President's Desk
February, 2009
REFLECTIONS ON A BEAUTIFUL LADY

Because the story of the Mexico City trip is so like the things that happen here in the ministry, I felt this would be the thing to share with you this month.

As we had advertised the Mexico City trip for over a year we ended up with only 10 people including the Priest and myself. As groups it is impossible to take a group with less than 21 to make ends meet. This was an impossible situation. At one point I had the air to go to Guadalajara and out of Mexico City but nothing in between.

My friend and a supporter of the ministry, Gina Soto was in and went right down the street to talk with Luis who is one of the owners of Hermisillo Shuttles who thought his sister would put the trip together for us. We had contact with Perla through Luis here in Tucson, but very little. With the lack of communication there was a lot of penance for this trip; however, it was obvious that Our Lady wanted Father Cote to go see her  in Mexico City. We kept trying, I learned to translate the brochure in Spanish and finally received the final itinerary less than one week from departure.

After PINCHING EVERY PENNY, I finished paying for the Mexico City trip on January 13th and we flew out on the 14th.  We were met at the airport by Alan and Martin. Martin was contracted by another shuttle company as he had driven in Mexico before and Alan because he is bi-lingual. We had to wait for Perla to fly in. She had the whole trip as the original itinerary and turned out to be the trip that was so obviously planned by Our Lady in every detail. We went more places and had some enjoyment that was not even on the original itinerary as well.

We started out with a glitch… the shuttle was painted and the back windows had a screen so that they could not see out. The construction around the hotel was stopping us from taking the right street to get to the hotel as well. That ruffled a few feathers but Father Cote nailed them in the first homily saying that this is a pilgrimage and we have to be patient with each other, work with the situation to gain the graces we are suppose to get and stay focused on why we are there. Every time there was a problem he would address it in his homily. Not all is suppose to be perfect on a pilgrimage and he gave many examples.

We had the most beautiful hotel, the best service the best food you can imagine.  By the next morning things had settled and people were happier. Gina and I went to the back of the van so others could see out. We followed the itinerary with the addition of the dinner with folklorico dancers as well as mariachi music. The menu was great, we got back to the hotel at about 10:30 p.m.

Off to Guanajuato with that itinerary and had an awesome guide there. We had the added treat of the Mariachi's taking us through the streets, dancing and going through the narrow wall where two young people were in love but could not see each other because of the father so they would go to the balcony and kiss every night. The father of the only daughter told her he would kill her if she kept up the relationship with the poor boy, she defied him and he killed her so the story goes. It was very interesting as we got to see the city and the tunnels as well.

As we traveled on Perla started getting sick. Airborne helped her the first night but by the time we got to Mexico City it was very late after visiting the Shrine of St. Michael  (arriving just in time for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which made everyone very grateful for the long trip there and a BLESSING). That was the ONLY night of the trip that we were unable to celebrate Mass as we got into Mexico City at about 1:00 a.m.

Next morning, Perla was too sick to continue. Alan and I would be in charge with a mother and daughter guide. She flew home to Hermosillo after the bonding of a beautiful LADY and the trips that will follow. We changed the itinerary to accommodate the people and took the pyramids off the itinerary which allowed us to spend a day and a half  at the Basilica which was awesome. We had a better pilgrimage without the guides and with the translation of a friend, Obdulia I learned more that I had in previous trips as we could go at our own pace. We actually went to more churches and had a better time than ever before on a Mexico City trip.

The highlight of the trip for me was Father Cote as he reached the chapel on the top of the hill. His face lit up and his smile made everything worthwhile. It also makes me very happy that God has allowed this ministry to accommodate our Priests as they are able to go places and see things they could not do without the people that go with us and those that support this ministry.

Our Lady's intercession for the trip:

1. Did not use the big tour company.
2. After having airline tickets issued we found Hermosillo Shuttles and Perla who will work with me in the future as well.
3. With the lack of communication it was within the last week and on the Feast of Blessed Andre that we got the price and the final itinerary days before leaving.
4. A LOT OF PENANCE FOR THE TRIP.
5. The itinerary was put together as it originally was with added events
6. Pinched pennies but paid for it even with 10 people going
7. Had to put pay for the breakfasts at the Hotel in Mexico City as it was not provided with the price of the rooms in the end but was good for promotion of the future as I took care of it that as well.
8. We had a very spiritual retired Priest come home with memories to last a lifetime as all of us did as well.

As you will see on the main page, we have another trip scheduled for the Holy Land in October to enable a brand new Priest, Father Thomas who was ordained to the Priesthood less than a year ago, to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

I will be sharing about another miracle in the ministry next month as well. We will continue to pray for each of you and your families.
May God Bless You Today and Always.

Gayle