New Mary's Hands Activities

Our newsletters try to give snapshots of current projects that we are funding but we don’t always capture the amazing work that Mary’s Hands does in so many different areas. For example, volunteers work endlessly with many families in need in the region, especially those with children. While most of the children are healthy, there are some with special needs, others who need our help with medicine, and many who need support in learning.

During one of their many visits to the Mostar hospital where these children are brought for regular checkups, Mary’s Hands volunteers came across a family that was in severe need or assistance. Instantly they felt they had to do something for them and tried all that they could. The parents, along with their two sons aged 10 and 12, live in a small apartment with the children’s grandmother. The grandmother is the only one with a regular salary of $215 per month since both parents are unable to work due to physical and mental disabilities. The children were born with severe orthopedic disabilities and have difficulties walking. Despite living on the 6th floor of a building with no elevator, they still manage to go to school regularly, defying all odds. Mary’s Hands brought them twice to Zagreb to be seen by specialists but doctors in Croatia are urging them to go to a Catholic children’s hospital in Germany for surgery, treatment and rehabilitation.

The letter that we have received says: “The complex economic and political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the difficulties caused by war that we suffered 30 years ago from which many never recovered, have left many families in severe poverty and difficulties. Since the state does not function properly, such families depend entirely on the help of people of good will. We would like to recommend to you with all our hearts, this particular family in need, if you have means to help them.”

This is the new challenge for Friends of Mary’s Hands! Let’s do this.

Silent Auction Coming Soon

We are in the early planning stages of organizing a Silent Auction for next month that we hope you can all invite your friends and relatives to bid on beautiful items that we will be receiving shortly. Also, if you know of companies, artists or businesses which would be willing to donate items for this auction, please email us at: vraymonda@qresearch.us.

Sister Parish – Saint Ivan (Konjic – Bosnia)

As we promised you in December, we are happy to share with you pictures of our Sister Parish in Konjic (Bosnia-Herzegovina). Every year, Mary’s Hands, in coordination with Saint Jakov’s Church, selects a parish in need to provide food and basic need items during Christmas time. Saint Ivan’s Church was the recipient this year of two vans full of essentials to be distributed among the 300 families and parishioners in need. 

Mary’s Hands volunteers read an article about a family living in very hard conditions around the same area. On their way to Konjic, volunteers stopped by their home and made a generous donation for them and their only child . As you can see in the pictures, this family is living in a garage which doesn’t have electricity, forcing them to borrow it from a neighbor.

Prayer Petitions

We’d like to remind all of our Friends that you can submit a prayer petition, which we will forward to Jakov’s prayer group who meet on Mondays at 7 p.m. In addition, our friends in Medjugorje will place the petitions at the bottom of Mary’s statue in Apparition Hill and will pray for us. You can submit a prayer petition here. Feel free to share this link with others you know who may be in need.

Year-end Tax Information

Documents are coming out next week. We apologize for the delay.

Friends of Mary’s Hands - 1^st Reunion in Medjugorje

We are considering the idea of organizing a get together in September of this coming year. We are in the very early stages of planning. Would you be interested in joining us? Let us know: vraymonda@qresearch.us.

If you would like to donate to support all of the good works Jakov and his volunteers are doing, please click the button.