I Am Hope (Soy Esperanza)
This Easter we celebrate Br. Ivo Toneck who left this earthFebruary 29, 2020, after 32 years at the Casa Franciscana Mission. I would like to relate some memories of this remarkable friar. Not long ago, Ivo made his usual arrival in his beat-up pickup truck which is shown in this picture for his final ride…
Read MoreCoronavirus in Guaymas
The situation related to COVID-19 is extremely dynamic in Guaymas and the Mexican government is starting to take protective measures – work from home, businesses shut down for a period of time, canceled school and no large group gatherings. Based upon the current conditions, the Casa Franciscana leadership team is dramatically reducing our services for…
Read MoreFood Boxes
My dear brothers and sisters, Some of you who visited our Casa Franciscana Mission in Guaymas, MX will remember Roberto, the elderly man who always wore his weathered cowboy hat. He walked approximately a mile down a precarious graveled road, with the help of his cane, six days a week to eat at the Mesón…
Read MoreCelebrating the life of Brother Ivo Toneck
Br. Ivo Toneck, OFMDecember 5, 1927-February 29, 2020 On Thursday evenings, Ivo and Gerard would join us for Mass and dinner.About six months ago, Ivo made his usual Thursday arrival in his beat-up pickup truck, would take a seat in our living room and enjoy his beloved Coca Cola while discussing with us the latest…
Read MoreRemembering Brother Ivo
Brother Ivo left this world February 29, 2020 at the age of 97. He was an example for all of us to believe in our God, to believe in the goodness of people and to persevere. He came to the Casa Franciscan Mission approximately 40 years ago with the idea that Music is the language…
Read MoreA New Year’s Toast and Prayer
Photo by Dr. Rivera, Guaymas, Mx. May the Lord make my New Year a happy one… Not by shielding me from sorrow and pain, but by strengthening me to bear it if it comes. Not by making my path easy, but by making me sturdy enough to tread any path. Not by taking hardship from…
Read MoreThe Gifts You Bring
My Dear Sisters & Brothers, When I was a child growing up with eight siblings, one of the many exciting moments in our Christmas preparation was putting the manger scene under the Christmas tree. Besides the Holy Family, there were the wise men, the shepherds and the angels. Each brought a gift. The wise men…
Read MoreA Path Out of Poverty: The Denise Nagel Youth Center
In November 2017, the Mission staff went door-to-door to approximately 400 homes in four barrios (neighborhoods). The goal was to identify the unmet needs in these communities. The lack of resources for youths aged 12 to 18 years was a consistent theme. The result was the opening of the Denise Nagel Youth Center (YC) on…
Read MoreA Migrant Story
My dear sisters and brothers, It was a Saturday afternoon and our staff was preparing to close for the weekend when a young man staggered in – bloody, bruised and dehydrated. He had fallen off the infamous train called La Bestia or the death train that migrants ride to escape the horrors in their countries. …
Read MoreA Donor’s Reflection on Shoes
We received this beautiful letter from a donor: “I understand how important shoes are for the children to be properly outfitted to go to school. My father and mother both came from poor beginnings on farms where there was never enough money even for necessities. My father even skipped his high school graduation because he…
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