Sr. Terry Ann Wilson, CSC

Bridgebuilder

Many friendships were formed between overseas volunteers and the people living in the villages of Ocoa

By Sr. Terry Ann Wilson, CSC
January/February 2008

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At times in our lives we are blessed to have people cross our paths who make a lasting impact on how we envision the world. Fr. Lou Quinn (Padre Luis) has been such a person in my life. I first met Fr. Lou in San José de Ocoa, Dominican Republic, in 1995 when I organized and accompanied a group of students and staff from St. Joseph Catholic Secondary School in Cornwall, Ontario, where I serve as chaplain. Each year since then, I have continued to bring a group of students and staff to Ocoa. This year's group will be the first that will not have the opportunity to meet Fr. Lou in person, and for that I am sad.

Fr. Lou Quinn with Kendra Smith and Jennifer Wattie, students from St. Joseph Catholic Secondary School, Hamilton. 2003. Fr. Lou Quinn with Kendra Smith and Jennifer Wattie, students from St. Joseph Catholic Secondary School, Hamilton. 2003.

If you passed Fr. Lou on the street, having never heard of him, you would not have considered him to be a person who has done such great things in the lives of the people of Ocoa. He was a very simple man who lived his life in solidarity with the people in his parish. And yet, once you conversed with him, you knew that there was something special about this man who had the ability to rally and empower people around a common goal and see it come to fruition.

Signs of his impact are seen in the town and in every mountain village in the Ocoa region through the houses, clinics, schools, roads and waterlines that have been built. And his impact is also evident in the hearts of the people who speak so fondly of him and of how their lives are better because he cared enough to stand beside them.

ONCE YOU KNOW SOMEONE BY NAME YOU CAN NO LONGER FORGET ABOUT THEIR NEEDS OR THE FACT THAT WE ARE ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THIS LIFE TOGETHER.

One of the many gifts of Fr. Lou's life was the gift of building bridges between the people of Ocoa and the hundreds of youth and adults who volunteered time each year assisting with the projects undertaken by ADESJO, the community development organization. It brought him great joy to see friendships develop between those from North America and those living and working in the villages. He knew that being able to call someone by name changes the way you see that person. Once you know someone by name you can no longer forget about their needs or the fact that we are all brothers and sisters in this life together.

Fr. Lou and the church choir serenading the St. Joseph Catholic Secondary School mission group in the early morning hours. 2001. Fr. Lou and the church choir serenading the St. Joseph Catholic Secondary School mission group in the early morning hours. 2001.

In my earlier years, when Fr. Lou was well enough, he would come on a regular basis to visit us and the community members in the villages where we were working. Each time he would bring baked goods from the bakery next to the rectory in Ocoa. It was a thoughtful and simple gesture but it made a great impact on us. Even in the more recent years when Fr. Lou was not well enough to make the journey, he would send the baked goods in one of the ADESJO trucks.

Another tradition in my earlier years took place on the Friday night when we were back in Ocoa for the weekend and a special surprise awaited us around midnight. After everyone was tucked in bed, a chorus of heavenly voices gently awoke us as Fr. Lou and the church choir stood in the hall and sang beautiful songs to us for at least a half hour. Once the singing was over, he would then drive the choir members home, many of them living in mountain villages, even though he had to rise early the next morning for Mass in the church. This was a tradition that I eagerly awaited each year, encouraging the youth to settle in for the night so that it would be a surprise.

A farmer from the community of Los Palmaritas welcomes (L-R) Fr. Tom Day, teacher Jim Lacey, Sr. Terry Ann Wilson and Fr. Lou Quinn. 1997. San José de Ocoa. A farmer from the community of Los Palmaritas welcomes (L-R) Fr. Tom Day, teacher Jim Lacey, Sr. Terry Ann Wilson and Fr. Lou Quinn. 1997. San José de Ocoa.

At Mass on the weekend in the parish, Fr. Lou would often invite our group to come forward and sing something in English for the parishioners and then the church choir would end the Mass by singing our Canadian national anthem. And there was always a special notice about our group in the parish bulletin which explained the project we were assisting with and thanking us for being there. He was all about building bridges.

The memory I will carry of Fr. Lou is that of a man who lived for the people entrusted to his care as pastor and empowered them to bring about change starting from the grassroots. May memories of his dedication and concern continue to be a source of inspiration and courage for the people of Ocoa as they continue the journey. And may all who have been blessed to spend even a few minutes with Fr. Lou continue his legacy of building bridges among nations.

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