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:
January 2002
A SHARED THOUGHT:
How wonderful and merciful is our God! We find these inspired words throughout Sacred
Scripture. What a marvelous work we have at our disposal. If only we take the time to sit down
for 5-10 minutes, beginning with a prayer to the Holy Spirit and then listening to what the Lord is
trying to tell us. This morning, I did this and in Psalm 97 I found just a little message, but such a
power seemed to have penetrated my heart. These past few weeks I had a few complicated
physical problems. What I was really looking for was something about healing and suffering. I
wanted to find a sense in how to overcome the lack of physical energy and motivation and to say
no to rest and to see something more tangible in action. A common mistake that so many of us
make is to feel that we must be doing something. This is a horrible error that is absolutely
self-destructive. We do nothing that is really valuable. God does it all - we just agree. Back to
what the Lord was telling me in Psalm 97, "The Lord loves those who hate evil." That thought
has so much power and meaning in it! To really hate evil! It seems so logical. To hate evil is to
love God. But the point that I was analyzing is do I really hate the evil surrounding me and all of
us? Is this just a falsification of our conscience? The answer is not easy to find. Human nature has
so many hidden tricks and excuses yet I set this as a very important point of our spirituality that
without this really valuable gift of God we are treading only on thin ice. We must ask and beg for
this gift of hating everything that- can separate us from a beautiful friendship with our loving God.
Discipline is an absolute necessity. An examination of conscience daily is imperative. But we must
be 100% honest with ourselves. Do I really hate evil and how can I prove it to myself and to
God. It is possible but it will take a daily advancement of coming into contact with our Lord. The
gift is most valuable. Don't just pass it up.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
It seems to me that every Christmas celebration becomes more exciting and emotional each year for all present. During the entire mass the only lights in the church come from the stable. There is always something very sacred during the entire Mass. The choir and musical instruments add so very much to the entire celebration. At the end of Mass we have the procession of the "baby Jesus" with drums accompanying the procession. The custom here in Mexico is the veneration of the child Jesus and each person present comes forth to kiss the "Babe of Belen". We then proceed to the dinning hall where we all feast on tamales, chocolate and cake. Some 2500 tamales are consumed at this feast which the workers and children all joyfully make during the day. God is so good in His many blessings!
The next morning I visit all the houses to distribute the Christmas presents that each one receives. Every child receives a complete outfit of clothing, and a few little toys. At twelve noon we have our First Communion Mass At which time some 26 boys and girls of all ages receive the Body and Blood of Christ for the first time. Yes it is a thrilling and joyful moment for everyone present
TEACHERS KEEP COMING AND GOING:
It is simply amazing to run a school these days. We do get a great variety of different children coming from all parts of the country. The majority of the children are here not by their free choice but are sent here by a single mother or by the police. The kids are really good. They never had any proper formation and consequently they end up with hatred, rebelliousness, anger, disobedience, stealing, destruction, etc. Another dreadful perversion that is on the increase is incest. Just the past few weeks we received four cases of incest. Little girls from 9 to 13 years. Our laws here are ridiculous. The victim always suffers. We are always trying to improve our schools by hiring better teachers. No easy task! Lots of lies and falsehoods. Yet we are improving in spite of all the obstacles that are present. Through discipline and observation we are able to sort out all the destructive ones. Life is indeed challenging.
BLESSED BY ANOTHER WONDERFUL RELIGIOUS:
Sister Mary Immaculate arrives in late January. A great help in deed. Sister Pauline had gallbladder problems and had successful laproscopic surgery. She is doing very well but please pray for our dear Sisters.
TWO OF OUR ELDERLY PASSED TO THE LORD:
Little Bertha, an Otomi Indian, who had been abandoned and living in a little shack before we took her into our Nursing Home died recently. She was about 86 years. Also Don Antonio, about the same age, a blind man and a very gentleman also went to the Lord the same week. They had been with us for several years. Now they have their beautiful heavenly home.
DARLENE BROWN:
A volunteer for some six months was unable to return from Houston, Texas because of health reasons. She was a very valuable part of our working and teaching team. Please remember her also in your prayers.
EX ALUMNOS VISIT DURING CHRISTMAS SEASON:
It is always a joy to receive a visit from so many of our children who have gone through the program of Santa Maria. More than 85% are doing extremely well. We have doctors, nurses, teachers, dentists, engineers, secret policemen, (and very good men), 7 Priests and 14 Religious. Plus a host of secretaries and commercial businessmen. One of our graduates who came out of adject poverty now through hard work and discipline has one of the most beautiful homes in our village of Colon. Yes indeed the Lord through all of you has blessed us most abundantly.
COLORADO FRIENDS TO VISIT IN FEBRUARY:
Every year Leroy Salazar heads a group of men and women to Santa Maria to start and finish a special project. This year they are attempting to get together $10,000 for a badly needed water recycling project. In the past thirteen years they have never failed! They are also working to obtain funds through the Rotary Club for our library. What a blessing they are.
Love and prayer from all of us and many, many sincere thanks for your love and friendship. We love you dearly.