The lay arm of the Servants directly supports the evangelization and establishment of a church in Cuba, where previously God’s word was rarely heard, if ever.
The church of San Antonio de Padua in Sibanicu, Camaguey , Cuba is a small country church. It is small by American standards but has the warmth and intimacy that small houses of worship can offer. It can seat about seventy people. The parish is very old, dating back a few hundred years, but the present structure was built in the 20th century. Up to now the community has been very small and consists mostly of old people who knew Christ before the revolution. Many saints did not give in to the powers that pressured them to not practice their faith. Now, that pressure has lessened but not disappeared. At this time more people are joining which makes our work here that much more important. It is time for the Servants to up our game to further support evangelization.
The church that had not been maintained for years has now been repaired, painted within and without, the pews and all wood have been varnished, the roof has been repaired and treated for termites, a roofed extension has been constructed to provide shelter and an area for other activities.
Due to the historic repression of the Catholic Church in Cuba, the community of the faithful in Sibanicu was very small in comparison to the population. Our journey with this community began with small steps. First of all, when we donated at Mass, our donation equaled the total community donation for the month. This plus other donations we made allowed the community to make certain repairs. Our contact with Yuny’s family introduced them to Christianity and to a different way of seeing the world. One by one they became familiar with the church and converted and subsequently became very involved in church life. Through them we also became more familiar with the members of the community, to the needs of the community and became actively involved with existing projects and initiated new ones.
Caritas, a global charitable confederation of members inspired by the Catholic faith, had a program in Sibanicu that included feeding many elderly, children and the disabled. However, in 2019 the help received from Switzerland ended and now the structure that was Caritas in Cuba has been left to fend for themselves. This is not easy. We do our part by helping to supplement the needs of the organization that remains by providing for the ninety elderly and disabled people that we feed every Tuesday in Sibanicu. For many this is the best meal of the week.
We also sponsor a chapter of Project Esperanza (Project Hope) which is a prolife movement in which we help educate young girls that a fetus is a baby and has a right to live. We send baby and small children's clothing to help the poor girls that decide not to abort. They abort because they do not see how they possibly can provide for themselves and the baby. We also provide counseling and advice to help them on a Christian journey.
In mid-2020, in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis, we received an update from our brothers and sisters associated with the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua with whom we work.
Below are some examples of the fruit of this relationship and what is being done at this small church in a rural area of Cuba.
The Servants helped the parish purchase a horse and buggy that enables them to visit the sick, look for firewood with which to cook in the kitchen to serve lunch to those in need every Tuesday at the church, as well as to haul trash to keep the church clean.
In addition, the Servants also purchased a house to serve as a parish center and home for the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Poor who we are trying to encourage to come to the parish so that they may come and serve the needs of the community. The house provides a place for the itinerant priest who travels distances to celebrate the sacraments, for men’s and women’s Emmaus retreats, parish meetings, catechesis and faith formation as well as a home for the Sisters. The parish needs the presence of religious on a full-time basis. Their presence will unify and provide direction to the activities of the parish, and the community will rally around them and support them. We ask for your prayers that the Lord may answer our request.
Essentially the church has become an important center for the community in this small town. Though it only represents one small contribution to the life and faith of those living in Sibanicu, it is a step, by God’s grace.
A good example of this contribution is the sponsorship of the church soccer team. The Servants purchased and sent 20 uniforms and several balls to the church so that the team can compete against teams from other parishes in surrounding communities in their territory. Overall this serves the purpose of evangelization of young people who may not know of Jesus Christ and the good news of the Gospel. Jeremiah Horgan and his wife Yuny are front and center with the team.
The Servants’ contributions also led to the construction of a multi-use dining area where 90 individuals are served lunch every week. Simple touches like the addition of a bathroom, hand washing area and oven add to the quality of life for the community and parishioners.
The multi-use area can even be used for free haircuts.
But most importantly, the life of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the veneration of the Blessed Mother are at the center of this evangelical mission.
Shown below are Luis Gonzalez and his daughter Lorena. Luis is a convert and is a pillar and administrator of the church. Father Bastian comes to celebrate Mass but has his main responsibility in the parish of Santa Ana. As a result, the laity have had to step up with parish responsibilities. Luis also participated in the first Emmaus retreat in Camaguey and is very active in their meetings and activities. In the picture below they are celebrating the feast of the Virgin of Charity, the patroness of Cuba.
We do not know where God is leading us, but we do know that He will continue to do so.
This is the time to act in Cuba. The people of Cuba are ready to hear about Christ and the old abandoned communities need life to be breathed back into them. We Servants are putting our plans in motion to go out to the small rural areas and do whatever God tells us to do to bring back His lost sheep. We are also helping other communities outside of Sibanicu so that they can grow as well.
We wish to extend a personal invitation to you to walk with us and walk with the Lord in this endeavor. You will not regret it and it will lead you to Him here in this life and eventually with Him in the next. You can be part of this by contributing financially. All of our work has costs. You can also contact us to help in other ways.
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