Introduction to
Family to Family Ministry
St. Monica Catholic Church — Parroquia Santísimo Sacramento
Updated 1-30-06

Welcome to the Peru Ministry Family to Family (F2F) ministry. This very important charitable ministry assists very poor families in Piura, Peru. Most of the 35,000 members of Padre José’s (Fr. Joe Uhen’s) parish of Santísimo Sacramento (Most Blessed Sacrament) are extremely poor. He and his assistant, Ginet Ambulay, personally select those needing help the most to become part of F2F.

Your Family
Your participation in the F2F ministry is effective immediately. Details about your family were already sent to you. Your family will be notified that you are helping them.

If you should leave St. Monica or the Edmond area, you do not have to leave the F2F ministry. Determine the length of time you commit to this ministry by the relationship developed with your adopted family, their needs, and your own economic situation. While in Piura one summer, the mother of an adopted family touched my heart when she asked that her American family not abandon her family.

Initial Exchange of Personal Information
It is our hope that a personal and caring relationship will develop between families. You have already received photos and some information about them. The foremost thing a Peruvian family wants from you is a photo. Information of interest, are your names, ages, birth dates, what you do, and your interests and hobbies. No matter the age of your children, please also supply their names, ages, and birth dates. Your Peruvian family is very interested in you and will pray for you daily. Your message of information and digital photos will be e-mailed to the parish in Piura.

Your Monthly Donation
Your minimum monthly donation of $30 will help support your family for two to three weeks. If for any reason you cannot meet your commitment, please notify me immediately.

Your family will not receive cash. The F2F team at Santísimo Sacramento will purchase items that your family needs and will deliver them each month. Most months it will be food, such as beans and rice, the main diet, but at other times it might include various supplies and needed items such as building materials to repair their small house.

Your check
• Make all checks payable to “St. Monica Peru Mission Account”
• If for more than one month, indicate the months the check is to cover
• Indicate your preference of how any extra amount is to be spent for your adopted family; the staff will determine their actual needs
• Place your St. Monica family number and your Peru family number on the check—see below
• Insert the check in a Peru Ministry envelope, NOT a St. Monica envelope
• Monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual payments are acceptable
• Automatic payment is easiest and preferred— “Automatic Payment of Contributions” form can be downloaded here.
• No credit cards!

Envelopes
• It is essential that you use the provided envelopes so your donation ends in the correct account
• Twelve envelopes will be mailed to you
• Additional envelopes are available in the church Narthex or from the Parish Office or by calling at (405) 359-2700
• Return the envelop with your check by putting it in the collection basket, dropping it off at the Parish Office, or mailing it to St. Monica Catholic Church, 2001 N. Western Ave., Edmond, OK 73003-3447
• Try to send your donation during the first two weeks of the month
• Your family will receive the benefit of your check the following month
• You cannot mail your family directly; they do not have mail delivery

Extra Donations
You are always welcome to send extra money for special needs or for special occasions to your family. Indicate on your check or a note how the extra money is to be used; otherwise, a guess will be made. For example:
• $45 for a bed
• $15 for supplemental needs
• $50 for medical supplies/treatments
• $20 for person’s birthday
• $30 for Fr. Joe—parish use

Exchange of Letters
Here is how to electronically correspond with your sponsored family in Peru.

U.S. to PERU
• Post Office mailing to Peru has ceased.
• You can e-mail to Peru once per month and have your e-mail printed, translated and delivered by the parish there for free.
• Word-process your messages and add one attachment, if desired.
    o A digital image of your family or a greeting card by scanner or camera
• The Peru e-mail address is lettertousa@yahoo.com
• You must provide the following address information; as example:
    From: John and Mary Doe (SM-001/047)
    To: Segundo Madrid Nima (full husband’s name)
    Armandina Ramirez Falla (full wife’s name)
    Chavin Huantar, MZ B-15 (village and address)

PERU TO USA
• Post Office mailing to the U.S. has stopped.
• All Peru letters/cards, in Spanish, are scanned and e-mailed to you.
• If you want translations to English, you must pay $1 per letter/card.
    o Since Peruvians write once per month, we will collect $12 for a year, which is due by December 31.
    o If $12 it is not received by Dec. 31, translations will not be made.
    o Make out a separate check and put in an envelope, both addressed to “St. Monica Peru Mission,” and drop in collection basket or mail to church.
    o The St. Monica address is 2001 N. Western Ave., Edmond, OK 73012

Exchange of letters is how your relationship with your adopted family deepens.

Continue to pray for your adopted family; they are praying for you every day.