The following is an historical memory offered by Seamus Corcoran regarding Don Eduardo Cano and his work with our friars in helping to establish and maintain the mission in Paraguay.

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On June 13, 1960, the future prelate, Fr. Jerome Pechillo, T.O.R. and Fr. Juniper Nyland, T.O.R. arrived in Coronel Oviedo to officially begin the mission.� While the future friary was being constructed, they stayed with the Salesians at their parish.

Don Eduardo Cano became a reliable and faithful worker and builder.� His work for us and among us was to become his life-long task.� He first worked on the church which was a mere shell.� Later this �shell� became the Cathedral of the Diocese.� He was the constructor of the towers and plastered the building inside and out.� With another construction worker, Francisco Sanabria, he worked on the roof.� Cano unofficially became the builder for the bishop at Coronel Oviedo.

Before completion of the Cathedral, Eduardo Cano began work on the building of the church of The Three Kings in Carayao under the watchful eye of Fr. Adalbert Wolski, T.O.R.� It is one of the most well-built and beautiful country churches in the diocese and even in the country.� Fr. Cyprian Mercieca, T.O.R. also worked in the parish after Fr. Adalbert.� Fr. Columba Enright, T.O.R. later added the bell tower to the Church. Cano was also responsible for building the attached youth center, �Cristo Rey,� and laying the floor.

Under the direction of Bishop Jerome, Cano also built the local parochial school in Coronel Oviedo which later became the Diocesan Educational Center and bears the name of Bishop Jerome.� Over the years Cano was �our man Friday� in building and maintaining the friary and the youth center along with Bro. Alexis Nagle, T.O.R. Eduardo Cano also worked with Bishop Jerome on re-roofing the Chapel of Saint Rose of Lima and many other chapels in the Diocese.

Near that same period he received a call from Fr. Raphael Eagle, T.O.R. to rebuild the church at the international center, Cristo Redentor.� He continued many tasks with Fr. Peter Chavez, T.O.R. in that same parish.

Under the watchful instruction of Bro. Alexis, Cano became the official sacristan at the Cathedral, a position he still holds for over 42 years having served many pastors and four bishops to date.� He is now known as �Cano of the Cathedral.�

Called out of semi-retirement by Fr. Seamus Corcoran, T.O.R., Eduardo Cano helped to oversee the construction of a new church, Our Lady of the Angels, in Simon Bolivar, one of the highest points in the Diocese.� It stands as a sign of prayer; all can see it from a great distance.

Eduardo Cano has many fond memories of the years he spent guiding, building, and working with the friars in Coronel Oviedo, Carayao and Simon Bolivar, as well as the kindness of Bishop Jerome.� Although he is no longer involved in construction work, he is still ready to give very sound advice when requested.� He deserves the thanks of our friars and a special blessing.

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