Cooperation in Bolivia

Cooperation has always been the Mission of the Church.  After all, it is Christ’s mission handed over to us, the baptized, to bring to fulfillment. At times it seemed that the mission was coming to a close. The “world” consisted of the Mediterranean basin and adjoining lands in Asia, Africa and Europe. Then they learned that the world was much bigger than previously thought. And the scope of Christ’s mission was enlarged to include the “new world.”

Inspired by the Spirit that opened the hearts of the Apostles at Pentecost, various missionary groups sprang up in the Church. Many had the burning desire to dedicate their lives while reaching out to save the “pagans” who knew nothing about Christ. Even though certain missionary congregations were give specific territories to evangelize, the prevailing attitude was that this is Christ’s work.

 

 

Recently I received the bulletin from the parish of Our Lady of La Salette in Cochabamba, Bolivia, where Fr. Jim Weeks brings to the forefront the cooperation that is instrumental in communicating the “Good News” to his people – by working together the kingdom can be realized. He wrote of the wonderful work being done to feed poor children through the “soup kitchens” sustained in the parish and surrounding barrios.

In the south end of the city of Cochabamba – an area growing by leaps and bounds – one of the principle forces behind fostering and supporting soup kitchens is the Franciscan Order, in the person of the Pastors of two churches – Fr. Valerio, pastor of St. John Baptist, and Fr. Mano, pastor of San Carlos. Our new parish of Our Lady of La Salette is an offshoot of these two. When the Missionaries of La Salette came on the scene, they were already supporting eight soup kitchens, one of which was in our new parish boundaries.

Because we saw this work as fulfilling a real need, we decided to take over the one in our parish. Later on, at the request of the people, we started another in the community of Urkupiña in the poorest area of the parish. And still another is attached to our Day Care Center.

These soup kitchens began and continue because of dedicated women, both laity and religious. They take on the responsibility of organizing and making them operational. The presence of such women goes right back to the times of Christ, and continues throughout the history of the Church. Women have always been the backbone of the Church and are most influencial in passing on the faith.

Two religious groups helping to coordinate these soup kitchens are the Sisters of Charity and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery. Their work, their inspiration and their zeal in accompanying the poor in underdeveloped and outlying barrios, not just through the soup kitchens but also through teaching and directing schools and day care centers, is admirable.

It is important to realize that these soup kitchens did not come from the inspiration of a parish priest trying to accompany the poor of his parish. Rather they sprang up because of the real necessity of thousands of parishioners. Most are immigrants coming from the mountains and country sides looking for a better life in the city. They found little or no work and the few who did were paid slave wages.
It is no exaggeration to say that on many nights countless families went to bed hungry. And in time many children died of malnutrition or illnesses easily curable in the First World, but fatal in the Third World.

It was then that the parents organized themselves, as is the custom, and formed what is called “ollas populares” where 2 or 3 women cook for several families. When it was evident that even more drastic steps had to be taken, they came to the parish for help. But it was they, the parents, who organized everything. They made the commitment to do the work and help monetarily according to their means. It was the task of the Church to provide the infrastructure and search for indispensable economic help. With this in place, the majority of parents could now look for work with tranquility, knowing that their children would be getting at least one balanced meal a day.

In a world where every scandal in the Church continually makes the headlines and tries to take away the credibility of her message of love in word and deed, there are few who recognize the unsung work and sacrifice of thousands of priests, religious and dedicated lay people who do God’s work with the poor and downtrodden. Thank you, Franciscan Fathers! Thank you Sisters of St. Joseph of Chanbery and Sisters of Charity! Thank you dedicated and consecrated Women and Lay volunteers who assist them! Thank you Missionaries of La Salette, Associates, Benefactors and Friends! You have made this possible.