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

Hand of Help

APDO. # 13, C.P. 76270

Colon, Queretaro, Mexico

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

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

Jan. 1995

Dear Friends and Benefactors,

A SHARED THOUGHT: The Christmas Season has passed, but it remains still, indelibly imprinted in the hearts and minds of all of us here in the hills of Mexico where Santa Maria is situated. This season, including the feast of Ephphany, or as it is commonly known here "The feast of the Three Kings", is truly a memorable event for everyone who loves and cares. The entire staff and myself are so very fortunate in being called to serve our some 210 children. Many of these children had never experienced a "real" Christmas until they arrived here in our program. For most of them Christmas was just another day of work or sorrow. Others remembered begging on the streets for enough food to survive the day. One child vividly related how she was beaten and violated during this "season for children and love." Horrors have been experienced, traumas are recalled, yet God has given to us the healing power of love and acceptance. So many of our children have been "reborn" through this gift of love. Please pray that our capacity to love may increase within us daily.

A NOTE OF GRATITUDE All the staff and children send their sincere thanks to all of you for making Christmas 1994 one of the most beautiful ever. Because of your love and generosity, each child was presented with an entire outfit of clothing and shoes for Christmas. (That is no small task to organize and execute!) The night of Dec. 24th we had our annual Christmas, Eve Mass followed by a candlelit dinner at which some 1500 tamales, cake and chocolate were served. They ate as though they were celebrating the "Last Supper" instead of Christmas! On the feast of the "Three Kings" each child received toys or dolls and a big bag of goodies. Cries of joy and gratefulness were seen and heard in each home. Thank you so very much for making all of this possible. Heaven will be very much like this, I believe . . . . an eternal feast. How worthwhile is this program, giving such joy and hope to these little innocent ones. Thank you so very much.

CRISIS HERE IN MEXICO The shouting, criticizing, denouncing and demands for justice continue as one would expect throughout the entire country of Mexico two months after the devaluation of the peso. These have been months of turmoil and heartbreak for so many millions of despairing and poverty-stricken innocent families. More hardships are on the rise, thousands more relay soon be out of work, and another violent eruption is feared in the southern part of the country. What will happen, and when? There is much speculation, and theories are easy to offer. Solutions will be very difficult until many reforms are put into law. Human rights, more democracy, a non-biased public auditing of the network of politicians and public servants, less corruption and the return of billions of dollars stolen from the people by unscrouplous and mafia-oriented persons who have run this country are indeed part of the solution. Yet the problem seems to be more insidious than just that. As in the U.S., family life is disintegrating, decent morals and religious priorities are fading rapidly, and credibility in our leaders is under serious suspect. As in the U.S., until we replace God to His proper position and recognize Him as our focal point of life and once more restore man as dependent on God, much more suffering and misery is in store for us. History is only repeating itself. God help us!

SOME EX-ALUMNI AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING: During the Christmas season there are always a good number of young men and women who have graduated from Santa Maria and who return for a visit during this time of the year. Great joy filled our hearts on October 12th as Wenselous was ordained to the priesthood. I underwent surgery on Oct. 13th for a double hernia and missed this great moment.) On Dec. 15th we witnessed the ordination of Martin Felipe to the diaconate. He will be ordained in the next few months. Another three graduates from Santa Maria hopefully will be elevated to the priesthood within the next two years. Maria Carmen, Veronica and Claudia, who spent some eight years with us, are also doing very well. Abandoned by their father when they were babies, these girls experienced many traumas with their psychologically ill mother who one day just walked away and never returned. Exerting a great amount of discipline and hard work, they all successfully overcame this difficult background. Marie Carmen is now a Doctor of Dentistry, Veronica is employed as a Executive Secretary, and Claudia manages a small business in Mexico City.

REQUEST BOX Marie Carmen only recently received her certification to practiceand for the moment is borrowing instruments from a friend, since dental equipment is astronomically expensive here in Mexico. She has agreed to come and help withour children's dental needs. If any of you might be aware of some good used dental equipment which I could get for her, please call or "FAX" me. Maybe your favorite dentist might have an idea?

SALLY BLASER RETURNS HOME TO DENVER After 1 1/2 years serving in the capacity of English teacher and managing countless other activities in our program, Sally returned to Denver this past Christmas. She is greatly missed by everyone forthe joy and service she graciously radiated to all. Thank you so much, Sally.

COLORADO VISITORS During the month of December we were blessed with visitsfrom several friends from Colorado. Jim and Marguarite Mannelly of Durango cooked our fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner and then spent two work-filled weeks in the Girls' home helping Sr. Mary Teresa. Jim, Margaurite and the children were overwhelmedwith each other, to put it mildly Larry Shriver and David Wait also came and gave us some useful ideas, as always -- most appreciated Todd and Mary Gilmer and their five children from Denver spent several days helping out in many areas. . .. . .Mary's sister, Donna, also visited here for the first time David Radtke, Jeannine and her two boys visited for about three weeks. They brought with them three used computers which they set up for our computer class. How wonderful was their love and helpfulness rendered to all the children.

HOW THIS LETTER IS MAILED Because Mexican postage is twice the cost of U.S., I send these letters with whomever is going to the States and they mail them at their first opportunity. So don't be surprised that they might be coming through Cal., Co.,Ill., Tx. or even Oregon. It's cheaper and a lot faster than our "Burro Express!"

CHRISTMAS ARRIVES IN JANUARY Everyone was so pleased that Christmas arrived for a second time today, January 18, as two young enthusiastic religious rangthe doorbell at the Girls' Home. They had just come from Guatemala and have been assigned here to help Sr. Maria Teresa with our girls. They are still in spiritual formation, completing their second year of direction, with Sr. Mary Teresa as their director. All the girls were happy to receive them and I am sure that Sr. Angelina and Sr. Esperanza will enjoy their work, here. I have no doubt that this will take a tremendous burden off Sr. Maria Teresa, who has been really overworked. The Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity is a real blessing to our program and much progress will be realized in a very short time. Thanks to Fr. Jim Flannagan and Sr. Mary Redemptist for their love and concern.

SANTA MARIA BRIEFS Mumps and measles have always caused havoc and real concern when they have visited us in the past. When they arrive they come by the dozens, and where to care for the sick ones has always been a problem. We have just completed an infirmary large enough to care for 15 children. What a blessing thiswill be . . . . . .A volunteer group of 5 or 6 men headed by Fred Cordova and LeRoySalazar from Colorado will be coming to Santa Marfa to begin working on a new kitchen. Our present kitchen was built about 90 years ago and is pretty much the same as when it was built. Until just recently we were using wood to do the cooking.This has always been a "thom in my side" and finally we are going to transform it into something that will be more conducive and hygienic for appetite and health. Fred and LeRoy are also gathering funds to pay for a good part of the cost. We have so much to be thankful for the love and concern of these wonderful friends from my former parish. All of us here at Santa Maria send to each and every one of you our sincere love and gratitude for your many sacrifices and prayers. A friendship is an immeasurable gift and must be treasured. This we do.

The Children. Staff, and Father Antonio Norman