Gaylord, MI 49735 Visit for Dedication of Radio Hermanos
In March of 2007, Gaylord Diocesan Communications Director Candace Neff and her daughter Kristin travelled to Nicaragua for the rededication of Radio Hermanos -- the radio station of the Diocese of Matagalpa. Candace shared some of their reflections and experiences with the Catholic Weekly. Click on the links on the right to read those articles.
Below is a photo gallery of the visit.
Travel Companions
My daughter Kristin (center) along with Oscar and Veronica, both members of Catholic Relief Services staff in Nicaragua, were my travel companions.
Approaching Matagalpa
We arrived for a brief two-day visit to the Diocese of Matagalpa. We flew into Managua in the evening and met Veronica Alvarez early next morning for the trek to Matagalpa. Though only about 50 miles away, the trip takes two and a half hours due to poor road conditions.
Future Site of New Seminary
The Diocese of Matagalpa is building a seminary to house and educate young men who are discerning their vocation to the priesthood. The eleven young men currently in the program are aged 15-22 are now living in two rooms at the home of one of the priests in the city of Matagalpa. The new seminary sits atop a steep hill overlooking tne city and in view of the mountains. The residence portion is expected to be completed in a few months. Notice the red bricks in the photo. These are made by hand by laborers in the area.
Meeting the Seminarians
Some of the seminarians were able to join us for some conversation. They then found a guitar and sang a few songs for us.
San Luis School
This is one of five diocesan Catholic Schools. Approximately 500 students attend classes here during the week and in the evenings and weekends it is used for adult and community education programs.
School Students
We visited several classrooms with Bishop Solorzano and a couple even tried out their English language skills in conversing with us.
Open to the elements
There are a number of areas in the school where the roofing is gone. In some places wooden floors have weakened and rotted over the years and while attempts have been made to fix the most dangerous areas, they are clearly temporary. Water damage is also evident in a number of places and the plumbing needs replacing. Fixing the school for the safety of the students is an urgent priority for Bishop Solorzano. It is expected to cost US $150,000 to make the necessary revisions.
New Classmates
Many of the school rooms do not have windows. Birds have made nests in the rafters and are free to visit during classes. The one was checking out the foreigners, flying in and out around our heads as we spoke with students. They seemed used to it, but I couldn't help wondering what the birds might drop.
San Pedro Cathedral
The cathedral of San Pedro is in the center of Matagalpa. It is easily identifiable from far distances. (Go back to the first picture on this page and see if you can find it.)
Inside the Cathedral
Part of the interior view of San Pedro Cathedral following a Mass in honor of Bishop Solorzano's 46th birthday. There were many celebrations that day, including three mariachi bands.
Dancing for the Bishop
In the afternoon, school children of all ages performed dances for Bishop Solozano and many guests in honor of his birthday. These young boys and girls (the boys with painted mustaches) started off the program which included groups from around the diocese.
The Celebration Continues
At an evening party, Bishop Solorzano and some of the priests joined in singing with the mariachi band. The party was hosted by a local family for the Bishop and his closest collaborators. Approximately 30 people squeezed into the apartment for an evening of fun.
Pinata Time
The party even included the traditional pinata. Though no children were present, there was still a dive to the center of the room to collect candy and gum when the pinata burst. The Matagalpinos are very welcoming with warm smiles and hugs. We weren't strangers, but friends.
Our Home Away From Home
We stayed at the home of a wonderful lady named Gladys. It's very simple exterior hides the fact that the home is actually built around a beautiful courtyard, complete with three large parrots. The living quarters, kitchen, dining rooms, etc. are all inset around the courtyard.while the walkway is bordered with many seating areas for conversation and lots of family pictures. There was even a cute lizard meandering between the walls and ceiling.
Meet the Parrots
Two of the beautiful parrots at Gladys' house. Kristin spent several minutes trying to get them to say "hello." They clearly are not yet bilngual.
Homes in the Area
Because we were only in Matagalpa for two days, we weren't able to see much outside of the city. Most homes we visited were very nice by any standards. But Nicaragua is is very poor country which as suffered from natural and man-made disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes and war. Homes for much of the population are generally very small, simple tin structures or made of mud with a tin roof. This community is located just north of Matagalpa.
Radio Hermanos
"The heart and voice of the Diocese of Matagalpa," Radio Hermanos provides news, music, education, faith development and prayer for the people. Much of the territory of the diocese does not have electricity or phones and radio is their sole link to one another and the rest of the world. The station was first established in 1993, but over the years, the equipment became obsolete and was no longer able to broadcast. Generous donations from their brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Gaylord enabled them to rebuild and equip Radio Hermanos to reach throughout the diocese.
Dedication Plaque
The plaque affixed to the station notes the relationship between the Dioceses of Matagalpa and Gaylord.
New Microphone
Fr. Francisco Reyes, Director of Communications for the Diocese of Matagalpa and head of the renovation project, displays one of the new microphones in the station. He excitedly proclaimed, "We have the only one like this in all of Matagalpa! Thank you!" Note the wall behind him. The walls and ceiling in the two studios were lined with fibre egg cartons to provide sound absorption.
Board Operator
Radio Hermanos is staffed by a few paid individuals and many, many volunteers who make sure everything is operating correctly. The station broadcasts approximately 15 hours each day.
Transmitter
Look closely and you may see the new transmitter located near the center of the photo. It rises from the hillside (or mountainside) to send the from Radio Hermanos to the farthest reaches of the diocese.
Proximity to the Cathedral
This photos shows the proximity of Radio Hermanos to San Pedro Cathedral. There is a wire running between the two that allows Masses to be broadcast live over the radio. Unlike here in the Diocese of Gaylord, the opportunities to participant in a Mass is very limited. Some of the outlying areas only have Mass a few times a year. Radio Hermanos provides a vital connection for the faith of the people.
Mass in Celebration of the Rededication of Radio Hermanos
During the presentation of the gifts, items from the radio station and a plaque commemorating the event, were brought forward and blessed by Bishop Solorzano. A smaller version of the plaque is also now at the Pastoral Center in Gaylord.
Mariachi Bands a Must
At every celebration we attended there was a marichi band. The group in blue had awakened Bishop Solorzano at his residence at 3:00 a.m. on his birthday and also played following that Mass and on the steps outside the diocesan offices before the afternoon celebration with the school children. At the eveninbg birthday party, there was the group in black. Here, the green costumed mariachi band emerged from the sacristy after the Mass to play for about 20 minutes. The last marichai band we encountered was at our hotel in Managua before we departed for home. They entertained at a wedding reception taking place poolside. They were costumed in white to honor the bride.
Talent Show
Following the Mass, we headed back to the 'ampitheatre" at the school. By our standards, it is more of a nice pavilion. A Festinval of Christian Music sponsored by Radio Hermanos brought people from far out in the campos to participate in the show. We were told some of the people walked for about three hours in order to board a bus that would bring them the rest of the way to Matagalpa for the event. Winners in the contest would win a laundry basket full of food to take home with them. There was lots of enthusiasm and talent from both the performers and the audience.
Making Friends
Kristin made fast friends with one of the children at the festival who was fascinated by the digital camera. She really enjoyed seeing herself on the display screen.
Lunch at Selva Negra
We had lunch on the patio of the restarant at Selva Negra -- a coffee estate which includes a resort-like complex to rival those here at home. It includes beautiful walking areas which are home to local monkeys and other widlife. We captured Nora Jarquin and Oscar enjoying the sunshine after lunch. Nora has key responsibilities for the Diocese of Matagalpa in the area of heath projects. To learn more about this mountain resort or its coffee plantation, click here.