Sister Parish Ministry, Inc.
a 501(c)(3) charitable organization
Testimonials
Diane Gabriel
ACT1V8 Youth Group, Summer 2016
"This past week I had the opportunity of taking part in the Our Lady Star of the Sea Sister Parish Ministry mission trip in El Mamey, Dominican Republic. I connected with Christ, formed lifetime relationships with the children I assisted in the small village of El Mamey, and I was able to learn about the two types of poverty.
Here in the United States, when the word "poverty" is mentioned, people automatically think of homeless, dirty, malnourished, broken individuals...but that is material poverty. In El Mamey, I witnessed material poverty. The roads were dirt, the water was toxic, the clothing was ripped, the houses had one room, and the sewer system was non-existent. Although the individuals living in El Mamey did not have the luxury of what many of you have here in America, I believe many of them are more wealthy than you are. Contrasting with material poverty, spiritual poverty is the lack of love of God in our hearts.
Interacting with the young individuals of El Mamey, I witnessed Christ. Even though each child was special, two kids stood out to me the most. They helped me paint houses, they helped me deliver food to the elders in their village, they became my friends and my sweet source of happiness during the mission trip. Their names are Mario, who is 5 years of age, and Sterlin, who is 11 years of age.
The smile on Mario's face, the minute-long hugs, the constant, warm feeling of love and affection that Mario gave to me was Christ himself reaching out to me. It was amazing, truly awe-inspiring that a young boy who owned so little was so rich in love and spirit. As for Sterlin, oooh my wonderful Sterlin, Christ was absolutely evident in him as well. Although only 11, Sterlin was the most mature, wise, spiritual, helpful, and peaceful young individual I have ever met. Sterlin would always ask me how he could assist me, he would tell kids to stop fighting, he would advise the ones younger than him on how to be more Christ-like, and that is something so rare that it had to be the work of Jesus Christ. On the last day I was there to work in El Mamey, Sterlin invited me to his home to see his mother. I spoke with her and told her how grateful I was to have met her son and how great of a job she did raising him. She then told me how much he loved helping me and she told me he spent the night before making me a gift. Immediately, tears fell from my eyes. I was in shock, in disbelief, that an individual who owned so little and who had only known me for such a short time, had thought of me so highly as to give me a gift that he made himself. It is indeed true that the soul striving for sanctity detaches himself from worldly things to obtain the gold that never tarnishes. "It remains for the holy people to struggle, with grace from on high, to obtain the good things God promises. In order to possess and contemplate God, Christ's faithful mortify their cravings and, with the grace of God, prevail over the seductions of pleasure and power."
I want to say thank you to Bob, Catherine, Joe, Chris, Gabby, Amy, Yasmin, G Keller, Louis, and Jeremy for being with me on this trip and allowing me the opportunity to experience Christ through others and further my relationship with Our Lord. I honestly cannot wait to go visit the little kiddos and everyone else in El Mamey next year. And to those who have never been on a mission trip, I strongly encourage you to go to strengthen your relationship with Christ, make life-long friendships and memories, and help others as children of God."
Gabriela Castello
Intern, May-July 2017
"I packed my bag, grabbed my passport, smushed in $20, and headed to the car. After nine months in a foreign country and four days back at home, I stepped onto the plane and into a new segment of my life: For the next two months I would be living in a new home and starting a new quest in search of happiness, love, and community. These two months in this new home presented new struggles, new passions, and new, extraordinary people. In two months, I opened my arms to a small municipality called Guerra in the Dominican Republic.
When people think of mission trips, I think we tend to over-idealize. The truth is, it’s hard. Adjusting to a life where every day means facing several new obstacles is challenging. And it’s not that the rewarding nature of the trips wipes out the “bad”- all the struggles remain; one just finds that the struggles become unimportant in the face of what is discovered: Stripping the material away leaves behind raw humanity. If there is one thing that stayed with me, it was finding humanity among the inhumanity: in the giddy laughter of a small boy; the sharing of a piece of candy; the extended arms and toothless smile of a child craving just being held. All this, in a slum.
“They look like houses for animals,” one friend said. And yet - we find the core of humanity, hidden in a zinc-bordered shack in a Haitian slum in the outskirts of paradise.
After volunteering for two months in the DR, I think saying that I went to ‘serve’ is an inadequate picture of reality. Mission trips aren’t for the Instagram likes, they’re not to ‘have an experience’ - they are to grow. To live your life and share in the ones of others who seem at first so very different. I recommend doing at least one. Whether it's building houses, parks, helping the elderly, playing with children, encouraging a student - all these small moments instill something great in you and in that other person you encounter. Stretching your comfort zone to wrap around the novel and uncomfortable scenarios is scary and empowering. Most importantly, building relationships with people over the span of a few minutes, or days, or months- whatever you have; it is surely time well spent."
Sister Parish Ministry - Medical Mission
30 May 27-June 1, 2025
Testimonial Coming Soon!
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Testimonies of Sister Ines, Stani Castillo Mella, Adria Rosario, Jamie Minaya, Dorothea Garcia, Monica Flores
Transcript of Testimony from Sister Ines
Here at Futuro Vivo, we are very grateful for the medical mission that Sister Parish is offering to our poorest people. We thank God and we give thanks because, over so many years, many of our brothers and sisters who needed it the most have received medicine.
It’s a blessing from God that we hope will continue for many, many years. May God reward all those who help in this great mission with health, joy, and abundant blessings for their families because of their generosity.English Transcript of Testimony from Stani Castillo Mella, nurse at Futuro Vivo.
I am Stani Castillo Mella, a nurse at Futuro Vivo. I would like to thank Sister Paris for the small contribution they provide to our municipality and to the most vulnerable people, both children and adults, for their beautiful work in our community.English Transcript of Testimony from Adria Rosario, the social worker of Futuro Vivo.
I am Adria Rosario, the social worker of Futuro Vivo. I would like to thank Sister Paris for the great work they do every four months with the mission.
As a collaborator in this assistance program, I’ve been involved for several years. I wake up at four in the morning and do everything I need to do. However, we always need more people because there are so many in need. Even when the program limits us to 80 people, people come from different areas affected by calamity. It is always frustrating when we cannot help everyone because of these limits.
Thanks to this health program, many people’s lives have been prolonged. Without this program, it would be impossible for them to maintain their health. Most people have very limited economic resources and no social insurance, so it would be impossible for them to continue their treatment otherwise.
That is why we pray to God and ask the program’s collaborators to continue supporting us as much as possible.
Many thanks and blessings. May the Lord bless and protect you always. Many thanks to the doctors who come from far away to provide health care and bring the medicine we need. We hope you continue coming so you can keep helping many more people who need the medicine you bring.English Transcript of Testimony from Jamie Minaya, mother of patients at Futuro Vivo.
Good afternoon, my name is Jamie Minaya, mother of Jendra and Valera. I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when I was two years old. Since then, Futuro Vivo’s mission has helped with medications, which are very expensive. We are extremely grateful for the help Futuro Vivo has given us so far, and we hope more people will continue to contribute so that more doors can be opened for more patients.English Transcript of Testimony from Dorothea Garcia, a patient at Futuro Vivo.
My name is Dorothea Garcia. I am a patient of the American doctors who come to our community to support our health. I thank God first, and I also thank them because, thanks to this program, my blood pressure has been very stable. Not just mine, because I don’t only think about myself—I think about everyone. Thanks to this help, we have been able to continue living. Medication, especially for blood pressure, is very expensive, and many people here could not afford it. But thanks to this program and the support it brings, we can continue living. Thank you for your collaboration, and we hope you keep coming.English Transcript of Testimony from Monica Flores, a patient at Futuro Vivo.
My name is Monica Flores, and I am a patient here at Futuro Vivo. I want to thank you for attending to me every time I come to the medical mission. I try to attend every session, and I want to thank again the doctors who come from far away to care for each patient.
Thank you for your kind treatment, and the medicines are very helpful. Many thanks.
Life-Changing Reflections from Our Mission Trip
March – April 2025
Students and teachers from St. Joseph Academy shared heartfelt reflections after their mission trip with Sister Parish Ministry. Across their stories, common themes shine through: the joy of serving others, the humility and gratitude of the Dominican community, and the powerful lessons of faith, love, and resilience. Many participants spoke about how deeply they were inspired by Mr. Ezekiel’s devotion to his people, the smiles of children despite poverty, and the unwavering hospitality of families they met. These experiences not only strengthened their relationship with God but also encouraged them to carry the spirit of service, compassion, and gratitude into their daily lives.
Medical Mission
29 – March 1, 2025
My mission trip with Sister Parish Ministry was a deeply meaningful experience. I cherished the opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers, celebrate daily Mass with staff and patients, and witness the gratitude expressed by those we served. God reminded me of the importance of compassion, empathy, and the power of His message across languages and barriers.
The people of the Dominican Republic inspired me with their warmth, resilience, and openness to share their lives, even in the midst of health challenges. This journey opened my eyes to the great needs that exist beyond our borders and renewed my commitment to serve.
I look forward to continuing my involvement with future medical missions, bringing both care and God’s love to those in need.
Meet Dieuvina!
Dieuvina is a 40-year-old mother who was seen for the first time at our clinic in El Mamey during the May 2025 mission. She was one of 446 patients we served, and one of 12 who required a referral to local healthcare providers for specialized care beyond the scope of our primary care services.Dieuvina was initially referred to an OB/GYN for evaluation. Following a series of medical tests, she was diagnosed with fibroids and is now undergoing further diagnostic work at a local hospital. Sister Parish Ministry is coordinating and covering the cost of all her medical care. The total anticipated cost for her treatment including surgery and follow-up care is between $2,500 and $3,500.
Will you consider sponsoring Dieuvina’s care to ensure she receives the treatment she needs?
Fundraiser Progress Update
With just one week remaining, we’ve raised $57,000—that’s 75% of our $75,000 goal!
A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has contributed so far. If you haven’t yet, we invite you to make a donation to help support underserved patients like Dieuvina in the Dominican Republic.
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