We serve Simple Lenten Meals (en español) in the North Conference Room on the Friday evenings of Lent following the 6pm Stations of the Cross. Each Friday we collect donations to benefit a different community-based organization in Washington, DC. On Friday, March 1, the parish Hispanic community will organize the meal and the beneficiary will be Home of St. Francis of Assisi in Choclacayo, Peru, a home for disabled and seriously ill, destitute children.Consider spending your early Friday evening with St. Matthew's family and friends - come for the 5:30pm Mass, 6pm Stations of the Cross and end with a shared meal and this great opportunity of almsgiving to our community.
Home of St. Francis of Assisi
In 2009 ten of St. Matthew's parishioners made a Mission trip to work with and care for the Home's children, a relationship that continues. These dedicated volunteers will speak about the Home's exceptional work and the children's current needs. Let's continue St. Matthew's mission of helping the Home accomplish its mission.
Background
Home of St. Francis of Assisi is home to about 60 plus children, ranging from newborns to young adults and suffering from poverty-related diseases such as malnutrition, tuberculosis, and parasites. They also are often challenged by other chronic medical illnesses including congenital malformation (e.g., cleft lip and palate), cancer, handicaps, and physical and emotional mistreatment. The Home, founded and supervised by pediatrician Dr. Anthony (Tony) Lazzara, provides free medical treatment (also including medicine, therapy, and surgery) and food from a caring staff. The length of stay for each child varies; they stay until they are well enough to return to their families. During their stay the Home is their home and everyone there is considered their family.
Mission Statement
The Home, like Saint Francis of Assisi himself, serves the poor and ministers to the destitute of Peru with love. The children who reside at the Home are accepted based on need, regardless of their religious and ethnic backgrounds or political affiliation. The Home seeks to enrich the lives and enhance the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual well being of medically challenged children living in Peru.
Objectives
The Home hopes to offer its young residents a safe and peaceful place to recover from their medical crisis.During their stay, the Home also finds it important to continue educating the children and young adults in both academic and social skills critical for their re-entry into society. The Home's volunteers strive to teach and model appropriate behavior as follows:
(1) Social and Life Skills (developing positive self-images and good manners such as listening to and respecting others' needs, opinions, and differences)
(2) Cooperative Living (having the children participate in the care of others such as the younger and non-ambulatory children)
(3) Encourage Independence (self-care and hygiene so children can continue these skills after leaving the Home despite their medical or intellectual challenges)
(4) Dealing With Frustration (encouraging children to talk and express emotions positively and teaching problem solving and non-aggressive conflict resolution)
(5) Communication is an Important Key to Positive Behavior (volunteers being non-judgmental and constructive and listening to encourage children's trust)
The outstanding work of the Home's center for destitute and sick children depends entirely on donations. To collect funds for this purpose, the Villa La Paz foundation was created. Every dollar of donations sent to the foundation is used for medical care and food for the children; no donation money is used for administration or other expenses. More information can be found at the following website: www.villalapazfoundation.org.