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Help for a Popular Mission in Southern Cuba

For some 18 years, now a team of lay missionaries have been traveling, Sunday after Sunday, into the remote villages of Guamà II, a suburb within the municipality Guamà in the southern Cuban province of Santiago de Cuba. Bringing the Gospel message of Christ to the people in the Guamà II pastoral district is no easy task. Sitting in the back of a borrowed truck, these lay missionaries travel for hours on end in all weathers, sometimes up to 95 miles on bumpy and dangerous coastal roads, overhung by rocky outcrops. There is no question of comfort, and they even bring their own food and bedding, since the people they are visiting are extremely poor.

The selfless commitment of these lay missionaries is a response to the acute shortage of priests in the region. Fundamentalist sects are spreading further and further and trying to woo away the Catholics from their faith. If the Church cannot be visibly present, it is often too late. And yet the people are very open to religious faith.

Sister María Asunción Domínguez Castañeda, who belongs to the Congregation of the Catechetical Sisters of Dolores Sopeña and who runs the program, writes: “The people are thirsting for God, and this is our way of coming to them as Church. Many people who have had never had any contact with the Church are now asking to receive the sacraments.” A priest also accompanies these lay missionaries as often as possible, administering the sacraments to those who seek them.

The Sisters’ work includes training these lay missionaries in one-week intensive courses and additional monthly courses. Once they have completed their training, the missionaries act as community leaders, conducting Liturgies of the Word, helping distribute Holy Communion and giving catechetical instruction. They include people of all ages, and even several young people.

“The Catholic faithful in the communities really appreciate the involvement of these young people,” Sister Maria Asunciòn remarks. “I believe that what we are able to do at this time for Cuba is really worth the effort,” she adds.

ACN has provided $13,800 for the support of this program.

Our heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed!

Aid to the Church in Need commits to invest your funds where they will have the greatest impact for the Church that we serve. Funds donated to Aid to the Church in Need’s projects will be used towards the greatest need in our programs to help keep the Faith alive.

Code: 216-07-49

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