Click on an image to see more:

St. James Denver has adopted a sister school in Ecuador!

Last spring, a member of the St. James Parish, Mrs. Ines O’Brien, spoke with me about her mission work at Escuela Franciscana San Diego (St. James) in Ecuador.

Mrs. O’ Brien spends much of the year in Ecuador working with the Franciscan sisters and teaching English to students of the school. She spoke with me about the immense poverty experienced by most all families in the villages which surround the school and I was reminded of the many things we often take for granted here in the United States.   I started thinking how wonderful it would be if our students could communicate via letter writing with the Ecuadorian students to learn more about their culture and in turn share things about us. As Mrs. O’Brien and I continued to brainstorm, the idea to adopt families was born. We thought if we could have students raise money through free dress opportunities monthly, or from any other creative way in which they may feel inspired.  I suggested a list of community service opportunities where they could serve this community, and at the same time serve a much broader global community.

When Mrs. O’Brien returned home this summer, she had compiled a list of all of families which we could begin to financially support. She gave me pictures and details of each family and she outlined their basic needs in regards to school supplies, tuition payments, and uniforms.

I spoke with the teachers at the beginning of this year and invited them to each participate as a class project for the year. They were all enthused about the idea.  I have given one family, by name to each class and the school wide project to help the students of St. James in Ecuador is underway.

In Christ,

Carol A. Hovell-Genth

Principal, St. James Denver

Mission Details:

April 27, 2009

Dear Directora,

My name is Carol Hovell-Genth and I am the Principal of St. James Roman Catholic School which is part of the St. James Parish. I am in a faith formation community with Ines O’Brien in our parish.  Recently, Ines and I met with our Pastor, Father Felix Medina, to share our ideas around a potential mission.  We agreed that St. James School children, under my guidance, would adopt Escuela “San Diego” as a mission for the children.

This mission will include prayers, periodic donations of school supplies, medical supplies, teaching materials, and monetary contributions when possible.  We would like to inspire ongoing communication, in the form of letters and/or email between our students and the students of Escuela “San Diego.”  Ines and I have been brainstorming ideas for the future and we would like to open a summer school in the summer of 2010, free of charge, for the children.  We would teach English, reading, writing, social skills, and any other areas of interest you deem appropriate.

I look forward to hearing from you by way of Ines. Our students will plan their first communication and collection during the fall of 2009, so I will forward you more detailed information when the next school year begins.

May God bless you and all of your community,

Carol Hovell-Genth