The Sister Parish Relationship between Brandon, MN & Barbacoas, Venezuela
History of the Sister Parish Relationship
St. Ann's Catholic Parish of Brandon, Minnesota has decided to take their faith to a new pro-active depth by getting involved in "mission." While the Dioceses of St. Cloud and Maracay, Venezuela, have a long history dating back to 1964 of sending many priests, sisters, and lay volunteers to serve and accompany our sister and brothers in the Diocese of Maracay; the Parish of St. Ann's have decided that they too are going to get on board and get involved in "mission." Shirley (a St. Ann's parish member) and Jim Anderson traveled to Maracay, Venezuela, on a "reverse" mission trip with Fr. Tony Kroll from January 17-31, 2000. Shirley was especially moved by the liturgies in Maracay, the Venezuelan's enthusiasm and happiness, and the active participation of the youth in the church of Venezuela. The people of Barbacoas graciously welcomed her to their community, and were so willing to share. "They always brought small gifts," Shirley said in an April 2000 West Douglas County Record interview. Her "reverse" mission trip became a very enriching faith exchange. Shirley came away from her Venezuelan trip transformed and on fire. By March of that year, Shirley had engaged the St. Ann's parish council in building an on-going relationship with Immaculate Conception Parish in Barbacoas, Venezuela. By early October of 2000, St. Ann's of Brandon were hosting their first group of parishioners and the parish priest from Immaculate Conception of Barbacoas. The relationship has continued to grow since then by engaging parishioners, families, youth, mission circle members, and priests from both parishes. Personal contact through delegation visits and on-going communication has been essential in remaining connected, sharing faith, learning about each others culture, and fostering the relationship.
Two Parishes in a Relationship of Sisterly Love When Jim and Shirley Anderson of St. Ann's Parish in Brandon, MN traveled to Venezuela in 2000, nobody imagined the long-reaching effects of their trip. Since the Andersons initial visit to Venezuela, St. Ann's Parish in Brandon has established a sister-parish relationship with Immaculata Concepcion in Barbacoas, Venezuela. This relationship has grown and evolved over the past five years. During that time, Shirley has visited Barbacoas three times with fellow parishioners from Minnesota.
In January, 2005; five members from St. Ann's Parish in Brandon traveled to Venezuela on a reverse mission trip to broaden and deepen their relationship with the parish of Barbacoas. Father Tony Kroll led the Minnesota group, which also included three of the Anderson's teen-age granddaughters and Catholic parishioners from Pierz, Perham and New Ulm as well. Representatives from the Brandon Parish included Shirley Anderson, Rebecca Roers, Gabbie Roers, Lowell Anderson and Kay Anderson. Their sister parish relationship continues to grow by engaging parishioners, families, youth, mission circle members, and priests from both parishes. In Brandon for example, members of the St. Judes Mission Circle at St. Ann's have developed a special connection with the children of Barbacoas. Personal contact through delegation visits and on-going communication has been essential in remaining connected, sharing faith, learning about each other's culture, and fostering the relationship. Their mutual love for each other grows more with every exchange visit. Shirley and other from St. Ann's Parish have grown to love their Venezuelan friends and families and continue to look forward to more visits (if the Lord be willing). Shirley said, " I had met so many members of their families in Venezuela that I also want them to meet some of my family."
On-going Growth of the Relationship: More on how it has evolved Nobody imagined the long-reaching effects of the Anderson's first trip to Venezuela in 2000 or that the sister parish relationship between Barbacoas and Brandon Parishes would have grown so much over the past five years. Like almost all visitors to Venezuela, they immediately fell in love with the hospitable, fun-loving Venezuelan people. One of the churches the Andersons visited back in 2000 was the Immaculata Concepcion (Immaculate Conception Parish) in Barbacoas. Father Alexis was the Venezuelan priest at Immaculata Concepcion parish that time. The Andersons enjoyed the town of Barbacoas, Fr. Alexis, and the families they met so much that they did not want the relationship to end when their visit ended.
Upon returning to Minnesota, Father Tony Kroll suggested that the Andersons approach their parish council to ask if St. Ann's Parish of Brandon would consider an ongoing relationship with the Immaculata Concepcion Parish in Barbacoas. The Brandon parish council thought it was a good idea; and, approved the idea of a sister parish relationship at that first meeting. Father Eugene Lemm, the then and current pastor of St. Ann's, felt the sister relationship would be good for both parishes. Barbacoas Parish accepted the extended invitation immediately; and, the relationship was born. It has continued with reciprocal visits, long-lasting friendships and mutual prayers. In 2002, when St. Ann's celebrated their 100th anniversary, a delegation from Barbacoas came to Brandon to join in the festivities. In October, 2004, another group of Venezuelans came to Brandon; and, immediately joined in October festivities, carving pumpkins, fishing and showing Brandonites some Venezuelan dancing.
The relationship also became very personal for the parish members of St. Jude's Mission Group, when they adopted their sister parish as their primary focus for planned activities. When they began sewing dresses for little girls and shorts for the boys, they began to feel that a part of them was going to Venezuela every time a suitcase was sent with some of their efforts. As their goals, they want to:
This past Christmas, the Mission Group and the CCD Director decided to send our Christmas wishes directly to the families. The Mission Group recycled 150 used Christmas cards; and one of the Mission Group members, Chris Korkowski, volunteered to take pictures of each parish family who wanted to include a family picture with their greetings. Then the CCD students decided to go shopping or to create Christmas presents for the children of Barbacoas. They placed their presents in boxes at the entrance to the church; and, the gifts were taken to Venezuela by parishioners who were planning a trip in January. The Catholics of Brandon know the Catholics of Barbacoas are praying for them every Thursday. In Barbacoas they have Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Thursdays; during that time, they pray a rosary for the intentions of the Catholics of St. Ann's Parish in Brandon. When Father Lemm or Father Heide in Brandon say Mass for the members of his parishes, he includes "our sister parish in Venezuela." These prayers, as well as the individual prayers of parishioners in both Americas, make the relationship very real and very comforting to both.Read more about Sister Parishes or see a list of Sister Parish Relationships in our diocese.
For more information about this sister parish relationship or our broader Diocesan Partnership with Maracay, Venezuela...
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