TexLaMex September 2006

The Franciscan Sisters at Dolores Parish celebrated their 150th anniversary as a congregation with a Mass and reception at Dolores Parish. They were founded on September 14, 1856 in the small village of Pina, Mallorca, Spain by Rev. Mariano Ribas de Pina and his youngest sister, Josefa Ribas de Pina. They were brother and sister and belonged to the noble family of the island.

Their purpose as Franciscans Daughters of Mercy is the practice of the virtue of mercy, that is, bringing relief to the suffer and to the poor (Const. F.F. 1). They dedicated themselves to a life of simplicity and joyfulness in serving God through the poor and the less fortunate in the areas of pastoral ministry, social work, health care, education, child care, catechesis, and youth ministry. Their spirituality focuses on a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ, which in turn leads us to the Father of Mercy (II Cor. 1,3).

On September 16th there was a special Mass and celebration at he San Matias Chapel (in Guadalupe, Nuevo León) honor of Our Lady of Sorrows and to kick off the Year of Father Moreau. As is the custom the Holy Cross Sisters were in charge of the celebration. It all began with a Mass. Father Len Collins was the presider and homilist. He used the Sunday readings to talk about the spirituality of Father Moreau and explained the year of preparation for his beatification. All the professed and postulants served during the Mass, which was a little more solemn that usual. The young women with the sisters participated as well as did the sisters. A small prayer card with Father Moreau's picture was given to each person present. The Holy Cross Associates also attended the Mass. After Mass all were treated to a fine supper. All in all it was a great way to kick off the Year of Father Moreau.


The Family of Holy Cross in Mexico	German, Paty, Juan Ramon, Nohemi

Nohemi, Alfredo, and Paty	Areli reading at Mass.


Portraits of the brother and sister who founded the Franciscan Sisters Daughters of Mercy	David Lucio and Company acted out the story of the founding of the Sisters.