New Computer Helps Girls Learn at Hogar Nueva Vida

Bowie (Left) and Williams with
recent donation.

The Mission of Friendship is pleased to announce the arrival of its newest technological addition: a computer for the girls of Hogar Nueva Vida! Early last Tuesday, Mr. Roger Bowie and Mr. Joseph Williams, members of the Mérida Men's Group, delivered the computer along with a variety of microphones, diskettes and other computer software for the girls to use as they progress throughout their academic studies.  The computer, originally William's, was donated after he had heard of the Mission's need through Bowie and the rest of the organization.

The Mérida Men's Group, in conjunction with The International Women's Club (also of Mérida), have been consistently attentive to the needs of the Hogar Nueva Vida throughout the past years. Members volunteer a variety of services beyond generous gifts, including transporting weekly foodstuffs from local markets to Hogar Nueva Vida, dressing up as holiday characters for Christmas and Halloween and performing repair and maintenance work on the Hogar's various buildings.

As for now, the new computer will be placed in the Computation Room near the girl's classrooms.  This important tool- in conjunction with others at the shelter- will allow the girls to learn basic computing skills, ultimately preparing them for high school and greater career options beyond graduation.

Special thanks again to Joseph Williams, Roger Bowie and The Mérida Men's Group for their generous donation.

Children of Los Amiguitos Daycare Center Present Carnaval 2011

Girls from Los Amiguitos presenting a themed dance
for family and friends.

While the joy and excitement of Carnaval 2011 (see Carnaval 2011 comes to Mérida and Hogar Nueva Vida) has already given way to a more serious Lenten season here in Mérida, the Mission of Friendship doesn't want to say goodbye to all of the celebration without first sharing a Carnaval presentation given by the children of Los Amiguitos Daycare Center, a branch of the Mission of Friendship established in 1987 and funded by the Pallotines of the Immaculate Conception Province (New Jersey).

As a way to celebrate the Carnaval season, annual presentations have become a staple of school district calendars and an anticipated activity of both children and staff alike.  While older teens in high schools around the city often present dances in the annual parades, younger children in pre-school through middle school often host their own celebration as a festive equivalent.

Presentations include the crowning of a king and queen, along with a variety of well-rehearsed dances. Costumes are often a mix of rented attire as well as clothing especially tailored for the occasion.  Specifically, the Carnaval presentation for Los Amiguitos featured over 20 children with an overall estimated attendance of 60 family and friends.

The Mission of Friendship would like to send a special thanks to Director Silvia Gonzalez and the staff of Los Amiguitos for their hard work on making Carnaval 2011 a success!

For more information concerning the Pallotines and the Society of the Catholic Apostolate (Immaculate Conception Province), please visit  http://sacapostles.org/

Above: Children from Los Amiguitos Daycare dance after

the coronation of the king and queen.

Carnaval 2011 Comes to Mérida and Hogar Nueva Vida

As Carnaval 2011 (March 2nd through March 8th) blew into the heart of downtown Mérida, the once relatively-quiet city was thrown into a spinning collection of lights, music, food and the joy of unbridled celebration. While many around other parts of the globe celebrated with varying pre-Lenten festivities, Mérida ushered in a week of elaborate parades, free downtown concerts and dozens of food and beverage vendors ready to serve any and all who came to celebrate the week's events.

In hopes to celebrate such a special time of year for all of Mérida, the girls of the Nueva Vida Shelter spent the afternoon before Carnaval creating and decorating masks similar to those worn in the parades during this time of year.  The masks were then displayed throughout the rest of the week and finally given to the girls to take home and enjoy for the holiday weekend.

As Carnaval celebrations have finally drawn to a close, it is our wish that everyone may experience a sincere and blessed Lenten season.

Temozón Offers Modern Yucatecan Treasure

    





 

Front facade of new parish. Pre-fabricated cement prevents

swelling and cracking that would normally occur under

humidity and high temperatures.

As of recently, Cari Serafin and Marilyn Randolph (coordinators of the Mission of Friendship) and I had the pleasure of meeting with Father Alfredo Cirerol Ojeda, priest of Divina Misericordia Church and diocesan advisor to the Mission’s operations within the Yucatan Peninsula. The visit was twofold: one, to deliver communication from Saint Michael the Archangel Church (where Msgr. Jan Olowin, founder of the Mission of Friendship, is pastor) to the Parish of Divina Misericordia through the Sister Parish Program. Secondly, I hoped to meet such an important person to the Mission of Friendship, as Father Alfredo has remained a long-time friend and supporter of Mission initiatives since its founding.  In his excitement to meet with us and receive correspondence from close friend Msgr. Olowin and the parish, Father Alfredo invited us to see one of the Diocese’s newest endeavors: the parish of Temozón.



For those who might not be familiar with the geography of the Yucatan, Temozón Norte (teh-moh-SOHN) is a small town located 10 minutes north of Mérida with a small yet active population of inhabitants.  While Temozón affords its people common needs and small luxuries, however, the town has lacked a fully-functional chapel for some time.  As a response to this need, construction began in 2010 to erect a worship space after funds became available within the Catholic community of Divina Misericordia. 





Front doors, inside view. 

  While many who have visited Mérida will attest to the structural similarities of its colonial churches (stone or cement facades, ornate altar construction and statues placed throughout the space), the modern architecture of Temozón’s chapel summons an air of 21st century austerity; clean lines and abstract stained glass give the feeling of contemporary design while its simplicity allows worshippers to focus on personal prayer or the mass at hand. Further architectural details, including pre-fabricated cement, marble detailing and extensive ventilation, call to the heat of the Yucatan and allow the chapel to stay cool in relation to the daily temperatures.   



Front of chapel.  A glass wall allows light to enter while

providing parishioners the ability to appreciate outside

greenery.  Altar is of marble construction.



While construction on the church continues to near completion, Father Alfredo has already initiated weekly mass, with parish activity hoping to increase as construction finishes.  It was confirmed that work will also begin on pastoral housing for the attending priest once the main chapel is complete.

The Mission of Friendship would like to thank Father Alfredo Cirerol Ojeda for his continued work as diocesan advisor and his generosity in sharing with all of us yet another treasure of the Diocese of Mérida.