Posts by Helen Houser
What on Earth Are You Doing for Earth Day
St. Francis was known for his love of nature and he had a deep commitment to the care of creation. Some consider him the original Earth Day advocate. There are many stories of his friendship with animals including the wild wolf of Gubbio. While we are not recommending that you attempt to befriend a wild…
Read MoreSave Taxes Through Donations From Your IRA
Generally, all distributions from IRA (excluding Roth) and 401(k) accounts are included in taxable income. An exception is available for donors who are 70 ½ or older under the qualified charitable distribution (QCD) rule. Those donors can direct amounts from their IRA and 401(k) accounts to qualified charities and exclude the donated amount from taxable income. Casa…
Read MoreA Guiding Light?
We are all familiar with the story of Baby Jesus asleep in the manager with parents and a guiding star to provide protection, love, and care – every child’s need and hope. Four year old Sergito’s and six year old Carlita’s story is very different. One day he and his sister walked hand in hand…
Read MoreDiabetes Impact on the Poor
My dear sisters and brothers, Mexico’s marginalized populations are at higher risk of developing diseases like diabetes – a sickness costly to manage for low-income individuals. Mexico has a diabetic rate of 1 in 6 adults. With the poor, it is higher resulting in heartbreaking disability, amputations, kidney failure, blindness, heart disease and inability…
Read MoreCasa Franciscana Featured in International Magazine
Photo by Rick Rusch: San Xavier Mission Tucson, AZ on the way to Casa Franciscana, Guaymas, MX Eclair is an international magazine about celebrities, fashion, art and beauty . So how did the article, Humanitarian Travel: A Journey of Impact and Hope (Volume 41 Issue 184) , about the Casa Franciscana Mission happen to be…
Read MoreMothers’ Day Amazon Delivery: Casa Franciscana Style
The Casa Franciscana Mission brought tears of gratitude, smiles of happiness and a message of God’s love to almost 400 mothers amongst the poor and elderly. Many of these women are grandmothers raising grandchildren. The Mission staff and volunteers went out to the barrios and walked through dirt, ruts and stones to hand deliver flowers,…
Read MoreEarth Day: Are You Sharing Your Bounty
In August 2022, we wrote to you about the first harvest of the home gardens in Guaymas funded and mentored by the Casa Franciscana Outreach. There are now ten gardens with accessible water tanks! The families are not only enjoying fresh healthy vegetables and the pride of growing them but they are sharing their bounty…
Read MoreChristmas Is Love in Action
My dear sisters and brothers, During the Christmas season, we naturally think of children. This year, little five year old Rigolito or Rigo is especially in my thoughts. We met him on a hot humid Guaymas day while we were visiting the sick and delivering food boxes. His sister came running to us; telling us…
Read MoreRon Cope: He Was A Special Blessing
We are all called to serve the Lord’s kingdom here on earth in different ways. Some to pray, some to lead, and some as soldiers. Ron Cope answered the Lord’s call many years ago with a service retreat to our Franciscan Mission in Guaymas, Mexico. Whatever happened on that trip changed Ron’s heart forever. Ron…
Read MoreBringing Relief and Hope
My dear brothers and sisters, Walk with me down the dusty road to the shack of Rogelio. He is one of the many elderly that we visit, carrying a hot meal, food boxes, medicines, hygiene products, mobility devices, bedding and spiritual care. He was amazed and cried when our team brought out a…
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