Here are some interesting links on Cuba :

CIA The World Factbook

The Free Encyclopedia Wikipedia

May Cuba, with all its magnificent possibilities, open itself to the world and may the world be open to Cuba! This was the very first wish expressed by Pope John Paul in his address at Havana airport when he started his historic visit to Cuba on January 21, 1998.

Here is a nation that has a rich culture and abundant natural landscape all set within the gentle warmth of the Caribbean Sea. The island of Cuba is the largest of the Caribbean islands and one of the world's last bastions of communism. About 70 percent of its population of 11 million lives in towns and cities. Along with the faded elegance of Havana and other major cities, unfold the island's seemingly endless beaches of fine coral-coloured sand and the often overlooked natural grandeur of its interior.

In the past centuries, thousands and thousands of Spaniards, Africans and other people from neighbouring islands entered Cuba. The cultural environment on the island is rich and diverse. Though the great majority of the population is of Spanish descent African folk art, music and dancing in particular, have profoundly influenced the people. Such a mixture of races and cultures helped produce a uniquely Cuban culture. Because of its history, language and culture, Cuba is considered one of the Latin American and Caribbean nations.

Steadfast Presence and Witness

For some decades, members of different religions institutes in Cuba have had to live their vocation in unusual circumstances and this, without renouncing what is specific to their charism and spirituality. They have had to adapt to the prevailing situation and respond to the pastoral needs of the people particularly through their much valued service of Christ in the poor, the sick and the elderly.

Our Community in Cuba, with now more than half a century of history, has formed deep bonds of friendship with the people and the Church. It was in July 1948, when twelve of our Sisters were first assigned to Cuba. In less than six years, 46 of them had landed on the Island. They worked closely with the priests of the Society of the Foreign Missions of Quebec (P.M.É.) in seven parishes of the province of Matanzas. These pioneer days were permeated with the faith adventure of the very beginnings; so too, the following years, during which our Sisters encouraged and sustained the people through the different stages of the revolution.

The revolutionary process that already made headway towards practical atheism gave rise to new situations and required new training. After the exodus in 1961, the remaining group consisted of only ten members. With the absence of schools, our Community faced the challenge of finding other ways to live its mission in Cuba. Determined as they were to maintain their apostolic commitment, the Sisters kept up their catechetical work in parishes and their visits to the families. They continued animating the Christian communities. But these faith groups were decreasing in numbers due to the massive exodus of Cubans to the United States.

Our Sisters learned how to live and share the people's faith discreetly, and at times, in difficult situations and with scanty means. Persevering with the people has enabled them to diversify their pastoral work and to reach out to places where they would not have gone had they stayed in the schools. it also allowed them to ensure a new generation of Cuban Sisters.

Text MIC MISSION NEWS (April-May-June 2002)
Maria Anthea Raso, m.i.c.