 |
||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Casa Franciscana
The modern day Franciscan presence began in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico in 
1969 when the local bishop asked for the help of an English speaking priest to serve the spiritual needs of the many United States tourists in the nearby resort area of San Carlos. The Franciscan Friars on the West Coast of the United States responded to this invitation by sending Fr. Fidelis Kuban, O.F.M. (d. 1981). He was followed about a year later by Fr. Martin “Marty” Gates, O.F.M. (d. 2000). Fr. Marty, having such a big Franciscan heart, could not remain indifferent to the poverty and destitution that he saw all around him in Guaymas. As one committed to putting the Gospel in practice he knew that it was necessary to attend to the physical needs of the poor as well as the spiritual. Other friars came to Guaymas and together they worked to attend to the most basic needs of the poor. The friars animated others to join them in these works of charity. From these simple beginnings the programs to help the poor have grown in scope and size.
In Mexico as in all of Latin America the parish is often the only security net the poor have. The friars soon realized this and began to respond to the needs of the people through social assistance programs.
Programs
Feeding the hungry
“For I was hungry and you gave me food” (Mt. 25:35)
Meson
The public dining room known as the Meson de Jesus began its service in 1987. For twenty years this dining room has served a free hot meal to the poor without regard to race, creed or color of skin. Today, the Meson serves meals 365 days a year. As well as serving meals at its main location, food prepared in the kitchen is taken to 3 other distribution points. In total, an average of one hundred and fifty meals are served each day.
Provisions
Besides the public dining room there is a program of distribution of non-perishable food staples. Once a month 200 bags filled with items such as beans, rice, cooking oil, pasta, etc. are distributed to the needy, many are elderly or families with small children.
Caring for the sick
“Cure the sick…” (Mt. 10:8)
Clinics
There is currently a medical and dental clinic. These clinics are staffed by volunteer doctors and dentists. There is a very small nominal fee for services.
In January of 2007, Dr. Teresa Rosas in collaboration with a group of volunteer dentists from the U.S.A. organized a dental campaign of service to the poor. During the week of this campaign 600 people received dental services! The Casa Franciscana dental clinic and staff played a key role in this campaign. There is hope this will continue on an annual basis.
Pharmacy
In conjunction with the clinics there is a small pharmacy.
Lodging
“I was…a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt. 25:35).
Shelter
Casa Franciscana has a few rooms dedicated to emergency lodging with no charge.
Housing
Much of the housing in the Guaymas area is very substandard, as a response to this situation Casa Franciscana has been involved in home renovation and construction. In 2004 five homes were constructed in a pilot project that included infrastructure for water and electricity. This project is in abeyance, however, two or three existing homes receive renovations each year under the auspices of Casa Franciscana.
Education
The long term solution and the key to getting out of extreme poverty is education. In Mexico, primary school is free but to take a college preparatory curriculum in high school costs more than many can afford. Casa Franciscana has recently started a program of scholarships for higher education for motivated and capable students. The program is growing rapidly.
Volunteers
Casa Franciscana friars and staff are grateful for many volunteers on both sides of the border who join in these works of charity.
Benefactors
There are many generous benefactors whose donations sustain the services to the poor provided through Casa Franciscana, without these benefactors the programs would be greatly diminished or terminated altogether.
*Photos provided by Peter Jordan Photography (www.peterjordanphoto.com)
