"I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of the saints..."

The 9 parishioners who went to Yamasa in the Dominican Republic with Fr Bill truly experienced "the communion of the saints". It has been especially alive for the Yamasa 2001 project. It was evident not only in the overwhelming financial support that came through so many donations thus raising $14000, but also in the prayers of a community who wants to be part of the Body of Christ. On arrival we were warmly greeted by the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception who looked after our transportation, accommodation and all the arrangements to make our stay pleasant and useful. We integrated into the missionary activities of the Sisters and became, for 10 days, members of the sister community in Yamasa and Antoncé. We could witness the economic difficulties of people in Yamasa and compare them to our Canadian well being. The joy and happiness that we felt arose from the ability to forget about ourselves and to become fully concerned with the needs of others.

When we arrived at the work site, Antoncé, we found construction well under way by local artisans: the concrete block walls were up and the forms for the support beams and for the reinforced concrete roof were nearly complete. We joined in and continued with the form work, the installation of structural reinforcing steel, and the installation of electrical tubing and outlet boxes in preparation for the pouring of a 5-inch thick concrete roof. A local school teacher mobilized a large crew of young able bodied men to assist with the concrete work. The entire roof was poured in one day in spite of the fact that the mixer experienced mechanical failures. Thanks to the ingenuity of Paul Tremblay, on-site repairs were executed and the job was completed. Since the suggestion of a bell tower was quashed due to cost, the craftsmen in our group built up the facade above the main entrance to incorporate a glass block cross which will eventually be rear lighted when electricity is available and affordable. 

The need to allow the concrete to set before the removal of the forms spelled the end of our personal involvement. As a result we had some time to visit the houses where we had built concrete floors last year, to go to Consuelo and visit the Grey Nuns there. Various members of our group went on side trips. These included visits to Carmen Garcia's Clinic, the Marguerite Centre and the local hospital. Two members of our group went to Mass and to a meeting in an outlying community with the parish priest from Yamasa. One member of the group went to the school that received the letters and money from the St. Mary's School students and took a photo of the students who answered the letters

It was decided that we would dedicate the Chapel to the Glory and Honor of God in the name of Leo and Rose Kenney, Father Bill's parents. A cornerstone was brought down and cemented in at the front of the building beside the main door. A fitting finish to our physical participation in the construction project was the dedication ceremony which took place on the second last day that we were there. The parish priest of Yamasa, Father Jesus Castro, local people of Antonce and the surrounding area along with some of our friends from Yamasa were invited to join us for the celebration. They had spread gravel in front of the chapel, prepared an altar with flowers and had brought benches to sit on. A choir was practicing their singing and playing their instruments. We found out later that some of the people had walked for miles to get there. This was their Church and they are very proud of it and very grateful for not only the financial support that was provided by the people from Deep River but also for the help and support and love that the group who traveled to the Dominican Republic brought. While Father Jesus was blessing the Chapel with holy water, a large cloud moved overhead and the whole building was blessed by the heavens. The rain forced everyone to get inside the Chapel to take cover and thus the building was used for the very first time. At the end of the celebration, it was announced by Father Jesus that this place of worship would be named "Our Lady of Good Counsel" in recognition of the help received by our parish.

And now we're home, the trip is over-what was it all about? It was and continues to be about many things.

We've come home proud to have been representatives of a parish and a community that have been so generous with their support, not only for this chapel, but for many other needs in the DR.

We've come home knowing that we now have a new Sister Parish in Antoncé- a parish that now has a place to worship together- on a hill surrounded on three sides by a peaceful, breathtaking view that stretches for miles. All of us here are now part of that parish- be it through our donations, our physical labor, or our prayers. The beautiful granite corner stone, which bears the names of Father Bill's parents, is in part a tribute to Rose Kenney who was a founding member of the very first Mission Committee of our church, and will be visible and long lasting evidence of the link with our community. This is a parish that will continue to need our support, both financially and spiritually.

We've come home having seen the poverty and endless needs in the D. R. but overshadowing that, the gracious warmth and openness of the people of Yamasa.

We're grateful to Father Kenney who, 15 years ago, had the insight to know how important this would be, when he initiated the twinning of people in our diocese with the people of Yamasa.

(Students from Bishop Smith H. S. visit the newly finished chapel)

We've come home having met people, who though poor, live with dignity. These are people who clearly know that true happiness and peace comes from the 3 "F's" that we've often heard Father Kenney speak of - their faith, their family and their friends.

We've come home having transcended our cultural and language differences to become one community in Christ, and celebrate together the true joy of our faith.

And finally we've each come home with 9 much closer friends-with whom we laughed a lot and also cried, as people who have shared a powerful experience. Each of us very different, bringing our own unique talents and gifts but together (as Sister Susan told us) we made one beautiful chapel roof.

Jan 8 - 18, 2001