Since 2013, two Catholic parishes in Northeast Ohio have joined hearts with JustHope through the Hands United in Hope and Love ministry, a spiritual partnership among our parishes — St. John of the Cross in Euclid and St. Mary in Chardon — and Sagrado Corazón de Jesús (Sacred Heart of Jesus) in Chacraseca, Nicaragua. Our primary purpose is to nurture bonds of understanding and to support the work of the priests who serve the people of Chacraseca. Together, we are building the foundation of a global friendship that continues to enrich our faith communities.
During annual partner trips we have worked side-by-side with our friends in Nicaragua to renovate and paint Sagrado Corazón de Jesús and restore a deteriorating building for use as a community space and modest rectory. We have future plans to replace the tarps and stick walls of the Chapel of the Divine Child, a remote satellite parish, with a more permanent worship space.
In addition, annual almsgiving and sharing tree programs in our parishes provide critical funds that are helping to serve our partners in Chacraseca. We have also joined efforts with JustHope in supporting scholarship programs, the Model Farm, and Stitching Hope.
Most importantly, we remain united in prayer through a prayer partner program and shared youth Bible study program. We are spiritual brothers and sisters united in faith with the Catholic community in Chacraseca through the guiding hands of the JustHope organization. We anxiously await a time when we can return to Nicaragua.