United in Christ. A Light to the World.
Inspired by the vision of Deacon Mike Mims, our Medical, Dental, & Catechetical Mission to Honduras reflects Christ's call to be a light to the world. By responding to both the urgent physical needs & the profound spiritual needs of underserved communities, we embrace the Church's mission to care for the whole person—body, mind, & soul. Through compassionate healthcare, sacramental ministry, & the proclamation of the Gospel, we seek to make the love of Christ visible in every encounter.
“You are the light of the world... Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.””
Through the celebration of Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, spiritual counseling, & catechetical formation, Fr. Jesse Garcia & Fr. Viet Nguyen have the opportunity to strengthen & renew the faith of communities that may otherwise go months without access to a priest.
Led by Deacon Dan Dragone, our Mission Team works in partnership with Bishop Jenry Orlando Ruiz Mora & Father Francisco plus the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trujillo, along with local community leaders, to ensure sustainable spiritual support long after the team returns home.
Our mission seeks to reestablish & deepen catechetical & sacramental life.
HANDS THAT BLESS + HANDS THAT HEAL
St. Anthony’s priests act as a visible sign of Jesus reaching out to those who are suffering, providing a learning environment for prayerful reflection for both the people served & the mission team.
Ultimately, the presence of Fr. Jesse & Fr. Viet ensures that the medical & dental services are not just temporary relief but part of a lasting, faith-based transformation that empowers the villages we serve every year.
It is not about being the center of attention, nor about the accomplishments of the team, but about ensuring that Christ Himself is present — present in the sacraments, present in acts of mercy, & present in every encounter.
Fostering a spirit where prayer surrounds the work, where charity guides every action, and where each person — missionary & villager alike — recognizes Christ in one another.
ENCOUNTERING CHRIST
To desire “Jesus in the midst” is to long for unity among the mission team, humility in service, & genuine encounter with those being served.
FROM SACRAMENTS TO SMILES
While serving as a priest on mission, Fr. Viet will also lend his hands to the dental team, serving both souls & smiles.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them... Now you are the Body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
DISCIPLES TOGETHER. ONE BODY IN CHRIST.
One of the greatest blessings of our Honduras Mission is that we serve together.
Medical professionals, dentists, catechists, construction volunteers, logistics teams, translators, & missionaries each bring unique talents & gifts. Yet at the heart of every mission is something even greater—the presence of Christ. That is why having our priests accompany the mission is so meaningful.
Through the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, daily prayer, spiritual guidance, & their pastoral presence, Fr. Jesse & Fr. Viet help ensure that our mission remains centered on Christ in everything we do. Their ministry not only strengthens our missionaries throughout the week but also brings the healing presence of the Church to the Honduran communities we are blessed to serve.
They remind us that while we travel to provide medical care, education, & practical assistance, our greatest mission is always to share the love & hope of Jesus Christ.
EVERY GIFT EXTENDS CHRIST’S PRESENCE.
We are deeply grateful for a generous donor who has faithfully stepped forward to help sponsor our priests. Their servant-hearted generosity has already made a tremendous difference & reflects the very spirit of Christian stewardship that makes this mission possible. Even with this extraordinary gift, we continue to have a funding shortfall & prayerfully seek additional support for this year's mission.
When you help send a priest on mission, your generosity extends far beyond the cost of airfare or travel expenses:
You help provide the celebration of the Eucharist in remote mountain villages.
You make it possible for children & families to encounter Christ through the sacraments.
You strengthen missionaries who begin & end each day in prayer & worship.
You become part of every blessing that flows from their ministry.
Every gift—large or small—becomes an act of discipleship.
As a fully volunteer Catholic ministry of St. Anthony of Padua, every member of our team freely offers their time, talents, & hearts in service to Christ. Financial gifts are used exclusively to support the mission & the people of Honduras, allowing us to bring both compassionate care & the hope of the Gospel to communities that welcome us as family.
We invite you to prayerfully consider sponsoring Fr. Jesse & Fr. Viet as they accompany our Honduras Mission.
If you are unable to give financially, we ask that you join us in another invaluable way—through prayer. Please pray for our priests, our missionaries, & the people of Honduras, that together we may faithfully answer Christ's call to serve as one Body in Christ.
Together, we become the hands & feet of Jesus.
Together, we proclaim the Gospel.
Together, we make His love visible.