Hand of Help

APDO. # 13, C.P. 76270

Colon, Queretaro, Mexico

Telephone Direct: 011-52-429-2-02-48

August/September, 1993

A Shared Thought To Our Friends of Santa Maria

In the last newsletter Father Clifford mentioned that he has been meeting with Father-James Flanagan, Director of the Society of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity and with Bishop Mario Gosperen, Bishop of Queretaro, regarding the Society of Our Lady's role in providing continuity for this work. Father Clifford asked me to share with you more about the Society.

The Society of our Lady of the Holy Trinity is a new community in the Church which was founded in 1958. The community encompasses all vocations: priests, deacons, sisters and single and married laity. The Society's purpose is to form ecclesial teams which are placed at the service of the Church throughout the world in areas of great human and spiritual need. It is a missionary community. Within the Society of Our Lady, ecclesial teams are the basis of its common community life as well as the vehicle through which its missions are staffed.

Ecclesial teams are a unique characteristic of the Society, and demonstrate visibly the fact that all members of Christ's Body are called to be priestly people. Ecclesial teams, however, are more than just the grouping of different vocations. Within the Society of Our Lady they are marked by their common brotherhood of graced friendships and each individual's calling to be a Disciple of Jesus and Mary. The Society of Our Lady is presently serving in four regions of the world: Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and North America. Father Flanagan and we believe that it is God's will that the Society join hands with Father Clifford and continue to serve the children of Mexico through the Hand Of Help Project. We ask for your prayers so that God's will maybe done.

Sr. Maria Teresa Pacheco - S.O.L.T.

SANTA MARIA BRIEFS

An Introduction to Our Volunteers We are fortunate in having four long-term volunteers within our community. Jean Jasmine has returned to the Casa de Niños for a second year to continue her development of a Head Start program for the younger boys. Holding M.A.s in Elementary Education, Creative Writing, and Psychology and Counseling, Jean is focusing on creating a playroom for indoor learning activities, and providing playground and sports equipment for out door play. A teacher, rancher and writer while her two sons were growing up, she brings her love of learning, of plants and animals, of outdoor activities, and of carpentry to the boys at the Casa. Jean has traveled extensively and now is very happy living with and learning from the Mexican

Sally Blaser comes to us from Denver, Colorado to work with the children at the Secundaria schoolat Santa Maria. A photographer, Spanish teacher and mother of two grown children, she enjoys working with students here on their English skills and-artistic development. She is impressed with the knowledge of English the students already have and their friendliness and eagerness to learn. Sally holds degrees in Spanish and Latin American Studies At Colorado Academy in Denver she taught Spanish at the high school level for nine years. She has lived in South America and traveled and photographed extensively in Central America and Mexico.

Jacob Abeytia is a California native who currently hails from the Central valley of the state. A member of the Lathrop Catholic Community, he is 36 years old and single. Jacob brings management skills, gained from his work in the construction industry and as a manager for American Red Cross Disaster Services, which he hopes to use here. Besides his regular duties at the Casa de Nifios, he is involved in many special projects for the program. Jacob is here until August of 1994 and can probably be persuaded to stay longer if we can get more NFL games on the television.

Helen Williams is another Denver resident working with the children at the Secundaria school at Santa Maria. She teaches English to the primer grado (equivalent to 7^th grade) and typing/computers to all of the students. Helen worked as executive assistant to Governor Roy Romet for many years, leaving in 1989 to return to college. Last year, after 22 years of attending college when time and funds permitted, she received a B.A. in Broadcast Communications with a minor in Spanish. A lifelong interest in the beautiful Spanish language and a deep love and concern for children brought her to Santa Maria.

THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR - Once again we are in full swing and moving along nicely as the school year began August 30^th here in Mexico. It is always an interesting task that we have in getting all of the children ready for the first day. I have seen families with 3 and 4 children going almost berserk attempting to get their children prepared for that'."mystifying" first day. Then compare that "major" situation to our little family of 180 thirteen of which approximately 162 attend school. Organization is absolutely a must, but no matter how well prepared one may be, chaos always strikes and then the tears flow and the quick "hankies" al- wiping them away and assuring the child that the end of the world isn't arriving. Yet, happiness, anxiety, joy, suspense, wonderment and fear all seem to blend together when our loving staff are working joyfully together in offering security, affirmation and acceptance to our little ones. Love binds all together beautifully. As always, we want to assure you of our prayers and ourlove. Without you we are unable to fulfill our task and ourmission. With you we are able to give greater honor andglory to God - our goal in life.

Sincerely yours,

Children, Staff and Fr. Cliff Norman