Mission Trip Update - Jan 2012

1) Please check your PASSPORTS and apply now for them if you need to. Here is a website for
more information about how to do that, the application, etc.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

2) VACCINATIONS: To have the most benefit, see a health-care provider at least 4–6 weeks before
your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and to start taking medicine to prevent
malaria, if you need it. Check with your health care provider to find out what vaccinations you
might need. From what I can tell, as long as we are up-to-date with our regular vaccines, we
should be good. However, I am planning to check with Kaiser (I was told they have a “travel
clinic” to make sure I don’t need anything). We will be spending most of our time in Quito, but
will take a day trip to Guayaquil. Here is information from the CDC that you can read for
yourselves http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/ecuador.aspx

3) FUNDRAISING – there will be three opportunities/events for fundraising that will be hosted at
St. Pius that we will need your help with. 1) We will host an Ecuadorian Dinner on Saturday,
March 17th . 2) We will hold a carwash after all the Masses at St. Pius on Sunday, May 27th from
7:30 am – 1:00 pm. The proceeds from these two events will be divided evenly between all the
travelers. 3) You can conduct your own letter writing campaign to your friends and family. Maria
will supply a sample letter for you to use.

4) Madre Miguel and Madre Cindy will be planning our ITINERARY for us. We won’t know exactly
what we are going to do until we get there (we’ll have an orientation with Madre Miguel and/or
Madre Cindy upon our arrival). But, if you have something specific in mind that you want to do
while you are there, let me know and I will put you in touch with Sr. Miguel to coordinate. For
example, in 2010, Chris and his dad Steve volunteered for and ran a soccer clinic for the kids. If
you have a specific idea – let me know!

5) In 2010, we asked parishioners to donate SOCCER JERSEY’s which we took to Quito with us.
Also, Madre Miguel has informed me that there is a great need for SCHOOL SUPPLIES,
particularly pencils, pens, scissors, glue sticks and construction paper.  I’d like to do this again.
Would someone be willing to coordinate this drive at St. Matthias and/or St. Pius? Call me for
more information!

6) SPANISH WORKSHOP Many of you know, I have taken over 3 years of Spanish at Cañada College
over the past few years.  I can “get by” but am nowhere near being fluent. (Fr. Craig is much
more fluent than I!) I do believe that language is one of the primary ways we will be able to
connect with the people at the WBC, so thought it would be cool to learn some basics. I have
spoken to my Spanish Professor, Dr. Sarah Harmon, PhD who has agreed to partner with me and
do a ½ day workshop for our group of conversational Spanish. This workshop will be held on
May 5th from 10-2pm at St. Matthias.

7) As we get closer to our departure date, we will hold a MEETING to go over all the
guidelines, have participants sign “Code of Conduct” forms, talk about any travel requirements, what to pack, etc.