Solidarity and Service: A Journey to the Diocesan Mission

Addressing the Church in the Americas in 1999, Pope John Paul II exhorted Catholics to a greater awareness "of communion with Christ and with our brothers and sisters.

"Solidarity" of this kind, the Holy Father said, "is expressed in Christian love" and it "leads to the service of our neighbors in all their needs, material and spiritual, since the face of Christ shines forth in every human being."

For the Diocese of Arlington, our mission at Banica in the Dominican Republic is a conspicuous example of this "solidarity" and service.

Over Palm Sunday weekend and into the beginning of Holy Week, I traveled with my twin sons Alex and Andrew (sophomores at Paul VI Catholic High School) to visit Banica. It was their first trip outside the United States, and our first trip to a developing nation. Banica is a small town that lies in the mountainous interior of Hispaniola, a Caribbean island that is divided between two very poor nations (the Dominican Republic and Haiti), with different languages (Spanish and French), and a common Catholic heritage.

We did not know quite what to expect as we flew into the capital city of Santo Domingo, and then drove almost five hours west to Banica, at the border with Haiti. It was hot and dusty, the end of the island’s dry season. The further we drove from the capital, the worse the roads seemed to get. As we neared Banica, we were impressed that the light Toyota trucks used by the mission could take so much punishment. We had traveled only a relatively short distance from our home in Alexandria, but we knew that we were entering another world. As it turned out, we had a glimpse of two nations mired in poverty and political crisis, of their many suffering people, of the power of our faith, and of the wonderful work to which so many from the Arlington Diocese have contributed in recent years. It is that which we will treasure in our memory for many years to come.

Like other dioceses in the United States that support missions, the Arlington Diocese began staffing the mission in 1991, at the request of the local bishop. The diocese has two mission parishes in the Dominican Republic — the parish of San Francisco de Asis in Banica and San Jose in the neighboring town of Pedro Santana. The parishes include about 18,000 people, many of them living in some 70 campos or small villages along the Haitian frontier. Many of the campos are quite remote, and some are accessible only on foot or by mule.

San Francisco de Asis was a center of Catholic devotion almost 500 years before the establishment of the Arlington Diocese. But for many years prior to the diocese’s mission efforts, the faithful there had no assigned priest and only intermittent access to the sacraments. For 13 years, they have been served by outstanding priests, including Fathers Gerry Creedon, Tom Cassidy, Donald Rooney, and Pat Posey.

In 2003, Father Daniel Gee became pastor and joined Father Jack O’Hara, who has been associate pastor in Banica since 2000. Together, Fathers Gee and O’Hara are building on the efforts of their predecessors.

During our visit, we joined Fathers Gee and O’Hara for Palm Sunday services at both churches. Recalling Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem and days later His crucifixion and death, Father Gee led parishioners bearing green fronds in procession and song around the central town square of Pedro Santana and through the streets of Banica.

We accompanied Father O’Hara as he celebrated Mass, preached, taught and prayed with the people of numerous campos. We drove an hour outside Banica, following a ridgeline with dramatic views of the mountainous interior of the island. When the road ended, we hiked along a deep gorge, forded the Joca River, and ascended a steep hill to reach the village of Pulio. The people, dressed in their best clothes, waited for Father O’Hara and for Mass. What was a fairly tough trip for us seemed like just another day at the office for Padre Juan de Banica.

On another day, we attended a Bible study and prayer group led by Father O’Hara. We joined the older ladies of Sabana Cruz as they contemplated how God deserves praise and thanksgiving.

On our last night in Banica, we spent time with Father O’Hara’s "readers," a group of youths that has grown from four to 60 during his time at the mission. Almost every evening, these children find a quiet place and tutors to help them. The motto of the group is Leer es Crecer, "To Read Is to Grow." This connection with the children of the parish will provide a rich legacy for the church in Banica in future years.

My sons and I were moved by the warm welcome and by the earnest devotions of the people. We were struck by the reverence and gratitude they show the priests serving in their midst. We were constantly reminded of how difficult life is for Dominicans and Haitians alike.

Most of the people subsist on primitive farms, growing yuca, corn, beans or herding goats. Their housing is rudimentary at best. They lack so much of what we take for granted — clean drinking water, reliable electricity, medical services, and more. Early Palm Sunday morning, we went down to the Artibonito River, which serves as the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. A stream of men, women and children from Haiti — many on foot, others on horseback or mule — crossed the river for Banica’s weekly market. Many had walked for hours in the hope of making a few pesos by selling vegetables or other items in the market. At current exchange rates, the U.S. dollar is worth about 44 Dominican pesos.

"This is a very difficult time for the two nations of Hispaniola — politically in Haiti and economically in the Dominican Republic," said Fr. O’Hara. "Many people are suffering and it seems like more and more people are seeking help from the Church each day."

Fathers Gee and O’Hara, like their predecessors, do all they can with the resources available to meet the most pressing material needs — especially for medical attention. Arlington’s mission priests are answering the Holy Father’s call to solidarity and service among the poorest of our brothers and sisters. The diocese can take great pride in their efforts and they deserve our prayers and generous support.

How to Help the Banica Mission

Father Gee said the Banica mission needs:

1. Prayers.

2. Medical services and support. Contact Dr. Gil Irwin at 703/361-5116.

3. Financial assistance. Make checks payable to the Diocese of Arlington and send to: Rev. Daniel J. Maher, c/o Diocese of Arlington, 200 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22203. Please note "Banica Mission" on your check.

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