I have just completed my third pastoral visit to our Mission in Guatemala. I, and the seven individuals who joined me on this journey, have returned to our diocese, inspired once again by the faith and goodness of the Guatemalan people.

While bishop of Helena, Bishop Raymond G. Hunthausen courageously took up the challenge of the Second Vatican Council, which urged bishops to be generous in sharing their clergy and resources with the mission territories of the world, and to “give ear to the voice of the multitudes crying ‘help us.’” (Acts 16:9)

The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council sketched a blueprint for this missionary activity, and challenged dioceses to marshal their forces in bringing this plan to life.

The mission plan of the Second Vatican Council is beautiful and compelling. It describes a Church that embraces all peoples and ardently desires to share with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ, source of light and life.

Our Mission at Santo Tomas la Union, with its many outposts in the mountains of northwestern Guatemala, is a living reflection of the vision of the Second Vatican Council.

Father Jim Hazelton and a cadre of priests, religious and laity have carried the vision of the Second Vatican Council up to the present day, but not without a high risk to personal safety and wellbeing.

For 45 years, the Mission staff and rural populations in Guatemala have faced personal danger, resulting from periodic waves of civil unrest, drug trafficking, graft and corruption, violent assault, disease, poverty and inadequate police protection. These stark realities have exacted high tolls upon those who live and labor in the Guatemalan countryside. At the same time, the spirit of the Guatemalan people and our missionaries remains indomitable, as we witness the slow but certain transformation taking place in the hearts of the people.

Father Hazelton, now in his eighth decade, remains driven by his zeal for the Gospel and passion for his parishioners. The heart of his missionary activity is centered upon the preaching of the Word and the celebration of the Sacraments, “whose center and summit is the Most Holy Eucharist.” (AG 9)

As Father Hazelton celebrates Eucharist among the Guatemalan peoples, his heart overflows with joy and his face expresses a dazzling awareness that Jesus Himself is present in Word and Sacrament.

This truly remarkable priest has also trained and formed bands of lay catechists who live and labor in the mountain villages and outposts of Guatemala, teaching new generations in the Way of Jesus Christ and the Church.

The Second Vatican Council’s mission blueprint underscored the importance of Catholic schools as “an outstanding means for forming and developing Christian youth … and elevating the level of human dignity and preparing the way for living conditions which are more humane.” (AG 12)

Our relatively young school, La Asun-ción, is providing unprecedented opportunity for children and young people, some 500 in number, many of whom would otherwise be relegated to a life of poverty and need. The education they receive is opening new doors into the future, especially for the young women who often lack the opportunities accorded boys in Guatemala. We are especially proud of Carroll College graduate Alex Woelkers. In addition to teaching English, he is serving as house father for the 28 male boarding students at La Asunción.

The Clinica Maxeña is the embodiment of the Second Vatican Council’s challenge to extend Christian charity to all “without distinction of race, social condition or religion.” The Council Fathers, aware of the devastating effects of malnutrition and disease, urged parishioners of the first world to offer aid and technology to those fettered by poverty, famine and disease.

Registered nurse Sheila McShane and a staff of 20 mostly indigenous clinic workers have continued the visionary work of Sister Mary Waddell, BVM, offering skilled medical care and education to nearly 15,000 patients each year.

Behind the scenes, Sister Anna Priester, BVM, has developed a weavings program and micro-finance structure for women and families previously unable to support themselves. Their beautiful weavings reflect the women’s proud Mayan heritage, and help restore their dignity, emancipate them from the bonds of poverty and place them on the road to self-sufficiency.

The Second Vatican Council described the Church and its missionaries as selfless individuals looking for “neither gain nor gratitude.” Rather, they are described as individuals “prompted by the Holy Spirit to walk the same road which Christ walked: a road of poverty and obedience, of service and self sacrifice …” (AG 5)

The Mission staff of Santo Tomas is the very embodiment of the Council’s vision to spread the faith and promote the saving work of Jesus Christ.

Our pastoral plan, Come to the Light, prompts the people of the Diocese of Helena to rediscover, celebrate and support the work of our Guatemala Mission, while finding new and innovative ways to carry this life-giving work into the future. To be sure, the challenges we face will be great, but we are driven by the conviction that “nothing is impossible with God.”

During my recent visit, both Bishop Pablo Vizcaíno Prado, bishop of Suchitepéquez-Retalhuleu, and Bishop Gonzalo de Villa y Vásquez, bishop of Sololá-Chimaltenango, expressed their profound gratitude to the parishioners of the Diocese of Helena and to those who directly serve in their Guatemalan dioceses.

We are working closely with the local bishops to ensure that our mission efforts are consonant with their vision, and meeting the pastoral and social needs of their people.

Together, we are remaining vigilant over the need to prepare indigenous leadership to eventually assume responsibility for the spiritual, educational and medical needs of the Mission communities in ways that are realistic, responsible and systematic.

Those who accompanied me on this recent mission journey, Msgr. Kevin O’Neill, Father Tom Haffey, Mark Frei (Mission director), Jeremy Beck and Rick Hyland (Missoula Catholic schools principals), Moe Wosepka (Montana Catholic Conference executive director) and Martin Kidston (Helena Independent Record writer), were deeply enriched by the powerful and abiding faith of our Guatemalan sisters and brothers, and inspired by their joy and goodness.

Undoubtedly the richness of this journey will take months for all of us to process.


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 26, No. 2, February 19, 2010.