I received an invitation the other day. It came in the form of an email which was inviting me to consider allowing my name to stand for the position of Honorary Director of the Human Family in Christ.
My thoughts immediately flashed back to the years spent in Seminary formation. The Human Family in Christ is a registered charity in Canada which was started by Father Andrew Cuschieri, a Maltese priest who at the time was teaching at the Seminary. During his travels to Bolivia a number of years previously, he had learned of the plight of the majority of the under-privileged who could not access basic necessities such as medical care and education.
Using his own funds, he began sponsoring the building of a school for the people of Colcapirhua, located just West of the city of Cochabamba and South-East of La Paz. Spreading the word on his own to friends here in Canada, and with the help of some of the seminarians who lived with him in Sacrborough, the work of the Human Family in Christ began.
While he continued to fulfill his duties in the Archdiocese of Toronto, Father Cuschieri managed to send enough funds to Bolivia for the building of the Hospital Andrew Cuschieri and for the school. Subsequently, an endowment was created in Canada to provide ongoing funds for the work of and for the poor of Colcapirhua, and today there is also a Catholic Sponsorship programme which provides the opportunity for people with means to make a difference in the lives of some of the poor of Bolivia.
When I called my friend to inquire about the requirements of the position of Honorary Director, he told me that it was a position of recognition for work which has been done over the years for the Society. As it tuns out, I acted as the treasurer for this Society for a number of years while I was resident at the seminary and therefore was able to learn of its existence and the good work that is still going on. Father Cuschieri completed his earthly journey a number of years ago, but is surely rejoicing in heaven to know that his simple act of generosity and love for the people of Bolivia continues to bear such fruit.
My thoughts immediately flashed back to the years spent in Seminary formation. The Human Family in Christ is a registered charity in Canada which was started by Father Andrew Cuschieri, a Maltese priest who at the time was teaching at the Seminary. During his travels to Bolivia a number of years previously, he had learned of the plight of the majority of the under-privileged who could not access basic necessities such as medical care and education.
Using his own funds, he began sponsoring the building of a school for the people of Colcapirhua, located just West of the city of Cochabamba and South-East of La Paz. Spreading the word on his own to friends here in Canada, and with the help of some of the seminarians who lived with him in Sacrborough, the work of the Human Family in Christ began.
While he continued to fulfill his duties in the Archdiocese of Toronto, Father Cuschieri managed to send enough funds to Bolivia for the building of the Hospital Andrew Cuschieri and for the school. Subsequently, an endowment was created in Canada to provide ongoing funds for the work of and for the poor of Colcapirhua, and today there is also a Catholic Sponsorship programme which provides the opportunity for people with means to make a difference in the lives of some of the poor of Bolivia.
When I called my friend to inquire about the requirements of the position of Honorary Director, he told me that it was a position of recognition for work which has been done over the years for the Society. As it tuns out, I acted as the treasurer for this Society for a number of years while I was resident at the seminary and therefore was able to learn of its existence and the good work that is still going on. Father Cuschieri completed his earthly journey a number of years ago, but is surely rejoicing in heaven to know that his simple act of generosity and love for the people of Bolivia continues to bear such fruit.
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