We feed, rehabilitate and love Argentina's forgotten

Litir na Nollag 2009

ón Athair Liam Ó hAodha, S.V.D.

Christmas Greetings from Fr.Liam Hayes, S.V.D.

Dear readers

Recently, during a beautiful tropical full moon night, I saw a most lovely sight on the tall cactus plant outside my front door.  Bunches of beautiful white, creamy flowers had appeared on the top of the thick fleshy stems.  It was a sight to behold.  At sunrise, the flowers disappeared inside the cactus.  This is an example of silent creation at its best.  In the night´s peace, stillness and solitude, one could hear the voice of creation speaking God´s creative and redemptive Word.  This cactus flower blooms in late November and early December.  It reminds one of Christmas approaching and another year coming to an end.  After years of being here, it is only now that I witnessed this magnificent scene.  How true are the poetic lines:

“Full many a flower is born to blush unseen,

And waste its sweetness on the desert air”.

Thank God this did not occur with out most recent arrival, Kenny Emmanuel.  He was discovered in his own faeces and urine in the basement of a disused house in subzero temperatures dressed solely in a wet pullover.  Although 15 years old, he only weighed 24 kilos (4 ½ stone) and 130cm (4feet) tall. He has Down´s Syndrome.

Usually, we find similar children living with their very less well-off families.  In Kenny´s case, his parents are well to do and pillars of their local community.   Some locals became suspicious and informed the police of their concerns.  Because of their high esteem in the eyes of the community, the police decided not to look into this matter believing that the information was inaccurate.  However,  a conscientious policewoman decided to investigate incognito.  On doing so, she heard human sounds, gasps of pain and faint crying coming from under the ground. The judge was informed and ordered an investigation by the police.  This precious child was found in the foetal position, skeleton like.  In his hand was a baby´s bottle containing thick, sour milk.  When the policewoman entered to rescue Kenny, he clung to her and did not want to let go of her.  On examination, it was found that Kenny had tried to escape from his imprisonment by his fingernail scratches on the wall trying to reach the door. His rescue and arrival in St. Teresa´s Home made local and nationwide headlines including national television coverage.  Both his parents are in prison pending an investigation.

Kenny is making a good recovery from his terrible ordeal.    During his first days with us, he used to flee from the sunlight and shelter in the darkest corner which he could locate.  He has now overcome this fear and enjoys playing outdoors in the glorious sun. Dentists Maria del Carmen and Maria Blanca spent days treating his teeth and mouth sores. His teeth are now lovely and white. Under the guidance of Dr. Omar, Kenny´s food consumption continues to be monitored.  At the beginning, Kenny drank different nutritious food but is now able to take small doses of solid food.  Today, the staff must watch Kenny carefully when he enters the kitchen because he usually tries to raid the fridge.

Words fail me to thank the dedicated staff, the doctor, dentists and volunteers who have succeeded in restoring Kenny to his present state of health.  It is with great joy to say that in his four months in the Home, he has gained one kilo+ in weight and grown 3cms in height.  What a change for Kenny from darkness to light, from undernourishment to being fed adequately, from skeleton like to putting on weight.  What amazes me is how the spirit of life survived in Kenny Emmanuel. As St. John says in his Gospel “A light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower” (John 1:5).

Bible Garden.

Work continues on this exciting project. The Calvary Hill is modelled on the private revelations of the suffering and death of Christ to Blessed Catharina Emmerick.  We hope to have most of this sufficiently completed for Lent 2010 when the first bishop, Monsignor Victor Arenharot, of the newly established Diocese of Oberá by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XV1, will bless same.  A local sculptor made the figures of Christ and the two thieves and a generous family heavy equipment firm,  from the area erected the figures free of charge.  In time, it is hoped that the Bible Garden will become a place of pilgrimage for both Oberá residents and visitors.

Volunteers and New Website.

We had very dedicated volunteers during the year including  two final year dental students, studying at Aberdeen(or Glasgow) university, Grace Teague, Tyrone, and John  Broess, Glasgow,  did the social part of their course in our Homes and accompanied our dentists to help in the poorer districts of Oberá.   They did trojan work and aided all the residents with their dental skills and their infectious good humour.  Their excellent cooking skills went down a treat with all our residents and assistants..

Priscilla Groves from South Africa and James Kennedy, Dublin, gave their all to comfort the residents and also set up our new website, www.rescueargentina.com including lessons on how to operate and maintain the site.  They did not spare themselves in either task and continue to help us operate the website by telephone and emails.  Both have clearly stated that their view on life has been completely changed for the better having spent two wonderful weeks in the Santa Teresita Home.  May God bless all our volunteers.

William (Billy) O´Connor, R.I.P.

“One can pay back the loan of gold, but one is forever in debt to those who are kind” (Indonesian Proverb).

This sums up the enormous debt the Homes of St. Teresa and Virgen de Lujan owes to the late Billy O´Connor (1951 – 2009), of Cappamore, Co. Limerick, Ireland.  He passed to eternal life on 23^rd May, 2009.

When cash was very scarce in the early days of the Homes, Billy raised funds during the cold winter nights to help pay the Oberá pharmacies for essential medicines which alleviated the sufferings of our residents.  He did this, along with others, by selling Christmas cards.  The pharmacy owners trusted Fr. Liam and supplied him with the necessary medical supplies in the belief they would receive payment at a later date, which they did.

Billy did his utmost to live the Gospel, namely, to love God and  neighbour.  Everyone was his neighbor, both near and in distant lands.  May he rest in peace.

Leaba  I measc na Naomh go raibh aige.

Thanking all of you for your continued support.  May God give you many blessings  during this Christmas and the New Year .  Guím  beannachtaí na Nollag agus Áthbhliain faoi mhaise ort agus ar do mhuintir.

Le mile buíochas arís,

Padre Liam Hayes, S.V.D.

Because of Ramona, who was intellectually impaired, Fr. Hayes, SVD, was inspired to establish a second home for disabled adults who were abandoned and homeless.  Ramona had a history of psychiatric illness and lived on the streets of Oberá in extreme subtropical rain and seering heat and had been physically and sexually abused.  Her torturous plight was brought to the notice of this compassionate Irish missionary priest by local people who requested him to aid Ramona.  This set in motion the building of Hogar Virgen de Lujan in Guarani, which is adjacent to Oberá.  On 8th December, 1999, the Home opened to receive its first delighted and joyous residents.

Last Tuesday, 8th December, 2009, on a very beautiful and sunny day invited guests, politicians, a very attractive policewoman representing the police, supporters and locals from the surrounding area, gathered on the home´s well kept garden.  Cameras at the ready, the professional reporters took photographs of the proceedings.

The celebrations began with the Mass of the day.  The chief celebrant of the Mass was Most Rev. Dr. Victor Arenhardt, the recently appointed bishop of the newly established diocese of Oberà.  He concelebrated with  Fr. Luis Pizzutti, SVD,  Fr. Liam Hayes SVD and was assisted by two permanent deacons.  Appropriately, the first reading was read by the bearded Claudio, an assistant in the home.  Antonia Ternowyk, one of the founders of the home, read the second.

The offering of the gifts included a walking aid presented to the bishop by 87 year old Marina, the oldest resident.  Resident Margareta , aided by Raquel, an assistant, brought up medicines whilst Antonio, who is deaf and dumb and brother of another inhabitant of the home, also without power of speech and hearing, presented a very large, wooden rosary beads.

The well rehearsed choir sang very suitable hymns before, at the beginning, during and at the end of the Mass.  We sincerely thank all the members of the choir for their dedicated time in making the Mass more joyous.

Very Rev. Dr. Victor blessed the stations of the cross and a statue of the Blessed Virgen Mary and unveiled a plaque in memory of  Dr. Raúl Vencherutia, lawyer and who was a most generous supporter of the  home.

All were invited to “tuck in” into the delicious food  of sandwiches and mouthwatering cakes and other goodies.  The bishop cut the very large 10th anniversary , three cakes in all, which were shared amongst  residents and visitors alike.

Although very busy, Dr. Victor met and spoke to many of those in attendance before hurrying of to his third and final official function of the day.  Muchas gracias, Dr. Victor for your very welcome attendance and partaking in the celebrations.

With various types of support from generous hearts, no doubt Hogar Virgen de Lujan will continue to lovingly care for more abandoned, disabled and homeless persons for generations to come.

How Prayer and Practically Mean So Much To The Poor of Argentina.  

   -  The Irish Examiner, 7th July, 2004.

      Rónán Mullen.

President McAleese smiled down as our neighbour lifted the tarantula.  He did it so effortlessly.

Two fingers thrust forward surgically, squeezing the spider just enough to grab him but not so tight as to kill.  Transferring the creature to a piece of paper.  Followed by a graceful removal to the priest´s garden. Read the rest of this entry »