mission trip 2023: Dominican republic

Sunrise mass, first day. The men hiked up to cross that oversees all 9 villages. 

Learning about coffee harvest from a local, beans drying on ground.

At cross on first day, sunrise. Fr. Fred Ruse, Diocese of Orlando priest cared for these 9 villages as a parish priest for 10 years. He came out of retirement to accompany the men all week. 

Walking to the village of La Cueva 

Encounter with the people of La Cueva in their new chapel. Villagers and seminarians all shared their names and their dreams. It was a time of community listening and friendship. 

Harvesting beans on the side of a mountain. 

With their local bean farmer who helped them pick beans.

Separating the beans out of their pods. 

The fruit of their labor. 

Seminarians place rosary bracelets on wrists of 65 first communicants and offer words of encouragement and blessing. 

Celebrating Immaculate Conception with cake after mass. 

Helping with sacks of coffee beans. 

Preparing for mass by introducing everyone by name, both villager and seminarian. 

Riding to a village. 

Sunday Mass in one of the 9 communities. 

Jack plays the güira in choir! 

The girls presented a beautiful dance in honor of our visit. 

Time to relax with dominoes.