Newsmakers

Bishop John McGann established the diocesan mission in the Dominican Republic in 1979 — Sister Jane Reilly and Msgr. John Cervini serve in the villages of Hondo Valle and El Cercado, respectively, and Sister Babs Barry runs the Inn of the Good Samaritan in the capital city of Santo Domingo, where poor, sick Dominicans and Haitians are cared for in a clean, safe environment. All three spots make up the diocesan mission. Deacons and seminarians from the diocese visit the mission as part of their formation. Almost 10 years ago, the first group of deacon candidates traveled to the Dominican Republic for a few days, “and from that sprung so much activity and so much involvement from the diaconate community,” explained Deacon Tom Reilly of St. Hugh of Lincoln Church in Huntington Station.

“This is a night of thanksgiving and celebration,” noted Deacon Reilly at the dinner. “It’s a thanksgiving really because of the example of our missionaries to all of us as being a Christian community and as followers of Christ in our faith, of knowing what it is not to be served but to serve.”

In addition to serving in the mission themselves, throughout the year the deacons preach in parishes around the diocese to raise money to support the work Msgr. Cervini, Sister Jane, and Sister Babs do there. “The people in this diocese, when we reach out to them, they respond,” Deacon Reilly noted.“I really believe that when you folks come, you see us and the mission with new eyes,” Sister Babs told the deacons. “And you’re able to tell that with a passion, what you see and how it has affected your life. You’re doing a wonderful job speaking on our behalf, for which we are very grateful.”