It is not too often that one is ill and does not mind too much.  This August was one of those rare times for me.  I came home to the U.S.A. with an infection from the Dominican Republic.  I brushed my teeth with local water, ate fruit from the side of the road without washing it and unknowingly ate some damaged potato based food.  In the future I know better nonetheless, it was an awesome experience to be a missionary in the Dominican Republic.  I spent 8 days in the country with an organization dedicated to bringing school supplies to poor children in the area.  Although the organization is not Catholic I was able to accompany them because Juan Camilo, the foundations' president is Catholic and one of my parishioners.

While in the Dominican Republic we operated with a very small team which consisted of Juan, Calixta (his wife), Lile (I call him my bodyguard),Rudy (the driver), Ramon (the truck driver) and Luis (the truck driver assistant) and myself.  In addition to the 7 of us many other people assisted us throughout the trip.  (The Photo Above is of the School Supplies we handed out.)

The first province we visited was Elias Piña, DR.  In this province we had planned to neatly distribute the school supplies to 2,000 poor children in the school yard of a school.  Unfortunately, although the value of the school supplies we distributed only amounted to $5 (including shipping) the children feared they would not get their package.  It was impossible to have them make lines in order to receive their school supplies.  Eventually things did not go as planned and we handed the school supplies to the children at a military base with the help of the local police, the Dominican Military and the Dominican Red Cross.  At first I was annoyed and frightened at how difficult it was to get the children to cooperate but upon further reflection I was saddened that what would be difficult to give away in New York was so desperately needed in Elias Piña.

(The image above is taken from the top of the distribution truck in Elias Piña.)

The second province we visited was La Romana.  There I had the privilege of celebrating Mass in a parish which had one of the most beautiful tabernacles I have ever seen in my life.  After Mass we distributed the school supplies in the parish hall.  I was saddened to hear that some of the children were accustomed to receiving their school lunch as the first meal of the day.

(This is the sacristy in La Romana.  I"m in the middle with the pastor on my right, sister is with a small child on my right.)

The third province we visited was San Pedro de Macorís.  We went to the Bateys of the province which was the poorest I saw in the whole country.  Their roads were made of dirt.  The roofs of the homes and chapels were made of zinc.  Sometimes the zinc was rusted.  They did not have soap, running water or electricity.  The most heart breaking was that some of the kids did not have shoes.  In this poverty I did notice something profound.  The nicest structure they had was the chapel.  They also were very happy and smiling.  One child was so happy we came to help his community that he gave me Spanish Limes (known locally as limoncillos).  After we handed out the school supplies in San Pedro de Macorís a friend of mine took me to his home in Santo Domingo and then to the airport at 4 am to head back home.

I think that every American Priest should take a missionary trip such as the one I did.  I will never read the word poor in the Sacred Scriptures in the same manner as I used to.  My idea of what poverty is has profoundly changed.  We live so comfortably here in New York as compared to the people in the Dominican Republic who I visited.  As we saw on August 14, 2003, if the light goes out in New York it makes headlines across the globe.  In the Dominican Republic, however, as Rudy put it "Father, the light does not go out here, it just comes sometimes."  In New York, just about everyone outside of the City of New York has a car.  In the Dominican Republic the lower Middle Class make about $250 usd per month which is not enough to buy a car.  Instead they have scooters.  In New York, we can drink water straight from the faucet, in the Dominican Republic doing so can make you sick.  Jesus says "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me,naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'"  (Matthew 25:35-36)  When asked when this was done he replies "‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’" (Matthew 25:40b)

(The picture above is of an outhouse made of rusted Zinc in San Pedro de Macorís.)

For more pictures and videos of this trip go to the DR Mission Trip page by clicking here.

Tips for those who will go on missionary trips.

1. Pray.  Pray. Pray. Without God instead of a missionary trip you would be on a community service trip.

2. It is always a good idea to be accompanied by locals if you know them.  

3. Register with the US Embassy in the country you are visiting and let them know how long you're staying, where you will be visiting and what flights you will be on.  The more information they have the better.

4.  Save the local US Embassy number on your cell phone.  Make sure you give the Embassy both your local and US numbers.  Realize that once you leave this country their 911 system may be non-existent.  The help of police officers and the military might not be what we are accustomed to in the United States.

5. Check with the Embassy for any advice they have about the country you are visiting.  It might not be safe to visit.

6.  I've been told that the Canadian embassies have good information as well.  Why not check what our neighbors in the North have to say about the country you are visiting.

Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition© 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All Rights Reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Join me on a retreat to Italy from April 28th to May 8th.  Below are the details of the trip.

Click here to download the official brochure which includes prices.

For further information:

TEKTON MINISTRIES

9924 Cedar Ridge Drive 
Carmel, IN 46032

Phone: (317) 574-4191 or 
Toll Free (866) 905-3787

Fax: (317) 574-4195 

E-mail:pilgrimage@tektonministries.org

Day 1 – April 28: Depart U.S.A.

Our pilgrimage begins as we depart on our overnight flight to Rome. Meals and refreshments will be served aloft. (D)

Day 2 – April 29: Arrive Rome / Assisi

Upon arrival in the "Eternal City" of Rome we will be met by our local tour director and transfer by coach north to Assisi, a town that welcomes us in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare into its peaceful interior. After check-in at our hotel we will celebrate Mass at a local church with the balance of the day free.

Day 3 – April 30: Assisi

This morning we will visit St. Mary of the Angels Basilica, site of the Porziuncola, the tiny church in the woods where St. Francis began his ministry and where St. Clare began her religious life. Then proceed to the Basilica of St. Francis where the saint lies in rest, the Basilica of St. Clare and the Convent of San Damiano. For those with the stamina, take a walk up Monte Subasio to Eremo delle Corceri, the Saint's favorite retreat. Overnight in Assisi. 

Day 4 – May 1: Assisi / Siena / Florence

This morning we will depart Assisi and drive to Siena, home of St. Catherine. Our first stop this morning and a highlight of our tour will be the Basilica of St. Francis where we'll venerate the Eucharistic miracle of Siena. Hosts which have remained incorrupt since 1730. Then we'll go to St. Dominic's, St. Catherine of Siena's parish church where she attended daily Mass and went into ecstasy. Adjacent to the church is her home, which we'll tour and see the cell where she fasted and prayed. Then we'll stroll the ancient Gothic streets which converge on the Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful squares in the world where we can stop for lunch. Driving north through the beautiful Italian countryside we'll reach our final destination of the day, the "Cradle of the Italian Renaissance," Florence. 

Day 5 – May 2: Florence

After Mass, tour Florence is an artful experience as we take in the Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and the Baptistery with its renowned bronze doors. Continue to the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella Church and the Basilica of Santa Croce. The remainder of the afternoon is free to discover this fascinating city on our own. 

Day 6 – May 3: Florence / Orvieto / Bolsena / Rome

Depart Florence this morning and drive south to Orvieto where we'll visit the Cathedral of Orvieto and venerate the sacred Eucharistic miracle. There will be time for prayer and adoration. See the steps of the Papal summer residence where Pope Urban IV held up the blood-stained corporal and announced his intention to institute the Feast of Corpus Christi.  We will then proceed a short distance to Bolsena, a lovely lake town where we will pray at the altar where a Eucharistic miracle occurred in 1263. Venerate the blood stained marble stones involved in the miracle. Then proceed to south to the “Eternal City” of Rome, out home for the next five nights. 

Day 7 – May 4: Rome

This morning we'll head to the Mamertine Prison where St. Paul was kept in chains, view the Forum (outside visit) and Coliseum (outside visit) and stop at St. Clement's, to see the second century dwelling of Pope St. Clement, the third successor of St. Peter, and the original fresco depicting St. Clement celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This fresco gives us a picture of Eucharistic worship at the end of the first century or beginning of the second. Then proceed to St. Peter in Chains to view Michelangelo's magnificent Moses followed by a stop at St. Mary Major. 

Day 8 – May 5: Rome

We'll begin our day in Rome with Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, followed by a tour including the Pieta and Adoration Chapel which our Holy Father opened in 1981. We'll then tour the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum, focusing especially on Eucharistic art and artifacts. In the afternoon we'll visit St. Paul Outside the Walls which was originally built by Constantine in the fourth century over the site of St. Paul's tomb, the Holy Stairs, the Basilica of St. John Lateran, and the Catacombs. 

Day 9 – May 6: Rome

This morning we will visit the Trevi Fountain; the Pantheon; Piazza Navona with the famous Bernini's fountains; and Campo de' Fiori, one of the most colorful street markets in Rome.  Continue to the Basilica of San Andrea del Fratte, where Alphonse Ratisbonne was instantly converted when Our Lady appeared to him. This is where St. Maximilian Kolbe said his first Mass and where Our Lady also appeared to St. John Bosco. The remainder of the day will be free for personal activities.

Day 10 – May 7: Rome

This morning we will experience a highlight of our pilgrimage, attendance at the Papal Audience at St. Peter's (subject to the Holy Father's schedule). Join thousands of pilgrims from throughout the world to listen to the Holy Father and receive His Blessing. The remainder of the day will be free for personal activities. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 11 – May 8: Rome / U.S.A.

Following breakfast, we will transfer to the airport to catch our return flight home. 

To view the bubbles enlarge the screen.

Step 1: Sign up for a rewards card at your local staples and create an online account.

Step 2: check your e-mail for coupons and print them!

Step 3: walk into staples with 10 used ink cartridges per month (this is their limit).  You get $2 each for these per month as a store credit.  The coupon arrives to your mailbox.

Step 4: make sure that all of your coupons are correctly accounted for.

Step 5: make sure you mail in or submit any coupons you may have online.  (Be careful of fishing sites the best thing to do is go to your favorite search engine provider and type "Staples Easy Rebates"  It should give you a link to https://www.stapleseasyrebates.com/  Anyvariation of the name between www. and .com is a phishing site which tries to either give you a download for a junk program you don't need or tries to take your information.

Step 6: smile as you have saved money.

Here is a real life example of what I did today.  I went online and printed my coupons.  I had 1 for 20% off any item, 1 for 50% off a particular product, 1 for $20 from my ink recycling last month and 1 for a free ream of paper (with rebate.)  I needed a carpet for my computer chair.  They didn't have the Avery labels that were 50% off and I really did not care for them so I did not ask for rain check.  I gave the 20% off any item to another customer.  I used the $20 coupon, gave in 1o ink cartridges and got the ream of paper and handed in the coupon.  My original receipt reads that the carpet costs $29.99, of my $20 coupon -$16.22 was applied to it.  The ream of paper costs $6.99 so they applied -$3.78 to it.  The subtotal was $16.98 plus $1.38 in tax.  The total was $18.36  I handed in a $20 bill and got $1.64 in change.  I walked out the store and realized he didn't apply the coupon for the free paper so I walked right back in (don't be ashamed to ask for your money.)  My next receipt reads as follows.   $3.47 returned to me in cash.  $3.78 returned in coupon form.  Then I had to repurchase the ream of paper.  $6.99  plus tax came out to $7.56.  However $6.99 of that gets returned to me in rebate form.

Summary

Original Purchase Price of Items including tax:                 $38.36

My $20 coupon from last months ink recycling:              -$20

My rebate that I will get in 4 to 6 weeks:                                -$6.99

My coupon that I will get for this months ink recycling: -20

Total from today's trip to staples:                            $-8.63  It's like I went shopping and got money for it.

By the way it took a lot longer to write this blog post than it did to go shopping.

I've contacted various Catholic Musical Artists and asked them to donate songs in order to make a compilation cd of contemporary Catholic Music.  It will be called Spiritus Sancti and will be released on Pentecost Sunday May 19, 2013.  The cd will be given out for free.   The mp3 version will be downloadable for free.  The professional CD version will be printed using a print on demand service.  Thus people would only have to pay that company the cost of producing the cd  with a zero commission to me and the artists.  Many Catholic Music artists have already donated their music.   Now I need a Catholic artist to do the artwork for the CD itself.  It has to be donated as well.  If you are a Catholic artist and wish to join this collaboration please e-mail me by going to the contact me page.  If you are a music artists with original music and wish to join  the collaboration please let me know.  I hope to get one million copies of this audio work out to the world for the greater glory of God.

Here in New York the Church of Saint Stephen's will be hosting a free concert for peace.  Below are the details.

A Concert for Peace

Dedicated to the Heroes of the
Boston Marathon 2013

Organist and Conductor Paul Murray, a Boston native,
and friends present music as a response to the acts of
terrorism that took place in Boston this week.

Sunday, April 21, 2013
7:00 p.m.

CHURCH OF SAINT STEPHEN
151 East 28th Street
(between 3rd and Lexington Aves.)

Free admission. An offering will be accepted to benefit those affected by Monday's tragedy.

Catholics are busy people.  Learning about the faith is a great idea but it is often difficult to find a time which is convient for everyone.  Saint Philip's in Crafton, PA has found a great solution.  They are offering a bible study online.  Here is the excerpt from their April 14, 2013 parish bulletin

"Digital Bible Study: Acts of the Apostles

Beginning April 1, and continuing for seven weeks, ending on May 18, I will try a digital Bible study on Acts of
the Apostles. We will not be meeting together weekly. Instead, we will do it through an internet program called
Moodle. All you need to do is contact the Religious Education Office with an email address; forms will be
available in the Church also. With the program, the weekly reading assignment will have questions to guide
our discussion, and we will share through a discussion board. Upon enrolling, I will send you instructions. All
you need to do is have a willingness to learn more about Scripture, find the time to read the Scripture, and
share with others through email. Questions: call 412-922-6300, ext. 6 or email [stphilipreled(at)gmail.com.]"

The Apostleship of the Seas of the United States of America issued the fraud warning below.  Here is a link to their website: http://www.aos-usa.org/

JOIN FATHER ROSADO ON  A 7 NIGHT CRUISE TO THE CARIBBEAN ON THE HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISE SHIP

 “THE EURODAM”

SHIP SAILS FROM FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA ON SUNDAY NOV. 17, 2013

                         INSIDE – OUTSIDE --BALCONY

2 PEOPLE          $758           $878               $1058

3 PEOPLE          $584           $638               $758

4 PEOPLE          $478           $518               $633

ALL PRICES ABOVE ARE PER PERSON & INCLUDE ALL MEALS & ENTERTAINMENT!

(prices subject to change / book asap)

 TRANSFERS, TAXES & GOVT. FEES ARE INCLUDED!....OPTIONAL INSURANCE IS $79

TO RESERVE YOUR CABIN PLEASE CALL:

Ruben

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Ports of Call

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