St. Innocent Orthodox Church Z Founded in 1967 Z Moscow Patriarchal Parishes Z 23300 W. Chicago _ Redford, MI 48239 _ 313-538-1142 _ Fax: 313-538-8126 Church Website: www.stinnocentchurch.com _ E-Mail: [email protected] St. Innocent Monastic Community: 9452 Hazelton, Redford, MI 48239 _ 313-535-9080 PASTOR: Rt. Rev. Mitered Archpriest ROMAN STAR _ Cell: 313-319-0590 Dean, Central States Deanery, Patriarchal Parishes AUGUST 28, 2016 ASSISTANT PRIEST: Rev. DANEIL SHIRAK _ 313-295-3073 EPISTLE: 1st Corinthians 4:9– 16 (#131) DEACON: Rev. Dn. Comerford GOSPEL: St. Matthew 17:14 – 23 (#72) SUBDEACON: Dr. Joshua Genig TONE: 1 ATTACHED: Sister Ioanna CHOIR DIRECTOR: Elizabeth Star Hatfield READERS: Robert Latsko & George Hanoian

Z 10th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Z

_ 9:15AM — HOURS & AKATHIST &/or CANON; CONFESSIONS _ _ 10am — DIVINE LITURGY OF ST. _

COMMEMORATED TODAY: Ven. the Ethiopian of Scete (ca. 400). Uncovering of the Relics of Ven. , Abbot and Wonderworker of Pochaev (1659). Righteous Anna the Prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, who met the Lord at the Temple in Jerusalem (1st c.). Martyr Susanna, Princess of Georgia (5th c.). Synaxis of the of the Kiev Caves whose relics repose in the Far Caves.

FOR THE REPOSE OF: Estelle & Joseph Star; Anna & John Witkowski; Michael Sr. & Margaret Rusko; Mary, Andrew, , Michael & Lottie Yakuber; Ross & Margaret Falsetti; Helen, John & Carole Andrayko; Peter & Theresa Harvilla; Betty Martell; Frances & Todd Smoly; Peter Glover; Irene Adams; Ethel Elizabeth & Wayne Joshua deVyver, Horka; Michael Rusko; Anna Lichagina, Yelena & Zinaïda Korniyevskaya; Joseph Nossal; Michelle Tucker; Todd Comerford MEMORY Jaimie Truskowski (newly departed, Wednesday, August 19th), mother of Kayleen Truskowski ETERNAL! John Manier, Jr. (newly departed, Friday, August 10th), brother of Ed Manier Wayne Joshua deVyver, whose anniversary of his repose is Monday, 29 August, by daughter, Sister Ioanna Mary Latsko, whose anniversary of her repose is Tuesday, 30 August, by son, Reader Robert Joseph Latsko Marsha Gelok, whose anniversary of her repose is Wednesday, 31 August, by cousin Mat. Rose Marie & Fr. Roman

FOR THE HEALTH OF: Archimandrite Seraphim; Priest Daneil, Matushka Debra & Corrina Shirak; Deacon Michael, Matushka Mary Ellen & Julius Comerford; Matushka Mary Donahue; Subdeacon Joshua & Abigail Genig; Reader Robert Latsko, Reader George & Betty Hanoian, Rose Nossal, Mary Glover, Nancy Cupp, Vasiliki Stamoulis, Gerald Martell, Azbehat, Donald Yakuber, Carl deVyver, Jo Anne Nicholas, Joan Rusko, Daria, Joseph Nossal, Ed Manier; Marianna Wess & new-born son, Andrew-Vladimir Jason. ALSO FOR: John Andrayko, who celebrates his birthday on Wednesday, 31 August Reader Robert Joseph Latsko, who celebrates his birthday on Friday, 2 September Fr. Roman & Mat. Rose Marie, who celebrate their 49th Anniversary on Saturday, 3 September Š MAY GOD GRANT THEM MANY YEARS! Š

SCHEDULE FOR THE COMING WEEK (regular Wednesday & Friday fastig) TODAY, Sun. 8/28 6pm GREAT VESPERS for the BEHEADING OF ST. Monday 8/29 10am DIVINE LITURGY for the BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST & Panikhida (Strict fast day) Saturday 9/3 4pm GREAT VESPERS & CONFESSIONS Sunday 9/4 11th Sunday After Pentecost 9:15am Hours & Akathist &/or Canon; & Confessions 10am DIVINE LITURGY; followed by Coffee Hour

PROSPHORA FOR TODAY IS OFFERED BY: Sister Ioanna In Memory Eternal of: Parents: Wayne Joshua (anniv. 8/29) & Ethel Elizabeth (B-day, 9/2); David Horka (anniv. 9/27); Alex Ruggieri (anniv. 7/21); Mother Benedicta (anniv. 8/7); Popadia Vera Nicoloff (anniv. 8/24); Olive Brower (anniv. 7/10); Elise Laney (anniv. 9/4); Michelle Tucker (anniv. 8/28); Archim. Roman (Braga); Fr. Photius; & all other departed family & friends; and for the Health of: Brother, Carl; Rdr. Robert (B-day, 9/2); Fr. Roman & Mat. Rose Marie (49th wedding anniv. 9/3); Dcn. Michael (B-day, 8/19); Rose N; Jo Anne N; Abigail & Anna G.(B-days); new-born Andrew (7/15); all family & friends. CANDLES FOR LAST SUNDAY, 21 AUGUST YEARLY CHURCH VIGIL LAMPS: Royal Doors Lamp: In Memory of Husband, Joseph; Son, Kenneth; parents, Michael & Margaret Rusko, & John & Martha Nossal, by Rose Nossal Altar Candelabra: In Memory of Parents, Nicholas and Susan Yakuber, by son, Donald Yakuber Altar Candles (2): In Memory of Irene Adams, by Goddaughter, Rose Ann Everhardt Iconostasis Lamps: In Memory of Parents, Ethel Elizabeth & Wayne Joshua; Robert David H; & Health of brother, Carl, by Sister Ioanna Candles on the Solea: In Memory of Peter & Theresa Harvilla, Norman & Monica Holst, & Ricky Ellis, by Jason & Debra Truskowski Table of Oblation Lamp: In Memory of Parents, Helen & John Andrayko, Sr. & sister, Carole Andrayko, by John Andrayko, Jr. Reliquary-Icon Lamps: Sts. Innocent, Tikhon & Herman: Health of Joseph/Sue; Robert/Diane; Pat/John; Joseph B., Jared, Jay; Rachelle/Aaron, ; Tricia, Lindsey; & In Memory of sisters, Anna, Margaret, Theresa & Irene; & brothers, John, Edwin & Michael by Rose Nossal Reliquary-Icon Lamps: Sts. Elizabeth & : Health of the Genig and the Just Families, by Subdeacon Joshua & Abigail Genig Reliquary-Icon Lamps: St. Seraphim & St. Alexis: In Memory of Ross & Margaret Falsetti, by daughters, Rose Ann Everhardt & Margie Martell Reliquary-Icon Lamps: St. & Sts. Alexandra & Martha (AVAILABLE) Reliquary-Icon Lamps: St. Nestor & St. Gerontius (AVAILABLE) IN MEMORY OF (MEMORY ETERNAL!) Joseph & Estelle Star, by son Father Roman and family Paul & Alexandra Yupco, Basil & Ellen Starinshak, by grandson, Father Roman and family John & Anna Witkowski, by daughter, Matushka Rose Marie and family & Mary Kupec, by granddaughter, Matushka Rose Marie and family Parents, Helen & John Andrayko, and sister, Carole Andrayko, by John Andrayko My husband, Joe; my sisters, Margaret & Ross Falsetti, Anna & Mike Elaschat, Theresa & Pete Harvilla, Irene, & brothers, Michael, John & Edwin Rusko; niece, Rose Mary & Dean Hough; Joe’s brothers, Raymond & Walter Nossal, & sisters, Theresa, Florence & Helen Nossal, by Rose Nossal ++ + Pete & Theresa Harvilla, by Mary Ann Harvilla & Kay Truskowski + + + Jaimie Truskowski, by daughter Kay T. Parents, Ethel Elizabeth & Wayne Joshua; David H; Nina I; Marion P; Fr. Photius; Mo. Benedicta; Archm. Roman; Olive, by Sr Ioanna John Manier, Jr. (Newly departed), by brother Ed Manier & family + + + My husband, Michael Rusko, by Joan Rusko Thelma Ratcliff, Louis Pitts, Gloria Robinson, Reginald Bell, Lessie Favor, Lois Hamby, by Manier Family Child Lana Wilson, Shirley Troyer, Betty & Paul Stelmaszek, Marsha Olsen, by Becky Jurczyszyn FOR THE HEALTH OF: (MANY YEARS!) Elizabeth & Lawrence, Caitlin & Zachary, by parents & grandparents, Father Roman & Matushka Rose Marie Gregory & Tamiko Star, by parents, Father Roman & Matushka Rose Marie Children, Grandchildren & Great-grandchildren; Fr. Sdn. Tikhon (Dade); by Rose Nossal Father Roman & Matushka & family; Sister Ioanna; John Andrayko; Nancy; Mary G; Jo Anne N; Grandson Joey (in the Navy Reserves) & all people in the Armed Forces; & all St. Innocent Church parishioners, by Rose Nossal + + + Family & Friends, by Mary Ann Harvilla & Kay Brother, Greg & Donna; nephew, Gregory & Liz; & nephew, Alex, by Mary Ann Harvilla & Kay + + + Ed Manier, by Mary Ann Harvilla & Kay Archimandrites Nafanail, Gregory & Seraphim; Fr. Roman & Mat. Rose Marie; Fr. Lawrence & fam; Fr. Laurence & fam; Fr. Daneil & fam; Dcn. Michael & fam; Mat. Mary D; Carl; Monk-Sdn Fr. Tikhon; Sdn Andrew; Sdn Joshua, Abigail & children; Rdr Robert; Robert M; David Samuel, Sky & Avi; JoAnne/Nick; Athanasius; John A; Ed/Tiffany; Kim & fam; Vasiliki; Rose; Emil; Billy/Fonda; Donald Y; Marianna & new-born Andrew, by Sr. Ioanna + + + John Andrayko (May God watch over him), by Rose Nossal + + + Rose Nossal, by John Andrayko Father Roman, by Mat. Rose Marie & Family + + + Sdcn. Joshua Genig, by Genig Family + + + H & S of: all Manier children & grandchildren; Jennifer Kelley(cancer returned); Donna Williams (MS); Brittany (personal relationships); Bronte (personal relationships) by Ed & Tiffany (1) Leia, Mike, Reece & Wyatt Wilson; (2) Joan & Bob Jurczynszyn, Toni Hoolie Bussen& Ginger Rice; (3) DamonTristan, Levi Troyer, Briana Saylor; (4) Liz Tomachewski, Andria & Nathan Faust; (5) Pete, Krista, , Claire, Matt Stelmaszek, by Becky Jurczyszyn ANNOUNCEMENTS 1) THE PARISH EXTENDS ITS DEEPEST SYMPATHY AND HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO: Kayleen Truskowski & her family for the repose of her Mother, Jamie Truskowski, on Wednesday, August 10th (Kay is Jason’s daughter & Mary Ann Harvilla’s granddaughter); and to Ed Manier & his family, for the sudden and unexpectedly loss of his oldest Brother, John Manier, Jr., who reposed on Friday, August 19th of a heart attack. MEMORY ETERNAL for Jamie and John, and many prayers for their grieving families. 2) UP-COMING SPECIAL EVENTS TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDARS: Sunday, Sept. 11th, 9am, Baptism & Chrismation of Andrew-Vladimir Jason Wess, son of Marianna & Jason Wess, born July 15th. Saturday, October 15th, Visitation of John to St. Elias, Battle Creek, Hierarchal Divine Liturgy, celebration of 50th Anniversary Sunday, October 23rd, 6th Annual Benefit Concert by the Orthodox Choir of Detroit, at Ascension Greek Cathedral, Detroit Saturday, November 12th, Visitation of Bishop John to St. Innocent, Hierarchal Divine Liturgy (tentative) Saturday, November 26th, Visitation of Bishop John to St. John Chrysostom, Grand Rapids, H.D. Liturgy, celebration of 100th Anniversary 3) WEEKLY “ST. INNOCENT ORTHODOX STUDY GROUP,” led by Subdeacon Dr. Joshua Genig, meets on most Wednesday Evenings, 6:30-7:30 at St. Innocent Church hall. 4) NEW ISSUE OF “GOOD WORKS” IS AVAILABLE. The July-August issue of the COCC’s excellent bi-monthly 20-page magazine is available in printed 2-color form at church (left front pew), and is available in full-color on line at: http://coccdetroit.com/ files/Good%20Works/COCCGoodWorks-2016JUL-AUG.pdf. Our Subdeacon Dr. Josh Genig has a great article in it. 5) REJOICE, OUR NEWLY-PAVED PARKING LOT HAS BEEN FINISHED!!! Not only does it LOOK so much nicer, it is so much SAFER, with no more holes and crumbling pavement to cause falls & damage cars. Contributions to help pay for it ($21,000) are most welcome. ST. MOSES THE BLACK (ca. 325 – ca. 400) Feast Day: August 28th

St. Moses is a perfect example, like St. Mary of , that sometimes the greatest sinners can become the greatest saints, by means of deep and sincere repentance. Moses had been a murderer, a thief, and a very violent person. Therefore, St. Moses is a marvelous model for us of the power of repentance and of God’s forgiveness, especially for those who might feel that they are too sinful to be reconciled to God and His Holy Church, because they have strayed and fallen into sin. The “righteous” can be further from God than the sinner, because the “righteous,” like the pharisee and the elder son of Jesus’ parables, do not see their sins, and therefore are filled with pride instead of humility. In contrast, like Jesus’ prodigal son and tax-collector, the great sinner who repents can grow ever closer to God by means of his continued sincere repentance and consequent humility and self-abasement. St. Moses is just such a person. St. Moses lived in Egypt during the fourth century. He was a very dark-skinned Icon of St. Moses the Black, at St. Innocent Ethiopian, and thus is also called St. Moses the Black. In his youth he was a slave of a high- Orthodox Church, Redford, MI ranking man, but after Moses committed a murder, his master banished him. Filled with much anger and bitterness, Moses joined a band of thieves who attacked, robbed and murdered travelers in the Egyptian desert. His band of brigands chose Moses as their leader because of his enormous physical strength and readiness to sin. People were afraid at the mere mention of his name. After a number of years of this sinful life, by the grace of God, Moses repented, abandoned his band of robbers and went to one of the desert . He had to weep and beg for a long time before the brethren believed he was sincere, and finally they accepted him. He wept bitter tears of repentance for his sinful life, and became very obedient to the abbot, his spiritual father and confessor, Abba (Father) Isidore, a wise and experienced spiritual guide. After a while, Moses withdrew to a solitary cell, where he prayed, fasted, and continued to struggle against the passions and the violent attacks of demons, with the guidance of Abba Isidore, who taught him how to pray all night and to struggle against the demons. His long struggle with the passions and demons was necessary in order to become completely cleansed of his former sins. In his battle between the legions of demons and angels, Abba Isidore assured Moses that the angels would prevail. One time four robbers of his former band attacked him in his solitary cell, not realizing who he was. Having lost none of his great physical strength, Moses tied them up, threw them over his shoulder, and brought them to the , where the elders said to release them. Upon learning that this was Moses, their former ringleader, and that he had dealt with them kindly, they followed his example, repented and also became . When the rest of the band of thieves learned what happened, they too abandoned their life of sin and became fervent monks. Another time, when the Righteous Elder Moses was summoned to judge a young monk who had sinned, St. Moses appeared carrying a large basket of sand on his back, that left a trail of sand behind him as he walked. When asked to explain his strange behavior, Elder Moses explained that the sand is like his sins, and how can he judge another when he can’t even see the trail of his own sins. Thus the young, wayward monk was forgiven and reinstated. Intensifying his spiritual efforts, St. Moses started carrying water every night from the well to each of the brothers, especially for the Elders, who lived far from the well, and for whom it was difficult to carry water. Once, while leaning over the well, the demons took revenge for Moses’ victory over them, and delivered such a severe blow to Moses’ back, that he fell unconscious, and for an entire year he lay crippled in his cell. After this, he was healed and was freed from his passions, and received from the Lord power over demons. Panel Icon, also at St. Innocent Church As the years went on, and word about St. Moses spread, people started coming to see him, and Moses left his cell to hide from visitors. Along the way he met the servants of the local governor who were sent to find the saintly desert dweller. Moses told them, “go no further to see this false and unworthy monk.” When the servants returned to the governor at the monastery, they learned that they had encountered St. Moses himself. After many years of monastic struggles, St. Moses was ordained deacon. In his humility, he believed himself unworthy of this office. Once, wishing to test him, the bishop told the clergy to insult and ridicule him as an unworthy Ethiopian, and to drive him out of the altar. The humble monk accepted the abuse. After this test, the bishop then ordained St. Moses as a priest. He was sixty years old at this time. For another fifteen years he continued his monastic labors, and about 75 disciples gathered around the saintly Elder, who had been granted by the Lord the gifts of wisdom, foresight, and power over demons. When he was 75, he warned his monks that soon brigands would attack their small monastery (skete) and murder everyone. He begged his monks to leave, but he himself refused to leave, because he believed the time had come for the Lord’s words to be fulfilled: “All who take up the sword shall perish by the sword” (Mt. 26:52). Seven brethren stayed with their Abba, one of whom hid when attacked, and lived to tell how the robbers killed St. Moses and the other six monks. It was about the year 400. WORK OF THE IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities): IOCC RESPONDS TO DEADLY FLOODS INUNDATING LOUISIANA FAMILIES

IOCC, Baltimore, MD; August 16, 2016 — The relentless rains inundating Louisiana since last week have stopped, but the flooding that followed has claimed at least seven lives and forced more than 20,000 people out of their flood damaged homes. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is closely monitoring the unfolding situation in the Louisiana area and members of the IOCC Emergency Response Network, known as Frontliners, have been called on to respond as the needs emerge. IOCC has also been in contact with Orthodox and ecumenical partners, the Red Cross, and other relief partners from the Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster (VOAD) network to determine the most appropriate response.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this latest round of severe weather and the first responders who are actively assisting in the ongoing rescue efforts,” stated IOCC US Country Representative Daniel Christopulos. "IOCC is committed to working with our Orthodox Church community and local ecumenical partners to do our part in helping those impacted."

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Assemble emergency kits. IOCC anticipates the An elderly woman is rescued from her flood damaged home in Louisiana. need for emergency clean-up buckets which are in More than 20,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in low supply. For directions on how to assemble Louisiana due to flooding caused by torrential rains. IOCC is in contact emergency clean-up buckets, please visit with local partners and Orthodox Church parishes to determine the most appropriate emergency response. iocc.org/kits.

Make a donation. You can help the victims of disasters in the United States, like the Louisiana floods, by making a financial gift to the United States Emergency Response Fund. Your support will provide immediate relief as well as long-term support through emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a gift, please visit iocc.org, call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, P.O. Box 17398, Baltimore, MD 21297-0429.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES

IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox of the United States of America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has delivered $580 million in relief and development programs to families and communities in more than 50 countries. IOCC is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy. To learn more about IOCC, please visit our website at iocc.org. ORTHODOXY IN IXCAN, GUATEMALA: A STORY OF RESILIENT FAITH By Fr. John Chakos, April 1, 2016 Up until the late fifties, the sparsely populated jungle area of Ixcan in western Guatemala was thought to be worthless by the government. In an effort to populate the region for the benefit of the indigenous tribes, a program of land reform was initiated. Taking advantage of this opportunity, a Maryknoll priest – Father William Woods – purchased 100 square miles of inaccessible jungle land and began to form cooperatives to assist the Mayan people. With three airplanes, he and other pilots flew thousands of flights to take the produce of these cooperatives to market. Then in 1970, oil was discovered in that region. As a result, the now settled local people were forced to plant grass on their land and leave, thus ceding their land to the rich and powerful for exploitation. As the Mayans only advocate, Woods tried to prevent this land grab by bringing their plight to the attention of the world. He was warned by the military to leave or else. Shortly thereafter his plane crashed in the jungle, and within an hour key telltale components of the plane were removed from the site by the military. Later an army officer confirmed the suspicion of foul play. The years after the priest’s martyric death were painful for the Ixcan colonizers. A number of times Guatemalan soldiers entered the Ixcan cooperatives to burn, to torture, and massacre the indigenous population. Many had to flee to Mexico or hide in the jungle in order to escape the genocide perpetrated by the Guatemalan army. When those who fled were finally repatriated in 1995 they returned to the Ixcan territory to often find that their original plots of land were given to others by the army. Through subsequent Church efforts most people have recovered their lands. Their gratitude and love for Father Bill Woods has never wavered. His photo hangs in many churches. The late Fr. Andrés Giron, the founder of the Orthodox Church in Guatemala and onetime leader of the campesino movement for land reform, named one of the coastal villages he founded after William Woods. Today, the Orthodox of Ixcan, who were part of this turbulent history and the violent civil war, have vivid memories of this time of trouble. With the peace accords of 1996 and the restoration of their lands, they tried to create a new life for themselves. During the years that followed, however, a period of alienation and estrangement ensued between many of the humble peasants and the area Catholic parishes to which they belonged. They complained of indifference, neglect and even abusive treatment on the part of their clergy. After numerous efforts at reconciliation proved futile, a number of families made the decision on December 31st, 2009 to separate themselves from their mother church. It should be pointed out that in Guatemala and all of Latin America there have been massive defections from the since the 1970's as per a November 2014 Pew report. And so it was that in January of 2010, these disaffected Mayan communities in Ixcan petitioned to become members of the Orthodox Church under the leadership of Fr. Andrés Giron. Expelled from the Catholic Church himself for his political activities, the Mayan people of Ixcan found in him a compassionate spiritual leader and defender of their rights. I visited the faithful of Ixcan with Father Andrés nearly four years ago for the first time. What I found was a faithful remnant living in the most humble of circumstances and praying in weathered shanty-like structures consisting of wooden slats, dirt floors covered with fragrant pine needles, and rusty tin roofs, from which colorful streamers hung. I call these the cathedrals of the poor, magnificent in their unassuming simplicity. Since we were visiting these remote outposts of the Church for the first time, the faithful wanted to offer us something special from their meager substance. Some of the village men at early dawn went to the nearby river, hoping to catch a big fish in honor of Fr. Andrés’ first visit. They prayed before casting their nets. Then to their surprise and delight, they caught a 30-pound fish, which they proudly presented to us upon our arrival. They saw this large piscine prize as a confirmation of their decision to throw in their lot with Fr. Andrés. After this four-year hiatus, I was able to visit two of the communities again this past February of 2016, at which time they showed us two newly purchased parcels of land. Fr. Evangelos, the parish priest, who visits them every two months or so, told me that he would like to make the Holy Trinity parish in Mayaland a regional center for Orthodoxy. The potential for growth is great, and the people seem very mission-minded. They feel that a proper Orthodox Church structure will give them the visibility they need to reach out and spread the faith to neighbors and friends. Presently, as before, the communities that I visited continue praying and worshiping in their temporary wooden structures. What is lacking in material beauty, however, is more than compensated for by a profound faith and spiritual vitality that shakes the very rafters of their humble churches. When homes and land were lost to them before, they found their consolation in Christ, who now has led them into the Orthodox fold. Their long journey through many trials is a great testament to their resilient faith. May we be worthy of their trust in us. SEE 5 PHOTOS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE NEXT PAGE. º º º º

For more information about the work of the Orthodox Mission in Guatemala, guided by Fr. John & Presvytera Alexandra (Sandy) Chakos, & to see the photos larger, visit their mission website: http://www.thewordfromguatemala.com/ ORTHODOXY IN GUATEMALA: MEDICAL TEAM VISITS CLINIC By Presvytera Alexandra Chakos, January 30, 2016 Life goes on in chilly, cloudy Aguacate! If you have ever flown on a plane through the clouds, you will have an idea what it’s like outside of our windows in Aguacate. The village is so high up in the mountains, that clouds usually sit on it. Clouds, being comprised of water vapor, make everything pretty damp and cold. On one rare day, the clouds lifted and we saw the sunshine. We were even blessed with a most beautiful sunset. Despite the chill in the air, the Mayan community here is filled with warmth and love, which makes it an excellent location for our clinic. The latest medical team from the US had a very busy week in the clinic. Dr. Todd Giese, a private practice doctor from Chicago, IL, Dr. Alexis Vien, who serves a hospital in the Bronx, NY, and Nurse Sarah Lantz, who works at a university hospital in Kansas City, barely got to rest. During the 5-day operation, we treated 270 people in all. I assisted Dr. Alexis with translations. It was a 3-way operation, because most of the people in this area speak their native Mayan language, Chuk. Juana, the village health care worker, spoke to them in Chuk, then to me in Spanish, then I relayed the information to the doctor. Then, back again. The women, who are very modest, were so happy to have a woman doctor. They are too shy to even tell a man their health problems, let alone to be examined by one. Some were surprised to learn that they were diabetic or had high blood pressure. We gave them life-saving medications. We also had quite a few positive pregnancy tests. It was gratifying to supply much-needed medications to people who have no access to them. It was also heartbreaking to tell some people, who needed surgery, that we were not able to do it. One man walked for 3 hours through the mud to reach us. He arrived wet and muddy up to his knees, only to discover that we could not operate on his painful hernia. An elderly, ragged woman hiked barefoot for 1 hour, down a steep mountain slope to show us horrific fungal growths on her leg. None of us had ever seen anything like it. Dr. Alexis took photos and sent them to a dermatologist in the US. By the time a response came in and we realized that we had a medication to help her, the woman had set off up the mountain again. Dr. Alexis and Juana took off running up the mountain slope, but could not reach her. Juana will try to make contact and help her toward a cure.

At the end of the week, we drove the medical team to Mexico for their return home. They leave behind a village filled with gratitude for their kindness. We pray that God blesses and keeps them in their work so that one day they may return to us. We look forward to the next medical team which will arrive in April. We thank everyone who has partnered with us in bringing this clinic to fruition through both their prayerful and financial support. May God bless all of you as you have blessed the Mayan people.

Fr. John with parish members Exterior of » temporary church »

º º The faithful lifting their Interior of temporary church Church members voices in praise (above) measuring for new church