BAJA CALIFORNIA MISSION

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

A Man was watching his 85-year-old neighbor
planting a small peach tree
He inquired of him,
"You don't expect to each peached from that tree, do you?"
The old man rested on his spade.
He said,
"No, at my age I know I won't.
But all my life I have enjoyed peaches - -
never from a tree I planted myself.
I'm just trying to pay the other fellows who planted the trees
for me."

THE FUTURE IS IN GOD'S HANDS

nNo one of us can predict the future, but the sowing of seeds and the planting of seedlings makes the present moment a time of hope and optimism. Perhaps the seed planted today will bear fruit in some mysterious way in the year 2050, or beyond!

By means of this mid-year newsletter, your Oblate brothers in Baja California wish to say thank you for all the support you give us, through your prayers, letters and donations. Your generosity is very much appreciated, and you are remembered daily in our prayers and eucharist.

THE VALUE OF AN EDUCATION

More than 125 students are receiving scholarships of at least 300 dollars a year in order to persevere in their high school and university level education. Thank you to all those families and individuals from our sister parish, St. Bernadette in Scottsdale, AZ, who sponsor and befriend our youth through this scholarship program. This is truly an investment in the future, and all of us at Sagrada Familia Parish in Mexicali are very grateful. We are also very thankful for the support we receive from St. Bernadette Parish for our construction projects.

Some of the students who receive scholarships with Fr. Jose Gago,OMI, Frs. David Ullrich,OMI and David Kalert,OMI are in the background.

THE HEALING TOUCH

Fathers Bob Callahan,OMI and Daniel Crahen,OMI continue to work non-stop in Tijuana. The big project at this time is the building of a clinic, which is the size of a small hospital. We can see the continuation of healing and saving ministry of Jesus in the work of Frs. Bob and Dan, who receive support from many generous people and who collaborate closely with the poor of their parish, San Eugenio.

FUTURE OBLATES

Also, in Tijuana, Brother Peter Vasquez,OMI and Fr. Tom Rush,OMI work as a team in the formation of young men who are discerning their future as Missionary Oblates. Congratulations to Alberto Arreola,OMI, recently ordained a deacon in Tijuana, and to Salvador Gonzalez,OMI , who celebrated his perpetual vows as an Oblate. Also best wishes to Francisco Javier Gomez,OMI as he continues his formation in San Antonio and to Fernando Velasquez,NOMI and Porfirio Garcia,NOMI, both of whom have just entered the novitiate. All of the above mentioned are "alumni" of our formation program in Tijuana.

Pre-novice students in Tijuana with Fr. Tom Rush,OMI and Br. Peter Vasquez,OMI

GRACIAS

We are especially grateful to Fr. J.C.Cain,OMI who spent three months with us this year in Mexicali on his way to a new assignment in Austin, TX. He told us a lot of good stories from his years in Zambia. Thank you to Fr. Carlos Alarcon,OMI for his pastoral help and occasional visits, along with several students who are interested in the Oblates. We are happy to have Fr. David Kalert,OMI, provincial, and Fr. David Ullrich,OMI, councillor, visit us in February. And we were blessed to have with us since July 1st in Mexicali, Fr. Jerry McGovern,OMI, veteran missionary from Recife, Brasil and Chicago, and we will miss his gentle and sincere presence. Finally, we bid farewell to Fr. Jose Gago,OMI who has received a new assignment in Oakland, CA, beginning in November. Jose spent 6 good years in Mexicali and left a lasting impression. The whole parish wishes him the very best. Gracias y Adios, Jose.

Oblate Frs. David Ullrich, Bob Callahan, David Kalert, Daniel Crahen, Terry Figel

A big Welcome to Juan Ramirez, Oblate Lay Missionary who joins Fr. Bill Antone,OMI this year in Mexicali, and with a big and generous heart, he has come to serve our parish community.