On several occasions in recent weeks, I authorized special second collections for people in areas suffering from catastrophes. You have been very generous in responding to these emergencies and I am forever grateful to you. NOW we have another very serious and devastating crisis and in this case one that is particularly related to us. For the past forty-two years, Oklahoma Catholics have built up a bond of friendship with the people of Santiago Atitlan in Guatemala. Since 1963, our mutually professed Catholic faith inspired priests, sisters and lay people to become involved in this special ministry. The Catholic parishes of Oklahoma have provided financial support to help the poor and the needy; to build schools, homes and chapels; to provide education, health care and vocational training. Santiago Atitlan has been and continues to be our very special mission. The people of Santiago Atitlan are our special brothers and sisters. In response to Juana Ixbalan's e-mail printed above, I sent the following letter to the priests of our Archdiocese. October 10, 2005 My dear brother Priests: I’m sure you have heard the news accounts about the devastating mud slides in Guatemala. The cantons of Panabaj and Tzanchaj have literally been burned. These are two of the neighborhoods in Santiago Atitlan. Hundreds of people are dead and many more left homeless. Fortunately, the parish complex is housing the displaced people and the Sisters of the Eucharist are feeding them. Because of the many other recent tragedies, I do not want to mandate another second collection. However, because of our close association with Santiago Atitlan and the dire circumstances, I believe we have an obligation to assist. Therefore, I am establishing a “Santiago Atitlan Relief Fund.” Last August we collected $32,000 at the centennial Mass at the Cox Center. The committee and I had planned to use that money next July as a memorial offering to Santiago Atitlan on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the martyrdom of Father Stan Rother. In view of the present crisis, however, and after establishing the “Santiago Atitlan Relief Fund,” I am sending the $32,000 to the mission immediately. While I am not mandating a second collection for the “Santiago Atitlan Relief Fund,” I do hope that every parish will make some financial response to this crisis. There are individuals in every parish who will do so if asked. Contributions from parishioners should be deposited in the parish account and a single check for the Santiago Atitlan Relief Fund should be sent to our Business Office. I also recommend that pastors and parish finance councils consider making a sacrificial gift from the parish resources. All contributions that are received here in the Archdiocesan Business Office for this Santiago Atitlan Relief Fund will be transmitted directly to the mission. Thank you for your generosity and please continue to pray for the suffering people in Santiago Atitlan. Sincerely yours in Christ, Father Thomas McSherry who served as pastor in Guatemala for many years, wrote to his brother priests on October 15th: Guatemala Relief: I was privileged to serve as the pastor of the parishes of Santiago, Atitlan in Guatemala from 1984 until 2001. While other natural disasters around the world have captured a great deal of attention the media has given less coverage to the mudslides and resulting devastation in Guatemala. It was with great sadness that I learned that two of the neighborhood cantons I served (Panabaj and Tzanchaj) were almost entirely buried in mud and an estimated 1000 lives were lost. I came to know and love many of the people who died. Moreover, areas immediately neighboring our main Parish Church were damaged as the mudslides came to the edge of the Santiago parish itself. The local parish is feeding many survivors from the area who are now homeless. Providing shelter and housing for the survivors is a most pressing need. Our brothers and sisters of our Guatemala parishes and missions are a people of profound faith, love, and compassion. You were tremendously generous with the gift of $32,000.00 from our Archdiocesan Centennial Collection for Guatemala which Archbishop Beltran has forwarded for their immediate assistance. In addition I am asking that you please offer a gift of money to your pastor, clearly marked for "Guatemala Relief." Your pastor will forward your gift to the Archdiocese and it will be sent to help feed and house the suffering. Your gift is deeply appreciated. - Father Thomas McSherry Even though we are sending monetary assistance to our mission in Guatemala to help the victims of the mudslides, Father Tom McSherry and I are planning to go there next week. We wish to show our solidarity and renew our bond with the people and to let them know we are united with them in prayer. We will certainly make them aware of your concerns and support of them, too. Yes, there are many times that I ask for your support and your generosity, especially in times of crisis. I earnestly do so again as I say NOW GUATEMALA! Please help!
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