A Transformative Experience
Written by Bruce Timm, 2024 Lenten Retreat pilgrim
“It turns out I was made for this mission… parts of my life prepared me to visit La Sagrada Familia parish in Sabana Yegua, Dominican Republic,” says Bruce Timm, 2024 March Lenten Retreat pilgrim.
Bruce first encountered Spanish in his 4th grade classroom at St. Peter’s school in Minnesota. He recalls Don Miguel being on the TV and his class would respond to the show in Spanish. “My love for Spanish grew in later school years but I had little chance to use it,” recalls Timm. However, God paved a way for the culture and language to influence Timm’s life as he now works as a substitute teacher in retirement, where he often teaches in Spanish at a dual language elementary school in Sheboygan. “I really enjoy teaching, reading, and singing to the youngest students. I also teach English to increasing numbers of Spanish speaking adult immigrants coming to Sheboygan.”
Timm, a frequent donor, has been watching the work of the Office of World Mission at La Sagrada Familia for several years now, and he has always been discerning if and when he should go to visit the mission site. “The development work seemed incredible over the past 40 years. Finally, the March Lenten Retreat in 2024 was my time to see firsthand, as an observer and a helper, on a trip unlike any other I’ve ever taken.”
Upon visiting the mission location, Timm was initially drawn to the fact that the parish is the center and heart of the community at La Sagrada Familia. During the 2024 March Lenten Retreat, he had opportunities to visit the lab, health clinic, dental clinic, pharmacy, schools, and nutritional centers to name a few of the ministries at the mission. Due to the initiatives of La Sagrada Familia, education has become a reality for an area of the country where literacy levels were much lower 40 years ago. This left a profound impact on Bruce’s heart, as he is very involved with education here in the United States.
Upon the visits to the nutritional centers, Bruce engaged with the 3–4-year-olds by reading and singing with them in Spanish. In addition to visiting the nutritional centers, the pilgrims visited several houses built by the mission, including a home of a man, who recently lost a leg, with five children. On another home visit, the pilgrims met a woman who did not have the financial means to build a home sufficient for her family. Thanks to the initiatives and ministries of the mission, she now shares a beautiful, sturdy home with her granddaughter and great-granddaughter, “I feel rich!” joyfully exclaimed the new homeowner.
The trip consisted of other visits throughout the week: Casa Misión (praying the Rosary outdoors in the community of Proyecto 4), multiple water project tours, a Stations of the Cross procession throughout Sabana Yeagua, time with the prison ministry, helping with the food pantry for seniors, and celebrating Mass with the community. “I spoke Spanish every day and what was communicated to me by the people were messages of joy and gratitude.” After having this opportunity to embark on this journey of encounters, Timm confidently stated “I must return some day.”
