Christmas 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…

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Donor-advised funds (DAF)

Donor-advised funds (DAF) are the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle in the United States because they are easy and offer a tax advantage. When you contribute cash, securities or other assets through a DAF to a public charity, like Casa Franciscana Outreach, you are generally eligible to take an immediate tax deduction. Then those funds can…

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Ron 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…

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Bringing 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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First Harvest for Casa Franciscana

On Earth Day 2022,we shared our new pilot project of home gardens.  The vision is that the fruit and vegetables will provide wholesome vitamin rich food for the family and to share with neighbors. Perhaps, in the future, they will grow large enough gardens to sell some of their produce to other villages. One of…

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Imagine Children Without Shoes

My dear sisters and brothers , SHOES!  Imagine never having a pair of shoes or imagine sharing shoes with siblings to take turns going to school!!  During COVID, our Casa Franciscana Mission buildings were shut down; so we took our ministries directly to the people. We discovered even more children deprived of education due to…

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Parents Caring about Parents

When people are asked “what would you take if you were forced to quickly evacuate your home?” the answer is always family photos. But imagine not having any! This is the situation of many of the poor that the Casa Franciscana Mission serves. Frequently, as our team distributes shoes, they take pictures of the children…

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A Memorial Day Call to Action

Gracious God, Thank you that in our nation today, we are free to worship. We are free to pray. We are free to read your Word.  We are free to speak.  We are free to share. For this, we are incredibly grateful. Yet, we understand how quickly these freedoms can be taken away. On this…

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Planting a New Tree of Life

One of the Franciscan values is care for creation which includes Mother Earth.  In observance of Earth Day, Fr. Martin and his team gathered in a rural neighborhood outside of Guaymas where some of the poorest of the poor live. They were there to launch a new pilot project – to plant fruit trees.  Even…

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