An Easter message of self-sacrifice…
“The way we came to know love was that He laid down his life for us…Let us love not in word…but in deed.’” – 1 John 3:16-18
Dear Friends,
This verse in 1 John is a message about self-sacrifice out of love. It even goes as far as to say that we ought to “lay down our lives for our brothers.” While the exact language is rather strong, its overall purpose is to encourage us to show love through actions, not words. John asks us how we can truly love God and not have compassion for others in need. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice of giving his life, because of his immense love for us, so that we may have eternal life.
In November, I had an amazing opportunity to spend two weeks in Brazil, visiting our Sisters and witnessing their ministries in five towns. I saw the type of love John mentions through the people who come together to help those who are suffering. It’s not just our Sisters who reach out to those who are poor. Through their civil organizations, they employ people who shared with me how they felt called to this type of work. Other kind-hearted people from the community, who don’t have means themselves, selflessly give their time by offering a sympathetic ear to someone who is sick or by teaching the Catechism to children who live in rural areas. The Brazilian people I met had such faith in God. People living in dire poverty still smiled, worked hard and were optimistic for a better tomorrow.
St. Francis of Assisi School began more than 60 years ago when two Franciscan Sisters taught under a mango tree for eight months in Cristalândia, TO. Today, 80 children in grades 2-5 receive a Christian education. Mission Society support of $100/month helps our Sisters provide uniforms for children who can’t afford them, food for families without, and supplies for craft classes that teach parents a trade they can use to earn income.
My mission experience in Brazil allowed me to personally see and understand how you, our benefactor, shows compassion for those who are poor through your generosity. Each month, you enable the Mission Society to provide $1,800 in ongoing support to 10 Brazilian ministries. We also awarded another $40,000 in program grants last year. Things like food, medicine, music, art, skill building and education bring comfort and hope to people without homes or the basic necessities of life.
“What do I have to complain about? I have God and my children.” Eliene lives in a makeshift home in a field outside Anápolis, GO.
Mission Society funding of $300/mo. helps our Sisters’ civil program (AFIA), which provides food, medicine & school materials for families like Eliene’s.
Last year, the Mission Society provided an additional $113,000 in ongoing support to programs where the Franciscan Sisters are actively serving in Bolivia, Jamaica and the U.S. This Easter, please consider a gift to help our Sisters, and their partners in ministry, bring Christ’s love and compassion to those who are poor.
The Mission Society provides $300/mo. to our Sisters’ ministries in Araguacema, TO for formation materials, food, medicine & school supplies. Sr. Nara Maria Jaime takes toys to children living on a remote farm.
May Jesus’ love continue to shine through you,
Laura Whitford
President, St. Elizabeth Mission Society
Click HERE for the 2018 Easter Appeal
To order Easter Cards, click HERE.
May you be blessed by the beauty of God’s love this Easter and always. Happy Easter!
