Dear Parishioners,
We are honored that Mary Queen of Martyrs will once again be having a second collection on November 9th and 10th to benefit Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos. Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) means “Our Little Brothers and Sisters” in Spanish. Last year, NPH supported 9,000 vulnerable or orphaned children in nine countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded by Father Wasson 70 years ago, NPH instills the same values he set forth today.
We ensure the most exposed children have the basic items needed for survival: food, medical, a place to live, while ensuring they have the tools to break the cycle of generational poverty such as an education through university, career and vocational training, gender equality and caring adult role models to guide their values.
Father Joe Raeke had the opportunity to see our mission firsthand at NPH Guatemala twice, and NPH pequeños visited Mary Queen of Martyrs parish in both 2018 and 2019, where they had the opportunity to dance and showcase their talents and culture. “I continue to be committed to NPH and support the incredible, wholly and lifesaving work that they do. I was privileged to visit NPH Guatemala twice and I not only fell in love with the children, but I fell in love with the home there. I hope you choose to continue supporting the children of NPH, because they need our help. God Bless You,” Father Joe Raeke
Last year, over $12,000 was raised to provide dairy to children in our Guatemala home during second collection. This year, the second collection will be used to support 159 children and adults living in an NPH home with disabilities. These individuals are predominantly wheelchaired, require 24/7 individualized care, specialized food, medicines and vast assortment of therapies. Without a family, NPH will be a home their entire lives. NPH stretches its pennies, and costs on average $5,400 a year per individual for all services and staff needed for care.
Once again, our amazing anonymous donor will be matching the first $5,000 in donations! We will also have a guest speaker, Joel Polo, who grew up at NPH Dominican Republic with his brother, for some of the masses. Please consider supporting our children with disabilities next weekend! In faith and with gratitude, Andrea Nahigian & East Coast Team, Donor Relations Director- East Coast