Uncategorized
Feed the Hungry
My dear brothers and sisters, October, 2021 As the Transitus (passing from this life to the next) of St. Francis approaches, I reflect on the Janet Sullivan Whitaker verse: The hungry, the lonely, the forgotten, the neglected, abandoned, invisible, the homeless, the battered, the frightened, the hopeless, the dying. All of these are Me. These…
Read MoreEvery Child Should Have Shoes Too
My dear brothers and sisters, Imagine children who have NEVER had shoes! I am Fr. Martin, Director of the Casa Franciscana Mission in Guaymas, MX. Each year we reach out to help the children as they prepare for school in the poor neighborhoods and migrant farmworker camps. Shoes are required for them to attend school…
Read MoreSuccessful heart surgery gives Esperanza hope
Esperanza (her name means hope) is sleepy after the ten hour all night drive from Guaymas in a crowded van. Soon after she was born, a heart defect was discovered. Some say it was miracle that Casa Franciscana was able to get her to Phoenix where the good Shriner doctors from Utah were holding a…
Read MoreThe Shriners help Jose walk again
Jose has cerebral palsy. He was totally incapacitated and difficult for his family to care for him with his misshapen legs. After treatment through the Shriners, he is able to walk with lightweight molded braces and special crutches that clip to his arms. Jose is happy to attend school and to continue to receive treatment. …
Read MoreShoes give Maria a new life
Maria was born with one leg shorter than the other. As a toddler, she would not walk because it caused pain to her hip and she cried with frustration. Her mother heard about the Casa Franciscana trips to Phoenix for specialized medical care. She took Maria to our clinic where she was enrolled in the…
Read MoreEvery Child Should Have Shoes
Dear Sisters and Brothers, Meet Araceli; she is one of the thousands of children in Mexico who have NEVER had shoes. In the winter her little feet are cold and in the summer she scurries across the hot gravel and dirt and trash. This sweet child wants to go to school. Even though it is…
Read MoreShriners International, Casa Franciscana and Families of the Franciscan Renewal Center
In 1984 the intrepid and visionary Brother Ivo came to the Casa Franciscana Mission. His heart was moved by the many children he saw with disabilities who had no mobility aids and no resources. These limitations often relegated the little innocents to a future life of begging. With his knack for solving problems, his outstanding…
Read MoreCFO ACCEPTED AS A MEMBER OF FRY’S COMMUNITY PROGRAM
The children, elderly, homeless, widows, single mothers, hardworking migrant farmers and all of our marginalized brothers and sisters served by the Casa Franciscana Mission count on us for the basic necessities that we offer. We depend on you to care and to help. However, the Casa Franciscana Outreach board is always looking for other opportunities…
Read MoreWhy We Need Recurring Donors
Did you know that the Casa Franciscana Outreach (CFO) has no staff with the exception of a contracted accountant. In order to keep our administrative expenses low, allowing more money for direct services, may we suggest that you consider becoming a recurring donor. This means that your desired amount (for example $15 per month) would…
Read MoreMen Chosen by The Holy Spirit?
A heartfelt thank you to Kevin Gralen who, after six years on the CFO Board and five years as president, is leaving us. Kevin brought a special spirituality to the board with his ultimate example of living the Gospel – service to others. In his words: In one of the impoverished areas of the world,…
Read More