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

April-May 1995

Dear Friends and Benefactors:

A SHARED THOUGHT To be a faithful, viable Christian, we must give both time and thought to who we are and,where we are going. Too many of us choose the easiest paths in life, avoiding the more difficult situations that may lead us closer to Him. We fear discovering the real Jesus, the God man, the Truth. It takes a lot of guts, hard work and many sacrifices to encounter the truth of life. We feebly search and a little light is revealed, but once we don't like what we see, we quickly distract ourselves with something that is more convenient and less laborious. Our daily life constantly bombards us with these distractions that make it so simple to ignore our search. But one must ask, where do we really find the answers to life? The first and best step is to look within ourselves. We should be basic, but not simplistic. We must leave behind the normal masks we wear and honestly examine ourselves to know who we are. We must forget all the falsities of character and personality that hide our true selves. How truly helpful and perhaps, horrifying revealing it would be if we could produce a spiritual video tape of our thought processes, motives and emotions. After finding who we are, we must proceed to the second step: Why am I here, where I am in my present situation and what must I do to accomplish my goal, which is God given and destined to make me happy? This goal of life cannot be obtained alone. It must come from the enlightenment of Divine Wisdom, The Holy Spirit. Every human being who enters this world has a unique but identical purpose for his or her finality. Happiness. There is no one who wishes for limited happiness And the only perfect happiness is founded, in God. This knowledge, by its very nature, will be the motivating, energizing power that drives us toward our final goal ... God. We must remember this fact in both daily prayers and reflections. This can be the grace and assistance that will strengthen us against the many fallacies presented to us by the physical body and the world. With Divine Wisdom, we can better orientate our goals and priorities, which will lead us to that perfect happiness. We must have a realistic to think and analyze the great rewards that will be ours in Heaven. Heaven will be the compensation for those who have worked sweated and possibly, even shed some blood in fulfilling their obligations to God and neighbor. Living a courageous life worthy of a good Christian will never be easy. Give the thought of eternity and heaven a chance. Jesus promised it can make the difference between mediocrity and greatness in the spiritual realm of your life. "Do not be afraid or let your heart be distressed.... believe in God and in me... I am going to prepare'a place for you... I will welcome you to myself, that where I am, there you too may be." John 14:13

HELLO AND GREETINGS: Our little family (220 children, they tell me but I am afraid to count - just might have another heart attack) sends their love and greetings to each and everyone of you. You are very close to us and daily I mention you to them. I tell our children we must pray for our dear friends who are sacrificing and caring for our many needs. The children respond to this petition beautifully. The other day a little one, 7 years old, asked me what I would do if all our benefactors died and we had nothing to eat. "Wow!" I said, "God would never permit that to happen, but to make sure that it doesn't, let's pray all the more for our dear friends-." She immediately lowered her head, closed her eyes and prayed so sincerely to Our Lord. I couldn't hear what she said, but be assured, the good Lord was listening most attentively. The innocence and confidence children have is so beautiful. Ilow could one say "no" to them? If I can't deny them a swim-outing when asked, how could an all loving and merciful Father in heaven deny them prayer that is good. The moral of this little episode is that you all are in the loving and tender prayers of our children. So, don't worry about all of you dying at once.

IN GREAT EXPECTATION - BEDS! During these past four months we have been communicating with Mrs. Roxanna Guerra, the dynamic director of Catholic Charities in Laredo, Tx. for the past twenty years. Sr. Maria Teresa, directorof our Girls Home, Jorge Bauctie and myself had the pleasure of meeting with Roxanna a couple of months ago. We told her of our desperateneed for bunk beds and immediately she came up with a gift of 30-50 beds she will donate to our program in June or July. The majority of our beds are 10-12 years old and in constant need of repair. As we all know, kids will be kids and the moment the one in charge of the dormitory is out of sight,. they do just exactly what you and I did when we were kids. Thus, explaining our need. Hopefully, Roxanna will also be able to contact a hospital for used mattresses and other needed items for our four homes. We send a very special thank you to Roxanna for her love of the poor and her interest and concern for our children.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Three weeks ago a single-parent mother of two ill-behaved boys, 9 and IO years-old, came begging me to take in her children. She complained they were completely out of control, beginning to steal and experimenting with sniffing glue. She said she was working 12 hours per day, making about $30.00 US per week and could hardly purchase enough food to live m. Consequently, she often had to leave the children alone without any supervision. The very same day I had bills totalling $3,200.00 U.S. which I had to pay. I nervously wondered when the Lord was going to send me a little boost to pay them. Of course, I was also getting static from the overworked staff not to accept anymore children. So, I did exactly as you would do and accepted the children asanother step in faith. But you also know what follows such an action: the kids are happy and very content, the mother has another lease on life, I have a minor headache which an aspirin easily takes care of and the Lord gives me a little nod and says, "Right on"'

STAFF MEMBERS: Longevity is a very special gift few people experience who choose to work with children and elderly. For many different reasons, these two categories of "children of God" seem to cut short the length of stay of those ourworkers. As most of you know children are nice to visit but living with them 24 hours per day, month after month, can drain a person of every ounce of patience they may have. Several of our staff have exceeded this super human expectation and still retained their sanity. (I refuse to publicly judge myself on the sanity issue.) Cati Aquierre, 19 years; Chema Vega, 16 years, married to Cati for the past 12 years; Poncho Nieves, 10 years and married to Juanna Rivera,17 years; Sr. Mary Teresa Pancheco, 9 years; Jorge Castillon, 8 years, married to Carmen Martinez, 6 years and yours truly, coming in at just about 20 years.This is a wonderful example of graces. I have no doubt that without God's help none of us could bave survived this constant "circus and rat race. " I can honestly say that all of us and the vast majority of volunteers have sincerely enjoyed serving God's precious children, youth, and elderly. Virtually 1000 children and 80 elderly have gone through our homes. The little we have done is because we have beautiful friends like yourselves who daily inspire us to "keep on keeping on."

STUDENTS OF OUR-PROGRAM ORDAINED TO PRIESTHOOD: Martin Felipe Rosendez was ordained to the priesthood May 19 in the Cathedral of Queretaro by Bishop Mario de Gasperin, assisted by some 70 priests. It was a beautiful and emotional ceremony for all who participated. Martin graduated from Santa Maria in 1984. In his years with us, we witnessed the formation of an outstanding young man and I am certain he will be an exceptionally fine priest.

Last October 12, Wensalous Olvera was also ordained into priesthood and Reynaldo Prieto, who spent nearly six years with us, was ordained to the diaconate May 5. God willing, Reynaldo's ordination is expected this September. Two more of our boys are preparing for ordination in the upcoming year. We thank God our program was able to further them on their journey of serving God and neighbor. Please keep in mind, this was all made possible through your cooperation. You will be blessed!

SANTA MARIA BRIEFS: The economic crisis here in Mexico worsens daily. Many come to us in desperation and frustration looking for work, food, medicine and hope. Many are suffering inhumanly and the government continues promising help by the creation of jobs that are never seen. There is no welfare programs in Mexico and a very low percentage of workers receive a pension upon retirement. Crime is on the increase and violence is becoming more common daily. Three hours from the time I am writing this letter, I will celebrate mass for a man shot and killed in our little village the other day. No reason was given for the murder. There has also been kidnappings and violations of girls in the area. Solutions must be coming soon.

Blessing and much love to all of you.

The Children, Staff and Father Cliff Norman