Impressed with the people who will be employed at the new facility, Bishop Imesch mentioned that it was a tribute to Christ. "You can’t walk through here and not feel pride."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

"We have a have a clear vision from Pope John Paul II that we must be one America, not North and South America—as is shown in the fraternity and solidarity between our churches of Joliet and Sucre.”
 
 
 
 
 
 

the hospital’s primary objective: "to serve the poorest in Sucre—those who have no access to other medical centers."
 
 
 
 

"Ten years ago, I never heard of Sucre—and Sucre never heard of us, now look at what we have accomplished."

 According to Father Sanches, pastor of St. John of God Parish in Sucre, the new hospital will be staffed by 12 doctors who belong to a Christian health organization, PROSAC. They will also be assisted by Bolivian nurses and medical students who are required to serve one year in the provinces and barrios after they complete their education.

 Impressed with the people who will be employed at the new facility, Bishop Imesch mentioned that it was a tribute to Christ. "You can’t walk through here and not feel pride."

 Mary Jeanne Lindinger-Olsen translated for the Catholic Explorer Archbishop Perez’s greetings to the congregation at the beginning of Mass. "We are here to celebrate this new medical center—a project realized together by our two dioceses—an expression of charity in Christ."

 Later in his homily, Archbishop Perez noted the significance of the union of the dioceses. "We have a have a clear vision from Pope John Paul II that we must be one America, not North and South America—as is shown in the fraternity and solidarity between our churches of Joliet and Sucre.”

 Following the Mass, a ceremony that reflected the sisterhood of the two dioceses included the proud singing of both national anthems and comments from dignitaries from both Joliet and Sucre. The small room vibrated as the proud Bolivians sang their anthem, hitting each pause perfectly and then the outnumbered 38 Americans returned the cultural exchange by singing "Star Spangled Banner" at the top of their voices. Franciscan Sister Dolores Zemont, pastoral associate at St. Mary Parish in Mokena, expressed the thoughts of most Americans in the crowd during the American national anthem. "It took on a whole different meaning.I won’t ever sing that again without thinking of that moment."

 Dr. Felipe Costales, medical director of PROSAC, was the first to speak about the hospital and how grateful they were to the Diocese of Joliet. Lindinger-Olsen translated Dr. Costales’s notation of the hospital’s primary objective: "to serve the poorest in Sucre—those who have no access to other medical centers."

 Bishop Imesch followed by commenting on the partnership that made the $350,000 hospital possible. "Ten years ago, I never heard of Sucre—and Sucre never heard of us, now look at what we have accomplished."

 Dr. Henry Mendivil, medical director, stood at the podium with tears in his eyes, as he spoke in his native language to the crowd of friends from both continents. The American anesthesiologist now resides in Wheaton, but he was born in Oruro, Bolivia.

 The crowd moved to the glass front doors of the 1,000-square-meter building for the ribbon cutting ceremony. The two bishops untied the two connecting ribbons—brilliant in American and Bolivian colors. Bishop Imesch then sprinkled holy water on the building and a plaque was unveiled commemorating the years of contributions from Joliet Diocesan individuals totaling $200,000.

 Other major contributors to the 44-bed facility that is located on the 3,000-square-meter property include: the U. S. Bishops’ Latin American Appeal, Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities in Delaware and Loyola Foundation.