Saint Irenaeus Catholic Church Counter Schedule

Archdiocese of Detroit
Pontiac Vicariate

O.C.I.M.A.

Overseas and Continential Independent Mercy Association

Founded by Fr. Nick Amico in 1979, OCIMA, has been the source of strength and education for many people in Guatemala and Ecuador.

The "Internado de Santa Rosa" in Guatemala, houses and educates 73 young women so that they may develop a future career in a country that is laden with poverty and oppression. Recently, 20 young men have been accepted into the program, and additional facilities have been acquired.

In Morales, Guatemala, the emphasis is on the Santa Rosa de Lima Nutrition Center which is directed and staffed by Sr. Helen, O.P., M.D. Also on staff is a full time nutritionist for the children and their families. OCIMA provides the only full time nutrition center in all of Guatemala.

There is also the Santa Elena orphanage, directed by Sr. Rosalia Pedroni, OP, cares for 33 girls ages 3 to 22 years. The orphanage is about a 3 hour drive from Morales.

In Ecuador, we continue to help with a maternity clinic and the development of co-ops. (The co-ops are responsible for manufacturing tagua jewelry and other art products that are exported for sale mainly in Italy, the U. S. and other countries). Many food products, jellies, sausages, hams, candies, especially cheeses which are famous throughout all of Ecuador, are produced for internal consumption because they cannot be exported. The excellent cheeses made in all of Ecuador cannot be exported.

The people of St. Irenaeus Catholic Community have long supported the efforts of Fr. Nick in Guatemala and Ecuador. Through fund raisers and raffles, monies have been given to Fr. Nick and used to support housing and pay tuition for attending students and building structures when necessary. 99.3% of all monies donated to OCIMA are applied directly to help the people. This awesome percentage is unmatched anywhere in the world, we believe.

Fr. Nick is always happy to update us with the latest happenings in Guatemala and Ecuador, and several parishioners have traveled with him to see for themselves the fruit of our works.

O.C.I.M.A. in ECUADOR

"Mi Casa" or My House is the Multi-Purpose Center built and entirely paid for by OCIMA in 1998. It is located in a poor section in south Quito, Ecuador. It houses a jewelry making shop, sewing project, chicken raising project and a multi-purpose room used by the youth and local residents of the area for meetings and even wakes.

Fr. Nick Amico and friends at the side of the Multi-Purpose Center.

The sewing industry is housed in the Multi-Purpose Center.

Sorting tagua nuts for jewelry making, also housed in the Multi-Purpose Center

The first floor meeting room of the Multi-Purpose Center provides a place for the youth and residents of the community to gather.

The Nutrition Center in north Quito is always a busy place, providing meals and
healthy eating education to the participants.

Children who benefit from the Nutrition Center programs.

A chocolate factory, cottage industry, in the rural city of Salinas de Bolivar, Ecuador provides chocolate products for export. It is located about 150 miles south of Quito. In the same city area cheese and sausage are made.

Ceramics provide an export industry. This small factory is located in Quito.

GUATEMALA PROJECTS

Fr. Nick and friends at the Orphanage in Santa Elena

Having fun with bubbles at the Orphanage in Santa Elena.

Fr. Nick and families at the St. Rose of Lima Nutrition Center in Morales.

Also at the Nutrition Center, Samuel awaits prosthetics to replace his missing leg and eventually his arms.

TWINS participating with their mom and dad at the
Nutrition Center.

Graduation Day for Students of Santa Rosa
These young women have obtained their teaching certificates and will now return home to their villages to teach.

Fiesta for the Graduates