Christmas, more than any other time of the year, is a bittersweet time. Sweet because it proclaims the incarnation of God, the enfleshing of our Lord who deigned to walk with us in this vale of tears, sharing our limitations and sufferings, encouraging us in our pilgrimage towards our true home. Indeed, the entire season focuses on Him as a Babe, a helpless, passive recipient of the world's tribulations, buffeted by its seeming senselessness. Thus, Christmas proclaims that our God has become one of us. This imparts to the season a joy which entire families share. It is a time of merrymaking, a time of giving, of celebration, a sweet time. However, it is also tinged with sadness, for memories of loved ones who are no longer with us come to the fore. They are persons who made our life more complete, more fulfilling, who enhanced our existence and their absence at such a time of joy creates a void in our collective soul. We have had a very fulfilling year in our home. We have welcomed scores of children and have watched them heal and grow, have listened to their raucous laughter and enjoyed their delightful presence. However, three of our children were called home to their Father and we feel the void left by their absence. Elmer was 18 years old and suffered from chronic leukemia, a lovely, giving young man who loved to care for the younger children. Godofredo, an 11 year old with liver cancer, was our teaser who delighted in playing tricks on the other children, regaling in their distress at being duped. Jose Jackson, a 10 year old with multiple congenital anomalies, was always ready with a quick smile but also a stern correction for any child who misbehaved. We feel their loss but are sustained and consoled by the memories they left us. We as a nation also collectively share the grief of the families who lost loved ones in the senseless attacks in New York and Washington. Our national soul has been severely wounded by such grievous acts but it will be healed through the example of the Babe who 2000 years ago came into this world destined to share in our suffering and in so doing defeat death. For one cannot consider Christmas without remembering the Cross and the Resurrection and in the thought of the Resurrection lies our true consolation.

Click here to see some photographs about these and other cases

Christmas is a time of joy and memories, a bittersweet time. Our gift to you this Christmas is a collage of photographs of our children who have experienced the gift of love in our home.

Click here to see some recent photographs

We thank you and love you for making this work possible. Let us pray for the spiritual healing of our world during 2002.

And finally, never lose hope. Rule of St. Benedict 4:74

God's peace to you.