Panama Mission

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In 1986, the province accepted the Chepo parish. This included over one hundred communities as well as two Indian tribes. Archbishop Marcos of Panama informed the missionaries that the new undertaking was one of primary evangelization.

Kevin Francisco Heagerty was one of the three original pioneers. He has previously worked among Spanish-speaking communities in Saginaw MI and Racine WI. Since that time, Francisco has been a man-on-the-go, visiting the many isolated communities that dot the vast area. Many, including the Isles de los Reyes, are accessible only by small native boats, often dangerously overloaded. Others require riding over almost impassible roads, horseback riding or just plain walking. He has set up an elaborate network of "delegados" or delegates to lead the praying communities between his visits. Their religious formation is a paramount concern. Kevin will be returning to the US in Februrary for sabbatical.

Wally Kasuboski came to the Torti-Wacuco-Ipeti area in 1988. This section, close to the Columbian border, is equivalent to the "Wild West" of the United States after the Civil War. Many seeking a new life migrated into this virgin territory. School and hospital facilities were almost unheard of, roads were rutted mud trails, polluted water caused sickness and death and suitable employment was difficult to find. Wally, who had received his law degree and had previously worked in Nicaragua, addressed the problems of his new vast congregation. He build a catechetical center, established road and home construction crews, initiated water projects, and created a fishing industry for the Kuna indian tribe. Wally also became a leader in establishing schooling and medical care. His friends have established a web site at http://www.frwally.com/.

The local superior of the mission, Andre Weller, centers his attention on the two larger cities, Chepo and Margaritas. Andre finds helpful his previous mission experience in Nicaragua and his work in Jerusalem with the Catholic Middle East Association. His devotion to improve the quality of living for his people found a valuable outlet in promoting their educational opportunities. His New Horizon program assists pregnant unmarried young girls to finish their schooling to prepare themselves to help their child to a better life. He recently imported from Wisconsin the “Baby, Think It Over” model to help young girls - and boys - experience what teen age pregnancy could be like.

Once attached to the Chepo mission but now working in Tocumen, Panama, is our Jozef Timmers and Larry Webber. This community is near the Panama international airport. The area has seen a huge growth in population in recent decades. Most of the inhabitants are very poor and live in flimsily constructed shacks. A terrible flood last fall led to serious loss in life and property. A law school graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Jozef is able to minister both to his parishioners' spiritual and also their temporal needs. Larry was former vice provinicial and novice master of the Central American province. Both friars are in the process of organizing a new parish, named after Padre Pio.

Photo Albums

Click here for photo's from Chepo

Click here for photo's from Wacuco

Click here for photo's from Tocumen