Mission of Friendship

Misión de Amistad or Mission of Friendship began in 1971 when Archbishop Manuiel Ruiz Castro, Archbishop of Yucatán, and Bishop Alfred M. Watson, Bishop of Erie, established a cooperative relationship between the two dioceses.

Mission of Friendship, centered in Christ, provides opportunities for the people of the Archdiocese of Yucatán and the people of the Diocese of Erie and the broader United States to grow in faith and love through friendship and service while sharing their gifts, talents and cultures with the hope of alleviating poverty and bring about justice.


Mission of Friendship programs:

Sister Parishes
This program encourages an exchange between a parish in Yucatan and one in the Erie Diocese. A variety of projects, open to the creativity of the participating parishes, enables each community to share spiritually, culturally and economically.





Los Amiguitos Day Care Center
This center provides care for children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 3 years whose mothers must work to support their families. Children receive meals and participate in educational activities in a loving atmosphere.





Nueva Vida After School Enrichment Program
Elementary school age girls receive supervision, meals, academic tutoring and enrichment classes on weekday afternoons in a loving environment.







Amigos Family Sponsorship Program
Sponsors are linked with families in Yucatan. The sponsor helps to provide the child or family with education, food, clothing, medical care and improved housing.

 




Medical Dispensary
A permanent medical dispensary located in a poor neighborhood in the city of Merida provides inexpensive doctor's exams, medicines, prenatal care and well baby checks.





Visiting Groups
The Mission of Friendship provides to groups from Sister Parishes, Amigos sponsors and university students an opportunity to experience another culture within the context of faith and service.






Office of Diocesan and International Missions
Indira Suarez, Director
Phone: (814) 824-1231