“The Righteous Shall Flourish Like the Palm Tree.”

Psalm 91:13

“A man named Louis O, 36, came to Tijuana from another place where he was working as a driver of heavy trucks.  Because of the very bad roads, he left to come here, because he was afraid of the danger to his life.  He could not work with that tension, as he wants to work peacefully and support his family.

It has been one year since he left the family to come here, and he thanks God because he found a job as a mason assistant in Tecate, B.C.  What he earns is not enough to send much economic help to the family for the feeding of his children who are 10 and 8 years old. Continue reading

“Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 26:40-41

“Araceli, age 19, did not get enough oxygen at birth and incurred brain damage which affects her speech and nervous system.  She needs help and medications for a lifetime. Her mother, Gloria, and older sister have always asked for help. When they arrived in Tijuana, they came to the Casa to ask for support with the medicines.  The Sisters arranged for them also to come to the Casa on Thursdays for weekly groceries.  Gloria praises God for having found this place for food and medicines for her daughter.  She strongly remarks that God’s good touches hearts who can help others in need.  When she is offered a job cleaning houses, she does it.” Continue reading

“He has filled the hungry with good things.”

Luke 1:51-52

“Mrs. Maria J. is 67 years old and lives alone in her little house that her son built for them.  He died two years ago. Maria has had breast cancer for 2 years, had surgery but it returned, and she had a second surgery. The medication she needs is very expensive. She cannot afford to buy it since she cannot work, because her medication doesn’t allow her to be in the sun. She has problems with swollen legs and walking is difficult. Casa de Los Pobres is helping to supply her medication. In order to survive, she gets food from the Casa on Bodega Day, and neighbors give her little things that she can sell for a small profit to buy her drinking water, bus fare, and gas for the stove. Maria thanks God for the help she receives from the Casa.” Continue reading

“As God has given to you, so you must give to others.”

Colossians 3:11

Caroline Kelner is orchestrating another fun Food Packaging Event on Saturday, May 12 between 10 am and 3pm at St. Brigid Church parking lot in Pacific Beach.  All are welcome to help assemble 57,600 meals for the poor.  Food is available after 12:00 noon along with raffle tickets, lively Mexican music and friendship. 

Donations are needed to offset the $12,500 cost for the food packaging ingredients.  That’s less than 22 cents per meal!  You may donate and sign up at https://saintbrigidparish.weshareonline.org.  For more information, call Caroline at 858-761-7744 or email her.

How you can help by donating needed items

Sister Armida writes, “We are struggling very much to keep services going.  Prayer is our strength to keep our faith deeper in God who provides for us all.  The Casa asks for:

  • Bedding, towels, both personal and laundry soap
  • Staple food items
  • Bottled water

The need for food is always great.  The women appreciate donations of fabric, thread, and yarn to make items they can sell.  The Sisters always encourage the people to help themselves. Continue reading

“He has cast down the mighty from their thrones and has lifted up the lowly.”

“He has filled the hungry with good things.”  Luke 1:52-53

Maria Elizateth, age 34, is a single mother of two daughters, 4 and 5 years old.  She lives on a piece of “land invasion” near Tecate close to Tijuana East.  She works collecting recyclable materials in the dumps for sale to survive.

She came to the Casa to ask for help, because her 4-year-old daughter is developing a mental problem. The daughter was suspended from kindergarten and the mother was asked to look for professional mental health care. Maria came to the Casa with much anguish, because she doesn’t have the means for such care and treatment.  It was recommended that she go to the city of Mexicali (a 2-hour drive), so she can have a more clear diagnosis and treatment because of her age.   Continue reading

“God is in charge, and we are His helpers.”

Sr. Armida

We asked Sister, “what are the greatest needs?”  Sister Armida’s answer is:

  • Food
  • Blankets, tarps
  • Over-the-counter medicines
  • Warm jackets, socks
  • Soap, towels

All used items are presorted by the Sisters at the storage unit in Chula Vista and transported in private autos — an arduous task.  Permits are required for everything, and used clothing is not allowed in the truck.

Blankets, Tarps, and Food are Especially Needed During this Time of Year

Continue reading

“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. Continue reading

Jesus is the Face of the Poor

“Maria has been coming to the Casa off and on. She had two sons. One died at 19, and the other is in jail. She returned recently to say she has been diagnosed with colon cancer. She has a 13-year-old granddaughter living with her, and this young girl is her only “family” and companion. She is in the first year of Middle School. They live in a small loaned house and cannot afford to pay rent. Maria works cleaning houses, doing laundry and ironing to earn money for their support. She came to us concerned, worried, and very nervous, because she has been programmed to receive 6 sessions of chemotherapy at the cost of 6,000 pesos ($333.00 US) each session. She begs for money, and the Casa has helped to complete her treatment program. This gives her some tranquility, and she is very grateful as she wants to live and see her grauddaughter grow.” Continue reading

Make Miracles this Christmas: “The man who truly loves God also loves his neighbor.”

St. Anthony Claret, Bishop

This past year has seen many disasters around the world and in the U.S. We view the situation of the poor in Tijuana as a constant disaster.  With your support and the care given by the Sisters at the Casa, may men and women are rehabilitated, move into the stream of productive society, and out of that state of disaster.

The families living in the Colonias/dumps cannot help where they were born and have scant control over their circumstances. The Sisters promote education for the children to help lift such families out of this downward spiral. It helps!  Because of you, the Sisters assist many studious children with the “scholarship” program. This consists of helping the students with bus money, uniforms, school supplies, and shoes, and enables many young boys and girls to remain in school.  Can you help “Adopt a Student” and support your student with a monthly gift? Continue reading

The Sisters Celebrate 60 Years of Missionary Work in Tijuana

“A well that has many sources never runs dry. When we are gone, others will come after us.”  Ugandan Martyrs

On September 1 at Our Lady of Grace Church in El Cajon, a wonderful Fiesta party began with Mass.  After Mass, a famous Fr. Gil meatball dinner was served, lively music played, then speakers, video, and prizes.  This was to celebrate the 70th birthday of Fr. Gil Gentile (a Director of Casa de Los Pobres USA) and the Sisters’ 60 years of extraordinary missionary work in Tijuana.  

Many gave generous donations in honor of Fr. Gil and the Casa Sisters.  To date, $21,885 has been received from 33 donors.  This month, 58 regular donors contributed $20,451.93 which includes a generous $6,000 from a Family Foundation.  Thank you!  Thank you also for donated items including food, bedding, school supplies, and miscellaneous items. Continue reading