St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, Centerville, Ohio

SOCIAL CONCERNS & JUSTICE COMMISSION
TWINNING PARTNERSHIP WITH
SAN IGNACIO DE LOYOLA HOME/SCHOOL/FARM
COCHABAMBA , BOLIVIA

 

Committee Contacts:

Joan Thieman, Marianne Heckman, Mary Strunk and
Rev. Mr. Jack Pitts- Social Mission Ministry

WHAT IS TWINNING?

Twinning is an experiential learning process for the entire community to develop a Christ centered mission oriented parish.  It is a coming together of a parish in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati with people in a home or foreign mission area of the world, in an active, mutual and on-going faith commitment.  It binds people together spiritually, culturally, and in a mutual sharing of resources.  In so doing, it involves crossing over into other cultural, economic, political, linguistic and religious environments.  The U.S. Bishops challenge us to become more engaged in global solidarity.  Solidarity is wanting for your brothers and sisters what you want for yourself and taking actions to make that happen.

 

DESCRIPTION--OUR TWINNING PARTNER:

San Ignacio Orphanage is a home for approximately fifty children located on a farm with animals and vegetable gardens that provide both pride in work and a partial means of support for the children.  San Ignacio School includes both grade and high school students from both the home and the surrounding farming area.  It services approximately five hundred children.  It is a model school for the city of Quillacolla , a town about fourteen kilometers from the city of Cochabamba , Bolivia .  Sister Gloria Esposita of the Daughters of Charity has been the director of the school and home since 1981.

PARISH HISTORY:

In January 2004, Father Tom Schmidt from St. Francis visited his colleague Father Mark Meyer who was living in Cochabamba while serving on a mission assignment.  Father Tom visited several orphanages in the area as well as Sister Gloria and the children at San Ignacio.  Upon his return he encouraged the St. Francis parish to engage in a Twinning relationship with San Ignacio.  The positive response from St. Francis parishioners has been truly generous and inspired the committee to continue strengthening our parish relationship with San Ignacio.

In June 2005 and January 2007, parishioners from St. Francis along with other lay members of Catholic churches in the Dayton area have traveled to Bolivia .  These cultural immersion trips were led by Father Mark Meyer who has now returned to the United States and is currently pastor of St. Paul Church in Yellow Springs , OH .

CONTINUOUS PARISH INVOLVEMENT:

To support ongoing communication, Father Tom and the youth and adults of our parish are in contact with Sister Gloria and San Ignacio through letter writing and email messages.  Our parish keeps the love for these children alive through prayers and petitions for their well being.  Monetary contributions given by our parish have helped to build additional classrooms and provide essential necessities for the home children. 

Cultural immersion visits to Bolivia are encouraged.  Updates on travel opportunities will be announced in the parish bulletin or by calling the Mission Office at St. Francis.

Beginning in 2007, funds from our parish will be allotted to San Ignacio through the Outreach Collection envelopes.  Additional donations can be made by submitting a check to our parish made out to St. Francis of Assisi Church and write "San Ignacio/Bolivia" in the memo line.  Also checks can be directly sent to Sr. Gloria Esposito at the following address:

Daughters of Charity
St. Joseph's Provincial House
333 South Seton Avenue
Emmetsburg , Maryland   21727-9297

TWINNING COMMITTEE:

The Twinning Committee is an integral part of the Parish Social Concerns & Justice Commission.  We encourage and invite any parishioner to participate in our meetings and project/activity planning.  The committee meets on the third Thursday of each month.  Check the parish calendar for exact dates and location.