The closed Santa Fe sugar plant which has since been torn down.
Since March 2008 Cathy has lived in Santa Fe, the barrio where her church is located. Santa Fe used to be a community with jobs, local businesses and entertainment opportunities. The sugar processing plant closed its doors in 1998 and the community has been gasping ever since. Most local businesses closed down also for lack of clients. The plant provided many of the services for the community such as electricity and water which helped create a dependent culture in the barrio. Some folks have found work in the few remaining Free Zone companies in San Pedro or in other sectors of the economy. There is, however, high unemployment and limited opportunities for people. There are gangs and drugs which wreak havoc on the members, users and innocent family members and friends. There is no public high school available, so all high school students must go to a private school or into San Pedro for classes. Kite flying and basketball are the rival, healthy activities to baseball in this area.
Some of the boys from Santa Fe enjoying their favorite pastime.
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Cathy is an active participant in the ministries of Iglesia Episcopal Santa Cruz in the Santa Fe community. Most every day of the week there are ministry opportunities at Santa Cruz, mostly led by the laity. The ones that Cathy participates with vary on her work load, but have included the house masses, bible study, morning prayer, and of course Sunday worship. Her primary ministries are Las Chicas Nices (the Santa Fe version of a choir) and the consolation ministry. Las Chicas Nices have presented at other Episcopal churches in the vicinity, ECW conventions and the national convention, encouraging listeners to feel the Lord’s spirit and love in their lives. The consolation ministry combines some evangelism with guidance, prayers and assistance to people in the Santa Fe community, both members of Santa Cruz and non-members. Visiting members of the church as a relationship building opportunity is one of her favorite activities.
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Las Chicas Nices at the Encuentro en Mision held by the Iglesia Episcopal Dominicana in April 2013 at the Cathedral Episcopal Epifania.
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