Last year, the Archbishop of Milwaukee, Jerome Listecki, visited the Dominican Republic to celebrate thirty-five years of the partnership between the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and La Sagrada Familia Parish in Sabana Yegua (Azua). This beautiful thirty-five year relationship of faith and friendship has undoubtedly produced many fruits, both in Milwaukee and the Dominican Republic.
During these thirty-five years, for instance, vocations have flourished. Today we have three ordained priests, originally from La Sagrada Familia, who work in parishes in the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana; there are also three seminarians in formation in the local diocesan seminary; and five members of the Community of St. Paul are also from La Sagrada Familia Parish. In addition to that, five priests from the Community of St. Paul lived in the parish during their formation, before entering the seminary. They now enrich Milwaukee with their experience as missionaries.
In order to continue to strengthen this relationship of Sister Churches, the Auxiliary Bishops of Milwaukee James Schuerman and Jeffrey Haines, as well as the Vicar Generals David Reith, Jerry Herda and Javier Bustos, visited Sabana Yegua during the first months of 2018. They were all able to celebrate the Eucharist with the local community and see various areas of the parish, where they were received with much love and affection. Bishop Schuerman, especially, had a moving meeting with parishioners from the parish, since he worked there as a missionary priest from 1992 to 1996; they were able to share many memories.
Thirty-five years of faith and shared friendship is a great accomplishment, surely a work of God!
