Paula Maher, CND
Dear Sisters, Associates,
I am happy to join with our Congregation de Notre-Dame Sisters and Associates of the Region of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and all the CND celebrating El 60 Aniversario de peregrinaje de la congregación en Honduras!
Agradecida infinitamente al Dios de la vida por el tiempo de Gracia, de bodas de diamante. (1962-2022)
Felicitaciones a todas/os en el conocimiento tan especial de 60 anos!
Era un regalo muy especial para mi a vivir por unas pocos años en la tierra de Honduras con las hermanas, las asociadas y con la gente!
I was happy to respond to calls of our CND Regional Leader to various missions in Honduras, (2000-2008).
Prior to being missioned to Honduras I lived in various missions in Guatemala. I am grateful to God and our CND for the special gift/privilege to have lived in missioned with our sisters and the people of Guatemala (Indigenous and Latinos).
Some of the missions that I was call to in Honduras were:
San Luis, Amarateca and Campo Cielo
In San Luis, Honduras (St. Louis) Another CND sister and I were asked to be Administrators of the Catholic Parish of San Luis. There was no resident priest and a neighbouring Passionist priest from Colinas offered mass on weekends for the parishioners of San Luis.
It was a blessing and joy to accompany the parishioners in their activities, programs, retreat days, etc. We were also present to support the group of men of the “special workshop” in the parish. The workshop had been in operation for years, called, “El Taller de Nazareth.” El Taller de Esculturas y Artesanas de Madera, was established years earlier in the 1970’s by some of our CND sisters and a few Passionist priests. There are a few men of the parish of San Luis who continue to carry on wood carving work to maintain a living for their families.
The workers sell their finished wood carvings in towns and a city nearby. Many designs for the wood carvings were drawn or illustrated by our sisters to assist the carvers with their work. Among the many carvings created were the images depicting St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, The Visitation, etc., which were sent to our CND Mother House, Montreal. The sale of the carvings supported the families in San Luis, Honduras and area.
In early 2002 I was asked to help at our Provincial House in Tegucigalpa as our sisters were preparing to move to our new Provincial House recently constructed at Amarateca (about an hour from Tegucigalpa). The new house afforded more space for gatherings of our sisters and Associates, retreats, vocations and youth encounters, etc. and for the Leadership Team of the Region of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe. (Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador). Soon after moving to Amarateca in November, 2002 many of our sisters from throughout the Region arrived and joined in prayer in procession as we thanked God, Marguerite and Mary who had accompanied the sisters and workers during the time of construction and to have this new home to continue to carry out the CND mission and with the people. A joyful day! Gracias a Dios!
I was missioned with our sisters of Amarateca for four years. I travelled by bus during the weekdays to accompany young street boys, ages 11-16 who had been doing drugs and were living in a “Safe House” that was organized by the Municipality to help street children in the area called, “Belin” meaning (Bethlehem), near the City of Tegucigalpa.
It was a joy and blessing to be with these boys and work with them! They were living a very difficult reality with little hope of a better future. We shared in different activities that they enjoyed and were happy to continue an adapted elementary math program, sharing of values, health, drugs and they shared about their street life.
I thank God to have had and opportunity to share and be from these children!
The Congregation de Notre-Dame sisters and Associates share in the activities and life of the parish (in processions, the Posadas, funerals, weddings, the Sacraments, etc.) the sisters collaborated with the Salesian Fathers of Don Bosco who served the people of the Parish of Campo Cielo.
In 2007, I was asked to replace a sister at Campo Cielo who had been accompanying adult students who were participating in an Educational Program, “IHER”.
In the early 70s one of our sisters promoted this educational program for children who lived in the villages far from the schools in the towns and many families could not pay to send their children to schools in the Centres because they couldn’t afford to pay for their children to go to school. This Educational Program was adapted “for radio” and the children of all school ages in the villages far away could listen to a teacher and communicate with the teacher through the radio. Educational materials were provided, workbooks, etc. Many children were able to finish Gr.12 and graduate. The CND sister who promoted the program for years followed-up to see that the students received their materials and travelled into the villages to help and encourage the students in their studies. This Program was such a blessing and gift for all the children living far from schools! Gracias a Dios!
I was privileged to accompanied adult students who came to classes on weekends to the school at Campo Cielo. Most were working on their GED’s.
A teacher who had been working with these students in the program, IHER, and I worked together. It was a joy to see the enthusiasm of the students who wished to learn and complete their Gr. 12. Some were able to go on to a university. Others to work to pay for further education and to help their families.
The years I lived on our CND Missions with our sisters, associates and al pueblo, eran anos que han marcado mi vida para siempre! Gracia a Dios!
I was deeply touched to observe the love, appreciation and sharing about St. Marguerite by our Congregation de Notre-Dame Associates of the Region of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. They, as well as our Associates throughout the Congregation taught/teach me to appreciate St. Marguerite so much more.
One CND sister has written that the seed of love of God, neighbour and of St. Marguerite was planted years ago, by the daughters of St. Marguerite en las corazones de las Hermanas Latinas y en los pueblos pobre.
Yes, the seed has grown and continues to flourish by the grace of God!
Gracias a nuestras Hermanas Latinas CND y las Asociadas CND que con mucha fe y esperanza están andando apoyando el pueblo con Dios, nuestra Madre María y con Santa Margarita.
Compartir por,
Paula Maher, CND