Dan Herbeck’s cross-country bike ride aims to raise funds for the San Lucas Mission

The ride commemorates founder Father Greg Schaffer’s 3,000+ mile walk from Minnesota to Guatemala.

New Ulm, Minnesota, native Dan Herbeck is setting off on a bicycle journey of a lifetime in honor of one of Minnesota’s most beloved priests, Father Greg Schaffer. Dan’s ride will trace parts of a 3,087 mile walk Father Greg took 50 years ago, from St. Paul, Minnesota to San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala, where the priest dedicated his life to service.

Father Greg was a New Ulm priest reassigned to serve a parish in San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala. He had a memorable impact on the people of both Minnesota and Guatemala.

Together with community members in San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala, Father Greg and the School Sisters of Notre Dame founded programs to increase access to education, housing, and healthcare in Guatemala. In 1972, Father Greg and two Guatemalan men–Elias Jacinto and Ronal Motta– walked from Minnesota to Guatemala to raise money for these programs, known collectively as the San Lucas Mission.

Father Greg passed away in 2012, and today, the Mission’s work is run by Guatemalans and funded by Friends of San Lucas.

Dan remembers Father Greg visiting Holy Trinity, his childhood parish in New Ulm, to solicit funds for the Mission. 

Dan is motivated by a sense of responsibility, not only to his immediate neighbors, but also to those beyond our borders. His goal is to raise awareness of economic disparities in Guatemala through this ride. The funds he raises will change lives for people experiencing poverty in Guatemala.

Dan will begin his ride in mid-September and plans on concluding in mid-January 2023. To sponsor Dan’s ride, click here.

Update: After 38 days, Dan has now completed his ride! Congratulations, Dan!