Secular Servite NewsOSSM

March 2014

GETTING TO KNOW THE GENERAL SECRETARY FOR OSSM AND LAY GROUPS

INSIDE

Servite Center ............... 5

OSSM Promises 2013 .. 6-7

On the Run ..................10

OSSM Pilgrimage .........11

I am SOURIRAJ Arulananda Samy. Since I have no surname, I take my fathers name as my surname (Indians are more Biblical, in the Bible there are no surnames, they take the name of their father, eg. Jesus son of Joseph). So I am

SOURIRAJ son of Arulananda Samy. I like to be called SOURI (no need to say my full name). I am hailing from a big family. I have two brothers and three sisters, all are elder to me. They all are married and each one has enough children. One of my elder brothers passed away in 1994, when he was 24. I lost my parents in the year 2011, my father Mr. Arulananda Samy (10.07.2011) and my mother Mrs. Antoniammal (26.12.2011). Losing them in the same year was a shock for me. I have accepted the reality and continued my life with faith.

In 1993, I entered the Servite Order. I did my college studies at St. Josephs, Trichy. I did my bachelor degree in Tamil Literature. I began my novitiate in the year 1997 and May 31,1998, I professed simple profession. On December 19,

2004, I professed Solemn vows. On October 19, 2005 I was ordained as deacon and April 19, 2006 I ordained as priest.

After my ordination I was appointed as vocation promoter for Servite Indian Vicariate and Coordinator for Chennai OSSM family. In 2008-

2Secular Servite News is published three times a year by the Office of the National Assistant to the Servite Secular Order

Kindly address all correspondence to:

Fr. Vidal Martinez, O.S.M.3121 W Jackson BlvdChicago IL 60612-2729osmsecular@aol.com

2014 Order of Friar Servants of Mary3121 W Jackson BlvdChicago IL 60612-2729www.secularservites.org www.servite.orgwww.servidimaria.net

2009 I worked as parochial vicar in one of our Servite parishes in India. In 2009 I started my Canon Law Studies at St. Peters, Bangalore also helping with our professed friars as assistant master. I defended my thesis in 2012 and that same year I was appointed as master for the professed in Bangalore. In 2013, I was elected as one of the delegates from India for the General Chapter, where I was elected as one of the General Councilors.

I have authored many articles on Mary in Tamil for our Servite Monthly Marian Magazine. I am interested in teaching and preaching, particularly about Mary. I have taught classes and conducted retreats both in Tamil and in English. I am fluent in speaking and writing Tamil, English and Italian. I am new to this service of administration and international realities. I hope that I could learn quickly and do my best. Fraternally, Fra Souri osm

To contact Fra Souri and send him your greetings and prayers:asouriosm@gmail.com.

Soy Souriraj Arulananda Samy. Como no tengo apellido, llevo el nombre de mi padre como mi apellido (en la India somos ms bblicos porque en la Biblia no hay apellidos sino que se toma el nombre del padre, por ejemplo, Jess hijo de Jos). As que soy Souriraj Arulananda Samy. Me gusta que me llamen Souri (no hace falta decir el nombre completo). Soy proveniente de una familia grande. Tengo dos hermanos y tres hermanas y todos son mayores que yo. Todos ellos estn casados y cada uno tiene suficientes nios. Uno de mis hermanos mayores falleci en el ao 1984 a la edad de 24 aos. Perd a mis padres en el ao 2011: mi padre Arulananda Samy (10 de julio 2011) y mi madre Antoniammal el 26 de diciembre 2011. La prdida de ellos en el mismo ao fue algo muy impresionante para m. He aceptado esta realidad y contino mi vida con fe.En 1993, entr en la Orden de los Siervos de Mara. Comenc mi noviciado en el ao 1997 y el 31 de mayo de 1998 profes mis primeros votos simples. El 19 de diciembre de 2004 profes mis votos solemnes. El 19 de octubre de 2005 fui ordenado dicono y el 19 de abril de 2006 fue ordenado sacerdote.

Despus de mi ordenacin fui nombrado promotor vocacional para el Vicariato de la India y Coordinador de la Familia OSSM en Chennai. Del 2008 al 2009 trabaj como vicario parroquial en una de nuestras parroquias de los Siervos de Mara en la India. En el ao 2009 comenc mis estudios para mi maestra en derechos

cannicos. Defend la tsis en el ao 2012 y ese mismo ao fui nombrado como Maestro de Profesos en Bangalore. En el 2013 asist al Captulo General como Delegado de la India, donde fui elegido como consejero general.

He escrito muchos artculos sobre Mara en Tamil para nuestra revista Servita Mariana mensual. Me interesa la enseanza y la predicacin, sobretodo sobre Mara. Yo he dado clases y he ofrecido retiros tanto en Tamil como en ingls. Soy fluido en el habla y la escritura del Tamil, el ingls y el italiano. Soy nuevo en este servicio de la Administracin de la Orden y de la realidad internacional. Espero poder aprender rpidamente y lo mejor posible. Tambin soy siempre lo suficientemente abierto para recibir cualquier correccin fraternal y sugerencias.

Para comunicarse con Fray Souri,OSM: asouriosm@gmail.com.

CONOZCAMOS AL SECRETARIO GENERAL PARA OSSM Y GRUPOS LAICOS

3OSM LAY DIAKONIAS OF JOY, OF LIFE, OF VIA MATRISSpooner, Wisconsin

Sr. Dominica Effertz, OSMSpiritual Assistant

As busy as our schedules get we do manage to meet once a month for prayer, sharing a meal and socializing at one of our homes. And there is always something to celebrate--- either a Feastday, birthdays or a special occasion.

For Christmas we gathered at the Silvis home on the lake (Diakonia of Via Matris) on a Sunday with lots of food, laughter and grateful hearts for all of Gods wonderful gifts. With a fresh snowfall, it was a winter wonderland in that wooded area overlooking the lake! The children enjoyed winter games and fun on the lake in the afternoon while the adults visited near the fireplace. Doesnt that sound inviting and cozy!

On Super Bowl Sunday in January we met at the Nauertz home (Diakonia of Joy). A few other families were invited to join us for family prayer, a meal, and then we played board games until game time or just enjoyed being together. It was a full house, and how delightful! Of course, with all children there is never a dull moment.

We were very saddened by the loss of Evan Silvis, the 19 year-old son of Curt and Jacene Silvis (Diakonia of Via Matris). The love and support that poured out to the family from the Servites all around the world was overwhelming. The family is very thankful to all for their prayers and messages of sympathy. This brought comfort to their sorrowing hearts. The funeral Mass was beautiful, with four priests concelebrating at the altar and a church filled almost to capacity. We continue to

keep Evan and Diakonia of Via Matris in our prayers. How well they know now some of the sorrow that filled Marys heart at the loss of her Son. Please continue to keep them in your prayers as they go through this difficult time.

Happy Feast of Our Seven Holy Founders to all Servites! How did you celebrate the solemnity of our Seven Holy Founders this year? Last year we traveled to Ladysmith to attend Mass at Our Lady of Sorrows Church and afterwards enjoyed a delicious brunch with the Servite Sisters in their new residence. This year on February 17th we gathered with the Secular Servites of Mary Mother of Compassion OSSM Community, at our parish church for Holy Mass at 11:00 a.m. followed by a pot-luck dinner in the parish hall. The Secular Servite Communities from Ladysmith (St. Juliana OSSM Community) and those from St. Peregrine OSSM Community, Rice Lake were also invited to join us for the day. If any of them had wanted to come it would have been difficult or impossible. We were hit with another winter snow storm that morning. In spite of the weather about 25 of us braved it out to Church and had a wonderful celebration. Fr. Chris Kemp, the associate pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Ladysmith, concelebrated Mass with our pastor, Fr. Ed Anderson. Of course, we always enjoy food and fellowship afterwards.

We count our blessings in being part of the Servite Family. May Mary always protect us, her children, and lead us kindly on lifes journey!

4CONGRATULATIONS NATALIE & BARNEYSt. Mary, Source of Our Joy Community

Nancy DeBiasi, OSSM, Prioress

On Sunday, February 16, 2014, the eve of the Solemnity of the Seven Holy Founders, Natalie Lane Eden, LPC and Bernard Barney Eden, MD, accompanied by their son, Jonathan and their daughter, Sarah, professed the Promise as Secular Servants of Mary in St. Mary Source of Our Joy OSSM Community, Assumption Parish, Chicago, IL. Fr. Michael Doyle, OSM, Assistant, presided.

Fr. Joseph Chamblain,OSM, Pastor, as well as Fr. Vidal Martnez, OSM, OSSM National Assistant also

participated in the celebration, as well as Fr. Michael Guimon, OSM, Bro. Bonfilius McGovern, OSM, and the Indonesian Seminarians: Bros. Bonfilius, OSM; Erik, OSM; Leo, OSM; and Sebastian, OSM, all members of Our Lady of Sorrows Community. Ted Hudon, OSSM, and Rose Mary Beloz, OSSM, of the Annunciata OSSM Community, also participated. We are grateful to Ted for sharing his talent as photographer for the occasion. All members of St. Mary Source of Our Joy were also present for the celebration of the Rite of the Promise. The community prepared a reception and social that was held following the ceremony.

Please pray for our new members, Natalie and Barney. May they and all member of our Servite Family continue to commit themselves to bring to fulfillment the evangelical commandment to love, to be at the service to God and all people, drawing inspiration from Mary, Mother and Servant of the Lord.

5SERVITE COMMUNITY CENTER Our Lady of Grace ParishPalm Bay, FL Deacon Jack Rhine, OSSM

Thirteen years ago the Servite friars left Our Lady of Grace in Palm Bay, Florida, a parish that they founded in 1989. The friars did a great deal more than build a parish, they built a spirit-filled and vibrant community and by their example, taught us to be community. The friars are gone, but they left a legacy to those parishioners who knew them and by the Servites that remain in the parish, the Secular Servants of Mary who belong to the Mary, Queen of the Servants OSSM Community.

Earlier this year, our current pastor, Fr. Emmanuel Akalue, proposed renaming our Parish Activity Center (parish hall and meeting rooms.) On November 2, 2013, it became Servite Community Center. The celebration started with the 4:00 pm Saturday Mass with Fr. John Fontana, OSM, Prior Provincial, presiding and preaching and Fr. Vidal Martinez, OSM, OSSM National Assistant, concelebrating. Deacons Bill Wanca, OSSM and Jack Rhine, OSSM assisted.

During the homily, Fr. John Fontana mentioned each of the Servite friars that served at Our

Lady of Grace Parish. They were Fr. Jim Dore, OSM, the pastor during the Servite years; Fr. Tom Crotty, OSM; Fr. Carl Feil, OSM; Fr. Damian Charboneau, OSM and Fr. John Martin, OSM. He captured important facets of who these Servite friars were. Fr. John spoke of our founding pastor, Some of you may remember that Fr. Jim Dore clearly reminded you, its your parish, not his, nor the Servites. For that reason, its so important that parish life not just be about attendance, but truly about the formation of community.

He also said, Whenever you enter into the newly named Servite Community Center, I hope that you will focus mostly on the second word, Community, as a reminder that you belong to something bigger, and that you (like me, and all of us) are called to do our part in creating that sense of community. Thats certainly one way to honor the Servites for whom your parish center is being re-named.

He also reminded all of us of our call to serve; And when you leave the church building, whether youre heading for the Servite Community Center, or elsewhere, please go as servants of others - or as your parish mission statement puts it: as the hearts, voices and hands of Jesus Christ. Not only are you building the Kingdom, but there also isnt a better way to honor your parish roots in the spirit of the Servants of Marythan to serve!

After Mass, all parishioners were invited to a reception; Fr. Emmanuel offered an opening prayer; Tony Ferrer,OSSM, Prior of Mary, Queen of the Servants OSSM Community reflected on what each of the Servite friars did for us; and Fr. Vidal Martinez,OSM spoke about the days of Servite friars presence in Florida.

After the reception, the Servites shared a dinner. We were blessed to be joined for the celebration by Secular Servites from St. Peregrine OSSM Community, Kissimmee, FL, Our Lady of Sorrows OSSM Community, Lady Lake, FL and Mother of Divine Mercy OSSM Community, West Palm Beach, FL.

The day brought back wonderful memories. Hopefully, the spirit of this day of celebration will help keep the Servite charism alive at Our Lady of Grace Parish for a long time to come.

6Welcome to Our Servite Family! Promises 2013

The Promise is the act by which the candidate renews the consecration made at baptism, undertaking to live it according to the spirituality of the Servite Order, in solidarity with all the communities of the Servite family (Rule of Life, #55)

Angela Amos

February 17, 2013Our Lady of Sorrows Community, Chicago, IL

Kass DotterweichJudy Klein

Maria Lucrecia Knapp

February 23, 2013Seven Holy Founders Community, Affton, MO

Lorraine Crespin

March 2, 2013Our Lady of the Assumption Community, Denver, CO

Rosita ArriolaMaura LeivaRafael Mateo

Angeles PiaRosa Rodriguez

March 17, 2013St. Anthony Pucci Community, Marrero, LA

Josephine AdamsCandace BadzikMary Beth CogginsGenevieve DellaquilaCaroline K. Di MascioDolores EichelbergerMary P. FrankJoanne HighLaura E. Hritz

Donna M. KacandaMichol Lynn KaeserAna B. KesslerLauren MoranTheresa M. RobertsJoan Marie SolickAlex E. StadelmaierSusan J. Weigand

March 23, 2013Immaculate Conception Community, Spring City, PA

Seven Holy Founders Community, Affton, MO

Immaculate Conception Community, Spring City, PA

7Bienvenidos a Nuestra Familia Servita!

La Promesa incorpora para siempre al Candidato dentro de la Orden Seglar de los Siervos de Mara y lo hace participle de la vida de toda la Familia de los Servitas (Regla de Vida, #55)

Dena BattagliaBarbara Berg

Roberta Whitham

August 11, 2013Sts. Alexis & Juliana Community, Hillside, IL

Deacon Manuel Trujillo

August 15, 2013St. Juliana Community, Belen, NM

Marcella Wirth

September 11, 2013Seven Holy Founders Community, Affton, MO

Mary Elizabeth Boczkowski

September 14, 2013Our Lady of Sorrows Community, Lady Lake, FL

Eddie MurphyMatt Murguia

Carolyn TormeyPat Tormey

September 28, 2013Mary at the Foot of the Cross Community, Anaheim, CA

Edith Monosiet

November 9, 2013Mother of Divine Mercy Community, W Palm Beach, FL

Mary Catherine Sheets

May 11, 2013Mary, Queen of the Servants Community, Palm Bay, FL

Manuel Rodriguez

Angelina (Angie) Vallejos

May 9, 2013St. Juliana Community, Belen, NM

St Juliana Community, Belen, NM

8EN AGRADECIMIENTO A TODOS

Elsa Luna, OSSM, Prioress

El 17 de Febrero del 2014, Solemnidad de los Siete Santos Fundadores, se llev acabo la celebracin de la Promesa de 9 nuevos miembros de nuestra Fraternidad Nuestra Seora de los Dolores, Parroquia St. Philip Benizi, Fullerton, California. Estoy muy contenta y agradecida a Dios, a nuestra Madre Mara y todos en la fraternidad por el excelente trabajo que han echo, con tanta dedicacin, en estos ltimos dos aos que he tenido la oportunidad de servir como Priora de la misma. Fueron 7 hermanas y 2 hermanos los que profesaron su Promesa contando con la presencia de varios de nuestros sacerdotes Servitas como: Fr. John Fontana,OSM, Prior Provincial, Fr. Jerry Horan,OSM, Vicario Provincial, Fr. Don Siple,OSM, Prroco, Fr. David Gallegos,OSM, Asistente Espiritual, Fr. Albert Pragasam,OSM y Brother Chris Moran,OSM. Nos acompaaron Seglares Siervos de Mara de las fraternidades locales: Santa Juliana de la Eucarista, Salve Regina, Mara al Pie de Cruz como tambin unos hermanos seglares de Chicago. Agradezco mucho a Mark McCallick,OSSM por sus palabras tan bonitas y de nimo para nuestra fraternidad. Que Dios le bendiga a l y a su familia. Finalmente, gracias a todas las diferentes fraternidades a travs de los Estados Unidos y de Mxico por sus buenos deseos y apoyo.

Coming Servite Feasts

April11 - Mary at the Foot of the Cross

May 04 - St. Peregrine11 - Bl. Benincasa12 - Bl. Francis of Siena30 - Bl. James Philip Bertoni

9MOTHER OF SORROWS COMMUNITYUnion City, CA

Debbie Nunes, OSSM

On February 8, 2014, the Mother of Sorrows Community gathered at the home of Cris and Darlene Pagtakhan, OSSM to kick off the beginning of a monthly community rosary. Modeled on the format of a block rosary, each month the statute of Our Lady of Sorrows is brought to the home of one of our members and remains for one week. On the first day of the visit, the whole community is invited to gather to pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows and other prayers. Prayer intentions are made for all members of the Servite Order, the pilgrim Church on earth, priest and religious vocations for the Servite Order, leaders of our country, Church and Order, Servite apostolates and missions,

the sick and dying and those who are deceased. During the week long visit, the host family continues a daily prayer vigil. These visits will offer opportunities for the community to gather together in addition to our monthly meetings to further our knowledge of each other and strengthen each other on our journey to Christian perfection (Article 15) and extend our community prayer into our individual homes and families.

10

On the Run

Mary Ann Andersen, OSSM

An angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream and said, Get up! Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt, because Herod is starting to look for the child so he can kill him. Stay in Egypt until I tell you to return. So Joseph got up and left for Egypt during the night with the child and his mother. And Joseph stayed in Egypt until Herod died. This happened to bring about what the Lord had said through the prophet: I called my son out of Egypt. Matthew 2:13-15 NCV

It was the question asked by the Magi that had Herod so disturbed. Where could they find the one born King of the Jews? So furious was Herod, he ordered all boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity two and under to be killed. Soldiers were sent into homes of the peasants who were powerless to stop them. When they found a baby boy, they would plunge a sword into the babys body. Jesus parents would flee to Egypt... fleeing to safety that their baby boy might live.

The Gospel doesnt tell us what Mary and Joseph found in the land of Egypt. Whether they were well received. Whether they were given shelter and a means to support themselves. I wonder if they were scorned and mistreated, obvious outcasts with little to enjoy. Perhaps. We will never really know. But the potentially answerable questions we might ask are: What would we have done? How would we have reacted? Would we have given shelter? Would we have

helped? The truth is that, whatever lay ahead, Mary and Joseph went in faith that their merciful God would provide. So, we guess they met some good people who helped along the way. Are we those people?

There are not many among us who call America home whose past, whether immediate or long ago, is not rooted in someone being on the run, running from and/or to something... from persecution, poverty, war... to safety, opportunity, peace. We each have our story, the story of how we came to be Americans. What were you or your ancestors running from and/or to?

Perhaps if we revisit our personal history we just may better understand the plight and need of

immigrants in our country today... those caught in the web of being illegal, threatened with deportation, being separated from family... children torn from mothers and fathers, being denied education and a stable environment. Many live in fear with a uncertain future their constant companion. Does this sound like your familys immigration story? Or, is it much different? Does your story have a happy ending?

Spend some time in contemplation of Mary and Josephs Flight into Egypt. Consider your own immigration history. Then pray for guidance as to how we all may approach todays immigration issues biblically and not just politically.

11

Secular Servite Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of St. Peregrine

Theresa Orozco, OSSM

The Secular Servites who participated were: Mara Lucrecia Knapp,OSSM, Judy Klein,OSSM,Kass Dotterwich,OSSM, Karen Palazzola,OSSM, Theresa Orozco,OSSM as well as Andy Palazzola, husband of Karen and Janice Erschen, who is an OSSM candidate in formation.

The weekend experience was, for all of us, a time to learn more about who we are as Secular Servites from St. Louis, to share wonderful hospitality with our OSSM and OSM communities in Chicago, and, finally, to learn more Servite history as we see it here in the USA.

Kass Dotterwich, OSSM, in reflecting on here experience, writes: All Gods time is holy, but there are those moments when that holy reality breaks through our consciousness as a crisp Presence. Just was such a moment for me as the train pulled out of the St. Louis metro area on Friday morning, September 13, into the dawn of a day that would unfold into a weekend of adventure, history, prayer, and community with my Secular Order of the Servants of Mary.

During our pilgrimage to Chicago, I was awed with the beauty of churches, basilicas, and cathedrals. I was edified with the history of these structures and the talent, sacrifice, and devotion that created these expressions of faith that honor our Blessed Mother. I was warmed by the lavish hospitality of our brothers and sisters in the secular order in the Chicago area. Even the rain on Sunday morning touched our shoulders with a holy-water blessing.

By far, the greatest gift to me of that weekend in September was the rising awareness of how wondrous it is to be a member of the Secular Order of the Servants of Mary. In sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste, I stood in the center of this secular order community, knowing myself blessed to be a part its past, present, and future.

We invite you to read reflections written by Judy Klein, OSSM, Karen Palazzola, OSSM and Andy Palazzola. Please go to www.secularservites.org and click on News and OSSM News.

Many thanks, love and prayers to the OSM Assumption Community, to St. Mary Source of Our Joy OSSM Community, Our Lady of Sorrows OSM Community as

well as Our Lady of Sorrows OSSM Community. Thank you for sharing your love, kindness and hospitality with us as we made our way through the City of Chicago the Order of Servants of Mary way.

To see more photos of our pilgrimage experience and encounters with so many in our Servite Family in Chicago, please go to: www.secularservites.org and click on media: photo album.

12

Mary, Mother of Compassion CommunitySpooner, WI

Sr. Dominica Effertz, OSM

Greetings from the Northwoods of Wisconsin! Were beginning to think we are living in the North Pole!! We havent seen so much snow and ice in years, not to mention the frigid below zero temperatures. In spite of the cold outdoors, our hearts are warm. Although, usually during the winter months activities seem to slow down, we have had several opportunities to gather for prayer and fellowship with others.

During Advent some of our Secular Servites and Diakonia traveled to Dobie, WI a little parish church about 25 miles from Spooner, for a Marian day of Retreat, which was sponsored by our Diocesan Family and Youth Ministry. It was a wonderful preparation for Christmas, as we pondered Marys Fiat and how we relate our lives to Mary. How willing are we to say yes to Gods plan with complete trust in our everyday lives?

Also in December some of us from Mary, Mother of Compassion OSSM Community met at a local restaurant with the St. Peregrine OSSM Community at Rice Lake, WI for a dinner before Christmas. It was an enjoyable time of sharing and reminiscing.

The closing Ceremony for The Year of Faith in our Diocese was celebrated on the Feast of Christ the King. Some of us traveled to the Cathedral in Superior, WI, where our Bishop Peter Christensen celebrated Mass for

the entire diocese. Besides this time of grace, it was a great time to also meet friends from throughout the diocese who usually attend Diocesan events, and enjoy fellowship with them.

With so many recent weather related tragedies in our world, we were able to send a donation to aid the flood victims in Servite Communities in Mexico, the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines and those devastated by the hurricane in Haiti.. To help with this we have sponsored fund raising events---the most recent a Christmas cookie sale. It was a tremendous success due to the organizational skills of Jan Masterjohn, OSSM, and those who helped bake, decorate and sell cookies after the week-end Mass on December 8th. We had more than 1,000 cookies, and could have sold more. Besides being beautifully decorated they were delicious!

By the next time you hear from us, we hope that our candidates in formation group will have become Promised members. As we gather for prayer and at our monthly meetings, know that we remember all in our Servite Family in our prayers. May, Our Lady lead each of us kindly on lifes journey.

13

Child Jesus School - cole de LEnfant JsusPetit-Gove, Haiti

Fr. Vidal Martnez, OSM

Each year there is an opportunity for individuals, who are interested in providing a service for the children, the staff or the parents, to spend a minimum of one week at Child Jesus School. This past year four individuals took part in this opportunity. March 4-11, 2013: Grace and Ellen, from St. Louis, Missouri, accompanied Fr. Vidal Martnez,OSM to Child Jesus School. Grace and Ellen shared their talent, time, and energy as nurse and art therapist by offering programs of enrichment for the students. It was also a wonderful opportunity to experience Haitian culture first hand. October 4-11, 2013, Fr. Vidal Martnez,OSM was accompanied by Mara and Carmen, who provided dental care and first aid information to the students. Once again, Mara and Carmen were able to spend time with the children and staff and explore the realities of life in Haiti. Housing and meals are provided for the volunteers on the premises of Child Jesus School. The first trip of 2014 will take place March 15-22, 2014. There will be 10 individuals, adults and young people, who will offer their talent, time, and energy helping to improve the school and provide formation and information for students and staff. For further information or to learn how you can help Child Jesus School, please contact Fr. Vidal Martnez,OSM: 773-638-5800, ext. 48 or osmsecular@aol.com.

Cada ao hay oportunidad para que algunas personas, quienes tienen inters en ofrecer algn servicio a los alumnos, a los profesores o a los familiares, de pasar por lo menos una semana en la Escuela Nio Jess. Este ao pasado, cuatro personas aprovecharon esta oportunidad. Del 4-11 de marzo de 2013: Grace y Ellen, natural de St. Louis, Missouri, acompaaron al Padre Vidal Martnez,OSM a la visita a la Escuela Nio Jess. Grace y Ellen compartieron su talento, su tiempo y su energa como enfermera y como terapista de arte al ofrecer programas de enriquecimiento para los alumnos. Es, adems, una bella oportunidad para experimentar la cultura haitiana directamente. Del 4-11 de octubre de 2013, Mara y Carmen acompaaron al Padre Vidal Martnez,OSM. Ellas proveyeron informacin sobre el cuidado dental y primeros auxilios a los alumnos. Una vez ms, Mara y Carmen pudieron disfrutar del compartir con los alumnos y los profesores y de explorar la realidad de la vida en Haiti. A los voluntarios se les ofrece alojamiento y alimento en las instalaciones de la Escuela Nio Jess. El primer viaje del actual ao 2014 se llevar acabo del 15-22 de marzo. Unas 10 personas participarn, adultos y jvenes, y ofrecern su talento, tiempo, y energa para mejorar la escuela y proveer formacin e informacin a los alumnos y a los profesores. Para ms informacin o para ofrecer alguna ayuda para la Escuela Nio Jess, puede comunicarse con Padre Vidal Martnez,OSM: 773-638-5800, ext. 48 o osmsecular@aol.com