Banica revisited, notes on a recent trip

Fr. Gerry Creedon
January 23, 2007

Bishop Grullon’s driver picked me up at La Posada del Buen Samaritano in Santo Domingo, where Sr. Beatrice Barry from Rockville Center assists the sick parishioners from Banica and other frontier parishes as they get on their feet after surgery. She also cares for Haitian patients who cross the Artibonito River to our mission seeking medical attention. For the past months the Dominican Republic has closed its border to all Haitians, including the seriously ill. This gives urgency to Dr Irwin’s Manassas- based medical mission. Using the Banica community center he reaches out with supplies to the neighboring Haitian parish of Thomassique. During my visit he was completing a clinic there. I discovered that my driver is the new Director of Community Development for our sister diocese of San Juan de La Maguana. He shared his satisfaction at the progress being made in Pedro Santana and Banica where two aqueducts will provide potable water to a number of districts. There has also been major success in the construction of Latrines. Families pay a quota for maintenance and agree to plant 30 trees. Projects are developed within the context of neighborhood based faith communities in a way that calls for empowerment and education.

At San Juan Bishop Grullon brought me into the vortex of diocesan life as he had me sit with him for an interview with Radio Corazon, a diocesan outlet. He emphasized the diocesan goals of promoting faith and life in an integral way. “What are your priorities for the year?” He was asked. He did not hesitate; “Water, civil papers so that people can participate, (26percent of Dominicans and children born of Haitian parents are left in Limbo with regard to their civil rights), literacy, communications and transport, (he wants me to find him a donated low-boy to ferry his bulldozer around the hill country where goat paths serve as roads).” His priority on water was highlighted in Banica where the regional aqueduct has not produced water in three weeks despite the advocacy of Fr Dan Gee and community leaders.

One of the purposes of my visit was to provide Fr Gee some respite. He and Fr Chris Murphy have made great strides. With the erection of the parish of San Jose, Fr Chris has been able to provide more focus to the hilly district of Pedro Santana. He works in conjunction with the Franciscan Sisters who are indefatigable in their outreach and in the implementation of the diocesan pastoral plan of evangelization and community development. Fr Gee’s practical genius and faith is seen in the thriving school of Francisco Javier, in the health outreach, in the service of St Vincent de Paul to the hungry and the needy, and in his advocacy for his Haitian neighbors. He has been successful in attracting volunteers from the Arlington diocese. Maire does catechesis and music education, with the help of 8 donated violins. David and Virginia Kirby and their three children provide support to volunteer groups. David, with his military background, keeps an eagle eye on the maintenance of the Parish Center and all the equipment that needs daily attention.

Fr Chris is learning the methods of the pastoral plan, while placing a priority on liturgy and catechesis. He is enjoying his role as the first resident pastor in the history of this ancient municipality.

A highlight of the visit for me was the opportunity to celebrate the liturgy in Banica and Sabana Cruz, assisted by the newly ordained deacon, Pedro Mateo. In six months he will be the first priest ever ordained from the frontier parishes of Banica and Pedro Santana. I first met Pedro when he was 12. We were organizing a neighborhood based faith community in Pilon, an isolated area south of the Artibonito River. His neighbors elected Pedro as their animator and chief catechist. Among other reasons he was one of the few who could read and write. When he proclaimed the word he spoke with an authority that belied his years and already prefigured his charism for leadership. Twelve years later, having walked 2 hours a day to high-school in Banica and having spent nine years in seminary training, his community were proud to welcome him home to read the Gospel clad in his diaconal stole.