Sister Parish

San Jose Ojos de Agua, El Salvador and St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Burien, WA USA

Celebrating over 27 years of two Parishes, one people of God. This program was started in 1996 to assist the villages of El Salvador in rebuilding their communities, churches and schools following a devastating civil war.  Over the years, this relationship has grown to include a reciprocal sharing of time, talents and treasures.  Our Sister Parish community includes 14 villages in the rural mountains of the district of Chalatenango.  We have one parish priest supporting these villages along with dozens of community members who assist him.

We send a delegation to visit our Sister parish every other year. On alternating years members of our Sister Parish come to Burien and visit with our parish. Many members of our parish have participated in these trips, along with many families and youth, as we travel to the villages. When we visit, we stay with kind families who graciously open their doors to us and meet with all of the children, families, and pastoral councils involved in our programs, which include music, art, dance and college scholarship programs.


Family-to-Family Program

We have an educational support program which was started over 15 years ago to assist these families, primarily farmers, so that their children can attend local public schools. We now have over 40 children and families in the program in nine villages. Cost is only $300 a year to support an entire family, purchase school uniforms and supplies, provide medical, dental and vision exams for the children and their families, along with providing nutritional supplements. Please consider participating in this exciting relationship, as the families and children enjoy being able to develop personal relationships with the families here!