More Detail: The following comes from recent letters from me.

1. To Father Al at St. Ann

The situation is now drastic. The French money will be withdrawn unless Madre Carmen withdraws the faith based elements of the mission and makes the children eligible for French adoption with the Mission serving as the adoption agency. She cannot do this so that money is gone as of September 15th. The French are paying for Dr. Cujcuj and many operations.

May belief is that St. Ann Missionaries and other faithful Christians will have to step into the breech. I will try to get an accounting from Madre as to exactly what money is needed and when. I will urge her to cut anything that is not absolutely essential. My presentation on the 18th will include this information, a monthly funding plan, an an appeal for support.

2. To Father Kozar (Director of Missions Pittsburgh Diocese)

Father Kozar, Thank you for your time with me on the phone today. This message is designed to confirm what we discussed so we both have a record. Please let me know if anything here seems incorrect or inappropriate. Also there is a somewhat substantial CC list that includes Father Al McGinnis, Father Ken Oldenski and other interested parties.

Background - in brief A neo-pagan French organization assumed a strong financial support role for the Franciscan Mission in Patzun Guatemala. Missionaries from St. Ann have been providing money directly to children through CFCA, physical labor and some cash. Upon the death of Father Justiniano Baubin, Pastor to Patzun from Italy since 1952, the French decided to secularize the Mission.. Their support will be withdrawn unless the mission head, Madre Carmen, eliminates the faith based elements of the mission and makes the children eligible for French adoption - with the Mission serving as the adoption agency. She cannot do this so pagan money is gone as of September 15th. The French are paying for a Guatemalan pediatrician and many daily costs. I have read the contract urged upon Madre Carmen in which the secularization of the Mission was proffered, hence this is not a matter of hearsay.

Objective To raise funds, about $2,000/month, from Christians to offset the French support.

Method Direct appeal will be made by me, Danny Scott, Rob White, other St. Ann missionaries and faithful Christians to parishes, and Christian philanthropic organizations. In those appeals we should make it clear that St. Ann Parish, under the guidance of Father Albin McGinnis, is the focal point of collection and distribution to Patzun. Should Father Ken, or other Pastors, become comfortable with the solicitation their names and the names of their parishes will be added. The Diocese of Pittsburgh is very supportive of the effort, but care should be taken to not confuse the person-to-person and parish-to-parish mission with the Diocesan Mission to Chimbote. [Frankly, I believe the kingdom of God will increase as individuals come to know they are personally being asked to join the Body of Christ in this way. Therefore I am fully supportive of the Diocesan position.] Lastly, you are prepared, subject to availability, to speak at St. Richard on the subject of missions, Catholic Missions and the Diocesan Mission.

Finally Actually this is foremost. Please pray for the orphans and Franciscan Sisters at Patzun; and please pray for our efforts in supporting them. The death of Father Justiniano was a hammer blow. Sister after Sister told us this summer that we gave them the hope they needed to go on. They weren't kidding, anyone could see how discouraged they were. The idea of the French forcing the Sister to choose between bread and the Bread of Life tells me Satan views this as an "opportune moment" to steal some souls. Danny Scott, the rest of the St. Ann Missionaries, Rob White (my mentor) and I are the last hope. Without success children of the mission will lose their lives or their salvation. With God's grace and through your prayers I am convinced the outcome will make Jesus smile.

Contacts in the Pittsburgh Diocese

• Father Al McGinnis, St. Ann Parish, 232 East High Street Waynesburg, PA USA 15370 Phone (724)627-7568
• Father John E. Kozar, MDiv, Director - Office of Missions (Society for the Propagation of the Faith Diocese of Pittsburgh 111 Blvd. of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15222 USA Tel: (412) 456-3065 Email: missions@diopitt.org - aware and supportive of the effort
• Father. Kenneth E. Oldenski, Pastor Saint Richard Parish 3841 Dickey Road Gibsonia, PA 15044 USA Tel: (724) 444-1971 Fax: (724) 444-6001 - my current Pastor. We plan to develop a mission at St. Richard.
• Father Daniel A. Valentine, DMin, Pastor Holy Spirit Parish 2603 Old Elizabeth Road West Mifflin, PA 15122-2598 USA Tel: (412) 466-5048/(412) 466-8204 - the pastor who brought me into the Catholic Church. He is not directly involved, but knows of the situation.
• Father Kris D. Stubna, STD Secretariat for Education, Diocese of Pittsburgh 111 Blvd. of the Allies Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Tel: 412-456-3100 Fax: 412-456-3101 Email: education@diopitt.org - not directly involved, but aware and supportive

Contact in Guatemala

• If you want to send email to Madre Carmen click on the link. Madre can tell you of the need directly. It may be easier to get money there by sending it to St. Ann, however. Also Madre and the Franciscan Sisters communicate well using email, but speak and write Spanish only. I am sure she would be happy o hear from you.