Rafael and Desi Cob
Sometimes, our preparations for major events can become quite abstract, but the Belize Mission group at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church is remaining grounded in community, thanks to a recent visit from key collaborators Rafael and Desi Cob. The Cobs came up from Belize to visit the US in July, and they spent a few days in our Bourbonnais-Kankakee region.
“Rafael is a relationships person who is very good at staying connected to people,” Pre-Associate Amanda Fierce said – she is planning the January 2027 trip together with MBVM Director of Liturgy and Music Chris Lord.
“Our connection to the Viatorians starts with their serving in Corozal, going back to 1998,” Rafael said, in a YouTube interview that Chris Lord recorded with him and Desi.
From our time ministering in Belize, the Cobs know Viatorians such as MBVM Parochial Vicar and Belize native Fr. Moses Mesh, CSV, Bishop Christopher Glancy, CSV, and many others. “Rafael has been instrumental in helping us to collaborate with the people in Belize and make a difference in their lives,” Chris said in the video. “We’re thrilled for Rafael and Desi to meet with our groups from the 2025 and 2027 mission teams to further our work and prepare for this upcoming mission in January.”
(Top) Rafael joined with Chris’ and the MBVM music ministry at Mass before (bottom) sharing in greater depth about Compassion Belize at the evening potluck dinner.
These days, the relationship endures through Compassion Belize, the organization Rafael serves as Mission Director alongside Ohio-based staff. “Our mission in Belize is to serve the people in need – helping with groceries, counseling, visits to the elderly, and more. We have been working with seven groups, from Ohio and Wisconsin as well as MBVM, and they are really blessing the people of Belize,” Rafael said.
At MBVM, the Cobs caught up with Fr. Moses, visited with Pastor Fr. Jason Nesbit, CSV, who also spent some time in ministry in Belize, and had time to share more deeply with members of the parish. MBVM invited the Cobs to Saturday evening Mass – where Rafael joined music ministry with his guitar – and gathered members of the 2025 and 2027 mission groups for a potluck dinner and discussion. They shared some stories and reflections from the last trip while also looking ahead to the plans coming together for next one.
Associate Mileen Joines (right) is a professional firefighter and paramedic whose ties with Belize go back to Viatorian medical missions to Belize.
Earlier in the Cobs’ visit, they spent time with Bishop Chris. They saw his parishes, joined the Viatorians at St. Patrick Parish rectory for a meal, and enjoyed an evening out. “I took Rafael and Desi out to Sacred Heart for Wednesday rosary, and I got to introduce him to a few more people. And they got to see other parts of our community, too, further out into the countryside,” Bishop Chris said.
This parish mission group enjoys strong continuity: Rafael’s organization, Fr. Moses’ relationships, Chris Lord’s leadership, and the continued involvement of stalwart parishioners, including Associates Mileen and Jimmy Joines, whose roots go back to the medical missions from many years ago. They also welcome new participants and new leadership, including from Amanda, who began as coordinator of youth ministry in 2025 and is now excited to dive into this round.
As Amanda learns the many great ties and bonds in this ministry, she is in awe of the movement of the Holy Spirit. “Stories like this just grow legs and get so big,” Amanda said. “It’s clear that God is orchestrating things with us and through us.”
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