We feed, rehabilitate and love Argentina's forgotten

Wednesday, 31st March, 2010.  Vanessa and Lydia, with british passports, decided to take a career break.  Visiting several parts of South America, it was their plan to do some voluntary work.  The decision was to come to Hogar Santa Teresa del Niño Jesús.

During their time with us, they gave great joy to those residents capable of using their hands through therapy painting and drawing.   Although they had to keep a tight rein on their money, they nevertheless, bought the necessary materials for this speciality.  The work of the residents was displayed  on walls and pointed out to the individual artists.  This pleased them greatly seeing their work  openly shown to all who came to the home. 

The girls also helped in the kitchen by klneading the dough to make the bread, fed the residents and amused them in various ways including guitar playing.

Many thanks, Lydia and Vanessa for all your help and kindness.

This week has been an extremely busy one as we are preparing the Calvary and grounds for the local bishop,  bishop Victor, invited guests and locals.  Fr. Hayes composed the letter to invite the guests; copies were printed and signed by Fr. Liam.  All were delivered by hand due to pressure of time.  Fr. Liam has spent some considerable time with Carina in preparing the homily and other liturgical readings and music.  The grass have been cut, gravel spread on the dirt tracks in the grounds and around the bottom of the Calvary wall.  The three large crosses and figures repainted and heavy stones, put up on the top of the Calvary.  The first of five sets of steps put in place leading to the top of the Calvary is now in place.  According to Blessed Catherine Emmerich (sometimes spelt Emmerick), there were 5 stakes at the bottom of the cross of the crucified Christ to help it stay in position.  Today, Friday,19th March, 2010, the feast St. Joseph, husband of Mary, we hope to put the 5 stakes in position.  Work has commenced on the altar at the bottom of the hill of Carvary for the celebration of the Sunday Mass , 21st March.  We only have today and, if necessary work tomorrow for the final preparations.  We have been praying earnestly to God for a very good this Sunday.  Please, dear God, do not cry——–we don´t want any rain.  At the end of the Mass, Bishop Victor will bless the Calvary and the nearby tomb.

The local authority has agreed to a free showing of  “The Passion of the Christ” , a brillant film funded and directed by the actor Mel Gibson.  Many thanks to all involved in doing this . The film will be screened tonight, in Oberá, Friday 19th March at 9.00pm and much publicity has been given to it.

Great progress has been made on the security wall.  The high gate will soon be erected after the final part of the wall has been completed.  Unfortunately, as had been predicted and mentioned earlier, we had to go into debt by having no choice but to borrow 10,000 pesos, about 2,000 euro.

Seamus

On 25th January, 2010, two volunteers arrived in Oberá, Margaret O´Mahony and Veronica Nolan, both from Dublin.  We met them at the bus terminal and transported them to Hogar Santa Teresa del Niño Jesús.

After a few days rest and orientation in the Home and surrounding areas, they set about their specific task of massaging the residents.  The residents were delighted with this treatment.

After three weeks, both women went to Buenos Aires for a week´s holiday including a trip to Uruguay which is a short boat journey from Argentina.

At the end of the week, Vera (Veronica) returned home to freezing Ireland whilst Margaret returned to the Home to continue on with her specific task and continues to do her voluntary work.  Margaret also helps in the kitchen and feeding the residents.

Margaret is very pleased with the new arrangement for massages.  She has been given a room where she can work in a very suitable environment and plays soothing music to give more relaxation to the residents. Staff members help by lifting the residents onto the massaging table.

Margaret is willing to remain with us for as long as she can.  We wish her every success in her new role.

Séamus.