Author Archives: Nola B
Mother Candelaria
-Nola B.
Achieving More Together
Here are some moving insights from the administrator of Carmen Pampa University, one of our ministry partners. It was founded by a Franciscan nun to serve the needs of poor but hardworking high school graduates from rural areas of Bolivia, the poorest country on the South American continent. We all imagine being part of something … Continue reading
Crazy Obedience
When Pat was a teen, he was kidnapped, taken to an island and forced to serve a warlord. Six grueling years later, a voice whispered to him in his sleep, “Your hungers are rewarded. You are going home. Look, your ship is ready!” Pat soon escaped to a ship and made it off the island. … Continue reading
Special Delivery from Rome
We’ve been excited here at HQ ever since we got a very special envelope from the Holy See. In it was an invitation addressed to the President of Cross Catholic Outreach, James J. Cavnar, and our Director of Clergy & Diocesan Relations, Monsignor Ted Bertagni. They’d been asked to participate in the XXIX Plenary Assembly … Continue reading
St. Francis Family Helper
Gerald’s mom was left to raise four children when their dad deserted them. Her only source of income was a vegetable garden. Most of the food went to feed the family; any extra she sold to buy basic necessities. While other kids were in school Gerald and his siblings would help farm and do chores … Continue reading
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Tomorrow we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It was more than 500 years ago that the Mother of our Lord appeared to Juan Diego on his way to attend a Mass outside Mexico City. Standing in a radiant cloud, she looked like a beautiful Aztec princess; and in his own language she … Continue reading
Mary’s Home
While we may often reflect on the virtues of the Virgin Mary, we seldom reflect on her mother, St. Anne, except during the upcoming Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It must have been quite special to raise a sinless little girl. Surely St. Anne gave Mary a loving home, where she in turn learned to … Continue reading
“The kingdom of God belongs to such as these”
Jonas was only five when he came to Amenacer, a home for street kids in Bolivia. Now age eleven, he recently celebrated his First Communion. He said, “Amenacer has taught me to believe in one God who is the Father of all, and in His Son Jesus who makes us free. He has given me … Continue reading
What a difference a nun makes
Through support from Cross Catholic Outreach, Sr. Irene Claire Duval, of the Compassionate Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, has been able to provide food, clothing and other necessities to Enit’s impoverished family. I asked Enit to describe the changes this dynamic nun has made in their rural village of Viloux, Haiti. I expected to hear … Continue reading
