Hear I Am Lord! Join us in Sucre 2011

A Pilgrimage in Mission - Sucre, Boliva 2011

The Peace and Social Justice Ministry of the Diocese of Joliet announces the formation of medical, construction and daycare/education teams to travel to Sucre, Bolivia, April 30th to May 14th, 2011. The Medical Mission has need for surgeons in all specialties, particularly orthopedics, gynecology, ENT, pediatric, general and plastic surgery. Also needed are 4 anesthesiologists and/or nurse anesthetists. Medical-Surgical nurses, operating room and Recovery room nurses and others are needed to serve the needs of the poorest of the poor in this Andean country. New to this mission will be an optometric clinic requiring the services of an ophthalmologist, optometrist and an optician. A dental clinic will need staffing by a dentist, dental assistant and a hygienist.

To keep pace with information technology, we are seeking a person who can help to set up an electronic medical library as well as a medical librarian. Nursing Educators are also sought to assist with staff CE programs.

Working in a new hospital, built through the generosity of the people of the Diocese of Joliet, the team will offer talents in the above specialties. Persons with skills in these areas are urged to contact Helen Bills, RN at the Peace and Social Justice Ministry by calling 815-834-4028 as soon as possible.

The Catholic Construction Corps will work on various projects aimed at improving living and sanitary conditions in the barrios of Sucre. People who live there are the poorest of the poor. Many live in mud-brick homes with dirt floors, no running water and no sanitation facilities. This is a major cause of health problems. The CCC works shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand with the people of the barrios on projects that can change lives. The Construction Corps is looking for skilled laborers, home handymen, and people with willing hands and loving hearts, who are interested in this work. Please contact Art Sheridan at 815-834-4072.

There are also openings for service with a daycare/educational project at a local center supporting working families. The project involves lesson plans, teacher assistance, and needs assessment.

An information meeting for all teams will be held on Wednesday, November 17h, 2010 at 7:00 PM at theSt. Charles Pastoral Center, 101 W. Airport Rd., Romeoville, IL. If you are interested in joining us on any of our missions, please attend or contact Helen or Art at the numbers listed above.

Spanish language proficiency is desirable but is not a general requirement. This will be the twenty-fifth medical mission team and the 20th construction group the diocese will have sent to South America. The teams will begin orientation and formation in January and therefore it is necessary to begin the application process now. These Missions are faith-based ecumenical ministries. Persons of all denominations are invited to apply.

More information and applications are available on our website: www.paxjoliet.org/missions. Click on "Get Involved" to download an application. All applications must be in by December 1st, 2010.