banica mission

New Deacon Is First Vocation for Banica Mission

By Fr. Gerry Creedon
Special to the HERALD
(From the Issue of 2/1/07)

A highlight of my recent visit to the diocesan missions in the Dominican Republic, was celebrating the liturgy in Banica and Sabana Cruz, assisted by the newly ordained deacon, Pedro Mateo. In six months he will become the first priest ever ordained from the frontier parishes of Banica and Pedro Santana.
I first met Pedro when he was 12. We were organizing a neighborhood based faith community in Pilon, an isolated area south of the Artibonito River. His neighbors elected Pedro as their animator and chief catechist. Among other reasons he was one of the few who could read and write. When he proclaimed the word he spoke with an authority that belied his years and already prefigured his charism for leadership. Twelve years later, having walked two hours a day to high-school in Banica and having spent nine years in seminary training, his community is proud to welcome him home to read the Gospel clad in his diaconal stole.
I was visiting La Posada del Buen Samaritano in Santo Domingo when Bishop Jose Grullon’s driver picked me up one day. The posada is where Sister Beatrice Barry, from Rockville Center, assists the sick parishioners from Banica and other frontier parishes as they get on their feet after surgery. She also cares for Haitian patients who cross the Artibonito River to come to our mission for medical attention. For the past months the Dominican Republic has closed its border to all Haitians, including the seriously ill. This gives urgency to Dr. Gil Irwin’s Manassas-based medical mission. Using the Banica community center he reaches out with supplies to the neighboring Haitian parish of Thomassique. During my visit he was completing a clinic there.
I discovered that my driver is the new director of community development for our sister diocese of San Juan de La Maguana. He shared his satisfaction at the progress being made in Pedro Santana and Banica where two aqueducts will provide potable water to a number of districts. There has also been major success in the construction of latrines. Families pay a quota for maintenance and agree to plant 30 trees. Projects are developed within the context of neighborhood based faith communities in a way that calls for empowerment and education.
At San Juan, Bishop Grullon brought me into the vortex of diocesan life as he had me sit with him for an interview with Radio Corazon, a diocesan outlet. He emphasized the diocesan goals of promoting faith and life in an integral way. “What are your priorities for the year?” he was asked. He did not hesitate, “Water, civil papers so that people can participate, (26 percent of Dominicans and children born of Haitian parents are left in limbo with regard to their civil rights), literacy, communications and transport.” He wants me to find him a donated low-boy to ferry his bulldozer around the hill country where goat paths serve as roads.
His priority on water was highlighted in Banica where the regional aqueduct has not produced water in three weeks despite the advocacy of Father Dan Gee and community leaders.
One of the purposes of my visit was to provide Father Gee some respite. He and Father Chris Murphy have made great strides. With the erection of the parish of San Jose, Father Murphy has been able to provide more focus to the hilly district of Pedro Santana. He works in conjunction with the Franciscan Sisters who are indefatigable in their outreach and in the implementation of the diocesan pastoral plan of evangelization and community development.
Father Gee’s practical genius and faith is seen in the thriving school of Francisco Javier, in the health outreach, in the service of St Vincent de Paul to the hungry and the needy, and in his advocacy for his Haitian neighbors. He has been successful in attracting volunteers from the Arlington Diocese. Maire does catechesis and music education, with the help of eight donated violins. David and Virginia Kirby and their three children provide support to volunteer groups. Kirby, with his military background, keeps an eagle eye on the maintenance of the parish center and all the equipment that needs daily attention.
Father Murphy is learning the methods of the pastoral plan, while placing a priority on liturgy and catechesis. He is enjoying his role as the first resident pastor in the history of this ancient municipality.

Fr. Creedon is pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Arlington and the first pastor of the Banica Mission in the Dominican Republic. The Diocesan Mission is supported by funds from the Bishop's Lenten Appeal.