Thank you!
Our Lady’s has had a sister parish relationship with San Marcos, a parish in San Marcos Ocotepeque, Honduras, for almost 25 years. In the early years, we supported the parish by helping fund some building projects, and the people of the parish supported us with their amazing faith and their prayers for us. When we decided, at the San Marcos parishioners’ request, about 13 years ago to fund scholarships for elementary and high school children, we became aware of the beautiful souls of these children, as they sent us messages of gratitude and love and trust in God each year. In the back of church this weekend (March 16-17), you can see many of their cards and messages from over the years. One scholarship is an average of $300 per school year, used for necessities such as shoes, books and supplies, transportation, uniforms, even food or medicine if a child needs it.
Elkin Natanael, age 16 and in Grade 9, is the grateful recipient of a scholarship this year. He lives with his mother, younger brother, and grandparents. His father abandoned them after his mother was diagnosed with epilepsy, and she is unable to work because of her condition. So most of the family’s support came from his uncle, who had gone North to support them and others in his family, but he died in a work accident in the U.S. Elkin’s grandfather, at 76, is the main support of the family now, helping pick the coffee harvest from November to January, and doing some farming work. Since money is scarce for them, a scholarship helps fill their great need so that Elkin can go to high school in San Marcos.
We are hoping to fund 60 children with scholarships this year. We are so thankful for donations in any amount, or perhaps you may wish to give the amount of a scholarship, $300. Every bit of support is an expression of love for these children and their parents, who want education above all for them.
To donate, please make checks out to Our Lady’s with “Honduras” in the memo line, and bring or mail them to the parish office, 573 Washington St., Newton, MA 02458, or put them in the collection basket at Mass. Thank you so much.