Text transcribed from original caption.

C-42259

PLANTATION PRIEST

EL PROGRESSO, Honduras -- Father Stephen Gross, S.J., baptizes a

baby inside a church made of sticks and thatch in a small village

which used to be labor/a camp for workers at the United Fruit banana

plantation near El Progresso, Honduras.

Father Gross lives at the Jesuit-supported center for leadership

training called La Fragua in El Progresso. Five days a week he

drives his jeep out to a community in the plantation-dominated area,

administers baptisms and marriages and offers Mass. He also discusses

local problems and community needs with the congregation. Because

he serves about 40 communities, it takes him as long as two months

to complete the circut. He carries a small valise with him which

contains the robes, vestments, and accessories he needs to perform

the Sacraments.

Credit Must Read:

RELIGIOUS NEWS SERVICE PHOTO (SD-NY-11A-71-DS)