On Friday, June 1, the bishop came to the Cuahutemoc Community in Coxquihui, state of Verapaz, Mexico, to meet with leaders of the indigenous community that is served by Fathers who are part of the mission of the Church of Mexico.

The meeting had been prepared down to minute details. Present were elected civic leaders, representatives of civil authorities, and several arts groups. A meal had been prepared for the whole community.

The meeting was brightened by the performance of the community’s folkloric dance group.

The musicians played several regional songs. Dancers were decorated with large feather plumes.

After the meeting, the celebration of the Eucharist began.

Fathers Roberto García and Israel Lobato serve this community, which, God permitting, will soon be constituted as a Renewed Catholic Parish. In the central area there are about 400 families, and in the neighboring communities there are many more families that identify themselves with the Church.

The Fathers are persisting in the construction of a large, beautiful church. The foundations and basic parts of the walls have been built. Now they are waiting for resources in order to proceed with roofing the building.

The stream of the faithful was enormous. All participated with great joy and devotion.

At the end of the Eucharist, the bishop administered the blessing of the People of God, the ill, and also the construction work.

On Saturday afternoon, June 2, the bishop visited the Divina Providencia Community in the southern part of Mexico City.

During the bishop’s visit, two children completed their Christian Initiation by receiving Chrismation and Communion.

The bishop stressed the importance of being aware of what it means to be Renewed Catholic, and accordingly urged the People to accept their missionary commitment.

In the evening, the bishop presided at the Eucharist with the Community of Sagrada Familia de Sagitario Ocho, Ecatepec, in the state of Mexico.

The community is small, but one can see that many, many of its members are acutely aware of what it means to be effective, authentic Renewed Catholics.

During the celebration, a little boy completed Christian Initiation on receiving Chrismation and Communion, and two young people were confirmed and received their missionary commission.

The young people who were confirmed participated in the presentation of gifts for the Eucharistic celebration, symbolizing their devotion to the Lord and the apostolic mission that they were receiving.

On Sunday morning, June 3, Msgr. Eduardo presided at the Eucharist in the Renewed Catholic Parish of San Antonio in Ecatepec, state of Mexico.

On the occasion, a good number of children completed their Christian Initiation on receiving Chrismation and Communion.

During the homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the bishop emphasized that through Christian Initiation one enters into the Trinitarian mystery and as result ought to live in accord with this divine presence that is in the heart of every believer.

The children participated with great devotion in receiving the sacraments and committing themselves to continuous Christian growth and transformation.

On Sunday afternoon, June 3, the bishop went to the Coyotepec Community, state of Mexico, to meet with a large group of the faithful of Barrio San Juan.

Part of the meeting was a tour of many of the streets in the town, for which the bishop was accompanied by Father Mario López and by brother Augusto, a candidate for sacred orders. The flags of Mexico and the Church were carried on the tour of the Coyotepec streets.

On the top of a hill where, God willing, a church will be built for a new Renewed Catholic Community, Eucharist was celebrated with a great crowd participating.

The bishop greeted the faithful who had made their covenant and became part of the Church just a few months ago.

The bishop’s visit provided the opportunity for about sixty children to complete their Christian Initiation, receiving Chrismation and Communion.

On Sunday evening, June 3, Monsignor Eduardo came to the Sagrado Corazón Community in Las Torres, state of Mexico, to preside at the Eucharist and complete the Christian Initiation of twenty-five children.

This community, under the pastoral responsibility of Father Mario, has grown powerfully and has organized itself very well.

Many of the faithful who are members of the community know Father Mario from his former apostolates and now have decided to join the Church. Among them are several catechists. This relationship has helped the work to move forward in a serious, well-organized way.

During the Chrismation ceremony, the children with their parents and sponsors promised to persevere in the Church and let the gift of God continue growing and establishing itself within them.

At the end of the celebration, several groups of children wanted to pose with the bishop.

On the morning of June 4, the bishop had a short meeting with some of the missionaries who are working in Mexico. Coordinated by Father Nicolás Gómez, who is Vicar General of ICREM (Renewed Catholic Ecumenical Church of Mexico), Fathers Mario López, Dionisio Montiel, Roberto García and Israel Lobato are working in the Church.

During the meeting, the bishop emphasized two aspects in particular:

• All the rites must be celebrated with the rituals, missals, and lectionaries of the Church, which reflect the Old Catholic Latin Rite.
• The sacraments of Baptism, Chrismation, and Marriage can be administered exclusively to committed members of the Church, that is, to those who have joined and already have for a certain length of time been participating and persevering in one of the Church’s communities.

At midday on Monday, June 4, the bishop went to the Zumpango Community in Texcoco, Edo, in Mexico, to preside at the Eucharist with the local community that recently made a covenant with us.

The people who live here are mostly livestock and agriculture farmers.

The faithful participated actively and joyously. They told Msgr. Eduardo that they had been neglecting religious activities, and expressed their confidence that they can now and in the future be steadfast and constant in their spiritual lives.

In spite of the fact that it was a weekday, the participation was large.

In addition, the faithful showed that in spite of being a start-up community, they already have a basic organization in place, which can be reinforced and built up.

When the Eucharistic Celebration in Zumpango ended, the bishop proceeded to the blessing of the first stone laid for the construction of the community’s church.

After the blessing of the stone, representatives of the community presented to the bishop a beautiful painting of the Virgin of Guadalupe made by local artisans, which was given by the bishop so that it may be later hung in the place where a Mission Monastery, in charge of Father Mario López, will be established.

After the ceremony, members of the church construction committee came to the bishop to tell him of their dreams and concerns and to pose with him for a photograph.

In the evening Father Nicolás Gómez invited the bishop to preside at the Eucharist with a small community in the city of Pachuca in the state of Hidalgo.

The homily stressed that the heart of the gospel is that through faith we are healed of the wounds left by sin and are enabled to participate in the divine life, where our growth and transformation continue.

The bishop also offered special prayers for all the sick and those with particular needs.

The great part of the participants came forward to receive Holy Communion.

On Saturday afternoon, June 9, Monsignor Eduardo came to Studio 3 in the Stereo Nueva Vida de Nucá, Santa Cruz Barillas, Guatemala, radio station, located on 36th Street in Los Angeles, California.

The staff coordinator asked the bishop to give his reflections on the meaning of “healing” in the New Testament.

In response, the bishop explained that Jesus’s entire ministry is a ministry of healing, for it consists of giving new life through the Holy Spirit and healing the wounds left by sin.

Several radio listeners became actively involved in the broadcast by means of phone calls or text messages.

The work that so many of the faithful in the “Be bold to Win Souls for Christ” Program as well as those in the central studio in Nucá are doing is really enormous. Through their efforts, many people are coming to true faith and experiencing the full force of the Gospel.

On Saturday afternoon, June 9, our bishop presided at Eucharist with the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel at 227 Jefferson Avenue, Los Angeles, California.

The community is making a great effort to solidify its organization and to grow in numbers.

Among its recent achievements is the formation of a third music ministry that will accompany and deepen prayer meetings and liturgical celebrations.

The celebration began with the sacrament of Reconciliation for a good percentage of those in attendance.

The entire celebration took place in a mood of deep faith and joy. The faithful renewed their promise to work with enthusiasm so that the church may continue to grow.

On the late afternoon of Saturday, June 9, presided at the Eucharist with the Pacto Divino Community, Los Angeles.

The celebration began the Corpus Christi feasts.

During the homily the bishop stressed the unsubstitutable importance of the Eucharist within the dynamic of the New Covenant.

He also encouraged all those present to commit themselves to participate in Communion and urged those who felt impediments to overcome them so that everyone might come to receive the sacrament.

The bishop noted with joy that the community has been experiencing sustained growth recently. He was also aware of the real and heart-prompted sacrifice that many of the faithful were making in carrying out to the fullest the mission that the Lord has entrusted to us.

As a result of this commitment, many of the faithful have experienced an abundance of blessings. Divided families have been reconciled, and many new people are seriously considering the possibility of joining the community.

On Saturday evening, June 9, the bishop came to the Restauración en el Espirírtu Santo Community to preside at the Eucharist.

The bishop’s homily for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ urged those present to overcome the difficulties that they may be experiencing in order to participate in the Holy Communion.  As this is the means instituted by the Lord to communicate eternal life to us, it is essential to be prepared to participate in it.

Everyone’s participation was charged with piety and devotion, and the faithful committed themselves to continue supporting the goal that everyone participate actively in the sacramental life.

On Sunday morning the bishop offered instruction to a large crowd in the DETYM session in Los Angeles. There are two courses at present:  The Holy Spirit in the Scriptures, and the Pastoral Work of the Church.

The faithful had the opportunity to raise all the concerns that were bothering them. In view of the religious pluralism of Los Angeles and the continuous attacks to which the faithful are subjected, the most heartfelt questions had to do with how to live fully the characteristics of the early Church and with the way the Church maintains continuity through changes in time and space.

In the pastoral course, the bishop brought forward four fundamental aspects of the early Church’s pastoral work:

• Evangelizing mission
• Development of the liturgical life
• Organization of the Church as the People of the New Covenant
• Solidification of faith in Jesus Christ as true God and true man

In continuity with this Church, our mission, said the bishop, must also have these four aspects.

In the afternoon, the bishop presided at the Eucharist for those who attended DETYM, as well as other members of the parish.

Support for the liturgical singing was provided by one of the recently reorganized music ministries.

During the homily for the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ the bishop emphasized that through the Eucharist the new and eternal covenant is continuously being actualized and that through the Eucharistic communion, this covenant is internalized personally, transforming the life of each individual believer.

The homily also brought forward the fact that various difficulties can keep people from participating in Communion. Nevertheless, he invited everyone to be open to dialogue and look for a way to overcome these difficulties so that soon everyone can come to the divine mysteries.

Since it is impossible to celebrate the Eucharist frequently, he also urged that communion ministers commit themselves to distribute Holy Communion every time that the community gathers in order to prolong the effects and grace of the Eucharist.

At the end, the members expressed their gratitude to the bishop for the support he has been giving them and promised to take the steps necessary to assure that in every aspect the parish and each of its communities may reflect wholly the characteristics of the early Church.

On Tuesday, June 12, the Presbytery of the Church met in Carmona, San Juan el Obispo, Antigua, Guatemala. All the Fathers in the Church attended and participated actively.

The meeting began with reports from each presbyter on the situation where his ministry is being carried out. The mood was very positive, and the powerful growth that is taking place throughout the Church was underlined.

Among the most important items was that of provisionally approving the Basic Constitution of the Church.

Also, the creation of a Chaplaincy for the National Civil Police in Quetzaltenango was approved, responding to a request presented by the interested parties.

During the meeting the bishop provided information about the progress of our dialogues with the ancient patriarchates.

On Wednesday afternoon, June 13, Monsignor Eduardo went to the see of the Renovación Carismática at Ahuachapán, El Salvador, to meet with the leaders of several communities.

The bishop began with a presentation on the distinctiveness of our Church, emphasizing that it tries to make living and present the One Church that Christ founded, as the apostles proclaimed it and organized it.

After the presentation, many people raised various questions, and the bishop answered until all the issues behind their concerns were clarified.

At the end, several communities decided to make a covenant with and enter into the Church, responding to the call that the Lord has been making to them.

The date for celebrating the covenant was fixed at June 23.  Also, a tabernacle was presented to house the most Holy Sacrament. It will be kept in one of the chapels.

On Friday, June 15, the bishop visited the Unción del Espíritu Santo Community in Santiago Atitlán.

The leaders of the community reported that in the past month two families have converted and joined the Church.

The homily urged the People of God to continue the missionary drive, for it is an indispensable dimension of the real and living presence of the Church that Christ founded.

The participation was numerous, and most of the People were prepared to receive Communion.

On Friday evening, June 15, the bishop visited the Pentecostés Community of Santiago Atitlán.

First was the administration of the sacrament of Reconciliation for everyone who needed it.

The homily reminded the People of the urgency of constantly renewing one’s personal relation with the Lord, especially through sacramental life and prayer, in order that the presence of God may continue to grow within each person.

The People of God renewed their commitment to missionary work.

On Saturday morning, June 16, in the Xolbé Community, Sololá, the Deanery of the parishes of Sololá and Totonicapán was celebrated.

Representatives of the communities as well as the presbyter serving them made reports on what is going on in each community.

Although no special problems were mentioned and although all the members are persevering in the faith, it also became evident that it is urgent to renew the commitment to missionary action.

After raising several questions, the People renewed the commitment to more effective mission activity.

At the end of the meeting, Father Gildardo Ramírez, the presbyter who pastors the San Miguel Parish, Tzanixnam, led the closing prayer.

On Saturday afternoon, June 16, our bishop celebrated Eucharist with the Pajomel Community, Santa Cruz La Laguna, Sololá.

 A large part of the faithful came to the sacrament of Reconciliation.

During the homily the bishop, in light of the biblical readings, described what is involved in following the Lord.

At the end of the Eucharist, many of the People came forward to receive Holy Communion.

In late Saturday afternoon, June 16, the Monsignor presided at the Eucharistic celebration and the Christian Initiation of two children in the Chuitzanchaj Community, Santa Cruz La Laguna, Sololá.

During the homily, the bishop talked about Christian Initiation during the Church’s first two centuries, underlining that we, like them and like the churches that have remained true to the Apostolic tradition, administer the three sacraments of Christian Initiation together.

Through the rite of water, stressed the bishop, death and burial with Christ is symbolized so that we may be resurrected with Him.

Through Communion with the Body and Blood of the Lord, eternal life is received.

On Sunday, June 17, with a large participation of delegates, the Deanery of Central Guatemala was celebrated.

With great joy, the birth of five new communities in different parts of the central area was reported.

Father Juan Moisés Mendoza, who with Father Herbert Urrutia is the pastor for this area, reported on the pastoral plans for the area they attend.

Having listened to the People’s reports, the bishop began the instruction period, dwelling on the theme of the church as presented in various biblical passages.

At the end of the meeting, it was agreed to meet in August during the visit of a Patriarchal delegate. This will take place in the María Auxiliadora Finca, where the Church’s Chancellery will be located in the future.

On the afternoon of June 17, the bishop visited the Yahwe Nissi Community for the first time. It meets in Zone 13 of Guatemala City.

Four faithful were initiated into Christian Life during the visit.

In addition a sister, elected by the community, was installed as communion minister.

A sister was also confirmed and received her missionary charge.

On June 18, the bishop had a day of evaluation and instruction with three brothers who are working fulltime as missionaries.

They are Amílcar, Noé Balmore, and Julián.

Salient in the evaluation was that through their work many communities have been consolidated, and several new communities have come into being.

At the end of the meeting it was decided to hold meetings like this every month and to go into topics in a way that will help make the missionaries better prepared and the work even more effective.

On June 18, Father Denis Obando, parish presbyter in Uspantán, acting as the bishop’s delegate came to the chapel of the National Civil Police in Quetzaltenango to formalize the creation of the chaplaincy there.

On June 2, those responsible for the chapel apostolate formally requested the bishop to create the chaplaincy and to install the Most Holy Sacrament there permanently.

The Presbytery having been consulted, it was decided to act favorably on the request and create the chaplaincy.

On Friday, June 22, Monsignor Eduardo came to the Tzununá Community in Santa Cruz La Laguna, Sololá, to visit the Renewed Catholic Community there and to celebrate Eucharist with them.

The faithful showed that they are making a great effort to solidify their organization and stimulate the community’s growth.

Piety and deeply felt prayer characterize this community, as well as the great majority of ICERGUA communities.

Late in the afternoon of June 22, Monsignor Eduardo presided at the Eucharistic celebration with the faithful of the Jaibalito Community in Santa Cruz La Laguna Sololá.

In the homily the bishop urged the People of God to commit themselves more actively to missionary action, for recently the community has not experienced any numerical growth, though it also has not lost members.

Having participated at the beginning of the celebration in the sacrament of Reconciliation, the majority of the People of God were prepared to participate in the Communion.

On the evening of June 22, the bishop visited the Xolbé Community, Sololá.

The faithful participated in the celebration with great joy, for it has been some time since they have had a Eucharist.

The bishop also urged the members of the community to make a more active commitment to mission work.

On Saturday, June 23, the bishop went to Auachapán, El Salvador, to celebrate the establishment of a covenant between ICERGUA and six communities there.

The principal celebration took place in the Central Sports Gymnasium. About 300 of the People of God participated.

A great percentage of the people present participated in the sacrament of Reconciliation.

The entire program was broadcast over a local radio station, which gave the People of God who could not attend the opportunity to join in the celebration spiritually.

During the homily the bishop explained in detail the distinctiveness of the Church in the light of the Word of God and the commitments that are implied in joining the Church, whose mission is to make present the life style and mission of the first Christians.

Seven of the faithful, elected by the communities, were installed as communion ministers to serve the six communities that have made a covenant with ICERGUA.

The ambiance of the celebration was one of deep joy.  The faithful are also aware that in taking on this new commitment they have to be prepared for persecution, especially on the part of religious powers, which also happened with the early Christians.

After the Eucharist, the Most Holy Sacrament was carried in a solemn procession to the House of Prayer, where the permanent presence of the Most Holy Sacrament was installed. The Renovación Carismática has its central office in the same building.

Left:  The tabernacle, now located in the little chapel in the House of Prayer.

During the visit two babies, born a few days before, were presented to the Lord.

In the evening, the bishop went to the El Diamante Community House of Prayer to install the presence of the Most Holy Sacrament there.

Sister Imelda, a moving force in the community, witnessed to the community what this event meant for her and everyone who has remained faithful to the call that the Lord has made to them.

Others present also gave testimony to the marvelous experience that they are having in knowing that our presence is the Lord’s response to them after many years of marginalization, fasting, and prayer.

At the end, the bishop prayed over the children’s group that is forming in the community.

With great hope the People of God are now preparing to continue testimony about the Lord and to try to live the full life in the Spirit and witness to the Gospel in the midst of everyday life.

On Sunday, June 24, the Solemnity of Saint John the Baptist, Monsignor Eduardo presided at the celebrations of the patron saint of the Cathedral in Comalapa, Chimaltenango.

The cathedral was crowded with parishioners and devotees who had come from many places to honor St. John the Baptist.

The homily used the figure of John the Baptist as a model for the mission that the Lord has entrusted to us today, and urged the People of God to renew their gratitude to the Lord for choosing them to carry out that mission and to promise to fulfill it faithfully.

The number of People coming forward to receive Holy Communion was exceedingly large.

At the end of the celebration, Father Rigoberto Upún, co-pastor at the Cathedral, thanked everyone for their participation in the many programs of the celebration of the Patron Saint’s Day.

The enormous portable stage with its statue of St. John the Baptist was carried to the front of the Cathedral to be blessed before it was taken from the Cathedral in a procession that went throughout the town.

After blessing the statue and its stage, the bishop sprinkled holy water on all the faithful, as a reminder of baptism and a renewal of it efficacy.

Finally the procession, which toured most of Comalapa’s streets, left the Cathedral.

On the afternoon of June 24, the bishop accepted the invitation of the leaders of the San José Poaquil confraternity and went to the large lot on which a beautiful parish church is to be built in the future.

The lot measures about 4000 square meters, located near the city cemetery, a few blocks from the center. It has a most beautiful view of the entire town.

On the afternoon of June 24, the bishop presided at the Eucharistic celebration with the faithful of the San José Poaquil Community.

Seminarians Marco Antonio Xumux and Germán Marín work regularly with the community. With their help the community has progressed greatly this year.

The bishop took advantage of the visit to urge everyone to engage in evangelizing activity so that the community may become solidified and have the enthusiasm to undertake the construction of the parish church.

On Thursday, June 28, during Vespers of the Solemnity of Apostles Peter and Paul, as a conclusion to the First Semester, our friend, Dr. David Greene, gave a concert of classical music, and the bishop presided at the Eucharistic celebration.

At the end of the concert, the bishop thanked Dr. Greene for the inestimable help that he has given the seminary over the course of years and that he continues giving to the seminary and to the seminarians’ education.

During the homily of the Mass, the bishop spoke of the apostolicity of the Church, its characteristics, and the commitments that it implies for all the members of the Church.

On the morning of Saturday, June 30, the bishop went to the Pastoral Center of Colotenango, formed of the communities of La Vega, Arenales, San Gaspar Ixchil and Chamul, Concepción Tutapa, San Marcos, in order to analyze the situation there and offer instruction to those who serve there.

Each of the representatives of the communities had the opportunity to describe how his or her community is doing.

At the end the bishop responded to the People’s concerns and gave instruction concerning several questions about the Church.

At midday on June 30, Monsignor Eduardo presided at the celebration of the Eucharist with the faithful of the La Vega Community, Colotenango.

The faithful participated with great joy, for it has been a long time since the bishop last presided at Eucharist here.

A great quantity of the faithful came forward for the sacrament of Reconciliation, and renewed their commitment to live as authentic Renewed Catholics.

On the late afternoon of June 30, the bishop came to the Chamul Community, Concepción Tutuapa, San Marcos.

The faithful were very happy because after several years of work they have raised the walls and put the roof on their new church. Although the construction is not yet finished, there is enough completed space for the community to gather to pray and to celebrate Eucharist.

In the homily the bishop encouraged the People to start a permanent mission to witness to Christ and to take the Gospel to everyone.

Although there is a still a shortage of catechetical instruction and as a result not everyone can take Communion, still the number of those who did come forward to participate in the Divine Banquet was great.