Today, under the guidance of his Grace Bishop Youssef, Bishop of Bolivia, and the association Windows for Widow, the church has celebrated the annual day of widows by organizing a special dinner. This dinner was attended by widows and single mother who were congratulated for their hard work and encouraged to persevere.  During this celebration, His Grace Bishop Youssef shared with the women the hope found in psalm 68:5, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling”. May God keep providing for them and bless the fruits of their hand.

Sayedna returned back to Bolivia yesterday morning.

We took the occasion to celebrate his return as well as his 6th year anniversary ordination as a Bishop that was on the 11th of June (while he was away).

May God bless and give him the strength, health and wisdom to lead over our diocese for many many more years.

Here are some pictures for you!

It is with sadness we announce today that Abouna Hedra Anba Paula will not be returning to Bolivia at this time. Per his request, he has chosen to return at Anba Paula’s monastery in Egypt.

On behalf of His Grace Bishop Youssef, Abouna Anthony, Abouna Yolios, the servants and the whole congregation, we would sincerely like to thank Abouna Hedra for all of his service, work, and love to our church here in Bolivia.

Abouna Hedra dedicated 5 years of his life to serve our congregation in Santa Cruz. We wish to thank him for all of the work he’s done here including taking care of many administrative aspects of running the church, giving the adult’s meeting, taking confessions, etc… Abouna Hedra was also active in ecumenical meetings in the community, helping share our faith with other branches of Christianity and other religions.

We are very grateful that Abouna Hedra was able to spend so much time with us here in Bolivia. We will truly miss his radiant smile, his genuine care for us, and the wisdom with which he helped guide many of our congregation members.

We pray that God blesses him for all of his service and continues to guide him as he resumes the monastic life at Anba Paula’s monastery.

On behalf of the entire congregation of the Cathedral of St Mary and St Mark in Santa Cruz Bolivia including: the clergy, the deacons, the Sunday school classes, the youth, the staff of the Pope Shenouda medical centre, the staff of the St. Anba Abraham daycare, the staff of the St. George Bakery and the members of St. Anba Abraham group we would like to congratulate our Father, Shepherd and Bishop on his sixth anniversary as the Bishop of Bolivia.

We ask the Lord to surround him with the angle of peace and to keep him on his throne for many years and peaceful time with good health.

May the Lord remember us in his prayers.

During the feast of St Anba Abraham the St Anba Abraham group from church went and visited various special needs homes, orphanages as well as homes for the elderly and provided them with various services. May the prayers of Abba Abraham be with all of us AMEN.

Our youth just came back from a 3 day trip to a place called “Robore”, around 7 hours away from church by bus. They where accompanied with Abouna Yolios and everyone truly enjoyed it!

Here are some pictures for you!