Hands United in Hope and Love

 

St. John of the Cross Parish
Euclid, Ohio

St. Mary Parish
Chardon, Ohio

Diocese of León-Chinandega
Nicaragua

WHO WE ARE
Hands United in Hope and Love is a spiritual partnership among St. John of the Cross in Euclid, St. Mary in Chardon and several struggling parishes in the Diocese of León-Chinandega, Nicaragua. Together we are building on the strong foundation of a global friendship that has enriched our faith communities here in Northeast Ohio and those of our friends more than 2,000 miles away.

WHAT WE DO
Although we have had to put mission trips on hold indefinitely, we are confident that our ministry is reaching across the miles to make a difference.
The efforts of our ministry are generously supported by the members of our local parishes, whose contributions through Lenten almsgiving, Christmas “sharing trees,” emergency appeals and other fundraising outreach have totaled approximately $100,000 since 2014.
You have helped create and repair worship spaces, school facilities and rectories; provide rosaries and Spanish-language children’s Bibles; supplement tuition and teacher salaries; obtain emergency medicines, food and supplies; become prayer partners with families in Chacraseca; and much more.
Political unrest and the global pandemic have further destabilized a struggling economy. Yet despite the hardships they face every day, Nicaraguans are among the happiest and most faith-filled people we have ever met. They deeply appreciate the hope you provide and the love you share through our ministry.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Most importantly, we ask for prayers for the people of Nicaragua and for the continued success of our ministry. In addition, the annual almsgiving and sharing tree programs in our parishes provide critical funds that are helping to serve our friends in Christ.

LEARN MORE
For more information about our partnership, please contact Dale or Marie George:
maridalegeo@msn.com
440-343-0329

Shouting Out Praise from the Rooftops:
An update from Nicaragua, August 2021


Padre Roger isn’t literally “shouting out praise from the rooftops,” but he probably would if he had a tall enough ladder!

“Hello, many blessings and grateful to your communities for such great support,” he writes from El Viejo-Chinandega, Nicaragua.

As we told you before, the people of St. John of the Cross and St. Mary-Chardon contributed over $6,300 through Lenten almsgiving programs to help replace the roof of Parroquia Divino Niño Jesus (The Divine Child Jesus).

We’re happy to report that the project has been completed! Thanks to your generosity, Padre Roger and his parishioners no longer must endure a leaky roof that had sustained hurricane-force winds and been repaired repeatedly with a patchwork of corrugated metal sheets.

The new aluminum roof is expected to withstand the elements for many years. The long-awaited project was delayed by rain and faced the challenge of rising costs for materials, but the contractors worked for a reduced rate because they wanted to help the church.

“The situation in Nicaragua is very tough, there is no work, at least the workers can earn something to eat,” Padre Roger adds.

Once again, muchas gracias for your support of our ministry and our friends in Christ in Nicaragua.

–Dale and Marie George, Hands United in Hope and Love ministry