Archive for November 18th, 2009
Remember and give thanks
By Scott Wasserman, chief governing officer, CFCA Governing Board
On Monday, Nov. 16, the church commemorated the 1989 martyrdom in El Salvador. It marks the 20th anniversary of the deaths of 16-year-old Celina, Elba, who is her mother and the Jesuits' cook, and six members of the Jesuit community at the University of Central America, including the university’s president, Ignacio Ellacuría.
Most reports list the martyrs in the other order: with the Jesuit priests first, then Elba and then Celina. The assassins are presumed to have murdered the girl and her mother as an afterthought, simply because they were found in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Here at CFCA, we promote the prominence of Celina and Elba. Like many CFCA families living in poverty, they struggled for dignity and peace against great odds. We also celebrate the six Jesuits who, like our sponsors, reached across the divide to give hope to this family. Through their shared martyrdom with the teen and her mom, the Jesuits gave hope to all families living in poverty. Presente!
We remember and give thanks for:
Celina and Elba Ramos
Segundo Montes
Ignacio Martin Baro
Juan Ramon Moreno
Amando Lopez
Joaquin Lopez y Lopez
Ignacio Ellacuria
2 comments November 18, 2009
What do I say? How to write your sponsored friend
“I feel very good when I get a letter. I feel I am being loved very much. It makes me want to write lots of letters to my sponsor.” — Sesilia, 9, Tanzania
Sesilia expresses what all sponsored friends feel about receiving letters from their sponsors. A letter from you is a symbol of love and represents the human connection in the relationship. Exchanging letters is a way for you build that relationship.
If you haven’t written your friend because you don’t know what to say, grab a piece of paper and a pen. Our goal with this month’s eNews is to help you compose a letter step-by-step using as an example a letter written by a sponsor to her friend in Venezuela.
Step 1: The opening
How do you start? This is usually the toughest part of the letter. Start by greeting your friend and asking about the family. Then, follow up with something your friend mentioned in a previous letter as Sheila has done here. Did he take a test? Is a family member ill? Did she have a birthday? The opening is the place to touch base about important events your friend has talked about.
Step 2: The body
Now that you’ve opened the letter, share what’s going on in your household. Sheila mentions Halloween and the upcoming holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sponsored friends love hearing about holiday customs. Or, share something about yourself. Describe a pet. Talk about your favorite sport. Tell your friend about your children, their ages and grades in school. The words will flow once you start writing about something important to you.
Step 3: The closing
In your closing paragraph, give your friend encouragement. Sheila simply closed her letter by wishing Edinson and his family a happy New Year. Tell your friend you think about him and pray for him and his family. Then, sign off.
Congratulations! The hard part is done. You can include a photo of yourself and your family with your letter. Sponsored friends love getting pictures.
Mailing your letter
Follow the instructions provided with the pre-printed mailing labels you received from CFCA. Send your letter via international airmail, unless it is sent to a U.S. mailing address. Check postage rates at the U.S. Postal Service Web site, www.usps.com.
We have more suggestions about letter writing here.
Was this helpful? Do you have any questions for us regarding letter writing? Drop us a line, we’d love to hear from you.
12 comments November 18, 2009
