On Sunday, July 1, our bishop visited the Arenales Community in San Gaspar Ixchil, Huehuetenango.

The bishop could see the enthusiasm and continued growth the community has been experiencing.

Although there still are many adults who have not been able to regularize their matrimonial status in order to participate in communion, a crowd of children came forward to commune.

In Sunday afternoon, July 1, the bishop came for the first time to Pueblo Nuevo in the village of Pueblo Viejo, Malacatancito, Huehuetenango.

The leader of the community had become acquainted with our Church in the area of Cunén, El Quiché, when he traveled for business there. Now that the Church is solidified in the municipality of Malacatancito, the faithful have begun to feel better supported and have begun to work seriously.

The leader of the Church in Malacatancitio is brother Juventino and, with his support and enthusiasm, this community has begun to organize itself and increase its efforts.

On Monday, July 2, the seminarians had their regular bi-semestral retreat. The bishop led it.

The theme developed during the retreat was, “The characteristics of Christian spirituality in the first centuries.”

The reflections took account of the principles that emerge from the New Testament and the writings of the Fathers.

The bishop began with the idea that the axis of spirituality is Christ’s living presence through the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer throughout the Church.

In addition to this Christocentric and Pneumacentric dimension , spirituality has a sacramental dimension (because the ordinary form of continued spiritual growth is the sacramental life), progressive (because through it the processes of divinization or sanctification are carried forward in believers), charismatic, and ecclesiastical.

On Friday, July 6, the Deanery of the Nebaj area, El Quiché, took place.

Many faithful attended and shared their experiences of the last three months.

The representatives of most of the communities indicated that numerous new members have entered the Church. In addition, they reported that the life of the communities has been harmonious.

Father Marco Tulio Calderón, pastor for the area, also expressed with gratitude that most of the difficulties that had been experienced in the past have been successfully overcome.

The bishop reported on the progress of the Church as a whole, and gave instruction on important elements in the history of the early Church.

In the afternoon of July 6 Monsignor Eduardo, accompanied by Father Marco Tulio Calderón, came to the Pentecostés Community in Salquil Grande, Nebaj.

In addition to celebrating the Eucharist, Christian Initiation was administered to three children.

Right:  The rite of Baptism, Chrismation, and later, during the Eucharist, the administration of Communion.

The practice of administering Christian Initiation in its complete form has been widely accepted by all the People of God.

In late afternoon, Monsignor Eduardo visited the Xepiún Community. In addition to the Eucharist, the marriage of two couples was celebrated.

According to the report of the community’s coordinator, brother Francisco, the community has experienced growth recently. Some new families have joined.

The celebration of the sacrament of Marriage is an important moment in the life of the communities, for it completes its members’ process of conversion and full incorporation into the Church.

On Saturday, July 7, the bishop came to the Chel Community, where the deanery of the Chajul region, El Quiché, was celebrated.

The faithful in this area have dedicated their parish to the Blessed Martyrs of Chajul. Many Renewed Catholic brothers were martyred for their faith during the armed conflict in 1982-84.

Father Marco Tulio Calderón led the opening prayer, in which all the faithful present participated.

In the reports that the faithful gave, the growth and process of maturation that has been experienced in all the communities became clear. Among the communities with greatest growth are those of Chel and Satzibán.

In the afternoon of July 7, the bishop presided at the Eucharist with some of the faithful of Sotzil, Chajul.

Father Marco Tulio Calderón concelebrated with the bishop.

Left:  The reading of the Gospel.

During the homily the bishop emphasized the fundamental principle that each member must play an important role in the life of the communities, as well as in their mission outreach.

In late Saturday afternoon, July 7, the bishop presided at the Eucharist with the La Perla Community, Chajul.

The visit was celebrated on the occasion of the anniversary of the community’s formation and its covenant with our Church.

During the homily the bishop urged the community to continue working intensely in the pastoral projects it has begun and in promoting evangelism.

The sacrament of Reconciliation was administered at the beginning of the celebration. This meant that the great majority of the worshipers were prepared to receive Holy Communion.

On Sunday morning, July 8, the bishop celebrated the Deanery of Cunén and Sacapulas with representatives from communities in these municipalities.

The community coordinators described the situation in their respective communities. Then Father Bernabé Mateo Nieto, pastor for the area, gave his perception of the situation.

In general the news was very positive. Nevertheless, in some communities there is a lack of mission outreach, for which several alternatives were discussed as ways to carry out to the mission that has been entrusted to us.

At the end, Monsignor Eduardo commented on the various questions that the delegates had brought up, and gave instruction on the historical roots of the Church that Christ founded and its development, beginning with the witness of the apostles.

On Sunday afternoon, July 8, our bishop went to the Santísima Trinidad Parish in Uspantán to preside at the Eucharistic celebration.

The parish, served by Father Denis Obando, has grown considerably since the beginning of the year. Many, many have come from other churches, and many previous members have returned since the serious crisis that shook the parish two years ago.

In light of the readings, the homily urged the worshipers to continue in their mission outreach, for fulfilling the Lord’s commandment to make disciples of the whole world is one of the fundamental objectives of every Renewed Catholic.

After the homily the admission of some faithful into the church was celebrated. Some of them are returning; others are joining the Church for the first time.

On Sunday evening, July 8, the Deanery of the parishes of Uspantán and Chamá Grande and of the Zona Reina Pastoral Center was celebrated.

The new council of Uspantán was able to share with pleasure the positive experience that it has had in the last three months.

The faithful of Zona Reyna shared several difficulties that they have had vis-à-vis the arrival of people who have nothing to do with the church but have confused some members who were not yet firm in the faith.  The community directors that have remained faithful promised to work intensely to bring back those who have been deceived and to help the Church grow in the area in order to be able to become a Renewed Catholic Parish in the future.

During the instruction period, the bishop elaborated on themes that refer to the biblical bases of the Church and the way some texts should be understood in order to accord with the teaching of the Church Fathers.

At the end of the meeting, Father Denis presided at the Thanksgiving Prayer for all the benefits received and for the continuing growth that the Church has experienced.

On Friday, July 13, our bishop met with his Eminence, Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, Patriarchal Delegate of His Holiness Ignatius, Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch.

The goal of the meeting, which took place in the Chancellery of the Archdiocese of the Western United States, was to work out details of the visit that they will make to our Church in the name of His Holiness.

His Eminence Mor Clemis presented to our bishop, as a sign of communion, a most beautiful set of vestments used for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

The visit to Guatemala will be prepared by the Reverend Corepiscopo Abdulahad Shara, who will arrive in Guatemala ahead of His Eminence to share with our Church some elements of the history and celebration of the Divine Liturgy of St. James. Then, after the arrival of Mor Clemis, several communities of our Church will, God willing, be visited.

In the afternoon of July 14, Monsignor Eduardo came to Studio 3 of Radio Nueva Vida de Nucá, located in Los Angeles.

The purpose of the visit was to broadcast the monthly program in which, in addition to educational themes, there would be responses to concerns raised by the faithful.

The broadcast is becoming an effective means by which Monsignor Eduardo can communicate with thousands of the faithful both in Guatemala and in many other places, for the program is carried not only by radio but also by the internet.

Those responsible for the broadcast are making great efforts to improve its quality and to increase the number of places where it can be heard.

In the afternoon of July 14, Monsignor Eduardo had a meeting with representatives from the various communities that form the San Miguel Renewed Catholic Parish in Los Angeles.

The specific objective for the meeting, was to discuss the urgency that is felt about acquiring a piece of property in which the parish could locate its headquarters, for being located in different rented places, as they are at present, detracts from the institutional stability that a parish requires.

The faithful were very enthusiastic about the initiative and committed themselves to poll members and knock on doors so that the project may come to fruition in accord with the way the Lord may be leading.

 In late afternoon of Saturday, July 14, our bishop went to the central see of the San Miguel Arcángel Parish, located at 227 East Jefferson, Los Angeles, to celebrate the Eucharist with the faithful.

The community participated fervently and joyfully.

The bishop urged them to work continuously to renew their lives in order to enjoy the strength and happiness that the Lord wishes to give to those who trust in him.

In the evening Monsignor Eduardo began, with the Eucharistic celebration, an evening vigil that the faithful of the Pacto Divino Community, Los Angeles, were having.

The bishop urged them to be open to the Lord during the time of prayer so that He may continue to strengthen each person’s experience of His presence during every moment of his or her life.

The worshipers participated with great devotion and enthusiasm.

All the servers were particularly grateful to the Lord because in spite of the difficulties they have had, the Lord continues blessing the community, which is becoming more and more solidified.

In the evening Monsignor Eduardo presided at the Eucharist with the Restauración en el Espíritu Santo Community.

The worshipers participated with great happiness and devotion, although some members could not be present because of a death in the family on the preceding day.

The community’s organization continues to deepen, and the community is trying to take the steps necessary for the faithful to be identified completely with the distinctive nature and life of the Church.

On Sunday, July 15, the bishop lead a theological and pastoral class for the servants in the Church, as he always does during his trips to Los Angeles.

For the first time, the class, which lasted almost three hours, was broadcast by Radio Carisma, la Voz del Espíritu Santo in Santa Cruz Barillas

To close the educational program, Eucharist was celebrated with the faithful who had participated in the class.

The worshipers participated actively in the celebration.

During the homily the bishop stressed that each member of the community must be open to experience the Lord’s choosing him or her to be a prophet and apostle so that he or she can carry out the Lord’s mission.

The music ministry as well as the other ministries participated with great enthusiasm and in a well-coordinated way.

The work still has to be intensified in order that the members be able to offer in a coordinated and ongoing way all the services required of a parish.

On Thursday, July 19, our bishop celebrated the Eucharist with the Unción del Espíritu Santo Community in Santiago Atitlán, Sololá.

The homily invited the worshipers to put all their confidence in the Lord in order to succeed in their activities.

In light of the reading from the prophet Isaiah, he emphasized that efforts made in whatever area, but especially in spiritual matters, cannot bring us salvation if we do not recognize our fragility and limitations and imitate Jesus.

In late afternoon on July 19, Monsignor Eduardo presided at the Eucharist with the Pentecostés Community. Within the Mass the marriage of two couples, members of the community since childhood, took place.

While exhorting the new couples to live in fidelity, he commented on the readings that the liturgy presented, inviting them to put with confidence all their fatigue and limitations into the hands of the Lord so He may give them the consolation, peace and happiness that they seek.

At the end of the celebration, there was a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing for the five faithful who comprise the Ministry of Intercession and who are completing the first year of their work. During this period, many signs of the divine presence show that their intercession has been effective.

On Friday morning, July 20, the bishop went to the Jacaltenango parish see to preside at the celebration of the Deanery of the Communities of Jacaltenango and Concepción Huista.

The communities’ leaders described the situation in their communities, and then Padre Santo Acosta, the local pastor, made an evaluation of the parish’s activities.

The bishop expressed his pleasure on seeing that the reports of problems actually indicate that in fact the communities are growing in faith and in missionary commitment.

One of the concerns raised was the type of support that should be given to the many new people that are now joining the communities.

The bishop laid out the strategies and processes that should be followed.

In addition he explained the framework within which our ecclesiastic dialogues are taking place with the Syrian-Antiochene Orthodox, namely that through them we are trying to identify ourselves fully with the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church as Christ founded it.

In the afternoon of July 20, the bishop visited the Community Ap in Concepción Huista for the first time.  Consisting of many faithful, the community has constructed a beautiful church.

On the bishop’s visit, eight children were initiated into Christian Life, four were confirmed and received their missionary mandate, and a group of children made their first Reconciliation and Solemn Communion.

In the context of administering the Initiation, the bishop explained that Christian liberty is to be found when, by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, it is constituted in the priesthood of the People of God, by which all Christian activity attains a sacramental and spiritual dimension.

To the faithful who were confirmed the bishop spoke about the ability and the commitment to live and work as the apostles did.

Christian Initiation ended with the administration of the Body and Blood of Christ to each of the children. They all received the Divine Sacrament joyfully. This helps the parents feel strengthened in their mission to bring up their children in the faith.

 In the evening of July 20, Monsignor Eduardo presided at the Eucharist with the community in central Jacaltenango, with many, many worshipers participating.

Explaining the readings of the day, the bishop said that by Baptism all of us have come to form a Priestly People. This is why the Christian does not have to submit to the practices of the Old Testament and why his or her whole life acquires a sacramental meaning.

After the homily two communion ministers were installed: one to serve in the Nueva Concepción el Olvido Community in the municipality of Nentón—which now has more than 150 members—and the other to serve in the Com community.

On Saturday, July 21, our bishop came to the Guaxacaná Community to preside at the celebration of the Nentón Deanery.

Representatives from the majority of the Renewed Catholic communities were present.

The faithful laid out the successes and the difficulties that they have had.

On balance the reports were positive concerning the mission activity that brother Amílcar has been carrying out in the communities, as well as the instruction that seminarian José Alfredo Hernández has been giving.

During the instruction period, the bishop explained the meaning of the different terms that refer to the Church the Christ founded.

He explained the etymology and implications of the words “Christian,” “catholic,” and “orthodox.”

In the evening of July 21, Monsignor Eduardo presided at the Eucharist with some parishioners of the Guaxacaná Community, Nentón, Huehuetenango.

During the homily, the bishop invited the faithful to identify themselves fully with what it means to be a Renewed Catholic and live the life of the Spirit with intensity, and thereby to be those who continue the mission that the Father entrusted to Jesus.

That the celebration began with the administration of Reconciliation for those who felt the need to receive it allowed a great majority of those present to come forward to receive communion.

In the late afternoon, Monsignor Eduardo came to La Trinidad, a village of Nentón, on the Mexican border. The faithful were full of joy, for in the last three months many had converted and entered the Church.

After receiving the bishop, the faithful walked to the place where Eucharist was to be celebrated. During the Eucharist, several faithful, including adults and children, were initiated into Christian Life and others made their Solemn Communion.

The bishop invited the recently converted members to pursue their instruction in the faith so that they may attain in its fullness the life they are beginning.

During the celebration brother Sixto, leader of the community, was installed as a communion minister.

At the end, the permanent presence of the Most Holy Sacrament was installed, for the faithful, in spite of their limitations, wanted the permanent sacramental presence and promised to keep growing in the faith and in giving missionary witness to the end that the community may be solidified and grow.

On Sunday, July 22, our bishop had planned to visit the community Ixcaná in the old part of the municipality of Nentón. But during the celebration of the Deanery, he was informed that for reasons of accessibility and spiritual affinity, the community had decided to join the Renewed Catholic Parish of San Mateo Apóstol, which, with God’s help, will be created on Saturday, August 4, so the visit was postponed.

The bishop explained the characteristics of our Church and how it aligns fully with the faith, liturgy, and organization of the early Church, for which reason we are in dialogue with the ancient patriarchates that have maintained the full catholicity and apostolicity of the Church.

He responded to several questions from those present and invited them to pray and reflect about whether the Lord is calling them to take this road that will lead them to the full and genuine catholicity and apostolicity of their faith.

On Wednesday, July 25, our bishop went to San Juan Comalapa to hold the first evaluation with the missionaries who committed themselves to launch the evangelism of the parish.

In general, the activity was a success.  One of the teams reported that through the missionary work they carried out in these two months, twenty families have entered the Church or have activated their participation and thirty more are in process of entering.

Other teams also reported on new members joining the communities.

Some teams had not yet worked actively, but promised to do so in the future.

The next evaluation meeting will be on the last Wednesday of September.

At this time, the missionary project will direct itself toward:

• Reaching those within the population center who are not yet members of the Church; and
• Making efforts to form communities in the villages where the presence of the Church has not become stable.

On Thursday afternoon, July 26, Monsignor Eduardo visited the Pajomel Community, Santa Cruz La Laguna, Sololá.

The community was celebrating the anniversary of installing the Most Holy Sacrament in the church as well as ten confirmations.

During the homily the bishop dwelt on what the presence of the Most Holy Sacrament means. It is not simply a presence to be adored but above all a presence on which to feed during the times when the Eucharist cannot be celebrated.

In this way, each of the communities can maintain continuously the centrality of Jesus Christ, the Living Bread that came down from heaven, within its community life.

To the young men and women who renewed their Christian commitment and accepted their mission responsibility, the bishop said that it was fundamental and essential for them to work untiringly in proclaiming the Gospel.

At the end of the afternoon of July 26, the bishop went to the Chuitzanchaj Community, Santa Cruz La Laguna, in order to celebrate the Eucharist with the faithful.

During the homily the bishop invited all the worshipers to renew their mission commitment as an essential part of manifesting the Church that the Lord founded.

The ceremony began with the administration of penitence. This enabled a great number of the worshipers to come forward to receive communion.

On Friday morning, July 27, the Deanery of Central Huehuetenango was celebrated in the Parish See of Santa Eulalia.

For the first time the Deanery was celebrated in the place where in the future the Renewed Catholic parish church will be built. Just the same, the temporary construction is ample.

Delegates attended from the four parishes that comprise this Deanery:  Santa Eulalia, San José Quixabaj, Santos Arcángeles, and Soloma.

First, the representatives of the parishes reported on the advances that they have been given: in the past three months six communities have been formed or joined, and growth in all the communities was noted.

Afterward the bishop gave instruction on the etymological meaning and use within Christendom of the terms “Catholic” and “Orthodox.”

At the end preparations were discussed for the Deanery Eucharist to be celebrated on Sunday, August 5.

At the end of the meeting, a new family from San Sebastián Coatán, which has converted, was presented. They made their confession of faith, and everyone prayed for them.

In the afternoon of July 27, the bishop went to the central community of San Rafael La Independencia, located in Jolomcú.

During the ceremony, the brother who is the leader of the community was installed as a Communion Minister.

After the prayer of institution, both the bishop and Father Felipe, the parish presbyter, and the other ministers prayed for the new minister.

The bishop was pleasantly surprised by the number of parishioners who participated. That was the result of the fact that in recent months many new families have joined the Church.

During the evening of July 27, Monsignor Eduardo came to the Ixtenam Community, in the Santa Eulalia Parish, to celebrate the Installation of two Communion Ministers.

It was the first time that the bishop celebrated the Eucharist in the community’s new church building.

The bishop congratulated them and urged them to keep working in evangelism and mission expansion.

Those who were installed as ministers declared to the whole community that they were completely committed to live authentic Christian lives and to serve the People of God. For its part, the community ratified to the bishop the election of the candidates to exercise the ministry of distributing the communion.

Almost the entire body of worshipers came forward to commune.

On Saturday, July 28, with a large group of attendees, the Assembly-Deanery of Southwest Huehuetenango was celebrated in the Church’s Education Center.

The representatives of the various parishes and pastoral centers presented brief reports on the situation in their communities.

With great joy the general growth of the communities as well as the entrance of new communities into the church was reported.

The presbyters who work in the various parishes also shared the successes of the recent months.

During the instruction period, the bishop explained in depth the process of our dialogues with the ancient apostolic sees and the stage of our relationships with them.

On the afternoon of July 28, our bishop came to the El Rodeo de Malacatancito Community to celebrate the Eucharist, including the first confession and Solemn Communion of a group of young people and children.

During the homily the bishop urged the worshipers who have entered the church recently to renew their evangelical commitment and to work in missions so that the presence of the Church in this area can be strengthened.

The young people and children were well prepared and eager to live conscientiously the commitments entailed in Christian Life.

On Sunday morning, July 29, Monsignor Eduardo came to the Cantzela Community in Cantzela, Aguacatán.  It was the second visit to the community, but the first time when the meeting took place in the house of prayer.

In the morning, the bishop led an instruction program for delegates from the communities in the Municipality of Aguacatán. In terms of formal organization, two communities were involved, Xenaxicul and Cantzela. But members from other places who are considering the possibility of joining the Church also attended.

The bishop answered many questions that the people had, and he encouraged them to renew their mission commitment in order to strengthen the presence of the Church in that municipality.

In the afternoon Eucharist was celebrated with the Cantzela Community and representatives of the Xenaxicul Community.

During the ceremony, several faithful from Cantzela were initiated into Christian Life through the administration of the three sacraments that comprise Christian Initiation.

Each time, worshipers are more aware of how fundamental it is that the administration of Christian Initiation be celebrated in its complete form, in accord with the practice of the early Church as it has continued to be practiced into our time by the churches in the East.

Two couples came from Xenaxicul to be married. In this way they regularized sacramentally their union and the family that they had made several years ago.