|
As of this writing (December 6, the feast of Saint Nicholas) there is snow on the ground here in Madison, CT. It was totally unexpected but a welcome sentimental herald to the forthcoming celebration of the birth of Christ. What would the world be like without such a feast? Like Pottersville as shown in the Christmas classic, It's A Wonderful Life? A place where misery is exploited and the person with the most toys wins?
To you I must say "thank you, thank you" for you have given me a wonderful meaningful life. This coming year, 2011, we will celebrate the founding of the Franciscan Family Apostolate - 40 years ago. Through your love, and others like you, your family and thousands others have found a path out of poverty through self-development assistance. "Continue to love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter4:8) surely is good advice from an excellent source. May I encourage you on!
Realizing the hard times in which we live please do remember those who are suffering from want and worn from difficulty. Especially if they have children, this is a very difficult time. A visit to your local foodbank or shelter, or participation in a parish giftgiving program for the poor would be a wonderful gift in celebration fo the birth of Christ.
From the Ouimet household to yours, have a happy, holy Christmas and a blessed and prosperous New Year.
Alan J. Ouimet S.F.O. |
Vist to India - Part Two
During my second week I visited the state of Andhra Pradesh to meet for the first time the Canossian Sisters who are actively working the Apostolate among our families in Andhra.
 | | A welcome dance by the Sisters at the Vizag convent |
We had a visit with eleven sisters, including Sister Carmel Paul, all who traveled to Vizag from their mission stations which, due to my limited time, I could not visit. We are assisting tribal families in Andhra, all of whom have been affected or infected by the HIV/AIDS virus. Like Alleppey, we are also giving out micro credit loans to 88 families. Recently the media has reported that micro credit operations in Andhra have turned out poorly. Certain allegations have been made that families are being forced to go to money lenders to get funds to pay back the loans and being charged exorbitant interest; some families are experiencing suicides due to the inability to payback; and credit corporations issuing the loans are not lending wisely hence causing these types of unfortunate incidents. Such has not been the case with us. Unlike Alleppey, we are not lending only to FFA sponsored families but the Sisters know their people who in turn respect the Sisters. We have had an almost perfect repayment history with only a few families with minor delays. As a matter of fact, when we approached a secular credit company to partner with them they refused as they felt working with the Sisters would be a handicap. "Sisters don't know how to collect money. We will loose our money." As it ended up, the Sisters have done quite well by us; the secular credit company in question has taken a shellacking even to a point where they have been publically accused of manhandling women to get repayment. It made international news.
But there are other things on the mind of the Sisters. They are not only working with our families but also have the residual effect of the HIV/AIDS virus. Over 100 orphans have lined up on their horizons - children who have no parents and no place to go; and children who have no parents and live with relatives who shun them because of the fear of HIV/AIDS. There is a need to house, feed and clothe these children as well as to pay their education fees. Not only that, there is a need to educate the tribal people about HIV/AIDS! They pleaded and cajoled for us to be more involved. They have no funds only faith. We have no funds only faith. What is at issue? To house, feed and educate 100 HIV/AIDS children - $26000; to educate 72 tribal villages concerning HIV/AIDS and other healthcare issues - $5000. It is my belief that if you take the first step God will take the other seven. So, let's see what happens.
|
National Franciscan Meeting at Paradise Valley, AZ
 | | Franciscan Renewal Center |
I was honored to be invited, on my return from India, to speak at the meeting of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) which represents the 30 SFO regions in the United States. With all the regional representatives present it was a great opportunity to tell my brothers and sisters in Saint Francis all the wonderful things that have been happening among the poor for the past 39 years since the FFA started. I spent three days there. It was a wonderful experience. As a Franciscan one can spot "home" immediately. Familiarity and camaraderie is immediate. It was there.
I was able to connect with Tom Bello, S.F.O. and Jan Parker, S.F.O. who have been supporting the FFA for years. Tom, the National Minister and Jan, the National Secretary were able to give me 20 minutes to do my "dog and pony show" about the FFA. I showed a "before and after" video of a sponsored family emphasizing what can be done for the poor in far off lands - that it is immediate, personal and its impact as manna from heaven. I touted the "hi-tech" ability of the apostolate - email, Skype and video film of contacts with families that can be posted on the web putting the poor only " a click away." If Franciscan spirituality emphasizes poverty as its beating heart - then the Franciscan Family Apostolate is an excellent, immediate opportunity to impact in a significant way on the plight of a destitute family. Because the regional ministers are the portal to the many fraternities in their region I requested the regional ministers consider inviting me to speak at their annual regional chapter meeting at no cost to them - no travel, board expenses or honorarium required. The important thing is to build the sponsor base growing - the vineyard is large and the laborers few.
|
|
Franciscan Family Apostolate
93 Country Way, Madison, CT 06443
203-458-8172 --ffaindia@att.net
|
|
|
Franciscan Family Apostolate
Alan Ouimet
Founder and President
|
|
