Fr. Jose Guadalupe Gasca Augirre, SJ , Mission Director 

 I entered the Jesuit Order in 1993 and was ordained a priest on July 15^th, 2006.

 Two passages from the Bible that for me sum up my Jesuit vocation:

 John 10:10 – “I came that they may life and have it more abundantly”

 John 13:13-15 – “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet”

 Those passages set the tone for the way I want to live the mission that my Superiors have entrusted to me here in Creel, just as Fr. Verplanken and Fr. Pedro did before me, to serve the Tarahumara so that they may have more life.  

 I was born in Leon, Guanajuato 42 years ago. I am the oldest of 5 children. My Dad has passed away and my Mom lives close to one of my sisters. I studied engineering and computer systems, and worked for a few years developing systems and teaching in private schools.    

 Following my ordination I worked at a spiritual and human development center in a poor, working class neighborhood in Mexico City.

 When I was asked what I thought about the situation in the Tarahumara, I responded that there seemed to be a lot of challenges confronting the Indian population, but that I was confident regarding two things that Fr. Pedro left behind: a good team of co-workers at the Clinic, School, Water Systems Project, Food Coop and Mission Store. It is a professional group of people, committed to what they do, and in may cases reflect a lifetime project of people who love the Mission and are willing to continue to collaborate. Secondly, our benefactors have helped us, in a whole host of ways, in order for us to continue on with the mission, especially our committees in New Orleans, Oregon and Detroit….every one of you, with your generous love and support.

The challenges, then, are great for me, but I trust my team here and all of you. I know you will help me meet those challenges, knowing that this mission has, for more than four decades, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, healed the sick and given drink to the thirsty.

Fr. Jose Guadalupe Gasca Aguirre, S.J.

Creel
July 2011  

Fr. David Ungerleider has a been a Jesuit for the past 42 years. Although he was born in upstate New York, he has spent most of his adult life in Mexico and is a member of the MexicanProvince of the Society of Jesus.   Besides his undergraduate degrees in philosophy and theology, he did a master’s degree in social anthropology and has worked in Mexico City, Tabasco, Puerto Rico, Torreon and now in Tijuana, where he is Assistant to the President of the Jesuit University there, where he has built a church, public library, gymnasium and Casa Manresa, the first retreat house in the city of Tijuana.   

Several years ago, Fr. Verplancken asked Fr. David to assist him with his work in the Tarahumara.  Since then he became active with the Mission, helping Fr. Verplancken up until his death in 2004.    He then worked with Fr. Gilberto during the year of transition until the Jesuit Provincial appointed Fr. Pedro as the new full time director of the Mission in Creel.  Fr. David has joined us these past seven years, and will continue to assist Fr. Lupe and the Mission for years to come.  

The Tarahumara Childrens Hospital Fund (TCHF) consists of four separate groups working together to support the Jesuit Tarahumara Mission in the Copper Canyon of Mexico. These groups are located in Detroit MI, New Orleans LA and Milwaukie OR. The mission headquarters is in Creel, Chihuaha, Mexico, with Fr. Jose Guadalupe Gasca, S.J. as director.

TCHF was first established in Detroit in 1966 as an independent, non-profit, tax deductible organization. Since that time chapters have also been created in Louisiana in 1983 and Oregon in 1998. Our purpose is to raise money in the United States to support vital services provided to the Tarahumara Indians in The Copper Canyon of Mexico. The 60,000 Tarahumara Indians who live in the Sierra Mountains maintain life styles much like their ancient ancestors. Many still live in caves, without electricity or running water. Their dire poverty results in malnutrition, parasites, and many intestinal diseases, which still claim 40% of their children before their fifth birthday. The mission Tarahumara, headed by a compassionate Jesuit priest, provides a range of services to the Tarahumara people. First, a medical clinic was created. Today, it has 75 beds, 2/3 for children. The mission also has been responsible for digging water wells which provide safe drinking water for many people. A boarding school has been developed which teaches Indian children about their own culture, the Spanish language, and teaches them skills to make a living as farmers, craftsmen, and teachers of their people. Obviously, the Tarahumara people do not have the means to pay for services themselves. The mission must rely on the support of foundations and individuals who recognize the importance of both preserving a cultural heritage and ensuring the healthy future of a tribal community. Father Pedro Velasco, the Mission's administrator, believes strongly in helping people help themselves. The Mission does not just provide charity today. It trains and uplifts the Indian people so that they can provide for themselves tomorrow. Please visit the rest of our site for more information about the Mission Tarahumara. Thank you for visiting us and we invite you to consider stopping in at our donation center. 

   Sincerely,  

John Brockamp,  President, Tarahumara Children's Hospital Fund of Oregon 

 For a comprehensive overview, read the 2010 status report.  Click Here