MISSION TO BANICA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Welcome! Bienvenidos!
Bienvenidos means “welcome” in Spanish. Thank you for joining us on our missionary journey to deepen our relationship with our God, practice the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, and learn about our Catholic faith.
Meet the Mission Leadership Team
Our Host
The Parish of Bánica (Saint Francis of Assisi) belongs to the Diocese of San Juan de la Maguana. In 1991 the Diocese of Arlington, VA, entered into agreement with the Bishop of San Juan and adopts the Parish as its own by providing priests, volunteers, and material support. The Parish of Bánica along with the neighboring Parish of Pedro Santana (San José) are in the care of Arlington priests and count over 10,000 people dispersed in over 60 communities.
Our Chaplains
Fr. Stephen McGraw was ordained on June 9, 2001. He was named Pastor of San Jose Catholic Church in Pedro Santana in July of 2017.
Our Guide
Chuck O’Hern will be leading our trip to Haiti/Dominican Republic this spring. He has been actively involved in international and local missionary work for the past 8 years. Prior to retiring from the Marine Corps with 38 years of service, he volunteered in the Arlington Diocese for 20 years. He was a hospital chaplain for 5 years. While a parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi parish in Triangle Va, he assisted with 3 missionary trips to Lima, Peru. As a member of CBC, he has made trips to WV, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Peru.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Together with a CBC team leader and chaplain, we will be serving in Banica in a variety of ways on this weeklong mission trip.
Daily Sacred Scripture with personalized reflections
Weekly Inspiration and team sharing
Two 1/2 day mission retreats to prepare spiritually, catechetically and practically
1/2 day participation in local service project serving the poor
Support work of Arlington diocesan mission church in Banica.
Celebrate the sacraments with the mission team and chaplain
Engage with Fr. Jeb Donelan, Fr. Stephen McGraw, staff & parishioners
Celebrate the sacraments as a team & with Fr. Donelan & Fr. McGraw
RESOURCES
