A Message from Fr. Jay
Dear Friends,
This week, I would like to share a deeply uplifting experience from my visit to Mexico. The Fox Family from our parish, invited me to Chalco Girls’ Town (Villa de las Niñas), a safe haven and school run by the Sisters of Mary. It provides 3,500 girls, ages 11 to 18, with a safe environment and high-quality education, helping them break the cycle of poverty and build brighter futures.
Mr. Mike and Mrs. Cecile Fox gave me no hint of what awaited me. The immaculate 100-acre campus includes three six-story buildings, a 4,000-seat gymnasium, a large swimming pool, several basketball courts, a soccer field, a running track, and beautiful gardens. The Fox Family also generously funded a new two-story Nursing School, in which I had the unexpected honor of blessing at its opening.
Venerable Father Al Schwartz, a visionary devoted to children facing poverty and vulnerability, founded this institution and dedicated his life to its growth, guided by his profound spirituality. He also established the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary and entrusted the sisters with carrying on its mission. Sister Martha, the superior and a former student, explained that Father Al’s spirituality embraces five vows: poverty, chastity, obedience, three hours of prayer every day and service to the poor.
During our visit, we stayed at the Hacienda, Father Al’s former residence. Each busy day began at 4:30am in the chapel with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by morning prayer, singing, Mass in Spanish, and personal prayer. By 6:00am, the team was ready to help the children prepare for the day, and the staff and coaches arrived at 8:00am. The campus had the joyful spirit of a fiesta. We practiced Spanish with the children as they practiced English with us. Their studies included general education and practical training in culinary arts, tailoring, computer skills, music, dance, soccer, handball, and basketball; and nursing education will soon be added. It was especially striking that the children jogged or ran instead of walking—a prayerful tribute to Father Al, who ran tirelessly with them during his lifetime. Many children asked me to hear their confessions, but the language barrier prevented me from doing so. This experience has now inspired me to begin learning Spanish.
Each day I carried the Blessed Sacrament in the Monstrance to each floor of two large buildings (total of 12 floors), blessing every place and children with the help of 8 well trained Altar Servers. One thing I still cherish during our visit, is the beautiful and graceful smiles of the children! Thanks to Fox Family. This visit certainly created a ripple effect in me and my pastoral ministry at our parish. I would like to continue to share more with you in the future. On the last day, we made the pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. It was a mesmerizing moment with our blessed Mother. I brought all our parishioners in prayer to her. Mother Mary, pray for us!
God Bless,
Fr. Jay Raju
- Reading 1: Sirach 27:30-28:7
- Reading 2: Romans 14:7-9
- Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35
