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Why 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 MoreWalk in the Shoes (or Barefeet) of a Migrant Farm Worker
Since the COVID pandemic shut down our dining rooms and many other services, the heroic friars and staff of Casa Franciscana have brought the services directly to the needy. Amongst these are the migrant farmworker families in the camps of the agricultural companies. The migrants usually come from the far southern states of Mexico on…
Read MoreChrist’s Cross: The Tree of Life
Dear sisters and brothers, Easter is the celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead after being crucified on a tree. Yes, the cross was made of a tree. From His sacrifice another tree sprouted – the Franciscan Tree of Life (FTOL). Many of you know the missionaries who “pollinated” this tree carrying out Christ’s entreaty:…
Read MoreCaring through Books
My dear Sisters and Brothers, Nothing lights up the world like the smile of a child. With our children’s dining room and the youth center closed due to the pandemic we do not see many smiles. Children wander aimlessly with sickness and poverty all around them. As we have moved our ministries into the barrios,…
Read MorePrayer before Opening Gifts
Back by request or start a new tradition: Prayer of Thanks before Opening Gifts Lord, let us hold this time in our hearts, the wrong sizes, the snippets of ribbon and most important, each other. Help us to remember the immense love you have for every person in this room and those that cannot be…
Read MoreDoes Our Lady Of Guadalupe Live in Guaymas?
In 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego, an indigenous Mexican farmer. During that first sacred encounter and in several more apparitions over the next few days, Mary spoke to Juan Diego in his native Aztec language and asked him to petition the bishop to build a church. She instructed him to bring roses to…
Read MoreThe Nativity during COVID
Dear sisters and brothers, When I sat down to write about this difficult year, I asked the Holy Spirit for guidance. He immediately led me to the Nativity scene in Bethlehem where Joseph and Mary were alone to experience the birth of their Son. The young couple were like many in the 2020 pandemic, separated…
Read MoreThankful Thanksgiving
When I have food, help me to remember the hungry;When I have work, help me to remember the jobless;When I have a home, help me to remember those who have no home at all;When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer, And in remembering, help me to destroy my complacency;bestir my…
Read MorePrayer for our Government Leaders
I pray for the leaders of our government to find Your peace and direction, and for these men and women to act and direct according to Your Word. A house divided against itself cannot stand, therefore, I pray for them to be unified in doing the right thing for the sake of the nation. In…
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