Hi Friends!

Hope the new year is off to a good start! I finished my mission placement in Ecuador and now in Philadelphia for a training on the Sexual Integration & Redemption Course with Desert Stream Ministries, co-hosted by the Theology of the Body Institute. Here’s the update over the last two months, click here for the link to the scrapbook!

December started off helping with parish preparations for Christmas. With support from the priests, launched an outreach to young adults who have been disconnected from the parish. I also connected with the local Catholic university to explore potential campus ministry opportunities in the future.

We also began preparing for Lumen Vitae (LV) English classes through orientation, pre-tests, and internet setup. LV is an educational outreach of JY US that supports children and young adults. Christmas this year was special since some of my family visited me. I was celebrating Christmas with my family after 4 years. 

In January, Antony Parambi, a JY US full-timer for this year, joined the mission in Ecuador. We focused on building relationships with church and community members, learning Spanish, and launching the LV English tutoring classes. With the help of volunteer tutors from the U.S. and Canada, the weekly classes began with around 35 students participating.

One highlight last month was meeting with the dean of the local Catholic university. Our original 9 a.m. meeting was delayed until 2 p.m., which unexpectedly gave us time for intercession, conversations with students and faculty, and sitting in on a lecture. The meeting itself went well, held together by broken Spanish, Google Translate, and grace.  

Wrapping-up my time in Ecuador, I joined the MSFS priests to celebrate the feast of the congregation patron, St. Francis de Sales. Many friends, church members, and catechists were there, which made the occasion meaningful. Saying goodbye is always difficult. The next day, I arrived in Quito and, after a few final goodbyes, began my journey back to Chicago.

These past 2 months also included challenges and disappointments. In prayer, I was often reminded of Jesus calling me out of the boat to walk toward His gentle voice, eyes fixed on His, while surrounding distractions compete for attention. His invitation was a source of consolation during those times.

Looking ahead, after this week’s training, I’ll be heading back to the Pukatawagan community for a two-week mission. I am also looking forward to a proper ‘see you later’ (there is no goodbye in Cree) after the abrupt fire evacuations back in June. I’ll wrap my fulltimership by mid March after a silent retreat and the JY national leaders summit. Please keep me in your prayers in these final weeks and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with you all soon.

That’s it for now, till next time. 

With Love,

Josh