Follow STM Flights

All St. Thomas More flights are on American Airlines. To track their flights just go to the URL area and type in www.aa.com
On this first page, toward the top, click on 'Flight Status.'
After clicking on flight status then put in the flight number and hit GO.
You will get all the information you need.
Following are their other flights.
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Monday: Rapid to Dallas - flight 2814
Tuesday: Dallas to Miami - Miami to Tegucigalpa - flight 0953

April 18, Wed. Tegucigalpa to Miami - flight 0954
April 18, Wed. Miami to Dallas - flight 1724

April 19, Thurs. Dallas to Rapid - flight 2813
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To get even more information go to the URL and type in www.flightaware.com
On this page, behind Airline Name type in 'American Airlines.'
Right below that type in the flight number and hit 'Track Flight'
Once this page comes up go over in the right hand column and check all the flight information.
Scroll down and it will give you even more information.

Take Care, R. Seivert

Message to St. Thomas More Mission Honduras

Dear St. Thomas More Mission Honduras,
Greetings from Gehlen and Mission Honduras.
I have just registered the STM team with the U.S. Embassy in Tegucigalpa. You are good to go.
I will be following your flights beginning today and tomorrow right into Tegucigalpa. God Speed to all of you and St. Thomas More.
The Gehlen team had great luck with being able to blog and post a good number of pictures whenever they wanted. I hope you will find the same kind of signal power. Carolyn, Linda, Frank, and Julio are in Tegucigalpa waiting your arrival and they will meet you at the airport. They also have the username and password for the blog - Carolyn will give those to you.
I would request that Mary or Barb call me after arriving in Dallas and I will blog to all readers. Please have all your family and friends post messages to you on the blog.
Take Care and I will be in touch,
Richard Seivert

Homeward Bound / Wheels Up

Wheels are up and the team is on its way home. Will see all or most in Omaha.

Final Farewell

I apologize for the lateness of our final blog, but our day has been a full one.

I agree with Seivert, we could not do this without Francis and Julio. They make everything run smoothly for us from the moment we step out of the airport in Tegucigalpa until we leave on that final day. However, I need to point out the countless hours that Richard Seivert puts into this program. We also, wouldn't be here without all the work he does in the background, and of course, all the stress and worry for him until we are home safely. Thanks, Seivert, from all of us here in Esquias.

The missioners got to sleep in again this morning - 6:30. After breakfast we loaded all the gift bags into the truck and also packed some candy and little toys to distribute. A few of us went with a couple local teachers to tour an agricultral project their school is doing. The students have agreed to fund their project, which will help the students for years to come. They will be learning how to plant and raise vegetables, howto raise chickens and fish, and how to provide for themselves in the future. We were impressed with their planning and vision.

We left for the village a little early because we wanted to get a group photo on top of the mountain and in front of the water tank. The view rivals any I've ever seen. The villagers began arriving for our little celebration around 11. The village leader thanked the team for their efforts in the water project and for working with them as friends. My speech to the village of El Picacho is as follows: On behalf of Gehlen Catholic Mission Honduras, Richard Seivert, our director, Francis Seivert, and myself, I'd like to thank yiou for allowing us to work with yiu for a short time. Special thanks also to our friends Angel, Julio, and Carlos for their help. We pray today that the village of El Picacho will always have clean water, and even more, that people everywhere have access to clean drinking water. We hope you will hold us in your hearts, as we will hold you in ours. Thank you! God Bless You!

We distributed the gift bags to every single person of El Picacho. The bags included shampoo, bar soap, clothes appropriate for the ages of the family, hair items, toys, shoes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and lotion. You'd think it was Christmas day the way everyone was excited to get their gifts. The school received loads of notebooks, pens, pencils, rulers, chalk, reading books in Spanish, etc. The group from El Picacho sang their national anthem for us, so we sang our national anthem for them. That brought smiles from everyone. The villagers also presented us with gifts, as they tied bracelets in the Honduran flag colors onto each of our wrists.

We surprised the missioners on the return home when we stopped at the fiesta the mayor of this area was giving in our honor to thank us for our hard work. We had a delicious picnic lunch by a small river. They grilled bits of marinated pork and chicken. We also ate salsa, tortillas, refried beans,  and red cabbage in vinegar ( not our usual picnic fare). A large part of this afternoon was spent relaxing.

As soon as we returned to the compound, clean up began. A handful of us toured the local high school and chicken farm. Supper was served at 5:30, and then everyone rushed to shower, clean the salon, pack more items, and just general get-ready-to-leave activities.

Mass began tonight at 7 with the fire on the road just below the church. The first hour was spent singing songs around the fire (You could call it church campfire.). Then we lit our candled from the Easter candle and processed into the church, Oh yes, we got all 7 readings tonight with reflections and singing in between. We also renewed our baptismal vows, had the blessing of water, went up to bless ourselves with the newly blessed water, as well as the regular Mass. We dragged back to the compound at 10:25 to begin our final junta. It was important to take everyone through what they'll need to know for their return trip. I still wish I could bring them home to you! So, give them extra hugs for me. Linda and I will be following their flight until we get the call that you've got then in your arms.

Thanks for lending your children to us for a while. I have enjoyed every minute with them.

As they leave Honduras, their mission here is complete. However, they now have a much larger mission to carry out, and each of them will have to find his/her way to carry it out. May God be with them!

Thanks

Thanks Dick for your comments.  Julio was surprised again today in El Picacho when the team sang happy birthday to him (today his is 55th birthday).  I think he was a little overwhelmed.  He is a great and trusted friend, that I trust with my life.  We will continue to shoulder on like you said because the mission is pure and needed.  To St. Thomas More, we will be there to make sure your team trip is as successful as the other before you.  You can count on us!

Dick, I will talk with Julio about your comments.  I will let Carolyn comment on the day.  God bless to all, peace, and thanks for all the prayers.  I think this team is ready to return to the USA.

Mr. Francis

On Leaving Honduras / A Message from Seiv

As we come to yet another end to a mission trip I wanted to pause for a moment and reflect on a number of things. A general thanks to so many just doesn’t seem to befit the time and enormity of my feelings. I really cannot look forward to the St. Thomas More team next week until I have satisfied this internal hunger to be public with these comments about the Gehlen Catholic team.

To Frank and Julio: What can I say that rises to the necessary level of thanks and admiration to both of you. Frank went into Honduras two days after Christmas to begin the long, on the ground preparations for four successive mission groups. Julio was with him each step of the way – giving up his family for four straight months to assist in all matters. Much to the surprise of many we had a medical / dental /  nutrition team in Honduras prior to the Heelan team. It was a group composed of doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and translators from the United States as well as Honduras. They traveled and worked closely with a team of nutrition students from South Dakota State in Brookings, S.D. Once in Honduras the U.S. contingent coupled with the U.S. Military from the air base at Soto Cano, Honduras. There were about 70 team members on that mission – nothing easy about it. Their work was outstanding and has changed the life of many children and adults in Montana de la Flor. Then of course came the wonderful bunch from Heelan. What a marvelous job those young people and adults did in building a new home for two families. Can you imagine their feeling on doing this for others. It makes me think of that famous quote, ‘preach the gospel everyday – use words if necessary.’ As the Gehlen team landed in Honduras I knew that Frank and Julio were already a little tired, frazzled, and worn. As I sit here in the relative comfort of my office, in my comfortable office chair, I think about you two a great deal and the places you have been, the places you have had to sleep, the small amount of food you have endured,  the endless long drives and bumpy roads of three straight trips, the planning and preparation, the sheer responsibility; it is mind numbing. But to both of you, as you approach the end of this Gehlen team, you will have to shoulder on, keep up the pace a while longer, and make the STM mission experience as important and meaningful as the first three. Both of you must realize this but it never really gets said: This program doesn’t exist without you – all the trips of the past and in the present. Like I used to say to long distance runners in track and cross country, hang in there, keep up the pace, you are almost home.

To Carolyn, Sister Joan, and Linda: You cannot imagine the significance of each of your contributions to this team and all those from the past. From the faith and trust that I place in each of you to those same feelings our families do. Believe me, it is most reassuring to know all three of you are with these mission students. To guide and lead them each and every step of the way is a great responsibility but each of you take it on each year with hope, faith, and love for the people of Honduras. Your names probably won’t go down in any great registry of humanitarianism, but they should. You are all remarkable and I hope these young people realize that. My thanks, my respect, my admiration, to all three of you.

To the other chaperones on this team: like I said earlier, just to say thanks doesn’t seem to fit the powerful expression needed. But to each of you, a million thanks, and it is still not enough. I hope your mission experience has been valuable, one that you will remember and act on in the years to come.

To all our Honduran contingent: Carlos, Angel, Tacha, Fr. Bonilla, et.al., thanks – a thousand times thanks. Once again, to use a sports euphemism, you have ‘stepped up to the plate for Gehlen Mission Honduras.’ You have once again helped a small group of U.S. teenagers realize the true meaning of poverty in the world. Some day your efforts will pay off for them and for you. Thank you all.

To our fifteen mission students: on behalf of those you came to serve thanks for all you have done.  From just playing in the park with the children of Esquias, to the wee ones you met at Casa Carolina (isn’t it sad), and  finally to the village of Picacho, I hope your mission experience has been valuable. The blogs seem to indicate it has – time will tell. You have formed lasting bonds with the children, teenagers, and adults in Picacho, Esquias, and Sulaco. The bonds were formed in the very dirt of a village that very few people would even know exists, and with your hands, feet, and back, you have made life a little easier for many. I have a question. Do you think the children of Picacho will ever forget those American teenagers that came to help them bring clean drinkable water to their village?  I doubt if any of them will ever forget. To them you will be special people the rest of their lives – what will you do with that burden?  Within a few short hours you will be back in the loving embrace of family, school, and friends. You will sleep in a soft comfortable bed, clean sheets, a working bathroom, clean water, all the food you can eat, your car, your music, your T.V., your computer, your cell phone, your friends, prom right around the corner. Will you remember any of this mission? Will it change how you look at electricity? Will it change how you look at water? Will it change how you look at food? Will it change how you look at life in the United States? And finally, Will it change how you see God? That is the real challenge to each of you. This is your challenge – not mine or Frank’s, or Carolyn’s, Sister’s, or Linda’s, but Yours. Will it make a difference?  Let us know in ‘Your Future.’

To All Of You, a million times thanks, and take care. God speed on your trip home. Take care of each other.

Seiv

Final Missioners' Blog

Micah Neary: This whole trip has been an experience for me that changed my life in many ways. I have learned that the Honduran people have different outlook on life they take it day by day compared to back home. I will miss what I have called home for ten days. Well anyways hi Mom and Dad! Hi Morgan! It’s been a busy day but I have only two more days till I see all of you. We get to give the gifts to the village tomorrow so it should be fun! I got everyone gifts so don’t worry I’m sure you will all love them. Well I’ve got to go so I’ll see you all Sunday! Hope to see you there Morgan!

Dave and Janet:  This has been an amazing trip to give up our Holy Week to help people who are truly in need.  The thing that is so ironic is that they are so happy and satisfied with what they have rather than worried about what they do not have.  We hope to take this home with us.  We had an awesome day beginning with the Stations of the Cross that was a combination of the Stations and the Passion it really allowed us to put ourselves in Jesus’ time.  I think the Honduran people do it right they do not worry about how long things last they just enjoy what they are doing and celebrate their faith.  Happy Easter – see you Sunday.  We miss all of you.

Trevor Bouma: This trip has been an experience I will never forget. The thing I will miss the most is the joy of the kids in Honduras. Today we watched the Stations of the Cross. It was very hot, but it was very moving. I am excited to give up our clothes to the village tomorrow. Thanks Steph and everyone for the birthday wishes. I miss you too. I had an awesome cake for my birthday. Steph, I challenge you to make a better one haha. I will see you Sunday bearing gifts.

Ali Galles: This trip has taught me many things and has made me appreciate my life back in the states. The people are always so happy and optimistic about life. Hello Mom and Dad! I can’t wait to see you in two days. I have gifts for everyone. Mom, tell Calla and Emma that I got them good gifts. I am very excited about the dove chocolate. Rachelle says to bring back double stuffed oreos. Tell Jose to quit raiding my closet. Love you all and see you Sunday!! J

Alec Mousel: This trip has been a great experience because it took me out of my comfort zone. I did fine shopping Karen so you can relax. Thanks Steph for the shout out, I miss you more. I plan on coming home on time Brittany, ten days is a long time. I will also be winning the cat bet because you won’t have one by the time I get home. This is the last blog before I come home so see ya’ll at 8 on Sunday in the flat lands!

Ross Ruhland: This trip has taught me what it truly important in life. It is not the material possessions we have, but the interactions we have with other people. Hopefully I can bring this new perspective stateside. Tomorrow is our last day cant wait to see y’all on the great plains.

Mick Sitzmann: Hi everybody! This trip has been great because I have met so many great new people. Just wanted to say hi, and that this is our last blog and that I’ll see you on Sunday!!     

Joe Begnoche: This trip has made me realize that I am very thankful for everything that I have and that this has been great with everyone here. Hi family this is my last blog until I see you on Sunday. Can’t wait to see everyone! Kendall I hope I get to see you on Monday!:)

Rachelle Lipp- I won’t let go of any experiences or people I have met.  This trip has been extremely eye-opening to how materialistic most of us really are.  I’m craving some oreos and a 4 piece chicken strip basket.  Thanks Nicholle for writing to us! I think you’d like to know that I saw a kid in a Perry the Platypus shirt today. J

Jesus is flogged.

Procession

Jesus falls the second time.

The church is seen in the distance as procession continues.

Missioners watch Jesus being nailed to the cross.

Jesus is taken down from the cross.

Jesus is laid in the tomb.