At a recent Mass, Father Francis de Rosa, parochial vicar of St. Louis Parish in Alexandria, informed parishioners that, thanks to their generosity, the campaign for San Isidro Mission in Nicaragua had collected $79,000.
Five donors alone gave 75 percent of the total, and in just one Sunday Mass more than $8,000 was raised, which, he said, was the highest second collection the parish had ever had.
With the amount already received, the parish now will be able to finance an elementary school in San Isidro, and purchase two vehicles for the priest’s needs in the mission.
“However, we must still raise funds for capital improvements to the existing parish building, the church and the hall,” said Father de Rosa.
Other needs of the mission are pending funding. For example, Nicaraguan priests would like to have a radio transmitter to reach people in the outlying communities and improve the conditions in restrooms and other facilities.
Father de Rosa returned last June from a mission trip to the remote town in Central America, where he witnessed the great physical and spiritual needs of San Isidro de Ayapal, whose name means “where the world begins.” Ironically, the town is the last outpost of civilization in the north of Nicaragua, and home to 90,000 people.
Diocesan missionaries Patricia Bushway, Kiki Michelle and Louise Vogel; Onofre Gutierrez and his son, Ignacio, parishioners of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Alexandria; and Joseph  C. Bush, a member of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 11947, also participated in the mission trip.
The delegation delivered a contribution of $8,000 to the people in San Isidro whose parish with the same name became a sister parish of St. Louis.
Next February a delegation will return to Nicaragua to deliver more help and supervise progress on the school.
 “You have been incredibly generous and on behalf of the people of San Isidro, I thank you,” said Father de Rosa.
Contributions to the San Isidro Mission should be made to “St. Louis Parish” with “Nicaragua” in the memo line. For further information call 703/765-4421.

Alfonso Aguilar can be reached at aaguilar@catholicherald.com.

(c) Copyright 2007 by Arlington Catholic Herald