The Mission of Friendship/Mision de Amistad
11/20/2025
Thousands of miles and a national border apart, the friendships are as strong as ever. On Sept. 24, 1971, a formal relationship began between the Diocese of Erie and the Archdiocese of Yucatán in México. The “Mission of Friendship” as it came to be known, is an international effort to forge relationships of faith, friendship and mutual support between families in our neighboring nations. Nearly 55 years later, these relationships are strong and now seek to involve a new generation in this exciting mission.
The primary goal of the Mission of Friendship (MOF) collaboration is establishing and maintaining relationships. The secondary goals are to mutually support each diocese spiritually, and with material and educational needs.
These goals are carried out through the following programs:
• The Amigos Program invites families in the United States to sponsor low-income families in the city of Mérida, Yucatán. The families exchange cards and letters throughout the year, while the sponsor families make small monthly contributions to help with educational expenses for Mexican families’ minor children. Currently, 84 families participate in the Amigos family sponsorship program.
• The Center for Integrated Childhood Development in Mérida now hosts the newly combined program that brings together the former Los Amiguitos daycare and Nueva Vida girls' programs. This integrated initiative more efficiently provides healthy meals, tutoring and mentoring through daycare and after-school services for children ages 2 to 14.
• The MOF no longer operates the former medical dispensary. However, in collaboration with local volunteers, essential services such as psychological support, parenting workshops and eye and dental care are still provided to families in need.
• The Sister Parish Program is represented by 14 parishes in the Diocese of Erie and the Archdiocese of Yucatán. They each have a sister parish relationship where they exchange correspondence and mutual prayer, and parish groups visit each other as a cultural exchange.
One of the most exciting aspects of the MOF is the visiting groups. Each year college groups, parish groups and individuals visit the MOF programs in Mérida, as well as visit their sister parishes and sponsored Amigos families. The MOF staff in México help to plan and facilitate these visits.
For more than half a century, the Mission of Friendship has been building bridges between our two neighboring countries. Now, a new generation of participants is needed to continue this good work for another 50 years.
This outreach is made possible through the generous gifts to the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) and the support of the Diocese of Erie Missions Office. Financial and human resources are needed now more than ever to continue this important work. We invite you to prayerfully consider becoming involved in this ministry, right here in our own diocese.
For more information about the Mission of Friendship, click here or contact Indira Suárez in the Office of Diocesan and International Missions.
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