by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 15, 2024
St. Mary’s Altar Server Association Support
The Altar Server Association at St. Mary’s parish in Hong Kong consists of 15-20 members raging from high school to college. The two major annual events for this group are summer camp and winter retreat. Through your generosity, altar servers will be able to attend recreational events that their families are unable to afford.
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”
– 1 Corinthians 3:16
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
Maryknoll Short Term Volunteer and Vocation Program
Fr. Joyalito Tajonera, M.M.
Fr. Joyalito’ project with Maryknoll short-term volunteers will help young Americans have a first-hand experience in the mission of Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. The Vocation exposure and discernment program will help vocation prospects in their decision to enter Maryknoll, and the Care of Creation education and advocacy will support Maryknoll and church’s mission on ecology. With your help, Fr. Joy will be able to support the Maryknoll Short Term Volunteer program, the Vocation Discernment and Pastoral Exposure program, and the mission of Maryknoll in Care of Creation.
“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the Lord—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.”
– Jeremiah 29:11
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
Office for immigrants of the Aone of Curco Diocesis de Talca
The Pastoral of Human Movimiento of the Diocese of Talca has been helping the immigrants in the City of Curico for the last three years. This process has become more complicated in recent years and has been taking up to a year or more to obtain the visa which they need to be able to get decent job. Curico and the area close to Curico has received immigrants from countries such as Haiti, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. In Curico, there is a camp where approximately 150 Haitian families have built temporary houses, and the city of Curico has been trying to move them because there is not authorization to build homes. With your gift, Brother Nitsch hopes to help many immigrants in Curico with their local papers and with the process of obtaining their visas and work permits.
“Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.”
– Hebrews 13:2
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
Training Workshop in Massage Therapy for the Women’s Prisoners at the Jail by Blind Professors
Fr. Kyungsu Son and his team plan to teach adult women prisoners at the prison to become therapists who will provide wellness through the techniques of Massotherapy “free of charge” to the population of inmates of the Establishment Penitenciaria. Using relaxing massages to relieve stress, they will help to recover the emotional stability of the people assisted. The prisoners will be trained in Massage Therapy techniques and Reflexology and Shiatsu (Japanese Massage) by the licensed blind professors from La Casa Bartimeo in theoretical and practical concepts of body therapies, anatomical bone structure and muscle, and related techniques. With your gift, the female prisoners are released from prison and return to society, can immediately use the skills they learned in prison to work as professional masseuses.
“and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven.”
– James 5:15
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
Outpatient Clinical Service
EDARP (Eastern Deanery) plans to open an inexpensive Outpatient Clinical Service. One of their core targeted patient groups is their own patients taking anti-retroviral drugs (ARV). Long-term taking of ARV’s cause side effects. At present, the Deanery has 28,537 patients receiving ARV. Out of this number 4,139, or 14.5%, have developed other illnesses because of the toxicity of the ARV. The primary illnesses are diabetes and hypertension. The number of people with these illnesses continues to increase. The clinic will also expand the HIV Positive women screening for cervical cancer. Besides caring for their own HIV patients, this clinic will offer these services to the broader community which are poor or very low income. By providing quality and affordable outpatient services, the clinic reflects the Eastern Deanery’s commitment to providing holistic and accessible healthcare solutions, by extending their reach, and continually evolving to meet the diverse needs of the communities they serve.
“And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
– Matthew 25:40
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
“Our Home” Shelter (Hogar Albergue Nuestra Casa)
Initiated by a group of laypersons in 2005, “Our Home” Shelter, also known as Hogar Albergue Nuestra Casa, began as a nonprofit social work whose purpose was to offer a safe space and protection to girls and adolescents between the ages of 9 and 18 who have suffered sexual violence within their families. Under the guidance of Brother Ryan Thibert, M.M., the goal of this program is to provide an integral approach that will permit the reestablishment of their personal and family well-being and the restitution of those rights which have been violated. The shelter can house a total capacity of 15 girls and adolescents. The services are also extended to the families of the girls as the family relationship is essential for affective emotion healing and their family re-integration. With your gift, Father Ryan can offer a temporary safe space of protection to girls and adolescents ages 9 through 18 while providing education and services to the families.
“I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.”
– Joshua 1:9
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
Swahili Literature, Theological and Secular
Although number of Swahili speakers varies widely (between 60 million and 150 million), its importance as the national language of Tanzania, and one of the two official languages of Kenya, would be difficult to overestimate. Nevertheless, the present state of Swahili literature is stagnant, if not in actual decline. The majority of theological works are translations from English, despite the efforts of rather well known writers such as Fr. Titus Amigu. Fr. John Waldrep wants to assist writers in Tanzania who want to publish in Swahili. With your gift, there will be a wider selection of books available to the Swahili-speaking reading community on theological and spiritual subjects.
“He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and went according to his custom into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. He stood up to read”
– Luke 4:16
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
Fr John’s well project is for the drilling and equipping of a well at St. Michael Musingini Outstation, St. John the Baptist Parish, Diocese of Wote. The area is semi-arid savannah. Most of the population are small farmers. Access to clean water is a constant problem. People rely on the small streams, ponds, and shallow wells for water. In addition, for the last decade the government of Kenya has carried out Protracted Relief and Recovery Operations in the area to protect and rebuild livelihood in this arid and semi-arid area. As part of these projects, the government has constructed water pans for human and livestock consumption. The local need for water far surpasses the government’s efforts. In Kenya, the Musingini outstation area has over 1,000 households with family size averaging at six members. About 40% of the population is age 18 and under. The well will be built on outstation land, which is owned by the local parish. The outstation area has one primary school and one dispensary. The project will supply clean water to the local population, including the school and dispensary.
“For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
– Revelation 7:17
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
Construction of Boys’ Dormitory for St. Joseph Secondary School, Gidel, Nuba Mountains
Gidel, Nuba Mountains, Africa
Fr. Dinh wants to provide a decent and safe accommodation for boys. Having a good dormitory will enhance their learning as they will be able to sleep well as security and space will be improved. In addition, teachers will be able to ensure class absences are minimized leading to a higher quality of education. For young people to take seriously their studies, the supervision of either parents of teachers is essential. Therefore, since their parents are far away, the construction of a school dormitory will enable teachers to follow them more closely. For young people to take seriously their studies, the supervision of either parents of teachers is essential. Therefore, since their parents are far away, the construction of a school dormitory will ensure children attend classes.
“Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.”
– 1 Timothy 4:12
by Dionel Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2024
Building of a Formation House
Along with his mission work with the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, Brother Loren Beaudry is now raising funds to assist the Miringa Brothers to build a formation house in Mwanza Archdiocese. The House of Formation gives seminarians a place to live and become acquainted with the four pillars of priestly formation — human, spiritual, pastoral and intellectual — as they seek the will of God for their lives.
“Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others,”
– Colossians 3:23
