Santa Maria del Mexicano de Colon, QRO. I.A.P.

APDO. Postal No. 13, C.P. 76270

Colon, Queretaro, Mexico

To dial phone direct from U.S. 011 52 429 20245

Direct FAX from U.S. 011 52 429 20046

Mexico: LADA (91-429) 20248

FEB.-MARCH '1996

DEAR FRIENDS AND BENEFACTORS:

There is a challenge in us all to be number one. This a "tug of war" is going on within us constantly. Society tells us we can be number one if we wear the trendiest clothes, have the right car, use the most popular make-up, drink the favorite cola or beer and attend the most sophisticated parties where the most important and beautiful people are present. If we are part of this crowd we should have all the necessary means to bring us to the pinnacle of success. Then, we will mingle with the VIP's and share their Number One elite category.

Having known some of these "number one's" in life, I've found they don't feel they have everything they thought their position would give. Something is wrong, but what is it? Turning to the Great Teacher, Jesus Christ, we find He both taught and lived opposite of that which the "wonderful" and "subtle" Propaganda has been teaching us through the years. Our "worldly prophets each us that happiness can be ours by reaching into our pockets pulling out our credit cards or money and buying, buying, buying. Then we can have everything. And then we will be happy. Any thinking person knows recognizes this as a blatant lie. The more material junk we have to carry around, the more problems and stress we will have too. We know this to be true, yet we are unable to convince ourselves of its reality. What does Jesus teach us about being number one? "If you want to be first in eternal life, you must be last here oh earth." What a mouth full that is! Or even a bit more interesting. If you want part of me, you must take up your cross daily and follow me. Yet, our all wise and knowing TV personalities tell us what nonsense these teachings are and we believe. How truly sad. So what can we do? Search for the truth. Where is the truth? In man? I can't say too many human beings are all that truthful. The truth is to be found in He who said, "I am the way, I am the truth and I am the life. Jesus the God-Man said it all. So, if you want to be "number one", follow Jesus a little closer, with a bit more sincerity and you will be that #1. This is the only goal that counts when it comes to life hereafter. The Gallup or Harris polls might have some little value in life but personally, I would rather be on the top of the "Poll of Life."The same one Jesus is taking.

STILL DREAMING I am always telling the children, "Set your goals as high as you possibly can and then plan, organize and execute." Next, work as though everything depended only on yourself and pray as though everything depended on God for the success of your goal. I follow this same plan and it works at least 80% of the of the time. When it does fail, upon examination, I find the failure was caused by my lack of prayer or lack of work. The above is my plan for working on my latest dream. My dream for an elementary school which will be private and specialized for our very "special children." Our children come to us with so many different problems. Once we put them into the public school system the problems are compounded for both the school and our children. These are children who have been living in the jungle or streets for a year or two without any supervision or discipline. Then the are laced into one of our homes and schools at which time it is extremely difficult to make the proper adjustment. For both the children and the staff, it's like mixing oil and water or eating chile and pies. The answer? A lot of work, planning and the realization of the dream for our own private school.

When you have 270 children, with at least 270 different problems, it can be a chaotic, frustrating three ring circus. I know this dream will take a minor miracle, but then, miracles are just for the asking says the Lord. Ask along with me and we just might find the Lord feeling sorry for our kids. Then with a little act of mercy and compassion, we'll have our school by next September. Besides, St. Philomena enjoys this type of challenge.

WHY DOESN'T MY MOMMY LOVE ME?

Almost daily, or at least, too frequently, we are confronted with some heart breaking questions whose answers aren't easy to come up with. Many of our little ones, and at this moment I am thinking of three little brothers, 6,7, & 8 years of age, have difficulty understanding why they have had much hurt in their lives which have been so short. They are precocious and filled with life, but their life has been filled with much sorrow and tears. When the common "mommy" question came up from 5 year-old, Michele, the other day, Sr. Mary Teresa was just as sad as little Michele. The three of the brothers talked among themselves to try to come up with the right answer. How a mother can abandon her three children and not visit them for 1 ½ years requires a very serious reason. She might have one, but if she ever shows up I'll be the one asking the tough questions and hopefully she will have the right answers. So how do we respond? We prove to them that between Jesus and ourselves loving them, they have more love than most children have in this world. And when they give you their big bear hugs you know they believe you.

A SURPRISE VISIT FROM MY BROTHER When I visiting my brother Ray last October, he said he would soon be coming down to see our program. Knowing my brother, I didn't take this too seriously. But low and behold, March 12 he shows up for the first time in twenty years. He was overwhelmed with what he saw and experienced. Since his return to California, he has been almost a constant "public relations" man for us. Both the Lord and the children touched a man who said, "I am the hardest person in the world to impress. I went away from your place both impressed and amazed at what is happening with those supposedly undesirable children." I would also like to invite any of you to come and see how your, money is being put to use. I promise, you will be reduced to tears as you talk to and see how the children are growing and living, really living, for the first time in their lives.

SANTA MARIA BRIEFS

EASTER WEEK CAMP OUT - We were invited for Easter break by Don Jose Luis, a neighbor and friend of ours, to camp but at his ranch. The children have a beautiful swimming pool to play in and a ton of land for playing. Then with Don Jose Luis furnishing lots of good food and helping us during the week, it's been what we all needed. -The ranch will never be the same, nor will Don Jose Luis.

NEW ROAD - With pick and shovel the boys are making a new road into the country side located in bur "Mother home" Santa Maria. This will keep the "unwanted" out and give the children and guests greater and more secure access. Our boys built a 300 ft. rock fence three feet high in legs than 40 working hours. The road will be over 2000 feet of digging and shoveling.

Hugs and Kisses from all the Children, Staff and Fr. C.A. Norman