November 30, 2004

Merry Christmas!!!
To: All my friends and friends of the orphans I give my deepest thanks for the generous help that you have given the orphans. You are always in my prayers and every night at bed time the children pray for you. In the last twelve months, computers and clothing, items for personal hygiene, sports equipment and other things have been sent to the orphanages in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The chapel at Casa Asis (children age 5 and under in Nicaragua) has been completed and furnished with your funds. In our next shipment we are sending ice-making and sewing machines to Nicaragua. The amphitheater in Honduras, which I hope to dedicate upon completion, again is from your generous funding to the program. I will spend the month of December in Nicaragua. Sister Phyllis Kelleher who started Casa Asis has built it from scratch into a fine, caring and loving facility. Sister, who is retiring at the end of the year, was responsible for my involvement. I thank her from the bottom of my heart as it has given me great joy to contribute to this wonderful cause. With love and gratitude in Jesus,

First High School Graduate from Garbage Dump

Born on December 2, 1982 in Cuernavaca, Mexico, Letitica Aguilar has one brother and five sisters. She, her mother and two sisters live at Milpillas, the garbage dump for Cuernavaca, where they survive by selling the inorganic trash they collect. Leticia began her studies at NPH

Christmas at Casa Asis

By Pat Black Christmas has become even more of a blessing since Ive spent three at Casa Asis. Sr. Phyllis was visiting St. Isidores four years ago and I showed her around San Francisco. At the end of the day she invited me to come to Casa Asis in San Jorge, Nicaragua to hold her babies. I told her I didnt speak Spanish and had never had children. I didnt feel qualified. She smiled and said the children know when they are loved and the tiny babies dont speak Spanish either. So I went, when she needed me the most, at Christmas time. Believe me, in Nicaragua, at least at Casa Asis, its not about presents. Its about Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. Oh yes! Jesus birthday is celebrated with piatas and sister takes the children on an outing to see the Christmas lights in town. The Grandes children (ages 4 through 7) go one night and the Chicos (18 months through 3 years) go another night. A simple 4 foot tree in traditional
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in the third year of secondary school in 1999. She says she has learned many things, one of which is to appreciate what she has. It was her dream to finish high school, and she is very proud to have achieved it. After graduation Leticia began giving a year of service to NPH. She is working in the Medianos Section, taking care of eight to ten-year-olds. She hopes to continue her studies and become a pediatrician because she loves working with children. She also wants to help her mother and sisters move out of the dump. (Her sisters Estela and Sandra are studying at NPH.) NPH will help Letticia attend the university. It currently has 70 pequenos enrolled at the university. Letticia says of NPH, They are helping to change the future of so many of us

Rev. Frank Colacicco

inside...
Honduras El Salvador / Casa Asis Nicaragua Getting involved Page Page Page Page 2 3 4 5

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Honduras

Rancho Santa Fe, Honduras September 19, 2004 Dear Friends, Sometimes you know a person though you have never met him or her, have even never seen his or her face. At Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos Honduras, a home for orphaned and abandoned children nestled in the mountains east of the capitol Tegucigalpa, six-hundred children and youth know Father Frank through his generosity and the generosity of his friends. Over the years, Father Frank has helped to feed, cloth and educate our children. Clothing donations from Father Frank are the childrens favorite as they are of great quality and match the childrens taste. In 1998, when Hurricane Mitch destroyed Honduras and left over two million people homeless, a continuous flow of clothing and medicine from Father Frank helped NPH to mount an effective emergency relief program. Soon, we will finish a project that will also be a permanent reminder of Father Franks outreach to the poor. An amphitheater, built next to our small chapel, will serve our family to celebrate mass and religious feasts. We are very excited over this addition, as it will be a beautiful place to celebrate and give thanks to God Almighty. On behalf of all of our children, we thank Father Frank and his friends for their generous help. May God bless you,

Reinhart Kohler with Angela Reinhart Koehler Director of Family Services In 1986, I had the opportunity to become a cofounder of our NPH home in Honduras. As the NPH Honduras National Director, I have dedicated my work to creating a loving and caring environment for orphaned and abandoned children. While we care for almost 600 children and youths on a daily basis, approximately 1,500 have called Rancho Santa Fe in Honduras their home over the past 18 years. Since 2001, I have been appointed Family Services Director. In this capacity, I collaborate with all the NPH homes in setting standards for child care and developing policies to ensure the best possible service to our children. All Parents dream that their children will become positive leaders as they grow up. Our NPH family is no different. We hope that, as adults, our children will give back to NPH and the society of their country. We hope that we give them the tools to become agents of change in helping their impoverished nations break the cycle of poverty, violence and injustice in whatever small or big way they can. Especially during their years of service to the NPH family, all of our children accept adult responsibilities and become an essential part of running our NPH community.

Reinhart Koehler

An Amphitheater in Honduras Father Franks Kids is providing the resources for building an amphitheater next to the chapel at the NPH facility in Rancho Santa Fe, Honduras. When completed by the end of November, it will provide seating for up to 600 additional people attending masses and special events.

Children in Honduras are posing for this photograph to show us the foundation of their new amphitheater. The pillars are going up and soon the roof will be added.

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El Salvador
(298 Children)

New Home for NPH El Salvador

This summer is the first summer that the pequenos of NPH El Salvador will stay in their new home after construction was finished on the first phase of the little city. Included in the first phase were the boys and girls dormitories, the school, the kitchen and dining room, and the clinic. The children are very excited to be in their new home after living in temporary housing until the construction was completed. A second phase of construction for a babies house, an administration building, a multi-purpose building, sport court and utilities such as more access roads, lighting, perimeter fencing, and additional phone services is expected to be completed in October.

Boys Dormitory

Girls Dormitory

Inside the new kitchen

Casa Asis (Nicaragua)

Christmas at Casa Asis
(Continued from page 1)

Introducing Father to NPH

By Sister Phyllis

A shipment from Father Franks Kids arrives full of clothing and supplies. Today Father Frank is organizing and funding, through donations, shipments totaling over 16,000 lbs. of clothing, computers, and needed supplies each year to Central America.

Getting a new pair of shoes is always exciting. The shoes that are donated are in new or almost new condition.

lights gets oohs and ahs and Santa is a big hit. The evening ends with a trip to an ice cream parlor. Each child picks out his or her own ice cream (orphans practically never have choices). It seems to be color, not flavor, that determines the choice. Its a wonderful magical night for all. On Christmas day there is traditional food (Naca Tamales) and each child gets an apple a real treat. After their naps, they gather around the tree and Santa gives each child a gift bag about the size of a lunch bag with small toys, an orange and candy. Each child can pick a ball from a bin with all sizes and colors of balls. The older childrens gratitude is so sincere and heartfelt, it brings me close to tears. Another observation that touched me was how willing the children, for the most part, were willing to share their new toy or ball. They are not used to owning things. The children even share the clothes they wear so they trust that what they need will be there for them. There is a lot to be said for the simple life and the children are teaching me that all the time. Feliz Navidad!!!

It was at the International Board Meeting in Mexico a few years ago that I had the privilege of attending. During one of the lunch breaks I was looking for a place to sit down, eat, and chat a bit. I passed this table with a vacant chair and I asked this gentleman if I could sit down. (I am sure it was one of the saddest days in the life of Father Frank when he told me to sit down. Oh how many times, I am sure he wished he had said it was taken.) That was the beginning of our friendship (at least from my perspective). Of course, I try never to miss an opportunity to talk about NPH and especially Casa Asis in Nicaragua. So I took the opportunity to try to give my little speech to the fine gentleman who I soon learned was Father Frank Colacicco! After being interrupted many times by passersby, I finally got in a few words about Casa Asis AND I was able to get in an invitation to Father to visit us in Nicaragua. If my mem(Continued on page 5)

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Nicaragua
Casa Asis (35 Children - 5 years old and under) Casa San Marcos (26 children) Casa Santiago (230 children)

A Doctors View..
By Dr. Paul Cortez Bless the beasts and the children; for in this world they have no voice, they have no choice. - The Carpenters A crowd of brown faces with bright shining smiles gathers in hushed excitement. Finally, the anticipated moment arrives and a chorus of young voices sing out Father Frank. The courtyard is filled with commotion and unbridled joy as the children swarm around Father Frank and embrace him with love. Remember Pepito from last years newsTheir joy of life and loving nature seem in stark contrast to the harsh reality of the letter? Well here he is - a healthy little world in which they live. They are orphans living in one of the poorest countries in boy. Seeing him now, you would never our hemisphere. Parents often relinquish their beloved children simply because they cannot afford to feed them. Where unemployment runs at 60 percent and the average guess that he was so fragile, he had to be age of the population is 13 years old. But these young faces are filled with love and fed with an eyedropper every hour around the clock. This loving care saved his life hope, nourished by a deep faith in Christ. They are not the faces of despair or selfand, God willing, it will help David pity. Their joy touches me and overwhelms me every time I visit there. (pictured below) to overcome his illness I am a pediatrician with the John Muir/Mt. Diablo Health Network and was first and also become a healthy little boy. asked to visit the orphanages 5 years ago. My first mission was to smuggle in about $30,000 worth of donated medicines. Father Frank packed a giant suitcase bulging at the seams. We only hoped it would not stir the curiosity of the Nicaraguan customs agents. Thankfully they tend to be lenient when youre traveling with a Catholic priest. When I arrived on my first visit, there was an outbreak of deadly meningitis. Twelve deaths had been reported in the area and we scrambled to vaccinate over 300 children. Another significant health problem for the children is asthma. It is frequently worsened by the common practice of burning garbage. They pile up their garbage and burn it, sending irritating fumes in the air usually at ground level where it affects the children. We brought many asthma medicines to treat the children and recommended they build an incinerator to carry the fumes upward away from the children. The incinerator is now built and operating well. Not all of the health issues are so easy remedied. On my last visit I met David (pictured to the right). He is a one year old little boy who lives in a neighboring community. He is happy and playful, with a bright smile and glimmering eyes. He is his parents joy and I can see their love for him as they explain his symptoms to me. His arms and legs are very thin while his abdomen is bloated. His urine shows high amounts of protein. He has a condition known as nephritic syndrome. In the United States his prognosis would be very good. With the right diet, medications and monitoring, his condition frequently resolves spontaneously. At worst, David would require a kidney transplant. In Nicaragua, he is at high risk to die in childhood. His family does not have the means to offer him a specialized diet, the community does not have the facilities to administer medications and monitor his kidney function. David, shown here with his mother, is There is no organ transplant capability in the country. We can only pray he lives long suffering from Nephritic Syndrome. He is enough for the condition to resolve spontaneously. at high risk to die in childhood. His famWith every visit to Nicaragua, I see what a tremendous contribution our parish can ily does not have the means to offer him a make to the lives of these children: with reusable clothes, medicines, toys for enter- specialized diet, the community does not tainment, books and computers for education. And they, through their struggle, teach have the facilities to administer medicaus such lessons of courage, dignity, and hope. tions and monitor his kidney function. Please feel free to contact me through the St. Isidores parish office if you would There is no organ transplant capability in like further information. the country. We can only pray he lives long enough for the condition to resolve Bless the beasts and the children. Give them shelter from a storm. Keep them safe, spontaneously. keep them warm Ibid.

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Acknowledgements
There are so many hands (and hearts) involved in the operation of Father Franks Kids. We just want to acknowledge a few of them here.
First and foremost, Fr. Frank is very active in the program. He is going to Nicaragua for the month of December. He keeps abreast of the needs and maintains strong communication with our parishioners. Ann Ferrante does a tremendous job sorting and packing all of the clothing and other items for shipping. She is constantly involved taking care of the donations and whatever other needs arise. Her husband, Tori, handles the shipping to the orphanages and overcomes a myriad of shipping problems. Dr. Paul Cortez has visited and given his services to the children on multiple occasions. He is a steadying influence on Fr. Franks Kids board of directors. His article on page 4 gives a doctors perspective of the challenges these children are facing. Jose Yanes and Lauren Retagliata maintain our mailing list, sends out the newsletters and thank you notes for parishioner contributions. Mike Hertel works with the printer to get our newsletter printed. He also handles moving the donated goods from the rectory to the space in his warehouse that he donates for building the container load to be shipped. Fr. Cardelli has generously supported the program and gives up space in the rectory for sorting and packing. Dick Sanders has multiple tasks as a communicator between Fr. Frank, the orphans, the board members and the parishioners.

Getting Involved
by Salvatore and Ann Ferrante

Our involvement with Father Frank's Kids started at a 9:00 am mass at St. Isidore's. Father Frank had just returned from Nicaragua where he had been visiting the Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos (NPH) orphanages. In his homily he spoke about these children, his love for them and the hardships they face. His first hand experience allowed us to get a better understanding of the needs of these less fortunate children. My husband Tori is in the shipping business so we felt we could be of some use to Father Frank's cause. It started small with a few "carpet squares" being sent for the children to sit on. That was almost six years ago. Today Father Frank is organizing and funding, through donations, shipments totaling over 16,000 lbs. of clothing, computers, and needed supplies each year to Central America. He ships not only to Nicaragua, but Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador as well. Last year our whole family (Dominic 13, Ali 11) was fortunate to be able to visit Nicaragua with Father Frank. We attended the dedication of the church he had built there and visited the orphanages to meet the children. We were blessed beyond words to spend time with these children and witness Father Frank's special relationship with them. The joy

Ann Ferrante, Lisa Oswald and Lisa Martellaro are pictured here in the St. Isidores rectory where they sort, fold and pack donated clothing for shipping.

and love we saw in these young faces helped us to understand why being a part of "Father Frank's Kids" is so important. Next February, we will be visiting, along with other St. Isidores parishioners and Father Frank, the NPH Orphanage in Cuernavaca, Mexico. This is where NPH started and they will be celebrating their 50th anniversary. While it will be wonderful to be there to celebrate this remarkable milestone, we are looking forward to seeing these wonderful children and grateful for the overwhelming love we feel when we are with them.
"Like Jesus, we belong to the whole world, living not for ourselves but for others. The joy of the Lord is our strength." - Mother Teresa

Introducing Father to NPH

(Continued from page 3)

ory serves me correctly, I believe I had to get down on my knees to get Father to agree to come and visit us. Back in Nicaragua at one of the directors' meetings, I was asked to see if Father Frank might help us build a small chapel on the Island of Ometepe. In my very humble way (I think I got down on my knees again), I appealed to Father Frank as a good Catholic Priest for a small donation to build this small chapel on the Island. Well the sacristy or floor (I can't remember) for this small chapel was built and the money ran out. Once again, I was asking for money to continue this work. Well, this went on and on and on until at last a beautiful, but not small, chapel was build and dedicated to St. Joseph in honor of Father

Frank's brother. I believe after that Father Then one day when Father Frank was Frank probably washed his hands and saying Mass at Casa Asis on the open patio thought, THAT'S IT! But little did he amidst flies and bugs of all kinds, he came know. We now had a beautiful chapel but up with the beautiful idea of a SMALL the clothes the children wore to Mass had chapel at Casa Asis! And so it was! The much to be desired. structure of this small Then a container arrived chapel is finished, the with clothes, shoes, pictures are hung, the fans food, medicine and are installed and the many other things. Then benches are coming. The new children arrived, the chapel has been blessed clothes wore out and the and we have had Mass food was eaten and more here in Casa Asis. A beauChildren Inside the Casa Asis Chapel things were needed. So tiful plaque of St. Francis more containers began to arrive. Father hangs above the door. Frank turned the St. Isidore's Rectory into a Our sincere thanks and prayers go out storehouse. The priests at St. Isidore's were to the parishioners, priests and especially so happy to climb over boxes and around Father Frank Colacicco. May you always furniture as they made their way through be blessed. - Sister Phyllis the rectory.

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Charlotte Novak
Remember how, as a child, you could hardly wait for your birthday? There was something special about getting older but more importantly, this was your day. It meant a birthday cake, a party and presents. It was exciting to think about what would come in those presents. This is why Charlottes story is so special. This young lady, who was about to celebrate her 8th birthday, decided that, instead of presents, she wanted donations for Father Franks Kids. She has learned very early that it is better to give than to receive. Her donation amounted to $248.20 and was forwarded to Nicaragua. Thank you Charlotte!!! Father Franks Kids, Inc. has been registered as a non-profit charitable organization. Your donations are tax deductible. Sewing Machines - good working order Knitting Supplies - Yarn & needles Houseware pots & pans, silverware, glassware in good condition Tools for home (metric) and garden School classroom supplies (blackboards, chalk & erasers, paper, scissors, pencils) Coloring Books & Crayons Musical Instruments (all kinds including some larger items like pianos, etc.) Bicycles in good working order (all sizes) Sports Equipment (soccer equipment, basketball equipment, balls, etc.) Toys (Frisbees, balls, Barbie dolls, stuffed animals, tricycles, wagons, cars, etc) Vitamins (children & adult - Must not be past or even close to expiration date) Medical Equipment (blood pressure, stethoscopes, wheel chairs, crutches, lab equip., hospital beds, dental equip., etc.) Medical Supplies (Bandages, soaps, etc.) Medications (Antibiotics, Asthma, Blood Pressure, Heart, First Aid & snake bite kits, etc.) (Medicines must not be past or even close to expiration date) Financial Assistance for shipping and to purchase needed items.

Our Wish List!

Father Frank is providing a link between families in Northern California and orphanages in Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Container shipments are planned at least once a year to each of them. As you can see from these pages, the donations are a tremendous help for the children and the operation of the orphanages. The following is a list of some of the things Father is looking for to include in upcoming shipments: Baby items (food, chairs, strollers, beds, clothing) Disposable and cloth Diapers (all sizes) Volunteers Needed... Powdered Soap for washing clothes There is always a need for help with sort- Items for Personal Hygiene (like soaps, ing and packing. Are you interested in shampoos, tooth brushes, tooth paste) lending a hand? If so, call one of the con- Childrens Clothing (including socks tacts listed below. and underwear)

Father Franks Kids

PO Box 478 Alamo, California 94507

Contacts:
Mike Hertel (925) 855-9407 ntvsons@aol.com Ann Ferrante (925) 743-1935 Lauren Retagliata (925) 552-8002 lretagliata@yahoo.com Dick Sanders (925) 837-0307 rwsanders@sbcglobal.net Brent Smith (925) 838-7743 brent@onefamily.org