In April, 2003, Bishop Saltarelli signed a partnership agreement with the Diocese of San Marcos in Guatemala. This agreement is the culmination of a series of events that began with the migration of members of the Guatemalan community to lower Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland to work in the poultry industry. Before long, there were several thousand Guatemalans living in our Diocese and most of them came from one area of Guatemala and from one diocese.

Over the years, their bishop, Alvaro Ramazzini visited his people and met our bishop. Subsequently, Bishop Saltarelli visited San Marcos and met the parents, wives, friends and relatives of the newest members of the church of Wilmington. Out of these initial contacts and with the assistance of Catholic Relief Services, the partnership emerged.

Bishop Saltarelli is inviting each parish and school to be active participants as the relationship unfolds. Each parish will find its own level of involvement with the people of San Marcos.

This partnership is evolving over time and opportunities to be involved continue to develop as we get to know each other. On the following pages are some suggested ways that parishes and schools can begin to build a relationship with the people of San Marcos.

While no one can deny that the people of San Marcos have many material needs, this is not the foundation or purpose of the partnership. It is our hope that we will come to know the people of the San Marcos Diocese and that this personal relationship will become a mutual sharing of our gifts. Therefore, parishes are encouraged to include spirituality, education, relationship building and fundraising components to the project(s) they choose to work on.

If you and your parish are interested in learning more about any of these opportunities, contact the members of the Diocesan Solidarity Committee identified for the respective project.

EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN ON COFFEE FINCAS

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Provide support and assistance to the children living on the Coffee Fincas (plantations) to allow them to attend school.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Children who live on coffee fincas typically can only go to school up to the third or fourth grade at one-room schools located on the finca. Larger schools are located in towns that are usually a distance that is too far for the children to travel. This project provides funds for the children to receive room and board in the larger town during the school year so that they can attend the local public school and thereby extend their educational experience. It also included funds for school supplies and school uniforms.

HOW SOLIDARITY CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THIS PROJECT:

By providing assistance to the children of the finca, we are helping to provide an educational foundation for these children that can help them improve themselves and hopefully provide a better means of supporting themselves and helping their families. We are living the Gospel and fulfilling the commandment to love our neighbors; our brothers and sisters in Christ. Together through prayer and action, we bond together with our southern neighbors; entering into their lives and theirs into ours.

REPAIRS TO DIOCESAN FORMATION CENTER

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

To provide financial support for the Diocesan Formation Center, which serves as the main center for formation of lay catechists in San Marcos.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

In the Diocese of San Marcos, catechists go through intense and regular formation at the Diocesan Formation Center located in San Marcos. The Formation Center is the focal point for training of catechists, Diocesan staff, and others in the Diocese.

HOW SOLIDARITY CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THIS PROJECT:

By improving the Formation Center, we are assisting in the formation of the lay ministers, Diocesan staff and others so that they can help spread God’s word throughout the Diocese of San Marcos. We can be in solidarity with those in formation by sharing our resources to provide them a space where they can learn to serve the Church and the members of their communities.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

v Encourage your parish to seek a relationship with one or several lay catechists in San Marcos.

v Meet a Guatemalan in the Diocese of Wilmington and learn about the challenges of providing catechesis to other Guatemalans living here.

v Pray for all priests, religious, deacons and lay people who minister to those in the Diocese of San Marcos and in the Diocese of Wilmington.

v Provide financial support to help with repairs and updates:

§ Roof repairs

§ Secure retaining wall

§ Hot water heater and installation

§ Washing machine

§ Bedding and mattresses

§ Paint and paint supplies

§ Benches & tables for groups

For more information contact Andy Zampini at 302-655-9624, Ext 210 or by e-mail at azampini@ccwilm.org

FORMATION OF LAY CATECHISTS

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

To provide support for the formation of lay catechists in San Marcos and the formation of Hispanic catechists and other lay leaders in immigrant parishes in the Diocese of Wilmington.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

In the Diocese of San Marcos, there are just over 30 priests to cover an area of over 1200 square miles. Many villages only see a priest every 2-3 months. Consequently, the Diocese has developed over 3500 lay ministers. These lay ministers, known as catechists, perform prayer and communion services, minister to the sick, and preach to those living in the villages.

Catechists go through intense and regular formation at the Diocesan Formation Center located in San Marcos. Many travel days to come to the training. Many use public transportation but many travel by foot. Their dedication to their faith, the Church, and their communities is admirable.

In the Diocese of Wilmington, there is a need to train immigrant leaders to provide catechesis to their brother and sister immigrants. Some of these leaders were catechists in San Marcos and need to be updated in their formation.

HOW SOLIDARITY CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THIS PROJECT:

The formation of lay ministers can help the priests and religious spread the Word of God to our sisters and brothers in San Marcos. By assisting in the formation of the lay ministers, we are making very real the universality of the Church. Learning to practice the virtue of solidarity means that “loving our neighbor” has global dimensions in an interdependent world.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

v Encourage your parish to seek a relationship with one or several lay catechists in San Marcos.

v Meet a Guatemalan in the Diocese of Wilmington and learn about the challenges of providing catechesis to other Guatemalans living here.

v Pray for all priests, religious, deacons and lay people who minister to those in the Diocese of San Marcos and in the Diocese of Wilmington.

v Provide financial support to allow a catechist(s) in San Marcos to get to and receive the formation necessary to properly minister to the people in their village - $200 can support a catechist for a year of training.

For more information contact Andy Zampini at 302-655-9624, Ext 210 or by e-mail at azampini@ccwilm.org

MEDICAL NEEDS

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Provide nutrition, education and critically needed drugs and medical supplies needed to treat chronic illnesses such as diabetes, tuberculosis, and AIDS, and to provide wheelchairs for the disabled.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

v AIDS in Guatemala is quickly growing, with over 5,000 reported cases as of the beginning of 2003, and little or no medicines made available. Cases of AIDS in the indigenous mountain communities is the most disturbing since the disease is most commonly spread by migrant workers returning from other countries, primarily the US.

v Chronic illnesses such as diabetes, tuberculosis, and AIDS go untreated and result in unnecessary suffering and death.

v Individuals who are handicapped and cannot walk are unable to live their lives with dignity – wheelchairs can help these individuals become much more mobile.

HOW SOLIDARITY CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THIS PROJECT:

If one suffers, all suffer. (1 Corinthians 12:24-26) By allowing ourselves to truly hear and feel the tragedy of unnecessary death among the people of Guatemala simply because there are no basic medicines to treat simple disease, we will be moved. Health resources which we take for granted – are simply not a reality in San Marcos. Our anger at this situation, given our pharmaceutically-driven lifestyles in the US, can move us to act! Getting the correct basic medicine to remote, indigenous families can quickly develop into a concrete connection between our two dioceses.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

v Educate yourself and tell the story to others. Go online to Catholic Relief Services’ web site (www.catholidrelief.org) This committed group works aggressively in Guatemala to improve health conditions.

v Pray for those who are suffering due to the lack of proper medical care.

v Learn about policies that will impact unfavorably on the cost of medicines in other countries and advocate for fair and just practices.

v Consider contributing funds for the purchase of medicines.

For more information, contact Andy Zampini at 302-655-9624, Ext 210 or by e-mail at azampini@ccwilm.org

MIGRANT HOUSE

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Provide support and assistance to Casa del Migrante, a migrant house in Tecun Uman, Guatemala.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Casa del Migrante was opened to provide a safe haven for those individuals leaving Guatemala and migrating to Mexico and ultimately to the U.S. This migrant house serves over 800 individuals per month. Migrants can stay up to 3 days and average about 1.5 days at the Casa del Migrante.

Migrants are provided a clean and safe place to stay, meals, as well as, social service and legal-aid. Mass is celebrated each day. They are oriented to their rights as migrants and are encouraged to report any human rights violations that they incur in their travels. Migrants are apprised of the significant risks involved in the decision to migrate and are encouraged to seriously think about their families as they consider this decision.

Recently, Casa del Migrante sustained considerable damage during Hurricane Stan and is in need of assistance to make repairs so that it can continue its mission.

HOW SOLIDARITY CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THIS PROJECT:

By helping to make sure that individuals migrating from Guatemala are appropriately counseled on the decision to migrate, and are properly instructed on their rights should they decide to migrate, you are respecting the dignity of our sisters and brothers taking this very risk-filled journey.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

v Develop a relationship with a Guatemalan living in the Diocese of Wilmington who used the services of Casa del Migrante or a Guatemalan who has recently arrived in our area.

v Pray for the safe journey of immigrants.

v Help to promote the rights of immigrants.

v Consider contributing funds to support the services provided to a migrant using Casa del Migrante.

For more information contact Andy Zampini at 302-655-9624, Ext. 210 or by e-mail at azampini@ccwilm.org

POTABLE WATER PROJECT

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Provide support for Catholic Relief Services’ “Potable Water Project” which provides clean, safe drinking water to communities in San Marcos, Guatemala.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Many communities in Guatemala do not have safe drinking water. The result is sickness and death especially in young children and the elderly. Catholic Relief Services has undertaken the responsibility to construct filtering systems and piping so that clean water can be distributed to communities throughout Guatemala. It is a costly but necessary project.

HOW SOLIDARITY CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THIS PROJECT:

Every person on earth needs clean water to drink. Americans take this for granted, Guatemalans do not. When we drink a glass of water, we can remember our brothers and sisters in Guatemala who do not even have clean water to drink. Together, with our Latin American sisters and brothers, we pray for the day when all Guatemalans have safe drinking water.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

v Encourage your parish to build a relationship with a specific parish in San Marcos.

v Pray for the success of the “Potable Water Project.”

v Learn more about the lack of clean water in Guatemala and the impact it has everyday on those families living there.

v Consider contributing funds – it costs about $25,000 to provide potable water for a community. Consider joining another parish or other parishes to meet this important need.

For more information contact Andy Zampini at 302-655-9624, Ext 210 or by e-mail at azampini@ccwilm.org