Sr. Pat Tyre, OSF with a student at St. Francis of Assisi Educational Center in Palmas, TO, Brazil. 100 students receive financial scholarships to this private school, which gives them a better chance of entrance into public university. Studying engineering, law and medicine can change their lives and their families’ lives by offering more opportunities for better-paying jobs. Mission Society support of $100/month, plus a grant, helps provide scholarship students with uniforms, food, transportation and supplies.
Easter is a Time of New Creations
“So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, hew things have come.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:17
Friends,
Easter is a wonderful time to consider our relationship with Jesus and to let go of pride, sin and bad habits. Just as His resurrection created new life for us, your gifts to St. Elizabeth Mission Society have brought new creation to many people in need. Your help allowed us to award $45,000 in grants in 2018.
- Leadership & Religious Formation – Diocese of Miracema (Tocantinus, Brazil) Craft supplies, office equipment & snacks to develop leadership trainings in the most needy communities.
- School Assistance for Needy Students – St. Francis of Assisi Educational Center (Palmas, TO, Brazil) Educational programs & supplies, food and school uniforms for 12 low-income students.
- Food for Healthy Living – Canticle Farm (Allegany, NY) 6.5 farm shares & education for local community residents in need given through food pantries & shelters.
- 25 Laptops – Archbishop Walsh Academy (Olean, NY) Bring the school closer to the goal of a one-to-one program that boosts educational outcomes.
- Homeless Women’s Shelter Upgrades – The Dwelling Place (New York City, NY) Paint dorm rooms.
- New Oven for Meal Center – Trinity Café (Tampa, FL) Replace an old, unrepairable model to better serve 450 free meals daily.
- Sandwiches for the Homeless – Holy Cross Parish (Springfield, MA) Ham, turkey and cheese for 400 sandwiches distributed weekly to the homeless.
- Sick Bay Renovation – Immaculate Conception High School (Kingston, Jamaica) Ironing board/iron, furniture, fixtures, appliances & linens to equip the newly-renovated Sick Bay facility.
- The Alma Glenn Hall Improvement Project – Alvernia Prep School (Kingston, Jamaica) Improve multipurpose space with new windows & two air-conditioning units.
Thank you for your generosity that has provided the means for us to accomplish God’s work in serving those who are poor in Jamaica, Brazil, Bolivia and the United States. I ask you to prayerfully consider a gift that will bring new life and new hope to one who is suffering.
May Jesus Christ’s redeeming love bless you this Easter,
Laura Whitford
President, St. Elizabeth Mission Society
To view our Easter Appeal in pdf format, click HERE.
ON CARD BACK: Legend of the Dogwood
An old and beautiful legend has it that, at the time of the Crucifixion, the dogwood was comparable in size to the oak tree and other monarchs of the forest. Because of its firmness and strength, it was selected as the timber for the cross, but to be put to such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Jesus, in His gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all, said to it: “Because of your sorrow and pity for My sufferings, never again will the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth, it shall be slender, bent and twisted and its blossoms will be in the form of a cross – two long and two short petals. In the center of the outer edge of each petal will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns so that all who see it will remember.”
To view our Easter Appeal in pdf format, click HERE.
