ONE HEART, ONE SPIRIT CONGREGATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Winter PROVINCE OF THE UNITED STATES 2020 INSIDE THIS ISSUE Building Futures in the Dominican Republic 2 | Welcome from the Fr. Don McEachin, C.S.Sp., is a member of an tration and requested permission to return to Provincial international team of Spiritan missionaries the mission field, this time in a new mission working in the Dominican Republic for the in San Juan de la Maguana. last 15 years. 3 | Letter from SOMA San Juan de la Maguana is a barrio of reset- Alongside Fr. Jose Alamo, C.S.Sp., from Puerto tled refugees from Hurricane George in 2000. 3 | Day of Giving Results Rico; Fr. Fresnel Alcina, Refugees who lost C.S.Sp., from Haiti; and everything had formed 4 | CarEasy and CARES Seminarian Juan Pablo, a resettlement com- C.S.Sp., from Brazil; Fr. Don munity, and there was 4 | Feeding Children in works in the western part no resident priest until of the Dominican Republic Fr. Don arrived and Kenya near the border of Haiti, in assumed responsibility one of the poorest areas of for the new parish. 5 | Supplies for a Spiritan the beautiful country. Hospital in Nigeria There was no church Fr. Don’s Spiritan story at first; there were 5 | Partnership with Saint began with seminary at only 12-15 people who Basil Coffee Duquesne University, a Fr. Jose Alamo, C.S.Sp.; Seminarian Juan Pablo, C.S.Sp.; assembled in a one- Spiritan university in Pitts- Fr. Fresnel Alcina, C.S.Sp.; and Fr. Don McEachin, C.S.Sp. room chapel for Sunday burgh, followed by theo- services. So began the 6 | Feasts of Libermann and logical studies at Catholic Theological Union team’s project of evangelization. You don’t Brottier in Chicago. just wait for the people to come to you; you go out to the people. 6 | Spiritan Spotlight He spent eight years in Tanzania on his first missionary assignment and then returned Fr. Don and fellow Spiritans began visiting 7 | In Memoriam: Fr. Thomas to Pittsburgh to work in the university, the families, listening to their stories and the P. Tunney, C.S.Sp. Spiritan formation program, and as university problems they faced living in poverty—lack chaplain, and later on in administration for of access to quality education and decent the Spiritans’ U.S. Province. jobs, violence and drug gangs, and at-risk 8 | Spiritan Archives youth. In 2004, Fr. Don finished his term in adminis- Continued on page 2 Training in skills like sewing, baking, and computer literacy helps address unemployment issues in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic. Welcome In my previous welcome letter, Working against efforts to unite is a creeping sense of I spoke of the need for unity to division in the United States, emotional wounds made overcome two dangerous plagues worse by the high stakes of the recent election. we are facing as fellow humans on this planet: COVID-19 and system- Now is the time to put aside our differences, to allow ic racism. the Holy Spirit to restore our capacity for loving re- lationships with those whose beliefs may differ from We are still deeply engaged in our own. Let us all care for one another as neighbors those battles, but I am encouraged and pray for our leaders, so that we may heal and to see progress on both fronts. work together to address the great challenges we face We are hopeful that a vaccine may soon help fight during this moment in history. God bless you. the pandemic, and as Spiritans, we have engaged in listening sessions and town hall discussions to help enhance our capacity for dialogue and combat racial injustices among those we serve. Building Futures in the Dominican Republic Continued from page 1 They began first by preaching the with music, inviting the people to evangelization comes another as- Good News of Jesus who came to come and celebrate Jesus as our pect of Spiritan mission: integrated set us free. Savior and Redeemer. human development. That means it’s not a “hand out,” but a hand UP. The parish is now many hundreds Now there are between 150 and of people, a thriving community 300 children at any here at the center of this barrio. one time enrolled in It’s not a “hand out,” but a hand UP. the Christian formation Over the past 15 years, there have program in preparation for the To address the rampant unem- been many changes for the better. sacraments of Baptism, First Holy ployment, Fr. Don and his team There’s still a long way to go, and Communion, and Confirmation. established a job training school, they still face some of the same offering courses in computer problems, but there are many nota- Confidence in oneself and confi- data processing, word processing, ble differences. dence in the future is something sewing, beauty salon training, and that’s often lacking when you expe- baking. Fr. Don and his confreres also rience a life of poverty and a sense began tent missions in the commu- of being marginalized from all that When Fr. Don arrived, the nearest nity, a series of evenings preaching society has to offer. So along with high school was six miles away, so there wasn’t an option for kids after finishing grade school. Because there were no jobs avail- able, and because they had no possibility of further education, many of them fell into the situation of drug gangs. To help these youth at risk, Fr. Don and his team formed a professional technical high school in the parish of San Miguel, Saint Michael the Archangel Technical Professional High School in 2010. Continued on page 7 2 Restaurant management graduates at San Miguel Technical Professional High School Dear Friends, News from First and foremost, THANK YOU! This year has been full of both challenges and opportunities, and your selfless giving of your time, prayers, and finan- cial support is truly inspiring. SOMA The global pandemic has affected us all in some way. Whether you or a loved one has battled this terrible disease, or experienced economic hard- ship, school closures, loneliness or bereavement as a result of it, you are in our prayers. While we are grateful that our team remains in good health, we have faced challenges of our own this year. We had been well into planning Cor Unum: Spiritans in Mission, our only fundraising event in 2020, when COVID-19 struck. We wondered how we could continue to provide support for commu- nities where Spiritans minister during this challenging time. But God provides! When He closes one door, He opens another one! Your unwavering generosity and dedication to our mission has allowed us to Spiritan Office for Mission continue to fund projects all over the world in 2020; most notably, emer- Advancement gency food and medical supplies to people in desperate need. Mr. John Gillespie, Director Thanks to your generosity, Spiritans continue to go wherever we are needed Fr. Mike Grey, C.S.Sp., Development Officer — in parishes, schools, and missions, at home and abroad — immersing Ms. Susan Martin, Bookkeeper ourselves in the community and culture, and tackling the greatest needs Mr. Ray Sylvester, Mission Projects head on, pandemic or no! Our ministries may look a little different these days, but together we press on! 1700 West Alabama St. Houston, TX 77098 While so much has been done, there is always more work to do. As (713) 522-2882 Christmas approaches, please consider blessing the Spiritans with a gift to help us help others in the New Year. Follow us on Facebook May the peace and blessings of Christmas be yours, and may the coming year be filled with happiness. Visit Spiritans.org/Donate Keeping you in our prayers, Mr. John Gillespie Fr. Mike Grey, C.S.Sp. Thank You for Making the Spiritan Day of Giving a Success! When we planned our first Spiritan But your generosity and giving spirit Day of Giving on October 2, we wer- has once again blown us away. We are en’t sure what to humbled by you, our expect. friends and champi- ons, who turned out We know it’s been in droves, raising a a difficult year for total of $35,253.38! so many reasons, and we were cautious about asking for On behalf of those in need who will help when we know many people are benefit from Spiritan missions world- facing their own challenges right now. wide, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your gifts will change lives! 3 Ways to Contribute There are many creative ways to contribute financially toward the work of the Spiritans! Here are a few ways you can donate: • DONATE ONLINE at Spiritans.org. • MAIL A CHECK (or money order) made payable to: Congregation of the Holy Spirit 1700 West Alabama Street Houston, TX 77098 An envelope is enclosed for your convenience! • SHOP AT AMAZON! Visit Amazonsmile.com and support the Spiritans by select- Feeding Children in Kenya ing “Sharelink-Spiritans World- Kibera neighborhood in Nairobi, Kenya, Thanks to your support, SOMA, along wide Aid Foundation Inc.” as is Africa’s largest slum with 250,000 with local contributors, raised $1,600 your charity of choice. inhabitants. Deep within this bustling to distribute food supplies to St. Fran- slum is an oasis known as cis schoolchildren like Alvin • DONATE AN UNWANTED St. Francis Nursey School, and their families. VEHICLE through CarEasy.org, operated by the Little Sisters and the Spiritans will receive of St.