“The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor”

Psalm 34

Christmas in Tijuana, Mexico

Over 1600 families came via many bus lines or on foot from the hills and dumps to attend an early morning Mass.  Some even arrived the night before and camped out in the street. The mission of the Casa is to glorify God through the works of mercy. The people did indeed glorify God and the Holy Family by their thankfulness and joy as they happily received their food, blankets, and a toy.

A breakfast of cocoa and hot cinnamon buns was served to those waiting in the long line to receive the gifts.  The patio was decorated for Christmas and a live Manger scene was created by bringing two or three animals from the City of Mercy Mental Hospital in Rosarito Beach.  Humble men and women stood in line for hours to receive a bag of beans, rice, oatmeal, sugar, tuna, canned milk, and fruit. They were thrilled and grateful to receive this food and the other gifts.

The people enjoy the fellowship and comfort that the Casa offers. Women most often express their joy with tears. Most of us have NO IDEA what it is like to live the way these people must live. They were sincerely grateful for these simple gifts, happy to share with others and to enjoy this feative Happy Day at the Casa with their friends and the Sisters.  To the men, women, and children who come to the Casa, it is “home”.  It represents a refuge, security, and love.  “O God, you are my strength.”

THANK YOU FOR HEARING THE CRY OF THE POOR

You made Christmas a time of JOY for our brothers and sisters in Christ who endure harsh poverty in the dumps of Tijuana.  Your generosity provided 1,600 bags of special food and a new blanket for 1600 families.  The people were delighted to also receive oranges and apples in their bag of treats.  

In December, we received $50,884.31 from our regular donors for both monthly and Christmas help.  This was double from last year!  We received $69,298.80 (total for both November and December) from our special Christmas appeal letter and other donors.  That includes $37,806 from All Hallows Church Advent collection and the special letters.  This money purchased the food (chickens and shoes were donated) and blankets.  Thank you everyone!

Our check to Sister Armida this month will buy MORE BLANKETS, TARPS, food, and essentials for January. Words cannot convey how much we appreciate your generous giving and love for the poor in Tijuana who come to the Casa. The Sisters and people are grateful for your support and pray for your intentions daily.

How You Can Help — The Need Continues

The Sisters will be delivering more blankets, food, and some tarps and toys to several outlying Colonias they help on a regular basis. The nights at this time of year are extremely cold.  Now is a good time to give:

  • Tarps, extra blankets, caps, socks, and mittens

The need is never-ending as you know by now.

The Franciscan Sisters have been serving the destitute in Tijuana since 1957 through their soup kitchen, bodega (food pantry), roperia (clothing closet), medical clinic, and social service office.  They reach thousands each week through their apostolate of LOVE — serving JESUS in the poor.

In December:

  • 20,700 people of all ages were served hot meals in the Dining Room
  • 1,100 General medical clinic, specialists consultations, and prescriptions filled
  • 1,236 bags of groceries were given
  • Many families obtained clothing and house supplies
  • 400 people personally attended in Social Servie Office
  • Home visits to families and the sick
  • Different groups came to do haircuts
  • 24 Scholarship aids were given
  • 8 received First Communion and 11 Confirmation

We have NO overhead, except minimal PayPal and credit card charges.

MAY YOUR NEW YEAR BE FILLED WITH PEACE AND JOY