News from Centro Santa Catalina

Día de Amor y Amistad

Feb 14 2012

Pictures tell the story better than words! Today the kindergarten children celebrated Valentine's Day, better known in Mexico as the Day of Love and Friendship. Cards for friends, a special cake to share, balloons, music and dance! What a party!

One Big THANK YOU!

Feb 14 2012

Thank you to all who made our annual fundraiser a success! On February 12 and 13 Sister Nancy Murray, OP, presented "Rooted in Love: The Life and Death of Sister Dorothy Stang." At the same time we had a silent auction and a sale of the beautiful products made by the women of the sewing cooperative. 

Thank you to all who attended the play, to all who made monetary donations, to all who participated in the silent auction (and went home with some very nice gifts), to all who purchased products from the cooperative!

Jovenes de la Luz

Feb 6 2012

Every two weeks about fifty young people gather at Centro Santa Catalina for two hours of activities. They call themselves Jovenes de la Luz or Young People of the Light. This past Saturday, guided by two adult mentors, they explored stories of youth like themselves who made good decisions or not so good decisions and shared what they could learn for their own lives.

Learning the Life Story of a Plant

Jan 20 2012

This may not be the time of year when most of our readers are outside sowing seeds, but here in Juarez the temperature has been in the upper 60s each day. Besides the moderate temperatures we also have covered garden plots that allow the garden cooperative to harvest vegetables year round.

You're Invited to our Annual Fundraiser

Jan 11 2012

On February 12 and 13th Centro Santa Catalina will host our annual fundraiser. This year we will be offering a radio-play called "Rooted in Love: The Life and Martyrdom of Sister Dorothy Stang" as well as a silent auction.

Sister Nancy Murray, OP, (brother of actor Bill Murray) wrote and performs the one woman play. 

Time to Choose

Jan 11 2012

All twenty-five youth who  began with our new job-training program ( A Ganar) have continued through the first portion of their training. Even though at times one or the other was tempted to drop out, with the encouragement of the group no one did.

Kindergarten Celebrates Dia de Los Reyes

Jan 8 2012

January 6th, Dia de los Reyes, is the traditional end of the Christmas season and also the day when gifts are exchanged in Mexico. The feast celebrates the arrival of the Wise Men at the stable in Bethlehem.

The kindergarten children celebrated the day by hearing the story and then making their own crowns, colored, bejeweded and decorated, so that each could be king or queen for the day.

Christmas 2011

Dec 17 2011

This week we celebrated Christmas at the Center, beginning with the youth group's pizza party and gift exchange last Saturday.

Sewing Continues Despite the Cold

Dec 8 2011

This week the temperature dipped to below freezing and an inch of snow fell. But work continues in the sewing cooperative despite the cold because this is the busiest season of the year. Every weekend the women sell their beautiful products at churches in El Paso or Las Cruces. Frequently people call the house to come by and make purchases for Christmas.

Kindergarten Kermes

Nov 27 2011

On Friday, November 25th, the kindergarten students and teachers at Centro Santa Catalina held their annual kermes combined with the celebration of el Día de la Revolución. For those not familiar with the word "kermes" it means a bazaar or a fund-raising event.