Our bishop’s missionary activity in March began with his second pastoral visit to the Venezuela Mission, ICERVE (Renewed Ecumenical Catholic Church in Venezuela).

The bishop arrived on March 2 and had a series of meetings during the afternoon with Father José Roberto Aguirre, founder and pastor of the mission.

The program on Saturday morning, March 3, began with the solemn celebration of Christian Initiation of several sisters. Some were young women, and one was a child.

The ceremony included complete Christian Initiation—the administration of Baptism, Chrismation, and Communion.

The People of God participated actively and enthusiastically.

The homily explained what Christian Initiation means and how it is administered.  The bishop was glad to confirm that those who were initiated as well as the People of God in general had been well instructed by Father Roberto.

The ceremony of Chrismation was especially solemn. Parents and sponsors of those who were initiated as well as the initiates themselves showed a deep understanding and spirit of prayer.

During the afternoon of March 3, the bishop had an open meeting with some of the parish and community leaders.

A very encouraging report was given on what has happened since the first visit:

    -- It is foreseen that within six months the parish church of San Antonio in Las Cocuizas will be completed. Its land was blessed by the bishop during his first pastoral visit in September 2011.

   -- In San Rafael de Onoto steps are being taken to acquire land on which will be built a church to serve as the Parish see. The parish was inaugurated during the previous visit, in San José.

   -- In Acarigua, the faithful are in process of acquiring a large piece of land in preparation for establishing the parish of Nuestra Señora de Coromoto in the future.

In view of all the positive news and enthusiasm shown by the faithful, the bishop could only give thanks to God and congratulate Father José Roberto for his indefatigable work and also the community leaders for their commitment, active participation, and personal sacrifices on behalf of what is happening.

On Sunday, March 4, representatives of all the communities in the Venezuela mission met to participate in the Eucharist in which sixty-eight faithful would receive confirmation—adults and children coming from various communities.

The homily emphasized that the mystery of the Transfiguration of Christ, which was the theme of the readings for this Sunday, expresses precisely the calling that we have as the Renewed Catholic Church and that therefore like Him and with Him we all have to be also ready for suffering and total commitment, knowing that Christ is with us at every step.

The faithful had acquired 450 chairs so that all the participants could sit. However, there were so many that a third of the congregation had to stand.

The People of God participated actively in every aspect of the ceremony.

Right:  Parents and sponsors praying at the moment of the epiclesis just before the anointing.

The bishop emphasized that the administration of Confirmation implies an active commitment to live and work with the same attitude and spirit that the apostles had.

All the confirmands showed they were aware of this commitment and were ready to accept it faithfully.

After the confirmations the confirmands made a long procession as a symbol of their giving themselves to the Lord.

From one of the communities there came also some children who had been prepared to celebrate their first Reconciliation and Solemn Communion.  Although it was a small group, the children had been well prepared.

On behalf of all the communities, Father José Roberto thanked Monsignor Eduardo for his visit at the end of the celebration.

The next visit is expected to take place within six months. Everyone is looking forward to it, anticipating that the focus of that pastoral visit will be the dedication of the church of Cocuizas and the establishment of the Renewed Catholic Parish of San Antonio to take place in the new building.

In the afternoon, the delegates of the communities organized a joyful fellowship.

Because most of the confirmands had activities in their respective homes, the majority were representatives from the communities that were able to participate in the event.

They all showed the great happiness and gratitude that they have for the possibility of living fully the Catholic Church as the Lord founded it when he sent the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

Many of those present said that the celebration and the meeting had made them renew their commitment to belong and work within the Church.

At the end a television set was raffled off.  The raffle had been organized with great success to collect funds to cover the expenses of the days’ activities.

Father Roberto asked that our bishop draw the name of the winner. The winner was a woman from a distant location who, according to Father Roberto, really needed the prize she won.

With this, the pastoral visit to Venezuela ended. The faithful as well as Father Roberto showed their gratitude and affection. The bishop also left full of joy and hope because of everyone’s generosity and for the great work that the Lord is doing.

On Monday, March 5, our bishop celebrated his sixtieth birthday.

Just back from Venezuela, he went directly to the Seminary where he was awaited to preside at the solemn celebration of the Eucharist and then at a birthday party.

The Fathers who form the instruction team at the Seminary—Juan Moisés and Juan Antonio—and all the seminarians as well had made a special effort to organize every aspect of the occasion.

For the homily the bishop took his point of departure from the liturgical readings, which spoke of a person’s weakness and sin on the one hand and, on the other, compassion. He emphasized that those two aspects constituted the foundation of the entire Christian life, especially for those called to the ordained ministry.

The homily also emphasized the fundamental role that the maternal intercession of Most Holy Virgin Mary has played in every aspect of faith and calling. In the same vein, he talked about the importance of the values that his parents, Enrique Aguirre and Ana Oestmann de Aguirre, both now enjoying the presence of the Lord, instilled in him and the example they always gave him.

After the Eucharist, the faculty and seminarians had prepared a meal, in which everyone shared with great joy. In addition, some members of our bishop’s family were there, as were guests Dr. David Greene and the journalist Giancarlo Norris, both of them great friends of the Seminary.

Left:  From left to right—Luís Madrid (partly visible), Gerardo Aguirre (the bishop’s brother) Monsignor Eduardo, Father Juan Moisés (directing the singing of the birthday song), Ileana Aguirre (the bishop’s sister) and his brother Federico Aguirre.

For the time after dinner, the seminarians had prepared a series of songs and poems.

On Saturday, March 10, our bishop arrived at the Archepiscopal See of the Syrian Antiochene Church of California to continue the dialogues with his Eminence, the Patriarchal Delegate. On this occasion the dialogs dealt with the concept of original sin and the consequences that it entails for human life.

Following the explication of Saint Efrém, original sin is seen as the loss of divine life in humanity as the fruit of disobedience. Thus, humanity is dead in this life, although biological life continues. By his death and resurrection Christ reestablished the possibility of receiving the “divine breath” which was given at the moment of creation but lost with Adam. This breath is received through baptism.

In addition to the conversations on original sin and baptism, there was dialogue on the liturgy of Saint James and on the process that ICERGUA is following to include within its Anaphoras in the Mass the Anaphoras of Saint James, Peter, John and the Twelve Apostles.

It was agreed to have dialogues again in July and a visit was planned for a visit from his Eminence Mor Clemis Eugene to Guatemala in order to continue with the rapprochement.

On the afternoon of March 10, Monsignor Eduardo came to Channel 3 of Radio Nueva Vida in Los Angeles for the regular radio broadcast.

On this occasion the transmission had a new twist: Radio Nueva Vida was linked to Radio Carisma in Guatemala for the live broadcast of the bishop’s program.

There were three themes for the questions that were put before the bishop:

1. Lent and what transformation implies in its fullest meaning.
2.  The Ten Commandments and their correct formulation according to the book of Exodus, making no changes to justify certain variations made for the sake of convenience.
3.  The meaning of moving the Lord’s Day from Saturday to Sunday and the implications of this change for sanctifying time and Christian life through the death and resurrection of Christ.

On Saturday afternoon, March 10, the bishop visited the San Miguel Arcángel Parish to celebrate the parish Mass. The faithful were joyfully looking forward to the celebration.

In the homily, the bishop, speaking of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, insisted that conversion means not only repentance and awareness of one’s sin, as did the son who had left his father’s home, but also the change of one’s whole mentality, which the father required of the good son who lacked compassion for the brother who was returning and was not ready to accept him.

Beginning the celebration with the administration of the sacrament of Reconciliation allowed the majority of the faithful also to participate in communion.

In late afternoon, the bishop came to the Pacto Divino Community. 

The faithful have experienced the return of several people who had left and who were now excited about moving forward with the commitment to renew their lives and proclaim the Gospel to everyone.

The faithful had a special tone of devotion in the celebration. The bishop emphasized that it was preparation for Easter, since his next visit would take place in the first week of the Easter season.

Breaking bread had special importance and symbolism in the Eucharistic celebration, recalling that we are all of one body, although we have many members.

In the evening Monsignor Eduardo presided at the administration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist with the Restauración en el Espíritu Santo Community. 

Left:  The faithful after confessing their sins coming forward to receive Absolution.

The bishop’s message emphasized the importance of reconciliation on all levels. Therefore, praying the Our Father is especially significant.

Left: Many of the faithful came forward to commune with the Blood of the Lord as well as the Body.

On Sunday morning, March 11, a large number of the students attended the DETYM education program.

The first course dealt with Catholic letters in the context of the Johannine writings.

The bishop responded to various questions and concerns and took advantage of the occasion to explain the complete congruence of Saint Paul’s teaching that justification is only by faith with the teaching of Saint James that speaks also of works as a sign of the authenticity of the faith that justifies us.

In the course on the history of Medieval Church, the bishop explained the causes and the process by which the Church of Rome, departing from the Catholic forms of church organization, became an absolutist monarchy.

The faithful had time to express their concerns and at the end thanked the bishop for the opportunity to learn the Holy Bible and Church History in order to solidify their process of rediscovering in its fullness the forms and style of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

On Sunday afternoon, March 11, the bishop presided at the Eucharist with the faithful who had attended the theological-pastoral education program.

In the homily the bishop talked about the fundamental difference between the Old Testament, symbolized by the Jerusalem Temple, and the New Testament, symbolized by Christ as the new Temple and the prototype of what each of us is called to be—temples of the Holy Spirit. From this perspective, he emphasized the importance that each of us ask of the Lord during Lent to purify him or her as he purified the temple of Jerusalem so that we might radiate the glory of the Lord, which is present in us.

The music ministry responsible for accompanying and enriching the liturgy was characterized by its precision and beauty. Its foundation is the marimba, which makes a beautiful connection between the community’s cultural identity and the liturgy it celebrates.

The spirit of unity and communion was felt throughout the celebration and especially symbolized at certain moments, such as the praying of the Our Father, as can be seen in the photograph at left.

On Friday, March 16, Monsignor Eduardo went to the Xolbé Community, Sololá, to preside at the celebration of the Deanery of Sololá-Totonicapán. About forty-five faithful attended, representing all the communities and the two parishes that comprise the deanery: that of San Miguel Arcángel in Tzanixnam, Totonicapán, and that of the Espíritu Santo in Sololá.

After the instruction period, which the bishop led, and in which he emphasized that the missionary dimension is essential to our identity, all the faithful promised to work in the following quarter toward two objectives:  on the personal level, to live the experience of conversion, and on the community level to work in missions in order to fulfill the command that Jesus gave his apostles and that we take on as our missionary dimension.

Father Gildardo Ramiréz, parish pastor in Tzanixnam, was present at the meeting. At the end, everyone prayed for him as his health is poor.

Right: Everyone praying for Father Gildardo

On Friday afternoon, March 16, the bishop came to Santiago Atitlán to preside at the celebration of the Eucharist with the Pentecostés Community.

On this occasion, members José and Mercedes contracted matrimony.  Both were members of the music ministry and have belonged to the community for many years.

The great majority of the members of the community participated in the celebration, and the house of prayer was decorated and exuded a festive spirit that touched everyone.

During the homily Monsignor Eduardo, in light of the liturgical readings, emphasized that love for God does not consist in doing many things for God, but simply in opening one’s heart to receive His love, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, and then on the basis of this gift becoming able to love others also. For Christians, their conjugal love for one another is also changed.

José and Mercedes participated very actively during the entire celebration.

Left:  Mercedes places the ring on José, the sign of her love and everlasting faith.

In late afternoon of March 16, the bishop went to the Efusión del Espíritu Santo Community, Santiago Atitlán, to celebrate the Eucharist and the Christian Initiation of five members.

Left:  The bishop during the absolution for those who had confessed their sins. The music ministry is singing the communal penitence.  

In the homily the bishop focused on the importance of administer Christian Initiation in its complete form, as the means that the Lord established for receiving love for God, and in such a way to be able to love God and neighbor.

Five people were initiated into Christian Life. Two children: Nicolás David and Ruth Noemí, and three young women: Nicolasa, Candelaria, and María.

Left:  the bishop doing the infusion of water on María after all five had made their profession of faith.

Immediately after Baptism, Chrismation was celebrated.

During Communion, the five initiated into Christian Life received the sacrament.

Right:  The bishop giving communion to Ruth Noemí.

In the evening of March 16, Monsignor celebrated Eucharist with a small community in Panajachel. It meets in a home. The group consists of Renewed Catholics, though at the present there is no fully functioning Renewed Catholic Community in this place.

The celebration began with the administration of the sacrament of Reconciliation. Then the celebration of the Eucharist followed.

The bishop’s homily placed emphasis on the importance of being open to receive the love of God in order to be able to fulfill his commands, attain peace, and the full life.

For Saturday morning, March 17, the plan had been for the bishop to celebrate the Eucharist with some of the charismatic communities in Quetzaltenango or Totonicapán, which after long deliberations have decided to convert and be part of the Church.

Unfortunately, the slanders, threats, harassment, and confrontation that the local Roman Catholic
hierarchy provoked, in flagrant violation of basic human rights and the right to religious freedom, made it impossible for the celebration to take place safely. That did not, however, impede the communities from making a covenant with and becoming part of our Church.

One hundred representatives of nineteen communities of Quetzaltenango, Salcajá, Olintepeque, San Crisóbal, and Totonicapán came to the Santísima Trinidad Parish in Uspantán to celebrate the covenant.

Because the bishop’s schedule did not permit him to be there, he delegated Father Denis Obando to represent him at the ceremony.

Also there and participating as co-celebrant was Father Bernabé Mateo, the Renewed Catholic Parish pastor of Cunén.

By all reports, the ceremony took place in midst of deep happiness.

Now we have promised to pray that soon the bishop will be able to come personally to celebrate the Eucharist with these faithful People of God.

On Saturday afternoon, March 17, the bishop came to the Pajomel Community to celebrate the Eucharist.

The celebration began with the administration of the sacrament of Penitence.

Step by step the members have been organizing the various ministries of the Liturgy so that they can participate actively in it.

The great majority of the worshipers came forward to receive communion, having previously been prepared for it with the Confession.

In late afternoon of March 17, Monsignor Eduardo visited the Chuitzanchaj Community.

He learned the good news that two new families have joined the Community.

The bishop’s homily urged all the People of God to deepen their sense of repentance and conversion in order to be justified by the action of the Spirit and to experience an authentic transformation of life.

More then 150 worshipers came forward to receive communion. All were well prepared and participated devoutly.

On Sunday morning, March 18, in the San Lucas Seminary, Sacatepéquez, the first Deanery for the area of Guatemala and Sacatepéquez was celebrated.

Counting this one, there are now fifteen deaneries, into which the Church is now organized in Guatemala.

About eighty faithful participated, representatives from the various communities in the area.

After Monsignor Eduardo’s explanation of what a deanery is, the representatives of each of the communities made a short report on the current affairs in their communities.

They all reported that they are experiencing rapid growth.

Brother Julián Bal, Chancellor and missionary in the area, explained that during the last month four new communities have been organized in the area of San Juan Sacatepéquez, and nine communities are in process of becoming organized in Baja Verapaz and Escuintla.

The bishop explained in detail the characteristics of the Church that Christ founded when he sent the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. He also connected our mission with the commitment to rediscover, accept, and carry forward that Church, with all its characteristics in all the places where we work and in the manner in which we exercise our mission.

All the faithful expressed the great happiness that having the deanery gave them, as well as their gratitude for all the new information they acquired at the meeting.

At the end, they all accepted the commitment to exert themselves to the end that every community may be a mirror of the early Christian communities and that the style of their work may be modeled after that of the apostles.

On Monday, March 19, the Festival of San José, the bishop presided at the Eucharist with the Confraternity of San José Poaquil

The faithful were incorporated into the Church in February 2005.

At present they have committed themselves to evangelistic efforts and mission work.

The community has been very well organized. It has developed different ministries and the People of God are characterized by their deep faith and their desire to participate actively in the Church’s life.

In the homily, the bishop presented the figure of St. Joseph as a model of the attitude and lifestyle that should to be taken on by all.

Centering on St. Joseph’s faith that led him to accept the will of God, although it might change all his plans, the bishop invited the worshipers to model their lives on this figure.

At the end the bishop did the blessing of the new captain of the San José confraternity and his team. The captain himself was not able to attend since it was a workday. But he had attended the deanery meeting at the Seminary on Sunday.

On Wednesday, March 21, our bishop came to the Cathedral to continue the program of instruction for the missionaries that will be sent on Pentecost on a mission to their brothers and sisters.

In this occasion, owing to the remodeling that is being brought to its conclusion in the parish Hall, the meeting took place in the Colonial Church, which provided a quieter and more intimate setting.

Almost all the 110 people who had committed themselves to the mission process were in attendance.

The session reviewed the themes of the earlier sessions, and a series of concerns and questions brought up by the faithful were addressed.

In the instruction, Fathers Rigoberto Upún and Francisco Simón, the co-pastors of the Parish of the Holy Cathedral, also participated, as they always do.

Left:  The distribution of credentials identifying them as missionaries.

Also, the process that will be followed leading up to the day when the mission begins was laid out.

On April 18, the review of instruction themes will continue, and concerns will again be addressed.

Then on Saturday, May 26, there will be a retreat to prepare for the mission, which will be held before or after the Pentecost Eucharist.

On Friday afternoon, March 23, Monsignor Eduardo presided at the celebration of the closing Mass for the anniversary of the Xecajá Community in Santa María Chiquimula, Totonicapán.

The great majority of the members of the community participated, and during the celebration sister María, an adult, was initiated into Christian Life, and three others—Santiago, Catarina, and Adela—received Confirmation and their missionary charge.

When the sacrament of Penitence was administered after the confession of sins, the majority of the worshipers came forward to receiver Absolution. This prepared them to participate later in Communion.

During the celebration, everyone participated actively. All People of God involved in the ministries of the liturgy carried out their responsibilities with good timing and poise.

Two communion ministers were also installed, brother Baltazar to serve in the local community and sister Catarina to serve in the community of central Santa María Chiquimula.

Right:  The bishop pouring water over María that she may be baptized.

On Saturday morning, March 24, Monsignor Eduardo came to the Sacpic Community in the Municipality of Santa Bárbara Huehuetenango to celebrate Eucharist and the Initiation into Christian Life for a child.

The community, which began just over a year ago, has acquired a lot on which to build a simple house of prayer. The first time that the bishop had visited them, they were meeting in the patio of the home of one of the community directors.

The ceremony began with the administration of the sacrament of Reconciliation. Practically all those present who were more than seven years old came forward to participate in the sacrament.

Then the Christian Initiation of the child Samuel began with the celebration of baptism.

The Initiation was concluded with the administration of communion, as can be seen in the photograph at right.

Before this, Chrismation had been administered.

In the afternoon the bishop visited for the first time the new community of Tojchiquel in the Municipality of Santa Bárbara.  This community was formed by about ten families, who, in spite of their small number, are working enthusiastically to organize themselves, do mission outreach, and grow.

At the present, the house of prayer is a small space built of sheets of tin.  But they hope to be able soon to put up a more formal building.

In addition, they have plans to buy instruments and organize a music ministry within a short time.

The faithful participated with great enthusiasm and deep attention. It was the first meeting with the bishop, and at the end they expressed their profound gratitude for the visit.

As part of the celebration Christian Initiation was administered to a little girl.

At the end of the afternoon Monsignor Eduardo went to the El Rodeo Community in the municipality of Malacatancito.  A beautiful community, after several years and prayerful thinking, it has decided to covenant with us and become part of the Church. The leader is brother Juan Juventino Reyes.

The visit was the occasion for the administration of Christian Initiation for fifteen people—children, young people, and adults.

All of them were joyful, and expressed their commitment to work intensely in line with the spirit and identity of the Church.

The Christian Initiation of the fifteen ended with the administration of the sacrament of the Eucharist. Left:  The bishop giving communion to one of the children who had been initiated with Baptism and Chrismation.

On Sunday morning, March 25, our bishop went to the distant community of La Soledad, in the heights of the Cuchumatanes in the Municipality of Cuilco.

This is one of the first communities in this area that made a covenant and became part of the Church.

The particular reason for the visit was to administer Confirmation to nine young people.

The bishop’s homily, in light of the Gospel, stressed that being a disciple of Christ implies being open and eager to die with Him in order to be able to live in Him and produce abundant fruits, like the small grain of wheat.

The young people expressed their decision to accept a commitment similar to that of the apostles on receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

The celebration having begun with the administration of the sacrament of Reconciliation, a great multitude was prepared to participate when it was time for communion.

In the afternoon of March 25, the bishop, accompanied by Father Pedro Martínez, the parish pastor of Cuilco, presided at the Eucharist in the parish see.

The specific occasion for the celebration was the installation of two brothers as communion ministers.

The worshipers participated in the celebration in great number and with devotion.

During the homily the bishop emphasized the importance of taking advantage of the time of conversion to prepare for Easter.

In light of the readings, he also emphasized that the promise that the Lord made in the Old Testament and that Jesus fulfilled with his death and resurrection is actualized when people enter the Church and venture to live out an authentic renewal.

Before the installation of the communion ministers, the bishop recalled the three fundamental commitments that are being accepted: to carry out a lifestyle that is identical with that of Christ, to care for the Most Holy Sacrament, which should empower a life of prayer and adoration, and to be open to service, administering communion to those who need it, especially to the sick and elderly who cannot come to the church.

The centrality of the Eucharist in the life of the Church carries forward the life, dynamism, and mission impulse that began in the Church at Pentecost. For us, whose mission is precisely the rediscovery, acceptance, and implementation in their totality the characteristics of the Church that was born at Pentecost, the axis of our life and the source of the efficacy of our ministry and our mission is the Eucharist, on which we center our lives. It is the privileged space of meeting the resurrected Lord and the means established by Him to keep the gift of the Holy Spirit vitally present.

On Thursday, March 29, beginning with lunch, the meeting of the ICERGUA Presbytery took place in the Presbytery House of the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, Comalapa, Chimaltenango.

The reason for celebrating the meeting there was that immediately afterwards the celebration of Chrismal Mass and the renewal of ministerial commitments was to begin.

The meeting, which took place in an atmosphere of intensely felt brotherhood, began with the bishop remembering the beginnings of the call to start what is now ICERGUA.

Monsignor Eduardo urged that the call be understood as an invitation to put oneself completely at the disposal of God in order to respond wholly to His will. In time it became clear that the call to rediscover, accept, and implement in their totality the characteristics of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.

From this perspective, the bishop laid out the personal and pastoral characteristics that we should have.

During the meeting the bishop also presented the project of a writing a new Basic Constitution.

Built on the basis of the Constitution of 2007, it is to try to adjust the principles of the former to the concrete realities of ICERGUA in the present.

A process for working on this project was established. It will consist of reading, analysis, suggestions, and eventually modifications. The latter must be suggested before the next meeting of the Presbytery on June 12, 2012.

The bishop also presented the new book of sacraments with the liturgy for each of them. It accords with the proposals made in the last meeting of the Presbytery.

It will be used experimentally during the near future and until a revised version is adopted as the standard form of the Book of Sacraments.

On Thursday afternoon, March 29, the solemn celebration of the Chrismal Mass took place in the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista.

Concelebrating with the bishop were twenty presbyters of ICERGUA.  A large number of parishioners coming from the Cathedral Parish and the communities of Guatemala City also participated.

The Cathedral’s Chorus of St. John was in charge of the musical accompaniment, and helped the celebration attain its particular solemnity.

After the homily, in which the bishop remembered the significance and the characteristics of the ordained ministry, the renewal of the vows of ministry took place.

First, each of the Presbyters came and prayed over the bishop, as can be seen in the photograph at left.

Then the bishop prayed, along with the People of God, for each and all of the presbyters.

After the renewal of the ministerial promises, there was a procession in which the members of the Presbyter Council entered carrying the three oils that were later to be consecrated.

Right:  The bishop and the presbytery praying to the Lord that, by action of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Chrisma be consecrated so that by it the people may be anointed with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

At the end of the celebration, the bishop and the entire presbytery imparted the solemn benediction to the People of God.

On Friday, March 30, the bishop presided at the celebration of the Deanery of West Huehuetenango, which includes Jacaltenango and the Huista area.

It began with reports from the community representatives on the situation of each community.

The reports, on balance, were positive, for everywhere the communities have grown.

Brother Guadalupe, leader of the Pepilpán Community, explained its work in creating new communities, especially in the area around Catarina, a village of Jacaltenango.

Afterwards, the bishop gave instruction to the participants.  In this round of deaneries, study was based on the text of Matthew 16:18 and the perspective that comes from this passage and its interpretation by the Church Fathers of the first four centuries.

On Friday afternoon, March 30, the creation of the Renewed Catholic Parish of “Cristo Rey” took place. It includes most of the territory of Jacaltenango and Concepción Huista.

The process of the creating the parish lasted more than a year and a half. During the course of this time, the communities became aware of what is implied in being a Renewed Catholic parish.

After the homily and after the president had read publicly the commitments that are being taken on and the community had ratified its acceptance of these commitments, the bishop read the decree creating the parish.

Afterwards, a copy was delivered to brother Francisco, president of the Parish Council.

The person who oversaw the process of maturation that led to the creation of the parish was Father Santos Acosta Sol, who for almost three years has been responsible for the pastoral work in the area. Having now become the parish pastor of the new parish, he also received a copy of the decree.

The bishop emphasized that the creation of the parish is like a marriage between the several communities and the Church, for it means that all the communities not only reaffirm that they belong permanently to the Church but also that they are committed to work in such a way that the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church that Christ founded with the advent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost be present in the midst of the People of God, as the apostles themselves worked.

In the evening of March 30, the bishop came to the Onlaj Community, part of the new parish of Jacaltenango, for the celebration of the anniversary of the community and also numerous confirmations.

The Onlaj Community, organized by brother Benito Ramos, is one of the oldest in the area.  It has many members and is well organized.

During the homily, which was directly especially at those about to be confirmed in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the bishop emphasized that the gift of the Holy Spirit is directly aimed at the witness to the Good News, so he urged each of the confirmands to commit him- or herself to active evangelizing work.

After the rite of Confirmation, each of the sponsors of the confirmands prayed over them, asking that the Lord might give them the strength to fulfill faithfully the mission that they received.

On Saturday morning, March 31, Monsignor Eduardo presided at the celebration of the Deanery of Northwest Huehuetenango in K’anquintik, Nentón. There were representatives from the communities that participate in this deanery.

The outstanding feature of the reports was the progress that has taken place in all the communities.

The meeting ended with prayer led by the coordinator of the host community.

After midday, Eucharist was celebrated in the K’anquintik Community. The occasion included the formal acceptance of three new families that have joined the community.

During the celebration there were prayers that the Lord renew and strengthen the hearts and lives of the many faithful who are joining the Church.

The process of admission of the new members ended with the administration of the sacrament of the Eucharist to those who had joined and to some of the parishioners present.

In the afternoon of March 31, the bishop came to Subajasub to preside at the celebration of the Eucharist.

Before the celebration the bishop met with the representatives of the Ixcaná and Paleguá Communities, for they had not been able to attend the Deanery. As result of the meeting, it was decided that the bishop will visit them for the first time on July 22.

Brother José, leader of the community and also of the music ministry, led the People of God in their participation in the liturgy.

The bishop put emphasis during the homily on the importance of allowing the Lord to make an authentic renewal in the life of everyone so that we may radiate the presence of the Kingdom in us.

In late afternoon of March 31, the bishop went to the new community of Chivalasún in San Mateo Ixtatán.

The faithful were joyful that the bishop was visiting them. They told the bishop the history of how they became a community, as well as their commitment to live and work in accord with the characteristics of the Church.

Since the community is new, though some of its ministries are well-organized, the faithful of neighboring Ocanté helped them by providing musical accompaniment for the celebration.

The atmosphere was of deep prayer. It was admirable that even the little children prayed and praised with intensity. Now the prayer to the Lord is that He will carry the work that has begun with these faithful to its end.  The immediate goal is the construction of a permanent house of prayer, for at present they are borrowing the use of a house.