Newsletter of the Capuchin Overseas Missions Association Winter 2015 Apostolic Vicariate of Bluefield Nicaragua Begins its Second Century of Service to its People tion by the entire On December 1st, Nicaraguan Catholic 2013, the Catho- Church. The Vatican lic community of decree a century ear- eastern Nicaragua lier had established gathered together the ecclesiastical in the Cathedral of province of Mana- Our Lady of the gua, with the ap- Rosary in Bluefields pointment of an arch- to celebrate its 100 bishop to head the years. Led by Pablo Nicaraguan church. Ervin Schmitz, the Prior to this, the Apostolic Vicar and principal diocese was his auxiliary bishop, Bishops David and Paul Leon. Managua’s David Albin Zywiec, suffragan dioceses they praised and gave thanks to has about thirty priests. Several are now include Esteli, Granada, Jino- God for the blessings received Capuchins, others are on loan from tega, Juigalpa, Leon en Nicaragua and asked for guidance to face the various places, while fifteen are and Matagalpa. The eastern half of challenges that lay ahead. vicariate natives. Fortunately there the country was not established as are twenty-two major seminarians. a diocese. Rather, it became the The vicariate is large, about the Apostolic Vicariate of Bluefields. size of West Virginia. Its popula- On December 2nd, the two bishops An Apostolic Vicariate means that tion is approximately 950,000; went to Managua, the capital of the it is mission territory and needs to over 70 % are Catholic. There are country for the centennial celebra- develop religiously, economically only 17 mission par- and in the number of per- ishes and nearly all have sonal to become a diocese. parish schools. Much It is usually provisional of the population is though it may last for a rural, formed into basic century or more. The hope Christian communities, & intent is that the number served by Delegates of of Catholics in the region the Word when a priest is will eventually increase not available to celebrate and the local church will the Eucharist. There are develop enough to estab- more than 1,100 of these lish a diocese. basic communities. At the present time the vicariate According to the practice Bluefield Cathedral and bell tower of the Sacred Congre- ans yielded sovereignty gation de Propaganda to the British in 1740. Fide, the territory was The British Protectorate entrusted to the care and lasted until 1796, when jurisdiction of a specific England recognized the missionary institute. The sovereignty of Spain. Congregation singled However, in 1860, by a out the Capuchins. The agreement between the Capuchin superiors in British and American Rome chose the Spanish governments (Nicara- Capuchin Catalonian gua did not have a part province of Barcelona. to play), the Miskito It was granted the Jus Reserve was created, Procession to Cathedral commissionis with its under the protection of corresponding obligation Bonanza. The Miskitos, with the British crown. It that the Province provide person- their own language, lived along was only in1894 that the Nicara- nel and financial support for the the Rio Coco River, which forms guan government incorporated the Apostolic Vicariate along with the the border between Nicaragua and Miskito Reserve into its territory. right to nominate a friar to serve as Honduras. Throughout the vicari- Apostolic Vicar One of its mem- ate, rivers formed the principle A small group of friars joined the bers, Augustin Barnaus y Serra, means of communication, since bishop. The vicariate had no na- who had been the Apostolic Vicar there were few roads. Even at tive priests or seminarians. Their of Agana, Guam, was chosen on the present time there is no direct ministry centered around the Blue- May 9, 1913 and transferred to the highway connection from the west fields area. When Bishop Bar- Apostolic Vicariate of Bluefields coast to Bluefields. naus died in 1930, another Catalan Nicaragua. He arrived in that Capuchin, Juan Sola y Farrell swampy Caribbean coast city in The city itself bears the name of a succeeded him. From 1936 to November 1914 and was greeted Dutch soldier of fortune, Abraham 1939, a civil war devastated Spain. with much hostility. Blauveldt, one of the number of Further missionaries and financial European pirates hostile to Spain. aid proved impossible. In response Although the city had an intense The first black Africans appeared to the Catalan request, the jus commercial activity, there were when a Portuguese vessel trans- commissionis with its correspond- few Catholics in the region. The porting slaves was shipwrecked in ing obligation to provide person- entire vicariate had about 30,000 1641. In 1730, English colonists nel and financial support along with the right to nominate friars inhabitants. Most of the Spanish began to arrive and about a centu- to serve as Apostolic Vicar was speaking natives lived in the “Min- ry later, the Moravian Church was transferred to the Calvary/Detroit ing Triangle” of Siuna, Rosita and installed. The native Miskito Indi-

Children Present Offertory Gift Overflow Crowd

2 Bishop Matthew Niedhammer Bishop Salvador Schlaefer, right Caribbean lowlands. As mentioned earlier, the Vicari- Leaders, the Delegados ate now has approximately thirty Conditions of the people when friars arrived in 1938 de la Palabra had to be priests, half of whom are local, Capuchin Province of St. Joseph found and instructed in addition to over twenty major in October, 1938. Two groups in their role. New clinics are being seminarians. of American priests arrived the built not only to train volunteers to following year, including Mat- assist as midwifes and nurses, but The compulsory age for bishops thew Niedhammer, who became also to combat the introduction of to submit their letter of resigna- bishop in 1943 after Bishop Sola AIDS. In cooperation with the gov- tion is seventy-five. Bishop Paul had resigned and returned to ernment, rural schools are provided will reach that milestone on De- Spain. for over 14,000 children to give cember 3, 2018. He and his aux- them an elementary education. These iliary, Bishop David Zywiec, are As more missionaries arrived, the schools are open to all. The teachers leading the vicariate in studying ministry spread to the Miskitos, are paid by the government and the its future. Consultation with the the mining triangle and the Rama operating costs by the Vicariate. apostolic nuncio of Nicaragua, region. Salvador Schlaefer was the hierarchy of the metropolitan named bishop (1970 – 1993) An apostolic vicariate is mission see of Managua, civil authorities upon the death of Matthew in territory under the jurisdiction of and other knowledgeable per- 1970. Responding to the needs the Propagation of Faith. As noted sons has resulted in a tentative of the people, in addition to earlier, when it has the personnel and plan to ask the Holy See to form establishing chapels and form- financial ability to support itself, it is two dioceses from the vicariate ing faith communities, both named a diocese, no longer mission territory, namely the Diocese of bishops were deeply concerned land but rather a part of the local Bluefields Nicaragua and a new with better health facilities and church. This is the goal of every Diocese of Siuna Nicaragua. educational opportunities for the vicariate. Several factors give an Both would be suffragan sees of children. Political unrest, fiscal indication that this may soon be the the Archdiocese of Managua. crisis, a Sandinista uprising and story of Bluefields. civil warfare, followed by C.I.A. Recently, the Prov- contra attacks, several earth- ince of St. Joseph and quakes and tropical storms were the Vicariate agreed some of the obstacles that faced that Calvary province the friars in carrying out their could not and would ministry. not be obliged to send more personnel. The present bishop, Paul Schmitz However, it would of Fond du Lac, faced new chal- continue its financial lenges. The population was support until the terri- greatly increasing with new tory became a diocese. communities being formed in the Bishop David Zywiec going on a mission trip 3 ROTARY CLUB HELPS FR. WALLY’S WATER PROJECT

The volunteers as they left Panama in 2014

Many of you are familiar with the water projects of Fr. Wally (Pablo) Kasuboski, a Capuchin missionary. Since arriving in Panama in 1988, he has been serving the spiritual and temporal needs of his mission parish of 2,500 square miles and 30,000 people in more than 40 villages. Together with his people whom he taught to be carpenters, welders, drivers and masons, schools, churches and bridges were built. He also helped them improve and maintain the few local roads in the waters while that drawn from rivers was contami- region. nated. During the past 25 years, he has helped the He recognized that too many people were locals set up four water projects to deliver safe water dying of cholera and dysentery because of the lack of directly to various villages from streams high in the safe water. Local wells offered only putrid, tainted mountains. Despite their poverty, the recipients as- sessed themselves for funds and also contributed their labor to make the projects possible. However, most of the financial cost had to come from assistance in the U.S.A., much through your contributions to the Capu- chin Mission as well as from his relatives and friends in his home town of Ripon, Wisconsin Volunteers from both the Ripon area and Ripon College not only have helped financially but also a considerable number spend each January in Panama working with Fr. Wally. This direct contact enabled some who are members of the Ripon Rotary Club

4 successfully to propose the adoption of the clean the project may be the construction of a micro hy- water project as one if its goals They next obtained droelectric power plan, to provide electricity for the the support of the Panamanian Rotary Club. More people. Such a venture will require more hands-on recently Rotary International has identified clean labor and financial assistance from you, members of water as one of its priorities for international ser- the Capuchin Mission Association, the Rotary Club vice and has awarded a grant of $14,000. and other benefactors. This year’s workers are engaged in com- pleting the over 15 foot high dam. The future of

Fr. Wally loves all his volunteers! Some people who will now have clean water. Two tribes of Indians are included in the distric that the project will serve.

5 ARTICLE BY CAMELIA GREANEY, MEMBER OF OUR EUCHARISTIC MISSION BAND

Fr Kalist Tesha and Camelia Greaney Seminary Chapel A journey must begin with a was interested to learn the needs grounds were breathtaking, with single step. For me this single of the Capuchins in Africa who a peacefulness that seemed to be step did not stop. Instead, it are preparing young men for the heaven sent. The Capuchin Rector, continued and took me halfway priesthood. Also the trip would Fr. Kalist Tesha greeted us and around the world. Where did I give me a chance to observe the took us into the chapel where go? To Tanzania! country. the seminarians were gathered to pray the Angelus. The chapel was In May, 2014, I traveled to At times the roads leading to the decorated with a refined yet festive East Africa with Fr. Peter seminary were almost impassible. appearance, a somewhat different Asantebwana of Moshi The clay covered roads were look than ours. Tanzania. The provincial of lined with deep, wet slippery the Capuchin Province of ruts. Little children walking We then entered the sacristy. Fr. Tanzania invited us to visit to school and women carrying Kalist mentioned the need for new the Capuchin Seminary High heavy loads on their heads were vestments. He showed me their School in Maua, Tanzania. I fascinating sights. The seminary limited supply, many worn from 6 Dear Brother Larry,

I have enclosed $ ______in the envelope provided in this newsletter to further the Capuchin Missions to serve the poor and needy. My name and address are on the reverse side of this mail-in response. I prefer to charge my gift to my credit card: Visa Mastercard Am Express Discover

______Card Number Exp. date signature

Please send me a copy of the latest brochure of cards and certificates for the living and deceased Please send me additional information about including the Capuchin Missions of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph in my estate plans.

The prayers of the entire Capuchin Order are joined with yours as we pray for your special intentions. ______

Seminary Chapel long-term usage. My thoughts turned to my work as a volunteer at the Eucharistic Mission Band located adjacent to the Capuchin Monastery & Solanus Center in Fr. Kalist & Fr. Peter Detroit. For nearly a century, the green, and purple. Fr. Kalist group has been creating vestments Band at 313-579-2100, ext 138, recently received them and for missionary priests throughout on Tuesdays and Thursdays from expressed his gratitude to all who the world. Why not do the same 9:30 until 2:00 for more details. were involved in making this gift for Fr. Kalist! If you wish to contact Fr. Kalist possible. Tesha concerning his needs for It was an honor for me to carry out educational material, tuition for If you are interested in ordering a that resolution. When I returned future priest and updating of the vestment for a priest here or in the to Detroit I requested materials to facilities, please E-mail him at missions, contact the Eucharistic make four vestments, white, red, [email protected].

7 Capuchin Mission Association 1820 Mt. Elliott Street Detroit, MI 48207-3485

PLEASE REMEMBER Bishop Peter Baptist Ishigami, Capuchin bishop in Okinawa, died on October 25. Born on December 1,1920, he was a seminarian when drafted into the Japanese Army during World War II. When the first Calvary province missionar- Fr. Ted Niehaus Fr. Loren Miller ies entered his country in 1947, he greeted them and gave much assis- With request for prayers tance. In 1949, he came to America for Fr. Ted who died of and joined the Capuchins. After brain cancer on November his ordination as a priest in 1952 19, 2014. Also for Fr. at Marathon WI, he returned to Loren who is very ill. his homeland. He became the first Note that both have spent native bishop of Naha, Japan, in many years as missionaries 1972. May he rest in peace. in Nicaragua.