The Vincentians are expanding their presence in Panama as Fr. John Carney, CM, began an assignment in Bocas del Toro on October 4, 2024.

Located in the Central American country’s northeast, Bocas del Toro attract tourists, providing its residences with work. Yet, the tourists are not churchgoers, and the community needed someone familiar with Panamanian culture.

The assignment came into being, a product of collaboration between the Eastern Province and Bishop Anibal Saldaña Santamaría, OAR.

Within the next year, Fr. Carney hopes to maintain Catholic services both in churches and at people’s homes, which can be a challenge.

“In some of these [Panamanian] communities, the priest might only get there once a month,” Fr. Carney said.

This leads him to another one of his goals: to grow lay formation.

“People are coming together to read the Word on Sunday or people coming together for catechetics,” Fr. Carney said. “But, that’s not every community.

“And catechetics is not just preparing for a sacrament when you’re eight years old. Catechetics is an ongoing formation,” Fr. Carney said. “I’d like to help people to appreciate the importance of their ongoing formation.”

Despite this being the Vincentians’ first presence in the region in some time, there’s already a notable devotion to not only Mary but the Miraculous Medal as well, thanks to the Augustinians and the Legion of Mary’s presence through the years.