A group of high school pilgrims accompanied Bishop Robert Gepert to visit our partner Diocese of the Dominican Republic
June 21-28, 2010
“We were born for this. Born for this day and Time.”
Reflections from the Pilgrimage
Blessing Prayer for Others About to Leave on a Journey
By Edward Hays
(Prayers for the Domestic Church)
Blessed are You, Lord our God, for you have created a wide and wonderful world in which we can travel. We ask your blessing upon these pilgrims as they are about to leave on a trip.
May You, Holy Guide of Travelers, be their ever-near companion, spreading the road before them with beauty and adventure. Free that road from harm and evil, and send as their escorts Your holy spirits, Your angelic messengers, who accompanied the holy ones of days past.
On this journey, may they take with them as part of their traveling equipment a heart wrapped in wonder with which to rejoice in all they shall meet. Along with that clothing of wonder, may they have room in their luggage for a mystic map. With the aid of this map, may the read the invisible meanings, of the events of this journey --- of possible disappointments and delays, of possible breakdowns and rainy day troubles. Always awake to Your Sacred Presence and to Your divine compassionate love, they shall see in all that happens, in the beautiful and the bad, the mystery of Your holy plan. May the blessing of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit be upon you throughout this trip; may it shield you from all harm and bring you home again in safety and in peace. Amen.
Meet the Pilgrims
Adult mentors
Bishop Robert Gepert
Gennie Callard
Ben Videtich
John Robert
Youth Pilgrims
David Bloom
Ben Bush
Daniel Chamness
Jordan Degen
Mac Gaikema
Ethan Jacobs
Gillian McMurray
Rebecca Puzan
Sarah Rogers
Matthew Totzke
Rachel Weinrick
Alyssa Wright
What will we be doing?
We are on a journey to learn about the life and ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of the Dominican Republic. We will be staying in the Central Deanery and working with Santo Tomas in Gautier. We will be helping with their vacation bible school in the morning, and in the afternoon working to help get some of the church and school buildings cleaned up. On Sunday morning we will be worshiping at Santo Tomas and also San Jose in Boca Chica, as they share a rector. We will also have time to see the sites of the beautiful country. We are nervous, excited & are not sure what to expect. We go with God and with the blessings of our Diocese.
How is this being paid for?
The youth were asked to come up with part of the money, and also ask their parishes to help support. The money from the collections at the Diocesan Convention and Diocesan Confirmation service is being put toward the pilgrimage, as is money from a grant from the Bishop Whittemore Foundation.
If you would like to donate to this trip, or to future trips to the Dominican Republic, please contact Tammy Mazure (click here to e-mail, or call (269-381-2710)
How can I go?
The Rev. Beth Drew, Bishop's Deacon for the Millenium Development Goals and Partnership with the Dominican Republic is gathering names of people who would like to go on upcoming trips. Click here to find out how to contact her.
