In October of 2017, four members from our Twinning Parish in Paraguay, La Capilla Ana y San Joaquin, joined us in Dayton for our annual Parish retreat and for a week long visit of relationship-building. The visit included participation in the annual Parish discipleship retreat, a presentation about Paraguay and Parish life, visits with various families and new friends, and a tour of Dayton.

Here are a few pictures from the visit, followed by a short video message from our twinning Parish.

During the presentation to the Parish, our brothers and sisters journeyed through a brief history of Paraguay and shared a glimpse of the warm and inviting culture of their beloved homeland. They then they described some of the successes and challenges they encounter ministering their own neighborhood and shared a little know fact that Paraguay has been on the top of the Gallop Global Emotions list as the "Happiest Country in the World" almost every year since the initiation of the survey. 

In this video, several of our brothers and sisters from la Capilla Santa Ana share why they believe Paraguayans are so happy, based in the contentment and joy they find in their faith and in their community. 
They also send a special greeting to their brothers and sisters in Ohio.

Pope Francis states,  “We need constantly to contemplate the mystery of mercy…  Mercy: the fundamental law that dwells in the heart of every person who looks sincerely into the eyes of his brothers and sisters on the path of life. “ (MV 2)
 
In order to help us  “contemplate mercy”, Our Lady of the Immaculate Parish and La Capilla Santa Ana y San Joaquin in Ñemby, Paraguay, are forming a “twinning relationship”.  Through this relationship, our hope is to “look sincerely into the eyes of our Paraguayan brothers and sisters on the path of life” by praying for each other, learning from each other, and joining together on our mutual mission of becoming and making disciples of all nations.