By Father Luis A. Rivero - Archdiocese of Miami
![Archbishop Thomas Wenski and Bishop Manuel Valarezo anoint the altar of the Parroquia Cristo Salvador in the Galapagos.](https://www.miamiarch.org/Atimo_s/articles_images/imported/1294233745584.jpg)
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
Archbishop Thomas Wenski and Bishop Manuel Valarezo anoint the altar of the Parroquia Cristo Salvador in the Galapagos.
![Archbishop Thomas Wenski and Bishop Manuel Valarezo place a relic in the altar of the Parroquia Cristo Salvador in the Galapagos.](https://www.miamiarch.org/Atimo_s/articles_images/imported/1294234034218.jpg)
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
Archbishop Thomas Wenski and Bishop Manuel Valarezo place a relic in the altar of the Parroquia Cristo Salvador in the Galapagos.
The Galapagos Islands, located off the coast of Ecuador, are home to a wealth of species such as tortoises, marine iguanas, penguins, finches, etc. Aside from their famous creatures, the islands are home to many people who live in the National Park of the Galapagos, people who have a deep-rooted faith and strong family values.
In 2001, St. Thomas the Apostle adopted a parish in the island of Isabela. Father Daniel Kubala, pastor, traveled to the Galapagos with the intention of exploring the island that bore the same name as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
![Aerial view of Isabela Island, Galapagos.](https://www.miamiarch.org/Atimo_s/articles_images/imported/1294234210343.jpg)
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
Aerial view of Isabela Island, Galapagos.
Back in Miami, Father Kubala told his parish community about the needs of the faithful in Isabela, a place with unpaved roads and a church that was condemned after being destroyed by a tsunami.
The response of the faithful at St. Thomas the Apostle was an overall agreement to help their brethren in need.
�It took over three years to slowly gather materials brought in by ship from the mainland, Ecuador, as well as many man-hours donated by the faithful to build their new church,� said Father Kubala.
![Father Angel Calderon, pastor of the Parroquia Cristo Salvador, anoints one of the Stations of the Cross in the newly-built church.](https://www.miamiarch.org/Atimo_s/articles_images/imported/1294234327384.jpg)
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
Father Angel Calderon, pastor of the Parroquia Cristo Salvador, anoints one of the Stations of the Cross in the newly-built church.
The archbishop was joined by a delegation of representatives from St. Thomas the Apostle. His trip marked the first visit to the Galapagos by a Miami archbishop.
�The consecration of the church was a joyous occasion with a multitude of faithful, leaving standing room only,� said Father Kubala. �A church filled with great joy and gratitude, voices and souls united to praise God on that Sunday morning in July.�
![After the Mass and consecration ceremony, the townspeople of Isabela gathered outside of the church, which was decorated with balloons and flags flying the papal colors of yellow and white, and expressed their gratitude with a series of folkloric dances and songs. Archbishop Wenski got in on the action by cutting an oversized cake and serving it to all the faithful.](https://www.miamiarch.org/Atimo_s/articles_images/imported/1294234125983.jpg)
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
After the Mass and consecration ceremony, the townspeople of Isabela gathered outside of the church, which was decorated with balloons and flags flying the papal colors of yellow and white, and expressed their gratitude with a series of folkloric dances and songs. Archbishop Wenski got in on the action by cutting an oversized cake and serving it to all the faithful.
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