After a wonderful flight we all arrived safely in El Salvador.  It is about an hour and a half trip to the CFCA center in Santa Ana.  It was a long day of travel and we were glad to unpack, have a good dinner, and get ready for our day tomorrow.

Click here for pictures from today.

Our journey today took us to the community of Mogotes, about an hour and a half drive from the center in Santa Ana.  We were able to celebrate mass with the community and then visit with several families in this community.  After lunch we has a amazing soccer game which ended in a tie (we were saved by an afternoon thunderstorm)!

Click here for pictures from the trip to Mogotes

Prayer and Study :: Introduction to Economic Situation in El Salvador & Overview of Catholic Social Teaching
Leaders: Liz, Katie and Robbie Dolan, Tom Monaghan, Cora-Ann McElwain
 

Today we went to mass at our sister parish in Tacuba.  It was a great experience to be welcomed by this community and to pray with them.  After mass we had lunch together and then attended a series of presentations by families in the community who shared their culture, their situation, and the powerful way that mission work has helped them.  We were even incited to dance!

Click here to see pictures of our day in Tacuba

Prayer and Study ::Focus on Human Dignity and Solidarity
Nancy & Kasey Doherty, Carol & Erica Barbera, Brandon Khoury

We began the day early with morning prayer led by the team here in Santa Ana.  After breakfast we traveled to Tacuba and the John Paul II school to run our one day bible camp.  We received a warm welcome from the principal and then began our activities.  The younger children worked on crafts and the upper grades challenged us in basketball (a tie) and soccer (big surprise - we lost!).   Some of the adults assembled computer desks for a set of new computers which our mission group raised funds to purchase.  After lunch we met with one of the small communities again to talk about the work of the mission here.  Our day ended with time to dance - a great gesture of friendship beyond words.

Click here for pictures of camp today.

Prayer and Study :: Focus on Common Good and Option for the Poor
Dana Baltrusitis, Lisamarie Maher, Carolanne and Sean Smith, Mike Goldin

After morning prayer our group divided into four teams and went to work at CFCA distribution centers in Santa Ana.  It was a busy morning meeting people and distributing benefits (essential items such as food and clothing) to the men, women, and children who come to the center.  We were helped by young people who have been helped by the missions - especially to receive a good education - who acted as translators.  In the afternoon we met some more young people from the mission towns and enjoyed with them a friendly game of soccer!

Click here to see pictures from today’s soccer game.

Prayer and Study :: Focus on Romero and Jesuit Martyrs
Patrice and Tara Davidson, Maggie Frodell, Kelly Kerner

Today we visited San Salvador and the chapel at Divine Providence hospital / hospice where Bishop Romero was martyred.  It is a very moving experience to be in that place and it was more meaningful for us this year because we were joined by many of the families we visited this week in their communities.  After mass we visited the humble rooms where Romero lived in 1980.  We then traveled to a very special place, Lake Coatepeque where we had a chance to recreate with many of the sponsored children.  Sponsorship, an important part of the CFCA mission, allows individuals and families to make a commitment of support to one particular person - young or old!

Click here to see pictures of our visit to the chapel and the lake.

Prayer and Study :: How does Catholic Social Teaching relate to our trip?
Lori & Marisa Gargaro, Kerrianne Thomas, Diana and Stephanie Taveras

Today we will visit a local handcraft market on our way to the airport for the trip back to NY.