Casa de Niños y Ancianos Santa Maria de Mexicano, A.C.

Hand of Help

APDO. # 337, C.P. 76000

Queretaro, Mexico

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

New Fax Direct: 011-52-429-2-00-46

Aug.-Sept. 1994

Dear Friends and Benefactors,

St. Paul said it so plainly and yet we are unable to grasp the power of truth contained in his words: "I have accounted all else rubbish so that Christ may be my wealth." (Ph. 3:8) We seem to get so hung up on trivia that we throw the pearls out to be wasted away.. We gladly accept garbage instead of gold. Why? Myopicism! We refuse to adjust our vision to encounter the distant reality of the beyond. Sad? Horrendously so! How do we get back to values and priorities that can put meaning of hope, peace and satisfaction into our lives? One of the easiest and most fulfilling ways to get out of the driver's seat and let the Lord take control of the trip of life. We all too frequently have the innate tendency to foul up without hardly even trying. Letting the reality of Jesus being Lord of our lives and letting Him in on our decision making plans can save us so much in life. Jesus will lead us to His Father, who is also our Father. This very same Father loves me as He loves His Son Jesus. He loves us, He wants us, our names are written on the palm of His hand, every thought that we have is known to Him. Every hair on our head is numbered. Wow! That is a thought and then some! To get into this reality of life, we must simply put more emphasis on the spirit, and control the flesh. The pain, irritation and discipline isn't all that bad. The rewards and benefits won't compare to what the government, your company, stocks or whatever, might promise you. Eternal Life is not a fantasy. It is the most real promise that Jesus gave us. "Jesus, bring us to our Father.

OFF AND RUNNING You can't imagine how aware we are of the beginning of the new school year. Lots of new faces filled with anxiety, worry, confusion and wonderment. A very high percentage arrive with these traumas. The enormous satisfaction that the staff experiences as we see how quickly these traumas are dissipated is well worth our efforts to make them feel loved and wanted. At last count we had, including the non-schoolers, 197 children and 23 adults distributed among our four houses:

SANTA MARIA: 67 boys and girls attending Secondary (Junior High/High School) and 34 boys in fourth through sixth grades. Ages 12-18.

ST. ANTHONY'S BOY'S HOME: 53 boys, Kindergarten through third grades, and Special Education students. Ages 4 months-15 years.

SAN JUAN DIEGO GIRL'S HOME: 43 girls, Kindergarten through sixth grades, and Special Education students. Ages 3-15 years.

SAN JOSE NURSING HOME: 23 handicapped and elderly adults. Ages 15 through 101.

STAFF MEMBER JEAN JASMINE GREETS NEW FRIENDS IN BOULDER AND DENVER, COLORADO. This past summer Jean "Mari" Jasmine met with many residents of Boulder County. Jean was thrilled by their interest and ongoing support of our program, and returned safely after an easy border crossing with all donated items. She sends her love and I send my gratefulness to each and every one of you.

JUAN CARLOS - A young man, not typical, common but not all too common. Arrived filled with hatred and distrust of everyone. Juan Carlos had recently run away from home and lived for a short time on the beaches of Acapulco. His mother divorced his abusive father, and now has a "number" of boyfriends. This young man is 15 years old, but has the experience of a 35-year-old coupled with the maturity of a 10-year-old. He is one of many. How does one proceed to explain to them that we must love, respect and obey our parents? What they have been through has been tragic and at the same time a travesty of family life. Juan is responding to love, attention, affirmation and discipline. This will take time. He has promised me that some time in the near future he will give his mother at least a hug. Hopefully in the near future, he might add: "Mom, I love you." Please pray for the many Juan Carlos'. They are crying out.

THE PARADOX OF DEATH - Lupita was her name. Suffering was her fate in life. Love and joy, sadness and tears were her gifts to us. Little Lupita came to us three years ago, handicapped by paralysis, with a blackened and blued face and body. The mother responded: "She fell from the sofa." A lie, tinted by a thread of truth. We received her with joy and with an obvious thought about justice. God will settle this account. Sister Maria Teresa and I thought aloud as we cuddled her and quickly sent the mother and "father" off into the darkness. Lupita did not grow much physically, but her eyes showed us her open heart, filled with peace and gratitude. All the girls and particularly Sister Maria Teresa loved and cared for her daily for three years. Many trips to the hospitals, three operations, countless hours of sleeplessness, much worry, rivers of tears were seen flowing so closely to our home. The day finally arrived. I prayed for her death. Sister Teresa prayed for a miracle. I finally won out. The Lord took her to Himself one beautiful dark night that turned into brightness. Lupita has been taken from us. Sadness abounded but joy superabounded. I named her patron and Guardian Angel of our homes. Please believe me, she is working in our behalf in heaven today. For a six-year-old angel, she is filled with great power and is now so lovingly caring for us.

RE: TRANSITION FROM BENEDICTINE$ TO OUR LADY'S SOCIETY-. THE WHO? WHAT? and WHY? Many have asked . . WHO? are those belonging to "The Society of Our Lady of the Blessed Trinity"? In a word, they are Lovers of the Virgin Mary and are totally dedicated to the Blessed Trinity. That In itself is somewhat easy to say, but rather difficult to live. I have known several members of the Society for many years and I have been blessed by their friendship and impressed by their dedication of service to both God and humanity. Sister Mary Teresa, Society member for 25 years and staff member these past eight years at Santa Maria, is the personification of the Society: faithfulness, prayerful spirit, generosity in service to others, love of God, Mary, and in her case, a tender mother of so many children. WHAT? is their finality or reason to function? For brevity sake, I can only say that their founder, Fr. Jim Flannigan, is a man of tremendous faith, courage, an incredible work ethic, completely and unwaveringly committed to sanctity through Mary enlaced totally in the Blessed Trinity. The founder usually reflects the membership of a community. This is realized in the Society by their Christ-centered lives. I personally am most-impressed by this spirit of prayer and commitment to Church. And finally the WHY? Continuity of 18 years of blood, sweat and tears and the certainty that this program will continue for many, many years after my death and perhaps yours also. I will remain as director, God willing, for many years to come. Harmony will prevail and many bodies and souls will be saved.

SANTA MARIA BRIEFS Weather is beautiful, mean temperature of 70 Fred Cordova's new kitchen in the Casa de Niños is a beautiful blessing and Fred's promised return anxiously awaited . . . . . LeRoy Salazar and Colorado friends making plans for a February visit Sewing and Computer classes in full swing here Jean Jasmine's children's "Learning-Play Room booming My health is a miracle of God's love the kids are overwhelmingly hypertensive Sorry, adoptions are impossible (would love to "gift wrap" about 50 of them tomorrow but Customs would immediately reject!) 12-13 good, sound finds, bodies and souls needed to give staff a needed rest Building much-needed infirmary for when 15-20 kids come down with mumps or measles at the same time Haven't paid our electric bill for two months, they threatened to cut off electricity -- I threatened to drop off 25 little rascals at the company's door -- they reconsidered -- still have lights and all the kids.

TRIVIA QUESTION: What is "Living faith"? A: Having 9 vehicles, 4 homes, 220 family members, 20 employees and not one dollar spent on life or hospital insurance. (Living faith?, or someone is completely insane.!)

Our sincere gratitude, prayers and confidence in your continued friendship.

The Children, Staff and Fr. Cliff Antonio Norman