On May first, our bishop presided at the celebration of the Eucharist commemorating the second anniversary of the death of his mother, Doña Oestmann de Aguirre

During the homily, in light of the liturgical readings about Saints Philipp and James the Lesser, who are celebrated on this day, he explained the mystery of the communion of the saints and urged everyone present to renew the promise of faith and witness, which is a responsibility given to every Christian.

The celebration having begun with the administration of the sacrament of Reconciliation, it was possible for the great majority of the participants to come forward for communion.

On Thursday morning, May 3, the bishop, accompanied by Fathers Ángel Núez and Freddy González, presided at the celebration of the Deanery of the Verapaces. There were representatives from the parishes of Buen Pastor, Carchá, Lanquín, Balbatzul, and from the Centers of Tomzul Oculá, Chitania, Chiacam, Chamelco, and Cubulco.

The representatives from the various parishes and pastoral centers gave their reports on what is happening in their communities. In general, all the communities have experienced sustained growth.

During the instruction period, the bishop responded to various questions raised by the faithful and continued to develop the theme of the church’s constitution.

At three o’clock in the afternoon, the bishop came to the Pastoral Center of Chitania, where the faithful with great effort are building a beautiful and spacious church. The walls and the metal supports for the roof are up, and the roof is in the process of being put on.

The ceremony had been thoughtfully prepared by members of the Center’s Commission for the Liturgy.

A numerous group of young people had been prepared to receive confirmation and to take on the commitment of working in missionary efforts.

In addition, several communion ministers were installed. They will serve in various communities for which Chitania is the pastoral center.

Especially significant was the ceremony in which the young people who had been confirmed lit their candles, indicating their promise to be the light of the world through their life and missionary work.

At the end of the day, the bishop presided at the celebration of the Eucharist with the Renewed Catholic Community of San José in Cobán.

Some misunderstandings have been affecting the community recently. The bishop urged those present to overcome the disputes and continue working to fulfill the mission that the Lord has entrusted to us.

All those present who were prepared to receive the sacrament came forward to take communion.

On the morning of May 4, Monsignor Eduardo came to the see of the Pueblo Nuevo Parish in Ixcán, in order to preside at the celebration of the deanery for this area.

The meeting began with the presentation of the situation that the various communities are experiencing. Although no special problems were presented, a series of concerns were raised about pastoral work. This conversation continued for a long time.

After clarifying the issues involved in these concerns, the bishop proceeded to the instruction period, which dealt with ecclesiological questions.

In the afternoon of May 4, the bishop presided at the Eucharist in the parish see of Pueblo Nuevo, Ixcán, El Quiché.

The serving minsters were present, and, after receiving the sacrament of Reconciliation, a large number of people participated in communion.

Several delegates from other communities that comprise the parish also participated in the communion. They had come in order to participate in the deanery.

In late afternoon of May 4, the bishop came for the first time to the San Antonio Tzejá Community, which recently joined out Church.

Having begun three months ago with three families, it now has fourteen, which means that about 150 people are now members.

More than 300 faithful participated in the celebration. In addition to the members of the community, there were guests from nearby communities, some of whom are already part of our Church and other are considering joining.

Communion ministers were also installed. They can serve the new community by distributing communion when it is not possible for the Eucharist to be celebrated.

También se instituyó a ministros de la comunión, para que puedan servir en la nueva comunidad con la distribución de la comunión, cuando no sea posible contar con la celebración de la Eucaristía.

On Saturday, May 5, the bishop came to Yalicoc, Raxruhá for the meeting of the deanery of Petén. Although this community is in Alta Verapaz, it belongs to the Deanery of Petén, which normally meets in San Fernando Sayajché, but was on this occasion moved to Yalicoc because the creation of the Renewed Catholic Parish of the Exaltación del Señor was being celebrated.

During an hour and a half, the faithful gave reports on their communities. Among the positive aspects was the formation of several new communities, especially in the area of Chisec and Fray Bartolomé de las Casas.

After these presentations and a question-and-answer period, the bishop gave a talk on the characteristics of the church that Christ founded.

In the afternoon the Eucharist of creating the Renewed Catholic Parish of La Exaltación del Señor was celebrated in the church of Yalicoc, Raxruhá.

The parish is comprised of communities of Raxruhá, Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, and San Luís Petén.

After the Secretary of the new Parish Council presented the request for the creation of the parish and the entire assembly had accepted the stipulations, the bishop proceeded to read the Decree of the Creation of the Parish and then to deliver it to the President of the Council, to the Parish, and to the Secretary.

After the decree was delivered, the books of the Registry of the Sacraments that will be taken to the new parish were also delivered.

Finally, new communion ministers for some of the communities that have recently joined the church were installed.

On the afternoon of May 5, the bishop celebrated Eucharist in the La Samaritana Community, which is part of the Parish of San Fernando, Sayajché, Petén.

After several years of organizing work, under the leadership of brother Tomás, the community has built its house of prayer and has organized several ministries.

The faithful are very happy with the process being followed in the community and are renewing their commitment to continue working faithfully in the mission efforts.

On Sunday morning, May 6, the bishop came to the Chiacam Pastoral Center, where three communities converge.

The faithful have begun the construction of a large church with the hope of growing and being able to come a parish in the future.

During the homily the bishop urged the faithful to renew their experience of the Lord’s resurrection, as something present that transforms their lives.

Three communion ministers were installed to serve several communities that are coordinated through this pastoral center.

On Sunday afternoon, May 6, Monsignor Eduardo came to Camcal in the municipality of Cobán to celebrate Eucharist and administer Confirmation and the missionary charge to a group of young people.

The bishop congratulated the faithful whom he had seen a little more than a year and a half ago, when he blessed the new lot that they had bought.

Now the faithful have built a small wooden house of prayer and is already half way through the work of raising the walls of a large stone church for the community’s services.

A group of children also took advantage of the bishop’s visit to make their first Reconciliation and their Solemn Communion.

The young people who were confirmed expressed with all their might the commitment to work and to live as did the apostles beginning on Pentecost Day.

On Saturday, May 12, after a trip that had begun with the closing of the Guatemala airport when the airplane on which Monsignor Eduardo was traveling was already on the tarmac, the bishop arrived in Los Angeles, California, to visit the communities that comprise the San Miguel Arcángel Parish.

The bishop was able to see for himself the enthusiasm with which the faithful, coordinated by brother León Velásquez, were getting organized in order to grow and be structured in every respect as a Renewed Catholic Parish.

The celebration began with the administration of the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Afterwards, during the homily, he delineated the characteristics of Christians who truly believe in the Lord’s resurrection.

In spite of the difficulties that the community is confronting, it is working to organize all the services and ministries that are needed for a fully operational Renewed Catholic Parish.

In the evening of June 12, the bishop visited the Pacto Divino Community on Sixth Street in Los Angeles.

On the occasion, in addition to celebrating Eucharist, the faithful had a vigil to which they invited all the faithful in the “Restauración en el Espíritu Santo” Community since the bishop would not be going to that community on this trip.

In addition, faithful from other communities were invited, among them the faithful of a community whose members come from San Antonio Sija, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.

The celebration took place in an atmosphere of deep prayer and joyful praise of the Lord.

On Sunday morning, May 13, a goodly number of the faithful attended the DETYM education program in Los Angeles.

The bishop had two themes: the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and the biblical bases of the church’s pastoral work.

The classes were broadcast via internet by the “Be Bold to Win Souls for Christ” team, coordinated by brother Ronaldo Velásquez.

On Sunday afternoon, the bishop celebrated the Eucharist for the DETYM students and for some other members of the parish who wanted to attend.

The homily emphasized the need for openness to receive God’s love if one wants to be faithful to the fact that the Lord has elected us and to yield the abundant fruit for which he has chosen us.

The communion ministers, brothers Pedro and Francisco, were responsible for accompanying the bishop in the celebration, as well as brother Jorge, who served both as reader and as acolyte.

On May 17, Monsignor Eduardo presided at the celebration of the Eucharist in Christian Initiation of several children with the Renewed Catholic Community Efusión del Espíritu Santo in Santiago Atitlán.

Those who were initiated were all children of long-time members of the community. The bishop began by explaining to them that children are initiated into Christian life on the basis of their parents’ faith, and therefore he urged the parents to accept the commitment to live as authentic Renewed Catholics.

The faithful took on this commitment in good conscience and promised to be actively involved in the community’s evangelizing activity.

La iniciación cristiana culminó cuando, en el momento de la comunión, a los niños fue administrado el cuerpo y la sangre del Señor.

The attendance of the faithful at the celebration was substantial, as was the number who came forward to receive Holy Communion. At the beginning, the bishop administered Reconciliation for those needed it.

On May 17 in the afternoon, Monsignor Eduardo visited the Pentecostés Community, Santiago Atitlán, Sololá.

The celebration began with the administration of Reconciliation.

The faithful are well organized and have several liturgical ministries. The readers were well prepared and exercised their ministry very competently.

After the homily Christian Initiation was celebrated for several children.

The bishop exhorted the parents to live out their Christian commitment actively to help their children grow in the faith.

On Friday morning, May 18, the bishop came to Cuilco, Huehuetenango, to hold the deanery with the faithful from Cuilco, Tacaná and Nueva Omatenengo, Chiapas.

Representatives from each of the communities made a short report on the way the community was getting along. On balance, the reports were very positive.

At the end of the reports the bishop responded to various questions and spelled out the principles that appropriately apply when confronting these problems.

At the end the faithful thanked the bishop for the education program he delivered and renewed their commitment to continue working with enthusiasm to carry out the mission entrusted to us.

In the afternoon the bishop began his pastoral visits with the Santo Domingo Community in the Cuilco Parish.

He was accompanied in these visits by Father Pedro Martínez.

The celebration began with the administration of the sacrament of Reconciliation.

During the homily the bishop urged the faithful to overcome some problems of mutual understanding that they have had and to commit themselves as a united body to the work of evangelism.

In late afternoon, the bishop came for the first time to the La Pilas Community in Cuilco.

This community was formed recently, but it is already showing great enthusiasm and dynamism. Its house of prayer is temporary, and they are determined to build a permanent church as soon as possible.

During the bishop’s visit, Christian Initiation for several children was celebrated, as well as some marriages.

After the ritual of Christian Initiation, one of the servers was installed as Communion Minister and the presence of the Most Holy Sacrament was established in the community.

In the evening, the bishop came to the Yulbá Community, also in the Cuilco Parish.

With great joy he could see as soon as he arrived that the construction of a new church was moving ahead more rapidly than he had expected; the walls are now in place.  It will hold twice as many people as the current building.

Part of the celebration was the administration of Christian Initiation to several children and young people.

During communion a great number of the faithful came forward to receive the sacrament.

On Saturday, May 19, with a large number of community delegates participating, the Deanery-Assembly of Huehuetenango was celebrated for the communities of central Huehuetenango.

About two hundred faithful were there, as well as the three presbyters who care for the communities in this area:  Fathers Marco Tulio Calderón, Pedro Martínez, and Yaider Jiménez.

After listening to and answering several questions, the bishop in the instruction period focused on the meaning of “the Communion of the Saints” and the intercession of the saints.

The mood was participatory and enthusiastic.  All the faithful were committed to deepening their understanding of the themes that the bishop dealt with, and the bishop began to think of the possibility of publishing a pastoral letter just on the communion with and intercession of the saints.

On Saturday evening, May 19, the bishop celebrated the Eucharist with the faithful who had participated this weekend in Section 2 of the DETYM Education Program.

The faithful participated with great devotion in the sacrament of Reconciliation, which was administered at the beginning of the celebration.

The homily emphasized the mission that we Christians have received, beginning at the time of the Lord’s Ascension.

The seminarians charged with leading the DETYM classes were enthusiastic about the students’ dedication and interest in continuing their education.

On Ascension Sunday, May 20, the bishop came to the central see of the Chiantla Parish. The occasion for the visit was to administer Confirmation to a goodly number of young people.

More than two thousand people participated in the celebration, coming from the different communities of the parish.

During the homily the bishop emphasized that the objective of the Confirmation of Chrismation is for the confirmand to participate actively in the apostolic mission, which Christ entrusted to the apostles after ascending to heaven and sending the Holy Spirit.

The presbyter of the parish, Padre Marco Tulio Calderón, co-celebrated with the bishop.

After the Chrismation, there followed a long time of prayer, invoking the Holy Spirit that each of those who had been anointed might be empowered to carry out the mission entrusted to him or her.

The distribution of communion took a long time, for a great multitude of participants wanted to receive it.

On Sunday afternoon, May 20, the bishop presided at the Eucharistic celebration with the Chiancá Community in Huehuetenanago.

Until now the bishop had been directly in charge of the pastoral work in the Huehuetenango communities.

Nevertheless, the four communities in the center of Huehuetenango now been incorporated pastorally into the Pastoral Council of the Chiantlá Parish and in the pastoral care of Father Marco Tulio Calderón.

The homily urged each of the faithful, in the light of the ascension, to take on personally the mission that Christ left to the apostles.

During the Communion, a great number of participants came forward to commune, for the celebration ha begun with th4 administration of the sacrament of Reconciliation.

On Tuesday, May 22, Monsignor Eduardo presided at the celebration of the Eucharist in María Auxiliadora, La Ciénega, San Raymundo, with the member of the Nuestra Señora de la Preciosísima Sangre Home for Young Women.

The celebration marked the anniversary of the death of the mother of Sister Mary Faye Hellman, Founder and Director of the Home. She was the key benefactor in bringing about the construction of the Home.

The homily, in the light of Scripture, urged the participants to prepare for the mystery of Pentecost.

Among the students in the home are several sisters and relatives of our seminarians, and many of the girls come from Renewed Catholic communities. Right:  Magdalena, the sister of Seminarian Arturo Pedro Juan, receiving communion. They come from Primavera de Ixcán. Uxcán, El Quiché.

On the afternoon of May 25, the bishop came to the San Juan Bautista Parish in Comalapa to meet with the directors of the several communities of Renovación Carismática.

The mood was very positive and the faithful took considerable interest in putting into practice the lessons that were being shared with them.

Working circles followed the plenary instruction. All the faithful participated eagerly and benefited enormously.

At the end of the meeting-retreat, the majority of the faithful expressed their commitment to become actively involved in missionary action, for that was the explicit goal of the instruction that they received.

At the end of the session, there was prayer, and the bishop imparted a blessing to those in attendance.

On Saturday, May 26, there was a retreat with the 120 faithful who since September of last year have been receiving instruction on mission activity in the parish.

All the faithful attended and participated actively and committedly.

The bishop presented four themes, each of which was followed by a workshop to facilitate and deepen the understanding of each one.

There was also time to raise concerns and clarify points of view so that the People of God were properly prepared to carry out mission activity.

At the end of the afternoon, the retreat ended with a time of prayer, asking the Lord that the commitment made may be actualized with fidelity.

On May 26 the bishop presided at the Eucharist of Sending forth the missionaries in the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista.

The homily stressed that what we have done is opening us to the possibility that what took place in the early church will also take place in our midst.

The 120 faithful to be sent forth as missionaries participated in the celebration, as well as a large group of young people.

After the communion the bishop reminded the missionaries what their mission was and how it was related to attaining the desired fruits.

Each of the missionaries came forward to light a taper from the Easter candle, signifying that their mission participates in the mission and life of the resurrected Christ.

At the end, a time of prayer began, invoking, within the framework of the Pentecost vigil, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on each of the missionaries.

Father Francisco Simón, co-pastor of the Cathedral Parish, concelebrated with the bishop. Right:  the bishop and Father Francisco and many of the participants praying over the brothers and sisters who were being commissioned as missionaries.

On Pentecost Sunday, May 27, in the sanctuary of the Cerro de Guadalupe, the bishop joined representatives of the youth of the San Juan Bautista Camalapa Parish, to celebrate the first meeting between the bishop and the young people.

The Assembly began with the coordinator of the parish’s Youth Ministry welcoming the bishop.

Throughout the presentation of various themes, the bishop repeatedly emphasized the great responsibility the young people have in fulfilling the mission that the Lord has entrusted to us.

After each of the bishop’s presentations there were workshop-style conversation circles. The various groups were made of representatives of each of the youth communities. The goal of alternating presentation with workshops was to reach agreements that each participant would be able to follow through on afterwards.

Following each workshop, the young people had time to express their concerns and raise questions. The dialogues were open and friendly.

At the end of the meeting, the youth expressed the desire for future meetings of this sort in order to strengthen their commitment and parish unity.

On Pentecost Sunday the bishop presided at the 4:00pm Eucharist in the San Juan Bautista Cathedral.

In addition to celebrating Pentecost, the Eucharist was the frame within which the young people who had participated in the Youth Assembly made their missionary commitment and were sent forth to evangelize.

During the homily the bishop related the mystery of Pentecost to the mission that the Lord has entrusted to our Church and urged all the People of God to be actively involved in carrying out this mission.

The stream of the faithful coming to the celebration and coming forward for communion forward was huge.

After communion, the bishop called up all the youth who had accepted the mission commitment. About 120 came forward.

One of the special ways expressing their commitment was lighting a taper from the Easter candle.

After the ceremony of lighting the candles, the bishop reminded them of the characteristics of life and mission that those commissioned as missionaries should manifest.

At the end the entire assembly prayed that the young people being sent forth might be empowered to carry out their mission.

After the benediction, the children came forward to receive a special blessing from the bishop and be sprinkled with holy water.