Siempre Adelante!

As we celebrate the memorial of St. Junipero Serra, we recall his motto, Siempre Adelante, Keep moving forward! A command that is as appropriate today as it was when he trekked up the coast of California, establishing missions to address the material and spiritual poverty he encountered among the native peoples. Today, materialism dominates our way of thinking and living,but when the glitter wears off, a depressing gap remains. Working in this impoverished area of Maine, we are seeing what happens when the bottom falls out of a culture based on material gain: empty stores, deteriorating houses, closing schools and churches, shifting populations, arrival of gangs and drugs. Not a pretty sight. But in the midst of this stands a little man with huge faith and courage who shouts out to us, Siempre Adelante! This is the world that Jesus died to redeem; the victory has been won; we can't let discouragement overwhelm us.
Bro. Rene