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Two Parishes grow in Sisterly Love
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.For more information about this sister parish relationship or our broader Diocesan Partnership with Maracay, Venezuela...
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