A mission of grace: gratitude from the UNECEM School, Ecuador

Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Ecuador (courtesy photo)

We are filled with deep gratitude to the Diocese of Fort Worth for the opportunity to share our missionary journey and for the profound prayers and support extended to our Congregation. Participating in the 2025 Missionary Cooperation Plan was a truly grace-filled experience, and we are honored by the continued partnership in the mission of the Gospel.

During our visit, we were blessed to spend time at the two parishes assigned to us: St. Joseph Parish in Arlington and Korean Martyrs Parish in Hurst. In both communities, we were met with exceptional kindness, hospitality, and assistance. We are especially thankful for the warm welcome and thoughtful care shown by the pastors. Their leadership created an atmosphere of openness and encouragement that made our mission possible.

We were deeply moved by the parishioners’ sincere interest in the missions. Their enthusiasm for the Church’s outreach and their generous cooperation was a powerful witness. Experiencing the vibrant, family-like spirit of these communities reminded us of the beauty of living the Word of God together. As religious sisters, these encounters with the faithful served as moments of mutual encouragement, strengthening our collective hope and faith.

The impact of this generosity reaches far beyond. Your support has brought meaningful help and hope to the students and families of the UNECEM School in Pedro Carbo, Ecuador. Because of your kindness, our community experiences the concrete love and compassion of God. Specifically, your contributions have allowed us to:

• Nourish children: Provide daily lunches and snacks for our students.
• Enhance education: Purchase essential learning materials and strengthen both educational and therapeutic programs.
• Support vulnerable families: Following our annual home-visit assessments, we now provide monthly food packages to nine of the most vulnerable households. While these items are simple, they make a significant difference in their daily lives.

We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to participate in the 2025 Missionary Cooperation Plan and remain grateful for the generosity of the faithful in the Diocese of Fort Worth. We pray that God may bless all our benefactors with abundant grace.

This report is based on the experiences of the two sisters (Sister Colette Hanlon, SC & Sister Heechun Park, SC) who visited the assigned parishes.

Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Ecuador (courtesy photo)