By Renée St. Martin Wizeman

The Diocese of Helena’s mission in Guatemala began over four decades ago. During the Second Vatican Council, then-Bishop Raymond Hunthausen sat next to a bishop from Guatemala. It was a serendipitous arrangement, given Pope John XXIII’s recent appeal to the bishops of wealthier nations to reach out. And the rest, as they say, is history – a rich history based on solidarity with our Guatemalan brothers and sisters in Christ.

The most recent pilgrimage to the mission gave several lay people an opportunity to immerse themselves in the mission’s apostolates. Mission Manager Mark Frei of the diocesan Pastoral Services office led the group, comprised of four physicians and two lay professionals. Drs. A. Craig Eddy and Meg Eddy, and Dr. Anne Murphy, all of Missoula, joined Dr. Mike Strekall of Helena, diocesan Development Services Director Bernie Hewitt and Good Samaritan Ministries Director Theresa Ortega for the week-long immersion trip.

“We don’t go down with a mentality of we’re going to fix something or do some project for them,” Frei explained, “but we go down with a mentality of learning about their life, their reality and how do I need to live my life so it’s a life of solidarity with them.” Frei said the hope is to carry this sense of things one can do in one’s own, everyday life and choices. Additionally, the six individuals who went to the mission were selected for their particular expertise and connections in their respective fields of medicine, finance and direct outreach.

Shortly before the group arrived, Father Jim Hazelton, the mission director in Guatemala, was injured in a cooking stove accident. Upon further consultation with the physicians who arrived from the Diocese of Helena, it was determined that he needed hospital care. Father Hazelton was treated in Los Angeles, and is recuperating in Helena at this time. He hopes to return to the mission for Holy Week.

During the trip, the group visited La Asuncion School and Clinica Maxena, which are the two primary apostolates. The physicians were able to see both the capacities and limitations of services the clinic can offer, as well as the complexities – both financial and cultural – of transporting patients to larger, better-equipped facilities. Frei said that the clinic treats roughly 15,000 cases per year; the diocese provides about 40 percent of the clinic’s budget.

At La Asuncion School, 464 students are currently enrolled. The group visited classes and were treated to several student presentations. The people of the diocese fund 56 percent of the school’s budget, which includes monies from the Diocesan Offertory Program and the annual Hazy Day fundraiser at the Cathedral of St. Helena, in addition to the student sponsorship program.

Sister Ana Priester, BVM, coordinates several other apostolates: the widows’ weaving project, microfinance and direct assistance. The weaving project allows widows to gain better economic security through their sales of their weavings.

Mission weavings and crafts are being sold at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Butte and the Good Samaritan store in Helena. Frei said that others, including some retail businesses, have expressed interest in selling the weavings and crafts.

Frei said his primary focus in managing the mission is increasing awareness of the mission, and the relationship between the people of the Diocese of Helena and Guatemala. Over the past year, Frei has spoken about the mission in several venues, including Carroll College, Catholic schools and parishes. A new informational pamphlet and updated information about the La Asuncion student sponsorship program are available on the diocesan website at www.diocesehelena.org/guatemala.

Ortega said the trip was a profound experience for her. “It truly painted a picture of social justice and our diocese mission while bringing education and medical care to the most needy. I was so impressed with the sisters’ effort to provide educational opportunities to young girls and women as well as religious training groups on mission grounds. I hope that in the future there will be other possibilities for me personally, and Good Samaritan to support Santo Tomas Mission,” she said.

Frei encouraged people to live in solidarity with the people of the mission by making sacrifices, such as eating simpler, cheaper meals, hosting a garage sale, or forgoing new purchases and donating the money to one of the mission apostolates. He also said that spiritual solidarity through prayer and spreading awareness of the mission is also needed.

“On my second trip to the mission, I got to know the staff of the mission – Father Jim Hazelton, Sister Ana Priester, Sister Mary Waddell and clinic director Sheila McShane – a bit more. I continue to be inspired by their great work, service and dedication to the mission. I’m proud to be a Catholic of the Diocese of Helena, knowing that the people of this diocese are supporting the mission work,” Frei said.


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 25, No. 3, March 20, 2009.