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Santa Cruz de la Sierra, 20th January 2008
Dear Friends of the Missions,
I would like to thank you once again for all our meetings. After my return to Santa Cruz on the 5th January I went to two parishes (Asunta and San Ramon) to introduce the priests who will be responsible for pastoral work from the 1st February. Then I took a plane to Cochabamba (8th January - 12th January) and went to the annual meeting for the Consecrated Life. On behalf of Episcopate, I am responsible for accompanying clergymen in Bolivia. The topic of this year's meeting is "Do not quench the Spirit". Do not quench in our hearts the love for God and for other people in the times of important social and political changes in Bolivia. How to do it? First of all, it is important to learn to listen what God wants to tell us and what He expects from us - friars and nuns.
On the Sunday of Christ's Baptism I celebrated a Holy Mass in Puerto Rico, where the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts work. Two sisters (Margarita and Ines) who have been working here from the very beginning got the permission to move to a different post and three other sisters are taking their places.
On Monday the 13th January I took a train to a place called Chochis, 349 kilometres away from Santa Cruz. I went there together with five diocesan priests and a deacon to take part in retreat led by Fr. Fernando Bascpe (a Salesian). We left in the afternoon and arrived late in the evening, about 22.30. On the train there were women and children who were offering dinner, coffee, drinks etc. (everything for a payment, of course). The retreat took place in a house called the Shelter of Immaculate Heart of Mary. The owner of this house belongs to the worshippers of the Mother of God from Medjugorje. On the next day we saw a marvellous view of a rocky mountain, about 1400 metres high. The rocks there are volcanic, of a reddish colour. This is an incredible view. The local plants climb up the rock crevices. The clouds settle on the rocky mountainside from time to time. The retreat centre is situated among palm trees, shrubs and plants. If it weren't for the small flies, called "echenes" we would feel as if we were in paradise.
Aren't our lives similar? During our travels we meet many people who serve us in different ways. At the end of this journey we will wake up for a new life where the sun will always shine and we will be happy with God's presence, His light and His friends who preceded us in their journey to the heavenly homeland.
Priests from the San Ignacio de Velazco diocese took part in the retreat as well. There were twenty-one participants. And the topic to consider was the scene from the Last Supper - when Jesus Christ washed the legs of his disciples, according to the Gospel of St. John. First of all, each of us should recognize their "dirt" and let Christ purify us, as He accepted the sins of the whole world and purified them through His death and Resurrection. And then we should bring this experience closer to people in the sacrament of reconciliation and Eucharist.
On our journey back to Santa Cruz we were approaching the rail terminal. The horn of the locomotive was heard from time to time as if it could not wait the end of this journey. And I was thinking about all the people who reached the final station of their lives. Some of them died fully consciously, like my unforgettable parson, priest George Obst, and some of them passed away in a sudden, unconscious way (two days ago 28 people died in an accident near Copacabana).
I wish you and myself that we could use every moment of the New Year for the glory of God and for the benefit of our neighbours.
At the end of this letter I would like to tell you a few words about the socio-political situation in Bolivia. These days talks between the representatives of the government and the local opposition (especially the adherents of the departmental autonomy) are being held. Both the government and the opposition are aware that the way to peace and common good can by obtained through talks and mutual concessions as well as amendments of many expressions in the Constitution and in autonomous statutes issued recently in five departments (provinces). In the name of the Bishops Conference, I encourage the representatives to hold the talks in accordance with the foundations of truth and respect for human rights.
Once again I would like to thank Fr. Provincial Wacław, Fr. Krystian from the Missionary Department in Góra św. Anny, Fr. Błażej, priest Jarosław from my family parish in Ligota Turawska, my friends Michael and his wife Kate who work in the new Fr. Dominik Kiesch Association; all my relatives and benefactors of our Mission in Bolivia for their kindness during my short stay in my homeland.
Thank you very much for all your prayers and offerings.
With best wishes
Bp. Anthony Bonifacy Reimann, OFM
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