Parishes lead way in links

* Sacred Heart Church in Stamford assists a parish in Camasca, Honduras. Peg Vamosy, a Sacred Heart parishioner, lived in Honduras for eight years and visited Stamford in 1994 with the pastor from Camasca to speak about their work in the parish. Sacred Heart parishioners were supportive and raised money for a vehicle for the pastor, but their help has been more than just financial.

"The people here were interested in a sister relationship that would be more than us sending money," Mrs. Vamosy said. "The idea is sharing and faith-sharing. We both have things to learn from each other."

A sister parish committee was formed, and Sacred Heart has supported the Camasca parish by holding a collection after Hurricane Mitch two years ago, and having religious education students send photos and letters to children's choir members in Camasca.

Teaching youth about Honduras helps them to realize the global needs of the Church, Mrs. Vamosy said. "You could tell that they were fascinated to learn about young people in another culture, and I hope that they will be a lot more aware that there's a big world out there."

* St. Mary's Church in Crescent began its sister relationship with San Pedro Jocopilas, a parish in the El Quiche Diocese of Guatemala, after Rev. Richard Broderick returned from retreat in Mexico in 1995 and spoke with parishioners about his visit.

He and Rev. Thomas Hayes, current St. Mary's pastor, recently returned from Guatemala, where Father Hayes delivered a check for $5,000 to the sister parish. St. Mary's raises money through a stewardship program, individual donations, and sales of crafts, baked goods and Guatemalan coffee. Parishioners pray for San Pedro Jocopilas at Masses each weekend and read updates in the bulletin.

Visiting Guatemala made Father Hayes aware of the needs of Catholics and how important it is for his parishioners to have a sister relationship with them.

"It was a mind-altering, eye-opening experience to see the poverty," he said. "It's solidarity and consciousness-raising, and the people down there appreciate that we join with them in their struggle."

* St. Bridget's Church in Copake Falls has a sister parish in Malpaisillo, Nicaragua. The relationship began in 1990 when a delegation visited Nicaragua to oversee that country's first free elections after the rule of the Sandinistas.

St. Bridget's has raised money for a water system and donated printing supplies, audio speakers, vestments, sacred vessels and a guitar to the sister parish. (PQ)

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