Cutholo Area Failh Community of Jesus Our iwing Water www.OurLivingWater.org The Church of St. Mary 713 12 Street Sw Willmar, MN 56201 320-235-0118. The Church of Our Lady of the Lakes 6680 153 Ave NE Spicer, MN 56288 320-796-5664 Who we are... "My name is Blanca Arevalo. I came to Willmar in the year 1996. In that time, the Hispanic Community was not what is today. There was Spanish Mass, but attendance was scarce. As the years went by, the number of people attending grew and continues to grow. We now celebrate three different feasts but just one faith The first is in December for Our Lady of Guadalupe. The second one is in January in honor of Our Lord of Esquipulas (Black Christ) as Jesus is known in Guatemala where I come from. The third feast is celebrated in February, for Our Lady of Suyapa, patroness of Honduras. Our community is formed by many cultures, customs |and traditions and that is what those celebrations represent under the same one faith. The Church has shown me and helped me find the Road to Heaven. The love and care for us is real friendship. Father Steve's gifts are his love for us, and willingness to share his life with us Our music is so helpful. It sets me up to be ready to hear the Gospel and Father's words. I understand the message and get the excitement of the Word. Our area faith community is what a church should be. It has helped me to realize that God is not that far-away person. At Mass, Holy Communion is the highlight; God and I become one 1 like the fellowship... the many meals and events. They erase the circles of people and we get to know everyone. It seals the fact that I'm in the right place. This is my church Blanca Arevalo "We are a Catholic, immigrant family; our home country is Guatemala. My hushand came here in the year 1999 and was able to meet his mom and siblings after many years, then God joined our paths, first over telephone, then he came back to Guatemala to meet me in person. We dated for two years then got married in 2004. I immigrated to the United States in 2007 soon after I lost my mom to a terrible illness. I came to Willmar with a big sadness and desolation. supported only by the love of my husband, and then I had the opportunity to join our faith community and I felt at home, I found refuge and got to know wonderful people. They helped me a lot when my oldest daughter, Dulce Maria, was born. For us it has been very import to belong to our church community. get to know many people, having the joy of celebrate the three feasts in one faith. Our youngest daughter Stephanie Clarisse was baptized here We feel very grateful to belong to the Catholic Church here. My oldest daughter attends Faith Formation and is always joyfully looking forward to Wednesdays, We could not be more blessed and happier. We can say the Maldonado Solares family is in home in this community!" just love the pecople at St. Mary's, from the priests to the newest baptized baby. I see their goodness and willingness to follow Christ. Despitte all the unrest in the world, I see our people making a difference and the world is a better place. Bob and Jean Masters Maldonado Solares Family Sharing the life of Christ Being the lere of Christ Cutholo Area Failh Community of Jesus Our iwing Water www.OurLivingWater.org The Church of St. Mary 713 12 Street Sw Willmar, MN 56201 320-235-0118. The Church of Our Lady of the Lakes 6680 153 Ave NE Spicer, MN 56288 320-796-5664 Who we are... "My name is Blanca Arevalo. I came to Willmar in the year 1996. In that time, the Hispanic Community was not what is today. There was Spanish Mass, but attendance was scarce. As the years went by, the number of people attending grew and continues to grow. We now celebrate three different feasts but just one faith The first is in December for Our Lady of Guadalupe. The second one is in January in honor of Our Lord of Esquipulas (Black Christ) as Jesus is known in Guatemala where I come from. The third feast is celebrated in February, for Our Lady of Suyapa, patroness of Honduras. Our community is formed by many cultures, customs |and traditions and that is what those celebrations represent under the same one faith. The Church has shown me and helped me find the Road to Heaven. The love and care for us is real friendship. Father Steve's gifts are his love for us, and willingness to share his life with us Our music is so helpful. It sets me up to be ready to hear the Gospel and Father's words. I understand the message and get the excitement of the Word. Our area faith community is what a church should be. It has helped me to realize that God is not that far-away person. At Mass, Holy Communion is the highlight; God and I become one 1 like the fellowship... the many meals and events. They erase the circles of people and we get to know everyone. It seals the fact that I'm in the right place. This is my church Blanca Arevalo "We are a Catholic, immigrant family; our home country is Guatemala. My hushand came here in the year 1999 and was able to meet his mom and siblings after many years, then God joined our paths, first over telephone, then he came back to Guatemala to meet me in person. We dated for two years then got married in 2004. I immigrated to the United States in 2007 soon after I lost my mom to a terrible illness. I came to Willmar with a big sadness and desolation. supported only by the love of my husband, and then I had the opportunity to join our faith community and I felt at home, I found refuge and got to know wonderful people. They helped me a lot when my oldest daughter, Dulce Maria, was born. For us it has been very import to belong to our church community. get to know many people, having the joy of celebrate the three feasts in one faith. Our youngest daughter Stephanie Clarisse was baptized here We feel very grateful to belong to the Catholic Church here. My oldest daughter attends Faith Formation and is always joyfully looking forward to Wednesdays, We could not be more blessed and happier. We can say the Maldonado Solares family is in home in this community!" just love the pecople at St. Mary's, from the priests to the newest baptized baby. I see their goodness and willingness to follow Christ. Despitte all the unrest in the world, I see our people making a difference and the world is a better place. Bob and Jean Masters Maldonado Solares Family Sharing the life of Christ Being the lere of Christ