 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
News
Members Regular Meeting
The 2003 Members Regular Meeting took place on Sunday, March 30, 2003 with the following agenda: 1. - Board of Directors Report; 2. - Election of new Board of Directors; 3. - Miscellaneous 4. - Registration of new members.
Attendance included the members of the Board of Directors, associates, guests, and HAS residents.
The meeting started with a prayer followed by Dr. Bernardino Marvez introductory speech.
The meeting reinstated all the 2002 Board of Directors, with the addition of Dr. Ana Mercedes Sierralta as the new Treasurer and Ms. Iyalayu Paz as an Assistant.
After the meeting, the participants enjoyed the day at the center with a delicious meal of “sancocho” and music played by some of the HSA members and guests.
Third anniversary of the death of Mons. Eleazar Aguilar Solá, founder of Hogares Santa Ana.
On Sunday, February 23, 2002, the third anniversary of the death of Mons. Eleazar Aguilar Solá, founder of Hogares Santa Ana, was commemorated. The ceremony began with a mass celebrated by Reverend Oscar Monzón, pastor of Bejuma Parish and current President of the HSA Board of Directors. Then, Dr. Bernardino Marvez addressed the audience with a poetic speech about Mons. Eleazar Aguilar’s life (His speech is included in this News section). Later on, engineer Oswaldo Luque explained the VETIVER Project, sponsored by the Polar Foundation. Then, a Craft Exposition was open to the public with several items manufactured with Vetiver fiber during a workshop at the center that included residents and other members of the nearby communities. The quality and variety of the crafts were admired by the public attending the ceremony. These crafts were on display for sale. One of the objectives of this project is to improve the economic conditions of the communities surrounding the center.
Following the exposition, about 120 people enjoyed a delicious meal of "sancocho" served in three courses to the big crowd. Around 4:00pm the Bejuma Municipal Choral group sang numerous songs that were applauded by the audience. Then, the Polar Foundation Choral group followed with 40 voices and another great performance of 8 songs that the audience delightfully enjoyed. During this event, a CD titled “Coral Municipal Bejuma interpreta para Hogares Santa Ana" and the book "Utopía Extraterrestre" written by Monsignor Aguilar were presented to the audience.
To conclude the event, at 6:00 pm, the participants made a circle in the center of the facilities and holding hands they sang hymns and gave thanks to the institution and members of the HSA community. The public praised the positive energy and joy shared at the center during this day of celebration and committed themselves to continue their support and contact with this important social undertaking.
Dr. Bernardino Marvez’s speech during the commemoration of the third anniversary of the death of Monsignor Eleazar Aguilar Solá, founder of Hogares Santa Ana, on February 23, 2002.
With the grace of our Lord, the blessing of St. Ana and the Holy Spirit, I would like, with the consent of my brothers and sisters of the Board of Directors, to speak a few simple words in this humble but well deserved ceremony in memory of this idealist, creative founder and father of this institution, Hogares Santa Ana, Monsignor Eleazar Aguilar Solá. It is the third anniversary of his eternal journey to meet the Lord, our God, with whom he sees us from above. We can feel his presence even in the silence of dry leaves around Hogares Santa Ana, where everything is of his concern and nothing is foreign to him. He can remember and live everything again. The more that time goes by, the more truth that comes out about the reality to miss his voice, presence and actions that would have been manifested in his dreams and visions for this institution. Fate did not let him see all of his dreams and plans in operation. Some other roads await him.
Hogares Santa Ana, and its immediate hard working young lady, Mrs. Lida Perez de Sanchez, gave Father Aguilar great news, but also many bad and painful moments, that he handled with the courage of a hero and the patience of a saint with deep Christian convictions of an authentic priest. His life was devoted to the church and to help the poor and less fortunate that always had his support, helping hand, and encouraging sweet smile.
Even after his physical disappearance, and maybe through centuries, humankind and Hogares Santa Ana will benefit from the works of this remarkable scholar with a noble and humble spirit, patrimony of the church and mankind. His church, family, friends and his town will always be proud of this prominent and distinguished man. Ladies and gentlemen, I invite you, all to know him better. Rest in peace, Father Aguilar.
And to give you an idea of his dedication to the Lord, in his words and actions, let me read for you some of Father Aguilar’s simple yet beautiful words. Although he did not cultivate poetry, in reality he was one the finest poets:
MY PRAYER
I’m traveling
my path, traveler,
with the light of a star as my guidance,
that lights up
my steps night and day,
in the search of an enchanting goal.
I have lived
my life to serve you,
I only ask that you never leave me
that you forgive anything wrong I did
and take my sacrifice of all the good.
You put many things in my mind
my heart grabs them with joy
some of them, I have accomplished
the rest, I work restlessly.
You’ll call me to be by your side forever
redeemed by you, I belong to you
‘cause there is nothing attached to me.
My hearts tells you, with joy,
thank you for all your blessings
and so, I spend my life singing
and travel to see my path, traveler.