The Partnership	Mission Statement	Reflection Resources	Most recent Visits/Delegations	MISSIONERS to MN and Maracay	Sister Parishes	Support	Connecting Teens and Kids
Download our Maracay Partnership Brochure

Background on
the St. Cloud - Maracay Partnership

The relationship between the Dioceses of Maracay, Venezuela and St. Cloud, Minnesota began in 1964 when Bishop Bartholome of St. Cloud responded to an appeal by Pope John XXIII to assist the Church of Latin America with human and economic resources. At the same time, Bishop Feliciano Gonzalez of Maracay asked the American Bishops for personnel for his young diocese that had just a few native clergy.

Over the years, many priests, Sisters and lay volunteers from St. Cloud (like one of the founding Missioners, Fr. James Minette) served their brothers and sisters in various parishes of the Diocese of Maracay. That assistance helped the diocese mature and strengthen. It has been blessed with an abundance of vocations to the priesthood and religious life, as well as with dedicated laity.

In the year 2000, then Co-Adjutor and present Bishop of Maracay, Reinaldo Del Prette and St. Cloud Bishop John Kinney, redefined the mission relationship between the two dioceses as one of collaboration, in which each diocese would share of their faith, ideas, personnel and resources. A Liaison Committee made up of the Bishop, clergy, Religious and laity, was set up in each diocese to guide and direct the partnership, and to direct pastoral, educational and spiritual formation and exchange between them. Several Maracay priests have studied English in St. Cloud; youth from Maracay have evangelized in St. Cloud; and a Maracay priest is ministering in the Diocese of St. Cloud. St. Cloud has collaborated with support for seminarians; small projects such as providing start-up funds for the Maracay Diocesan Communications Office; and short-term pastoral assistance.

Every year the partnership sponsors mission exchange delegations for Venezuelans and Minnesotans. The cultural and faith-sharing experiences have touched the lives of many persons. The partnership has fostered a deep bond of faith and friendship between the people of Maracay and St. Cloud, and has given them a stronger sense of the global dimensions of their faith and their oneness in Christ.

For more info on the Partnership...

• Invite a missioner or past delegate from Maracay to come give a presentation to your parish, school, or group about this partnership.
• Check out other mission office educational resources on Venezuela and/or other topics.

Or view fuller highlights from past delegations...

• The June 2008 Delegatiaon to Maracay, Venezuela
• The October 2006 Delegation visiting our St. Cloud Diocese
• The July 2005 Delegation to Maracay, Venezuela
• The January 2005 Delegation to Maracay, Venezuela
• The October 2004 Delegation visiting our St. Cloud Diocese
• The January 2004 Delegation to Maracay, Venezuela
• The August 2003 Delegation with founding missionary, Fr. Minette.

To learn more about
other St. Cloud Diocesan Global Partnerships and relationships;
return to the Global Solidarity Web Page