Purdue Students go on Mission Trip to Puerto Rico

Below is a report on a recent mission trip to Maricao, Puerto Rico by the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue University, written by one of our brothers. 

Dear friends,

I had the great pleasure of accompanying eleven Boiler Catholics on a mission trip to Maricao, Puerto Rico over the Christmas break to work with the Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima. This was my second trip to Puerto Rico, the first being prior to the pandemic. Our student parishioners had the opportunity to work with Sr. Juliana Cruz, a minor celebrity on the island since her participation on the TV program Master Chef. Sor Juliana participates in her congregation’s mission of bringing Christ to families through her leadership at their Institute, which provides integral formation that allows families to flourish. Our group worked to refinish several items at the Institute, including statues, a rosary walk, and several doors. In addition, we helped tile the living room and bathroom of one of the families who visit the Institute.

In addition to our work, we also got to experience the Dominican family in Puerto Rico, though to a lesser extent than we would have liked due to the pandemic. We celebrated Sunday Mass with the Sisters at their motherhouse in Guanica and got to meet a handful of the friars as well. The students repeatedly commented on the Gospel witness of the Dominican family, especially the sisters. Their faith, dedication to their charism, and joy were infectious.

We give thanks to God for keeping the whole group safe and for the many blessings given and received during our trip.

In Christ,
Fr. Brent Bowen, O.P.
Parochial Vicar, Director of Evangelization