As I write this Saint Francis is looking out from under his blanket of snow in stone silence. Well, at least I can see his head; Saint Fiacre, the patron Saint of gardeners, has melted down to his waist. Could it be Spring?

This has been one heck of a cold winter. The snow has been here since the day after Christmas.  I ended up in the hospital on January 10^th for an angioplasty. Luckily I got out just in time. The day after we had 14 more inches of snow.

In a word, between the holidays, bad weather and the hospital everything is backed up. But we have the Springtime to which to look forward and with that the 40^th Anniversary of the Franciscan Family Apostolate.  

Alan J. Ouimet S.F.O.

Spring Means Regional Meetings

With the coming of Spring preparations are being made for the annual regional meetings. I need your help. We have so many families in need I will go anywhere to herald their need. If you have need of a speaker for your upcoming regional meeting please do consider the Franciscan Family Apostolate. There is no expense to the region. FFA presentations take approximately a half hour including a short video.  You can easily reach me by either calling 203 - 421-3866 or sending me an email, ffaindia@att.net.

Family from Website in Need of Sponsor

Come April our 40^th Anniversary

Who would have ever thought! Certainly not me.  It started publically in April, 1971 with an article I wrote in the Franciscan Herald, then the national magazine of the Third Order of Saint Francis, now called the Secular Franciscan Order in collaboration with Bishop Joseph Kudukulam,  Bishop of Trichur, India and the Indian Third Order. The going donation at that time was five dollars per month, the rupee exchange rate was rs 7 to the dollar. Today we are at $25 with the exchange rate sitting at around 44 rs to the dollar.  One month after the article we had 20 sponsors on board; by 1973, when we expanded into the diocese of Alleppey, we had over 300 sponsors on board.  Because sponsors were signing up from different parts of the world, Canada, South America and Australia, we had representatives from each country sending funds to India. Inevitably, these grew into independent entities and are still in existence today as far as I know.

The first sponsor to sign up was Antoinette Burke, God rest her soul and many of you first timers are still with us - Francine Schmatz, Aimee Gerard, Alice Drees, Mary Schubert. All still doing wonderful things.  Mary not only helped a family but also support their son, James, paying his tuition in the seminary. He is now Father James Anaparambil, the rector of the major seminary, the Pontifical Institute of Theology and Philosophy in nearby Alwaye, India.  Many have moved on to greener pastures and we were blessed by their presence.  The amazing thing is that the work continues.  Truly it is a family thing.  Humberto Montagna was among our first sponsors. Upon his death his son's, Michael and John took over the families and as those families moved on, supported many more. Michael has been a very generous supporter of many of the FFA projects. Mary Storms was among the first to commit herself to several families; upon her death, her niece, Judy Warner took over their support. A few years ago Judy's daughter, Jaye married Steve.  Their gift register for the marriage was donations to the Franciscan Family Apostolate.  Judy, Jaye and Steve will be traveling to India this September to visit their families. You must know Judy by now. She has been doing our newsletters and is now the chairperson of the FFA board - all of whom are sponsors. So when we say Franciscan "Family" Apostolate - family has a very personal ring to it. There are many, many stories like these but little room to tell them. The important living message here however is "love one another as I have loved you."

It is important to know how important you are as sources of inspiration to us working the Apostolate, here and in India. You inspire us on by your generosity and the beautiful letters of concern for your families.  Your love and concern is a treasure trove for us to help us in lean days.  Especially today in these lean times.

Tax Letters

The law requires that you have a tax letter for any single donation $250 and over. A tax letter is not required for a lesser amount or for accumulated donations reaching that amount over a period of time.  We have tried to keep current however if you need a tax letter please let me know.

This note brings with it a warm appreciation for all that you are doing for the poor and a prayer that this year will bring you good fortune.