Reply to a Friend's Cry for Help

Three years ago, at the height of the LAUSD payroll debacle, when salary payments for thousands of teachers got all screwed up, one member of my former egroup wrote with this title of Cry for Help. Since I didn't get to read the first part of the thread, I thought she was asking for help (in the form of donations or loans)  in behalf of a friend in financial crisis as her house was supposed to be repossessed due to some kind of fraud their loan agent committed against her family. (It turned out she was actually the one asking for help in behalf of her own self.) That email exchange had gone on for some weeks and though I was not in a position to help financially, I thought I would offer my two-cents worth suggestions. So, I wrote:

 Dear Friend,

Our internet and phone cable have been down for some weeks and I have now gain access to the internet only by using my visiting son’s computer.  As I read your Cry for Help, I commiserate deeply.  A few questions come to mind, though. Do you know this teacher personally? If she’s a teacher, can’t she get a loan from the Teachers’ Loan Association?  She can get SSI assistance, though she might not qualify because teachers have salaries higher than entry level employees. Doesn’t she have relatives who could help her? What’s the work of the husband? Does she have other children who can already be of help? And the musician daughter of hers who was "forced to stop her usic lessons," can’t she try for scholarship if she’s talented as the mother says?  This teenage turning into drugs might not have been caused solely by the threat of their losing their house; there might be something deeper than that.  

I ask those questions because asking donations from others may take a toll on her self-esteem as an educated person and as a teacher) assumed to be capable of coping with this kind of eventuality or unforeseen circumstance.  (I have a daughter having as much financial, marital and health problems but refuses to accept money from her family though the abundant moral support she welcomes.) Many others are either in the same boat as your friend, or even worst.  I am in the latter category: I have not been receiving my monthly salary as a teacher because of this LAUSD payroll debacle you must have read about or heard on TV. The origin of my problem is worst—it’s not even because of the new messed-up payroll system; it was caused by my former school location’s incompetence which they wouldn’t even take responsibility for. I’m at my wit’s end trying to fight the principal, assistant principal and timekeeper to accept accountability in reversing their errors (which they refuse to do, perhaps for fear their incompetence will be exposed). In the meantime that I’m seeking a higher-up authority to direct the changes, I’m suffering financially and morally. My bill (especially mortgage) payments are delayed and naturally, that means compounded interest payment, overdrafts, etc., and you can just imagine the moral damage these have on me: I am a widow shouldering all these financial obligations.  I have heard of even worst scenarios from other affected teachers: mortgage foreclosure, repossessed cars, stopped schooling of children in college, you name it.

Fighting for justice and eking a living at the same time can sap your energy, especially if you're a small fry. You have to give priority time to your present work. The principal belongs to the powers-that-be (and was even promoted despite anomalies he had allegedly committed in the past in another school). I go on teaching, just because it is my commitment to serve. Though sometimes one can waver in faith, one must keep on praying to maintain sanity in this chaotic world.. I turn to my faith for better or for worse, and remind myself that my faith in God is all that matters in the long run.  Someone once put this so nicely into words: “We must realize that it is in order to stimulate and sustain this faith that God allows the soul to be buffeted and swept away by the raging torrent of so much distress, so many troubles, so much embarrassment and weakness, and so many setbacks. For it is essential to have faith to find God behind all this.”  You might want to share this quote with your friend.

The unbelievers may have their own say again against turning our trials into trials of faith and rising against all vicissitudes in life, or about why God is allowing all this to happen. Let them. Let’s stop putting blame in God for the blunders and injustice of people. For in the long run, we, who fight for justice, will overcome, maybe not here but in the life after. I hope your friend will be inspired by the words above.
-alma viajero

Voices from Our Lady of Fatima

There are voices that cannot be ignored. When one is called to serve, one may waver. But if the voices are insistent, one has to heed. When one gets the invitation from the Curia coordinator in late January with only one slot left in a series of scheduled visits to scattered areas; one's tiny voice inside says, "grab it!" The email that comes in says, "There are others trying to get this day (February 10), so confirm asap if your parish wants It." The "It" is the statue of the National Pilgrim Virgin Lady of Fatima that has been gifted to America by the Bishop of Fatima in Portugal, blessed by Pope Paul VI  and crowned by  Cardinal Boyle in the National Basilica in Washington, D.C.

Why all this fuss, you might ask. For those who are not aware about Our Lady of Fatima, especially among the younger generation, she is no other than our Blessed Virgin Mother Mary who, in 1917, appeared to three children in Fatima, Portugal with three secret messages which now have already been revealed by the last of the three, Sister Lucia, who passed away on February 14, 2005 at the age of 97. The World Apostolate of Fatima is sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Church to propagate the Fatima Message to obtain world peace. Though this is the main objective of the named National Pilgrim Virgin traveling around America, the statue also serves to remind us of the world's need to rise against the present chaos by incessantly praying the rosary.

It  has been reported by some forty people that the Statue had shed tears while these people were praying for intercession in front of the image. Other witnesses report of healing and conversions.No wonder then that parishes vie to be honored this amazing Visit. But as in all organizations, coursing an invitation through a humble servant of God who has no authority to say "yes" or "no" entails channels to go through. One hastens to call the Legion president once, twice and then thrice with no answer and no return call either. One calls the vice-president once, twice as well and also no answer except the machine.

Finally, one reaches the Legion vice-president; one asks her to get the approval for the visit from whoever in the parish is left to man it in the meantime that the pastor is on leave. She comes back with the report that the deacon she finds in the parish office who is believed to have the authority to  approve said it can't be done that hurriedly. That sounded delay. The deacon is to tell one later that the Legion representative couldn't answer a lot of questions on the Visit. No matter. One senses, even before getting the feedback from Sister vice-president, that there might not be someone left in the parish to expedite approval. So, one takes a bold step  to email directly the pastor on leave though fearful he might be sick and unable to answer. It is a risk one takes, but one trusts in  the Voice that says, "Work on this, let the Holy Mother use  you for spreading Her love and message to the world." It's a risk-- a fear of being looked upon as assuming a role that should be that of the Legion President. But one cannot hold back the time: the clock is ticking. In one day, the chance to have the National Pilgrim Visit might be gone and in the meantime, our souls languish in hunger for Her love and protection. How can one let go of this precious opportunity practically at our door knocking? And the Voice is insistent: "You're a servant of God; no need to wait for those who are titled."

Then comes the pastor's (Father Alexander Lewis') answer through email, "So long as the group is legitimate and approved by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and have a  document saying so, I have no problem.Please contact Rosie Hernandez or Martha at the rectory by phone and email both so that you can organize the date/location with Martha.... you will have to take care of the publicity getting, to the bulletin person, etc." How he must love Mother Mary to have acted so fast! How trustful he must be that the one he's assigning and the whole parish community can organize everything even if it's practically in the nick of time.


One's planning, organizing and communication skills, long dormant from ancient days, are once more put to use. Moreover, one's love for Mother Mary is put to test. It is a marathon of sorts. One stays up till midnight  to email confirmation of the date to Bro. Victor Yap of the Curia and to the Regional Coordinator from whom one needs to get documents attesting to the legitimacy of the World Apostolate movement  to present to  our pastor and whoever might ask.  One works frenziedly through the following two weeks to compose the news release and announcement for all the Masses, to email all parish leaders to have them mobilize their members: the Hispanic community, the Filipino community, the Vietnamese community, the senior citizens, the charismatic group, the youth group, the Our Lady of Peace school--Mother Mary being the Mother of All Mankind and not just of the Legionaries." One maps out the program. One coordinates and discusses distribution of tasks and responsibilities to one's Legion sisters and brother who all embrace such participation with enthusiasm, with love for our Mother Mary, and with excitement 
. 
A few snags, but nothing to worry about: where to house the official custodian bringing and guarding the precious Statue and the three ladies assisting him--Sisters Josie, Helen and Letty; last minute details---the songs, the rites, the ushers. And the lector/reader, forgotten in all the commotion, so that one has to do it, unrehearsed, as other Legion members are to assume likewise some other roles in the rites. Bro. Victor of the Curia, sending out the flier to all other parishes. Maribel Fechtner coming to the rescue (thanks to Sister Mary Foronda of St. Bridget Church) in providing the housing for the four WAF personnel. Such miraculous responses to one's plea for Mother Mary to intervene.

A sodality of Marian children coming together: the Regina Pacem Presaedium of Our Lady of Peace, Rosie, dear pastoral associate, singing Ave Maria a capella; Deacon Rey (who stayed with the devotees through the end of the day), Martha, dear secretary; Tim, ever loyal pianist; Ms. Jasso, school principal; Thanh Tran, Anthony Nguyen, Bro.Celso and his chivalrous knights of the Holy Name of Jesus; Olga Castillo of the Legion de Maria and the many others in our diverse community. All are gems in our church! But most of all, Father Alexander--(A more caring pastor one has not seen in a long time!).  In one's heart of hearts, one says THANK YOU, though you may probably never get to read this!


Finally,  the World Pilgrim Lady of Fatima comes to a people waiting for Mother Mary's blessing, for Her grace, for Her powerful intercession in their petitions, both  for the world and for their own private supplication. Hail the Mother of God!  May She always be with us to light our way and guard us as a nation and as a people looking to Her as our Holy Mother.  May the world heed her pleas for incessant prayers for a world hungry for peace!

-Blanca Datuin aka Alma Viajero


 Mother Mary's Message reminds us of our own responsibility for our salvation and for world peace:

"The action of God, the Lord of history, and the co-responsibility of man in the drama of his creative freedom, are the two pillars upon which human history is built. 

Our Lady, who appeared at Fatima, recalls these forgotten values. She reminds us that man's future is in God, and that we are active and responsible partners in creating that future."

Tarcisio Bertone, SDB
Archbishop Emeritus of Vercelli
Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith