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
DEAR FRIENDS AND BENEFACTORS:
August/September 2001
A SHARED THOUGHT:
A very important question-thought exploded in my brain as I began to think about the message for this letter, The question was this."Am I really an authentic Christian or am I just living a lie?" We all are aware how easy we are capable of deceiving ourselves, To find this out in truth and depth we must do some serious meditating and investigation into our conscience. If we sincerely do this, with the Bible, as our guide, it should be somewhat terrifying. We first of all must remove the many masks that we daily wear and look for truth and authenticity which should leave the majority of us with feelings of guilt and perhaps trembling with the knowledge of so many months or years wasted in the "light of eternity". For that very reason I refused to celebrate my 25th or 40th anniversaries as priest. I could and should have done so much more when the masks come off and the shallowness of our real person comes forth, it is somewhat easy to see our shallowness.
This investigation into the "real me" can be extremely important if we are seriously in search of guidance and meaningful conversion, change, transformation or whatever you desire to call it, The available helps are always present, but not utilized. We are always being prompted by something to better us, simply because we are in a constant state of a "spiritual - worldly war" and God will never abandon us. These prompting might come from our sub-conscience, past memories reappearing, something which we have or maybe from an angel. Most likely these "inspirations" are coming from the Holy Spirit who is continually attempting us to get our "act" together.
Many sources are telling us that some horrifying happenings just might be surfacing much more devastating that what happened in New York and Washington D.C. this past Sept. 11th. They are quoting the Bible where St, Peter wrote, "The heavens will pass away with a terrible noise and heavenly bodies will disappear in fire and the earth and everything on it will be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10). .After such reading and there are a few more, one should not be negative about these things that one day it will happen. I like to think about The positive attributes of God. God is so patient; in fact He is Patience. He is Mercy and another big factor for us is that He is love. So we have a lot to be thankful for. Don't worry about all those righteous who are crying out: "Now is the time to manifest your wrath and power. Destroy all these evil ones." No way will this happen soon. Why? There are too many sinners like ourselves whom God loves and wants to save He is patient and all loving, How very fortunate we are. No one is excluded from this desire of God to save each and every creature that He created. Yet we must not take God for granted. This is mockery. We should indeed take our loving God more seriously or we just might get our "butts" kicked and really hard when we least expect it.
Let's just examine a few things about God. We have been around just a few thousand years. God is etemal, no beginning and no end. Time is nothing to God. I don't think for a moment that He is ready to pull down the curtain and say, "The show is over".
What is the point of all this? Hang in there, love the Lord Jesus the very best that you can and then some more. Trust Him. I know St John the Baptist said "put away all the evil in our life and look forward to the coming of Him whom we are awaiting and He will be our judge." Each day we must take advantage of His Mercy. On the day of judgement we might be faced with only His justice when He shows us the 'video of our life".
Fr. John Henley hospitalized
Our very dear friend Fr. John was flown back to Atlanta Georgia the 19th of September to get a second opinion regarding his health. His doctor recommended that he should be admitted immediately for closer observation and studies. It seems at this moment (aug.4th) that his bladder is not functioning properly and also there appears to be a virus or infection in his brain. All of this is great concern for all of us because he is loved by all and we are suffering with him. Please remember him in your Prayers.
Recession in Mexico?.
There is no doubt in my mind that Mexico (and Santa Maria and our six homes and two schools) will suffer a severe recession in the near future. This will mean much unemployment and much hardship on the vast majority of the population. We feel it already. Sales in the market place and commercialization are at this writing suffering 30%-40% less in sales. Analysts are saying that it might be the worst in the history of Mexico. Hundreds continue to come each Tuesday for our Mass, dinner and to receive a bag of groceries. How long this will continue depends on our assets which at this moment read about $25,000 dollars, which might last us for two weeks, by cutting back on everything. All of this sure makes life interesting. Yes, we are refusing some children, which I hate to do, but prudence tells me that it is better than closing one of our homes. Am I worried? Not at all. The Good Lord has never failed us and I don't believe that He will. Just a bit more work and more prayer does wonders.
Need for another Priest.
This is quite evident caring for 300 children and taking care of their entire spiritual and material needs. The Society of Our Lady has wonderfully blessed us in giving us Sr. Ma. Teresa Pacheco and Srs. Ma.Guadalupe, Mary Handmaid and Mary Pauline. All of them are doing a tremendous task in caring for "our little ones",yet a Priest from the Society of Our Lady should be sent to help them to care for their spiritual needs. A priest has been promised for many years but as the saying goes: "a bird in the hand is much better than 100 flying around." They Just might be waiting for me to have my fifth massive heart attack. And life continues to be a bowl of cherries.
THE GREAT BLESSINGS OUR CHILDREN HAVE
I feel so confident that this program will continue for many, many, years simply because I sincerely believe it is the work of Our Lord Jesus. He has firstly blessed you in choosing you and your family to be the real backbone of our program. Without you we could absolutely do nothing. All of the wonderful, beautiful breath taking things that happen here on a daily basis are just little love embraces that Our Lord and Blessed Mother give to all of you and all of our wonderful staff. The Lord Jesus is so good! All of you, I promise, are being blessed and will continue to be under His loving protection and care.
MORE THAN ANY TIME IN HISTORY MANKIND FACES A CROSSROADS. ONE PATH LEADS TO DESPAIR AND UTTER HOPELESSNESS,, THE OTHER TO TOTAL EXTINCTION. -- LET US PRAY THAT WE HAVE THE WISDOM TO CHOOSE CORRECTLY.
Love and prayer from all of us and many, many sincere thanks for your love and friendship. We love you dearly.