Warm Greetings From Fr. Martin Ibarra, OFM
WARM GREETINGS FROM FR. MARTIN IBARRA, OFM
Over 800 years ago, St. Francis of Assisi created the first Nativity scene to convey the true meaning of Christmas. The focus on gifts can overshadow the holiday’s authentic spirit. St. Francis’s creation reminds us that Christmas is about more than exchanging presents; it celebrates the birth of a sacred child.
Christmas is a time of joy, hope, and love. It embodies worldwide peace and inspires gracious giving. For those with abundance, sharing gifts reflects the joy from their hearts during this holy season.
We should extend love to those in need, reminding them they are not forgotten. Sometimes, this acknowledgment may be the most profound gift to brighten their days.
Many of the people we serve at the Mission face daily challenges that test their strength. Like our Savior, many in Guaymas were born in humble dwellings with dirt floors, no running water, and limited resources. With God’s love and grace, we see their nurturing affection for their families, akin to that in the manger where Mary and Joseph welcomed baby Jesus.
The people of Guaymas live reflecting our Lord’s humble beginnings. The love parents have for their children is a testament to family bonds. Encountering them, you witness their love, visible in their eyes and warm smiles.
We here from the Mission in Guaymas, Mexico, wish to find you in high spirits as we approach the most magical time of the year. As we gather with loved ones and reflect on the past year, we are reminded of the true essence of Christmas: the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are excited to share heartwarming stories and to spread Christmas cheer.
In a town called Nazareth, a young woman named Mary was engaged to be married to a carpenter called Joseph. One day, God sent the Angel Gabriel down from heaven to visit Mary and tell her she would have a baby boy. He would be called Jesus.
The First Nativity Scene
St. Francis created the first Nativity scene in Greccio, Italy, in 1223. His inspiration for this depiction of Jesus’ birth stems from his experiences in the Holy Land between 1219 and 1220. It is said that St. Francis wanted to recreate this scene after seeing the holy sites of Jesus Christ’s birthplace and experiencing the area where Christ lived, died, and was resurrected.
In November 1223, three years before his death, St. Francis was in Rome, awaiting the pope’s approval of his friars’ final rule. Ahead of his return, two weeks before Christmas, Francis asked his friend, the Lord of Greccio, Giovanni Velita, to prepare a cave with live animals and a hay-filled manger. His request was based on his audience with the pope, who had permitted Francis to stage the scene of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.
Brother Thomas of Celano, St. Francis’s first biographer, wrote, “Francis desired to represent the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem in a way that would allow us to physically see what he suffered for lack of the necessities of a newborn babe and how he lay in the manger between the ox and the ass.”
This first nativity scene was staged in a rocky cave outside Greccio in December 1223. During Christmas Mass, the town flocked to see this simple live scene.
The Miracle
According to accounts of the moment: “Fires lit the dark scene while crowds arrived at the spot carrying candles and torches. St. Francis proclaimed the Gospel and preached his sermon. An eyewitness saw a miracle happen at that Mass on this first Nativity scene. In an empty manger, a newborn infant appeared.”
St. Francis then took this infant into his arms, embracing him to his chest.
Following this period, miraculous healings occurred when pieces of hay were placed on sick animals and people, where the Child Jesus had appeared.
After the first nativity scene, the practice became popular and spread widely; within a century, virtually every church in Italy had adopted it. What started so long ago is a worldwide tradition that has spread to churches, homes, and yards.
Celebrating Las Posadas
A Heartwarming Tradition for Children in Guaymas, Mexico
We celebrate Las Posadas yearly in December, providing holiday gifts to underprivileged children often overlooked in our communities. This time reminds us of these children’s joy, paralleling the humble Christmas story and emphasizing the importance of connecting with the marginalized to experience God’s presence in the “little ones.” Our outreach offers transformative experiences that deepen our understanding of God’s love and change our perspectives.
People here struggle to hold onto what they have. For them, Christmas is everything, and Las Posadas captures this spirit. During the festivities, we reenact Mary and Joseph’s journey, reflecting the essence of Christmas.
We encourage our team to engage in the mission. One group inside embraces the theme of Mary and Joseph, while the outdoor group reflects on the first Christmas moment
This celebration mirrors the joy of Mary and Joseph, focusing on the little ones—like shepherds and animals—who often share the greatest joy. Celebrating Las Posadas, a beloved tradition, brings joy and excitement to our children! At the Mission, we invite Guaymas children to participate in a journey reenacting Mary and Joseph’s travels, which creates lasting memories.
New Website: CasaFranciscanaOutreach.org
Casa Franciscana Outreach is excited to announce the unveiling of a new website customized for you. The new streamlined experience captures the mission of our organization with better navigation and more information on the people, programs, and community we support in Guaymas. With the new, faster platform, you can quickly navigate to the latest news on our ministries, service pilgrimages, and Franciscan Tree of Life. Immerse yourself in the photos and images that bring the compelling stories of Guaymas to life.
Finally, we make it easy for you to manage your giving through prominent, intuitive navigation Points that allow you to seamlessly control your account and donations.
2024 Milestones
From January to October 2024, with your help, our mission was able to:
Provide daily meals, hot meals to elders, widows, single moms, and the homeless, 250 to 300 daily. For children, the average is 33 to 40 daily.
Total Meals Provided: 61,666
Deliver food boxes to the disabled, elderly, and families.
Total Food Boxes Delivered: 11,790
Facilitate two medical missions:
Medical General Dentist
Papanicolaou’s Tests Pediatrics
Immunizations Medical Prescriptions
Laboratory And Other Services
Total Health Services Provided: 10,521
The Diabetic Program initiates enrollees through a recognized diabetic education program and offers 500 mentoring times.
Total Diabetic Enrollees: 24
Educational support provides educational support sessions at five sites: tutoring, counseling, computers, and monitoring.
Total Educational Support: 19,278
Awarded scholarships to Bells Artes Music Academy, founded by Brother Ivo.
Total Music Scholarships: 15
Distribute children’s shoes.
Total Shoes Distributed: 2554
Furnish backpacks with school supplies and 18 different communities.
Total Backpacks/Supplies: 2500
Facilitate weekly programs that provide hygiene visits with showers, haircuts, and clean clothes.
Total Weekly Hygiene Visits: 282
Establish family-home vegetable gardens.
Total Establish Gardens: 12
Ways To Donate
Visit www.casafranciscanaoutreach.org to donate securely with a one-time gift or a recurring monthly donation. For more specific information on designating CFO for living gifts, wills, or trusts, email donorinfo@theoutreach.org. You can also learn about our matching gift programs and various planned giving opportunities.
Or you may scan us at:
Casa Franciscana Outreach is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization organized under Arizona and United States laws. All contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by those laws. EIN/tax ID number: 86-0609895.
Casa Franciscana Outreach PO Box 15576 Scottsdale, AZ 85267
Thank you for your generosity and support.