Good music, dancing, food and games at the Fiesta held at St. Isidore’s to support the NPH orphanages. (...more on page 7)

Sister Phyllis Kelleher with girls from Casa Rosa de Lima standing in front of a bus purchased by Father Frank’s Kids. (...more on pages 5 and 6)

El Salvador Page 2 A Pequeño’s Story Page 3 Guatemala Page 4 Casa Rosa de Lima Page 5 Nicaragua Page 6 Fiesta Page 7

March 15, 2008

inside...

Construction is underway for Casa Padre Wasson — a new home for the orphanage in Nicaragua. (Read more on page 6)

Thank You...

Thank you for your most generous support of Father Frank’s Kids.

We continue the support of “Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos – Our Little Brothers and Sisters” (NPH) which Father Frank Colacicco started twelve years ago. I feel he is looking out for us and encouraging us to take care of his children.

In 2007, three freight containers filled with clothing, hygiene supplies, bikes, school furniture and supplies and a myriad of other items reached the children of NPH. Construction of a Chapel for NPH El Salvador was completed. NPH Nicaragua received a new school bus for transporting the children to school. The First Annual Father Frank’s Fiesta, the most highly attended event in the history of St. Isidore Parish, raised nearly $60,000 and featured performers from NPH Mexico. Eighteen NPH children were adopted as Godchil-dren through sponsorship.

2008 promises to be just as fulfilling, as we ramp up activities. Plans have already begun for the 2nd Annual Fiesta, this year with a visit from the children from NPH Nicaragua. Adults will have an opportu-nity to visit the NPH facilities in Mexico on a guided trip hosted by Friends of the Orphans. Fifteen teenagers from St. Isidore Parish will participate in a mission to NPH Mexico where they will live, eat, work, alongside the resident children. NPH soccer teams will travel from Central America to play against local soccer teams here in the East Bay Area in exhibition matches.

As we continue to grow we could use more assistance with our programs.

Please join us.

Dick Sanders

Father Frank’s Kids

Page 2

Fr. Frank’s Legacy of Faith and Spirituality

Fr. Frank once said to me, “When you are ready to build your chapel at NPH-El Salvador, let me know. I have some friends who can help you.” Even though we began construction on the chapel after he had passed away, Fr. Frank remained true to his word. His legacy of pro-viding faith and spirituality for the children of NPH continues through you, his friends at “Father Frank’s Kids.” On November 7, 2007 the Bishop of Santa Ana blessed and dedicated our new chapel, Divino Salvador (Divine Savior.) Not only was he very impressed with it, but also our children continue to be so excited and pleased. The NPH-El Salvador chapel is a very simple, yet beautiful design which seats 700 people. Many of our older teens participated in the construction of the chapel. One of our girls in high school said to me, “Father, I am happy to be working on this chapel on Saturday morn-ings. One day, I plan on getting married here and I will be so proud to say to my future husband that I actually helped to build it.” To all of you at “Father Frank’s Kids” thank you for your very gener-ous donation which helped to make our new chapel possible. At every Mass celebrated in it, we will continue to remember Fr. Frank and also give thanks to God for you and your support. Peace,

Padre Ron Hicks

The orphanage in El Salvador was opened in 1999. Currently there are 442 children: 206 in primary school, 173 in secondary school; and 30 are attending technical school or university.

Is this any way to treat a priest? Father Ron Hicks celebrates his birthday

in high style. Adoration of the Cross and

Holy Thursday evening mass.

El Salvador (442 Children)

Page 3

2007 Pequeno Statistics

3,223 children are being cared for in the nine NPH homes.

177 are under 5 years old

442 arrived last year

798 are in Secondary or Vocational School

478 are in college or taking college preparatory courses

368 child care workers are caring for the children

Health Care: • 116 children are disabled • 332 are receiving rehabilitation

therapy • 792 were hospitalized with 42

requiring surgery

“We sponsored a child...she has impacted our lives”

My name is Yader Elias Rayo Luna, and I am 25 years old. I was born in Matagalpa, Nicaragua. At nine years old, my three sisters and I moved to Managua with our father after our parents divorced. While my father had a job, he only had a bed where he worked. We had no relatives and no other place to stay. My father decided to use his last alternative and went to the cathedral where he worked as a night watchman. The sisters agreed to take care of us for just one night. My father’s salary for long, hard work, simply would not support our family. We wound up in the street. We were housed by the sisters again. This time, my father encouraged me to find ways to make money in support of our family. I washed cars for donations in parking lots.

When I turned 14, the angels of father Wasson accepted me into the family of Nuestros Pequeños Her-manos. That year was vey special for me because I had the opportunity to help children in special need while

studying on the weekends until I graduated. During my year of family service, I focused on agriculture, learned to fish, and work with chick-ens and cows. After passing the en-trance exams, I traveled to Managua to attend the university. This time I arrived in the city with skills and goals. My best experiences have been the giving back to my brothers and sisters of NPH. We have all learned in order to serve our fami-lies, society and our own country in the future. I am very happy to be part of this because I know this will change my life and the lives of those around me forever. I have gradu-ated with a degree in political sci-ence and plan to serve my people and my country. I would like to thank God and all the generous peo-ple that contribute to our education with the family of Nuestros Pe-queños Hermanos. I am very happy in this time of my life because my dream has come true and I feel very fortunate to have enough tools to take my next step.

A Pequeño’s Story

In October of 2007, I volunteered our family to host children of Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos/Father Frank's Kids. I thought this would be a great lesson for our family. This would be an opportunity to give of ourselves to others, and to support the work being done for the many orphaned children in Mexico and around the world.

What I did not know was that these children and their directors were to become a gift to our family.

During their visit to St. Isidore School we were able to experience not only their musical talents but their warm smiles and deep gratitude. My children enjoyed spending time with them. While there was a language barrier, some-how they were able to communicate with a gesture or smile.

We enjoyed being part of the many families involved with their visit and were convinced shortly after their arrival that we as a family wanted to make a difference in the life a one of these children. We since have become part of the NPH family by adopting Karen Salazar, one of the children that was here a few months back. We correspond in letters and we have sent pictures to her of our family to keep with her. We hope to make a difference in her life and to show her that she has made a difference in our lives, as well.

Carla Quinn, Sponsor

Page 4

Guatemala (363 Children)

Dear Father Franks Kids,

Home Director Carlos Viveros and I were astonished at the enormous donation from your community. The children were amazed. They asked me, “Is that all for us?” It felt wonderful to answer them “yes, these gifts are all for you.”

The transportation from Guatemala City to our home went just fine and every single item arrived properly at our home. The industrial washer and dryer you donated are gifts from Heaven. These machines are a great relief to our workers providing them more time to care for the children.

I want to thank you so much in the names of our children for the difference you are making in their lives and those of our workers.

God Bless You All,

Matthias Hinz Correspondent—NPH Guatemala

Volunteer Opportunities

The orphanage in Guatemala was opened in 1996. Currently there are 363 children with 194 in primary school.

Prior to the arrival of the new washer and dryer, clothes were being washed by hand.

Father Frank’s Kids needs your help with exciting projects this year. Whether you have only a few hours to spare or are willing to chair a committee, we need you. See our up-coming activities on pages 4 & 6 .

Father Frank’s Fiesta 2008 Last year’s Fiesta was attended by nearly 600 guests and raised nearly $60,000. Fiesta 2008 is scheduled for September 27 and promises to be even bigger and better, but we can’t do it without your help. Are you interested in sponsoring a por-tion of the event? Would you like to help coordinate the business adver-tisers, auction donations, event pro-gram, venue décor or kids carnival?Please contact Brian Dunn 925-820-6123 BrianLDunn@Comcast.net. Adult Trip to NPH Mexico Father Frank’s Kids and Friends of the Orphans are sponsoring a tour to NPH Mexico from June 19-23, 2008. This tour will provide an op-portunity to see how children’s lives are changed on a daily basis. Deacon Jim Hoyt from Friends of the Or-phans has led over 30 trips to the homes in Mexico and promises that this will be a memorable experience. If you would like to participate or help organize, please contact Bea Bustamante 925-360-1060 surfbea@sbcglobal.net.

Would you like more information about Father Frank’s Kids? Would you like to know more about the

children, see pictures or read past newsletters and articles that have

appeared in the newspapers? You can do this and more by going

to the Father Frank’s Kids web page on the internet at:

www.fatherfrankskids.org

On The Web

Page 5

Welcoming Ceremonies at the Annual NPH Conference in Mexico

Sr. Phyllis Kelleher and Casa Rosa de Lima

Sister Phyllis introduced Father Frank to the work being done by NPH and encouraged him to get involved. As a result, it became a driving mission in his life.

Sister grew up on a farm near Portland, Oregon. After high school she joined the Dominican Order. She graduated from Wash-ington State University and taught in the Northwest for several years.

In 1972, she moved to Mexico to work with NPH. In 1994, Father Wasson asked her to manage Casa Asis (the baby house) in Nicara-gua. She got it functioning and stayed there until 2005.

Casa Rosa de Lima is a home for our older girls finishing secondary school, studying in a trade school or going to the university here in Managua.

The girls are involved in the commu-nity. They support orphan children living in a home near us run by Nica-raguan Sisters. The girls also prepare gifts for poor people living in plastic tents here in the city. There are over 1000 people in the settlement, many of whom are ill from working with chemicals at big corporations.

Together with a local priest, our older children provided assistance to people who have suffered terrible losses of homes and property during the floods this year.

My work here as Director of Casa Rosa is to see to the needs of our

girls. We hold prayer meetings and encourage them to become independ-ent and self-sufficient young women.

I encourage them to study and expect them to aide in the upkeep of our shared home. Father Wasson’s phi-losophy was that only with an education will our children get out of the poverty from which they came and become responsible adults.

- Sister Phyllis Kelleher

My Dear Friends,

Fr. Wasson the founder of 'Our Little Brothers and Sisters' once said, "A child is good because of someone." I saw first hand during my recent visit with Richard and Patricia Sanders to Casa San Salvador at Miacatlán, Mexico. I was edified by 370 primary and 170 secondary school students extending a warm welcome through song, dance, a colorful drill display and opening our hearts to the wonders and beauty of Mexican culture.

At Casa San Salvador the children are taught self-reliance, taking care of the farm, learning to cook and launder, workshops in arts and crafts and the pos-sibility of an education to university level.

As a benefactor, you help the staff create a home where the children receive food, clothing, health care and education in a Christian family environ-ment. Your generosity makes the apostolate at Casa San Salvador possi-ble. As Mother Theresa said, "I can't do what you do, you can't do what I do, but together we can make a difference."

Blessings,

Fr. Gerard K. Moran, Pastor

A Letter from Father Gerry

Fr. Gerry gets adopted

Page 6

NPH Nicaragua was located on the island of Ometepe, where nearby Volcano Concepcion began to in-crease in volcanic activity in 2005. As a result, the children needed to be relocated to a safer location.

NPH Nicaragua purchased property near the town of Jinotepe. The cen-tral focus of the new site will be the church as one enters the main plaza. The homes have been constructed with a family feel rather than the

Moving To A New Home previous dormitory style at the is-land. They feature two bedrooms for eight children each and one bed-room for caregivers. Eventually the site will also include a general kitchen, dining facilities, storage rooms for all that is neces-sary to run the orphanage, a school for 500 children (which will include a number of children from the sur-rounding community), vocational workshops and playfields, a clinic, visitor homes, volunteer homes, personnel homes, administrative offices and agriculture. We are very happy that you are working with us to create Casa Padre Wasson for the kids of NPH Nicaragua. Thank you very much for the support we have received from all of you! It is not an easy process, but as a team, we certainly can create the quality home the kids deserve.

Nicaragua (349 Children)

2007 Shipments

Thanks to your generosity, the follow-ing items were shipped to Nicaragua and El Salvador during 2007:

Nicaragua 124 boxes of clothing and shoes 42 boxes of school supplies 36 boxes of bedding and towels 58 bicycles and repair parts 11 boxes of toys and sports equipment 81 pieces of office furniture 2 computers with desks

El Salvador 76 boxes of clothing and shoes 25 boxes of bedding 114 pieces of office furniture and equipment 5 computers and a printer 31 boxes of school supplies 35 bicycles and repair parts 2 sewing machines with supplies 13 boxes of toys

Bus purchased by Father Frank’s Kids to provide transportation to school while there are no on-campus classrooms

available

Students in Managua told us that their home was named

after Father Frank. They call themselves

Father Frank’s Seeds.

Volunteer Opportunities

Teen Trip to NPH Mexico 15 teens and two adults will join Father Frank’s Kids and Friends of the Orphans from June 27-July 3, 2008. at the NPH orphanage in Cuernavaca. For more information please contact Ben Cerney 925-743-1694 ben.cerney@gmail.com. International Soccer Match November 2008. Two teams will travel from NPH Nicaragua to take part in a Soccer Festival. Soccer activities, learning opportunities and fun for all ages—this Father Frank’s event will raise funds for NPH and provide an unforgettable experience. If you would like to sponsor or help organize this event, please contact Brian Dunn 925-820-6123 BrianLDunn@Comcast.net.

Page 7

The first annual Father Frank’s Fiesta held on October 27 started with the Estudiantina (student musical group) from NPH Mexico visiting St. Isidore School on Friday. These 20 orphans, or “pequeños” as they are referred to, have traveled all over the U.S. and Canada performing tradi-tional Mexican songs and dances from their Ballet Folklórico.

The school mass on Friday was like nothing the students had ever before experienced. The festive songs and the melodies from the guitars and violins showed how a different culture celebrates the mass. As Mrs. Schroe-der, St. Isidore School Principal, com-mented to the students, “I’ve never seen you so quiet.” The students were even more surprised at the perform-ance in the school courtyard when the dancers included students from the audience in the performance. After-ward, the pequeños, along with inter-preters, visited all the classrooms at the school.

The Fiesta began with Saturday’s 4:00 mass which was a standing- room-only celebration. The singers and musicians performed at the mass and later to a sell-out crowd of nearly 600 in the Rettig Center. A children’s carnival occupied the younger chil-dren while their parents were bidding

on souvenirs at the silent auction. After a Mexican buffet dinner catered by El Balazo all enjoyed the full Ballet Folklórico performance of traditional Mexican songs and dances. A live auction gave every-one a final opportunity to help raise money for the cause.

We were all moved by the speakers at the Fiesta. Jose Bermudez was raised at NPH Nicaragua where Fa-ther Frank spent so much of his time. Jose moved to the U.S. after obtain-ing an education and started a busi-ness in San Jose, CA. He introduced more than a dozen former pequeños present at the Fiesta who now live and work in the SF Bay Area.

The Estudiantina performed at each of the Sunday masses giving even more of the St. Isidore families the opportunity to experience the talent and happiness of these children who have so little. It isn’t hard to see why Father Frank was so moved to spend his final years helping these children.

The Fiesta weekend was truly a parish-wide event. Many families opened their homes and hosted the children and their chaperones. The Faith Formation classes all sent letters to the performers before they came to the U.S. The youth ministry held a barbeque for the pequeños which turned into an impromptu soccer game. The Knights of Colum-bus managed the bars at the Fiesta and helped with ticket sales. Volun-teers too numerous to count helped organize and manage the event.

The Fiesta was the largest event ever before held at St. Isidore Parish. With net proceeds of nearly $60,000 it raised funds for the nine NPH orphanages.

SAVE THE DATE 2008 Fiesta

Saturday September 27th

Fiesta!!!

Thank you!!!

Your amazing generosity at the fiesta provided nearly $60,000 to fill the

following open requests from orphan-ages in four countries:

Nicaragua

$5,000 - replaced rusted out freezers used to keep food fresh for the children

on Ometepe Island.

$1,552 - EEG, TAC and RMAG Medical Exams for 13 special needs

children

$3,285 - purchased school uniforms, shoes, PE uniforms and

sneakers for 75 Casa Santiago children

$980 - one month’s rent for a student house in Managua

$4,180 - bath towels and bed sheets for 300 children at Casa Santiago

Mexico

$6,748 - 660 books for learning English language at all age groups

$3,331 - school supplies for 466 school children

Honduras

$12,800 - teacher salaries and materials for special six-week

development courses for students who are in between school years.

$10, 305 - medical healthcare for 20 HIV positive children

$1.830—transportation and supplies for two children who won scholarships

to medical school

Guatemala

$99 - agricultural uniforms for three college students.

Live Your Faith

Page 8

Sponsor a Child You can make a real difference in the life of a child by becoming a

Godparent. It's a wonderful way to learn about the daily activities of our

children. You’ll receive regular updates on your Godchild's

academic and social progress, a Christmas card with a new photo every

year and replies to all of your letters.

While it costs very little each month, the returns are priceless. During the 2007 Fiesta at St. Isidore’s Church in Danville, 18 families signed up to be new Godparents. The outpouring of love that this Fiesta generated will

continue to bless these families and the children they’ve chosen to help,

for months and years to come.

Father Frank’s Kids is providing a link between families in Northern California and orphanages in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Container shipments are planned 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 we are continually looking for to include in the shipments:

Baby items including jarred food, diapers, clothing, hygiene supplies

Items for Personal Hygiene soaps, shampoos, tooth brushes, tooth paste, powdered soap for washing clothes

Children’s Clothing including, socks, underwear and especially good tennis shoes

Page 8

Mike Hertel (925) 855-9407 ntvsons@sbcglobal.net

Ann Ferrante (925) 743-1935 acferrante@comcast.net

Brian Dunn (925) 820-6123 BrianLdunn@comcast.net

Lauren Rettagliata (925) 552-8002 rettagliata@sbcglobal.net

Dick Sanders (925) 837-0307 rwsanders@sbcglobal.net

Brent Smith (925) 838-7743 brent@onefamily.org

Our Wish List!

Father Frank’s Kids PO Box 478 Alamo, California 94507

Cont

acts

Sports Equipment: Soccer & basket balls

School/Art/Sewing Supplies

Financial Assistance for shipping and to purchase needed items.

Become a Godparent!