Simple Lenten Meals
We serve Simple Lenten Meals in the North Conference Room on the Friday evenings of Lent, following the 6pm Stations of the Cross. Join us for the sustenance of food and fellowship! Each Friday a different parish group organizes the meal and donations are collected to benefit a different community-based organization in Washington, DC. On March 30, the Parish Pastoral Council and Liturgy Committee will organize the meal and the beneficiary will be Hogar San Francisco de Asis (Home of St. Francis of Assisi) in Chaclacayo, Peru, a home for disabled and seriously ill, destitute children.
In 2009 ten of St. Matthew's parishioners made a Mission trip to the Hogar to work with and care for the children. Patricia Abad and other dedicated volunteers who assisted with her at the Hogar will be the guest speakers discussing the Hogar's exceptional work and the children's current needs. 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 Hogar San Francisco de Asis. Let's continue St. Matthew's mission of helping the Hogar accomplish its mission.
Background
Hogar San Francisco de Asis is home to about 60 plus children, ranging from new borns 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 Hogar, 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 Hogar is their home and everyone in the home is considered their family.
Mission Statement
"Hogar San Francisco de Asis, like Saint Francis of Assisi himself, serves the poor and ministers to the destitute of Peru with love. The children who reside at the Hogar are accepted based on need, regardless of their religions, ethnic backgrounds, or political affiliation. The Hogar seeks to enrich the lives and enhance the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual well being of medically challenged children living in Peru."
Objectives
The Hogar hopes to offer its young residents a safe and peaceful place to recover from their medical crisis. During their stay, the Hogar 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 Hogar volunteers strive to teach and model appropriate behavior as follows:
(1) Social and Life Skills (e.g., developing positive self-images and good manners such as listening to and respecting others' needs, opinions, and differences)
(2) Cooperative Living (e.g., having the children participate in the care of others such as the younger and non-ambulatory children)
(3) Encourage Independence (e.g., self-care and hygiene so children can continue these skills after leaving the Hogar despite their medical or intellectual challenges)
(4) Dealing With Frustration (e.g., 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 (e.g., volunteers being non-judgmental and constructive and listening to encourage children's trust)
The outstanding work of the Hogar 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 donation 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.