Update on day one from Fr. Andrew Kolenda, LC:
Dear Friends and Families,
We arrived safe and sound to Tecomatlán last night, after a long day of travel. Arriving to Mexico City, the Mt Michael group and the Legion of Christ chaplains were able to meet up. Fr. Michael Mitchell, director of Mission Youth, was able to join us for the next two days. Fr. Matthew Schmitz was able to join us from Houston where he works. This is the fourth year that I have the privilege to join the Mt. Michael group on their mission trip, and my second year helping as chaplain. We are also fortunate to have the help of Fr. Dan Lenz, from Mt. Michael, for the sacraments, and for carving the crosses that we will place in the homes we will build this week.
After collecting all our luggage and getting a bite to eat, we went directly to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe to have Mass and entrust to our Blessed Mother in heaven the fruits of our mission trip. All the missionaries received their mission crosses as a sign that we are sent out in the name of Christ. We then had some time to visit the rest of the shrine before heading to Tecomatlán by bus.
The town received us very warmly, and did everything they could to make our first night as restful as possible. Even though it was around 10:00 when we arrived, there were several of the towns people that came to make sure we had everything we needed. This looks to be the beginning of a great mission trip!
Yours in Christ, Fr. Andrew Kolenda, LC
Pictures: Fr. Michael preaching the homily during Mass at the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe; the Mt. Michael missionaries receiving their mission crosses; a group enjoying an ice cream at the shrine.
Dear Friends and Families,
We arrived safe and sound to Tecomatlán last night, after a long day of travel. Arriving to Mexico City, the Mt Michael group and the Legion of Christ chaplains were able to meet up. Fr. Michael Mitchell, director of Mission Youth, was able to join us for the next two days. Fr. Matthew Schmitz was able to join us from Houston where he works. This is the fourth year that I have the privilege to join the Mt. Michael group on their mission trip, and my second year helping as chaplain. We are also fortunate to have the help of Fr. Dan Lenz, from Mt. Michael, for the sacraments, and for carving the crosses that we will place in the homes we will build this week.
After collecting all our luggage and getting a bite to eat, we went directly to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe to have Mass and entrust to our Blessed Mother in heaven the fruits of our mission trip. All the missionaries received their mission crosses as a sign that we are sent out in the name of Christ. We then had some time to visit the rest of the shrine before heading to Tecomatlán by bus.
The town received us very warmly, and did everything they could to make our first night as restful as possible. Even though it was around 10:00 when we arrived, there were several of the towns people that came to make sure we had everything we needed. This looks to be the beginning of a great mission trip!
Yours in Christ, Fr. Andrew Kolenda, LC
Pictures: Fr. Michael preaching the homily during Mass at the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe; the Mt. Michael missionaries receiving their mission crosses; a group enjoying an ice cream at the shrine.