St. Romero and Pope Francis – from 2018
COAR ~ the Community of Oscar A. Romero Celebrated St. Romero’s canonization October 14th 2018 COAR is the oldest extant organization to bear his name ~ more: Pope Francis wore the cincture (the rope-like belt) that St. Romero wore when he was martyred, still stained with his blood. Everyone at COAR was saddened by the […]
Via Crucis – The Way of the Cross
Jesus washes the feet of his disciplesJesus offers the wine at Passover, his Last SupperThe Agony In GethsemaneJesus Is ArrestedJesus’ Arrest – with dramatic flairPilate – takes no responsibilityJesus carries his cross (with added blood splatter)Carrying the Cross-togetherChrist Hangs on the CrossThe Empty TombDo Not Be Afraid The COAR children have the great Salvadoran tradition […]
March 2025 – Executive Director’s Reflections & News from El Salvador
What do you hear when you hear “aid”? The impact of ceasing USAID funding will be felt throughout El Salvador. COAR does not received USAID funds nor does our oversight partner in the Archdiocese of San Salvador, the Vicariate of Human Development-CARITAS. But many, many other relief projects, the other dioceses in El Salvador, and […]
December 2024 – Executive Director’s Reflections & News from El Salvador
Executive Director’s Reflections by Mary Stevenson To See the Pain in Their Faces Susan (our Programs Director) and I travel to El Salvador at least twice a year. Usually in February and November. It’s part of our job to work with the Archdiocese, the parish, the school, and the residences to go over budgets, […]
September 2024 – Executive Director’s Reflections & News from El Salvador
Executive Director’s Reflections Guest essay: Susan Dinehart [nee: Barnish], Programs Director A scholarship program affords students many opportunities. Of course, the basis of that is education. But at a school like COAR, which represents a cross-section of children from different backgrounds and different villages, students can learn so much more. One of the most important […]
Computer Center Flooded
After the flood . . . the rainbow Thanks to all who responded with consolations, prayers, and gifts to repair our computer center (the subject of last month’s dramatic email and video, if you missed it, look below). But the kids bailed the water and we will repair and rebuild – thanks to you! We […]
June 2024 – Executive Director’s Reflections & News from El Salvador
Executive Director’s Reflections The Immortality of Youth I was struck by the two juxtapositions of youth in this newsletter: the exuberance and energy of the school intramural day and the sobering reminder that it is never too early to check for cancers. A project for our internos, the kids who live at COAR, highlighted especially […]
March 2024 – Executive Director’s Reflections & News from El Salvador
Executive Director’s Reflections Teaching Dignity, Pride, Compassion Can you imagine teaching a kid to do chores who has only everbeen forced to clean with beatings or abuse? Can you imagine how a child learnstenderness and compassion when any vulnerability was exploited, seen as aninvitation to abuse? Well, at COAR the ritual of Holy Thursday, the […]
December 2023 – Executive Director’s Reflections & News from El Salvador
Executive Director’s Reflections Dignifying lives & healing hearts; WE ARE ALL called to be builders of peace I was moved to tears, proud and happy tears, when they rushed up to me with the new shirts emblazoned with their new motto: WE ARE ALL called to be builders of peace (on the front); Dignifying lives […]
It’s a Fiesta!
(Photo credit: Nuestra Señora del Pilar parish Facebook page) In every little town in El Salvador (there are 262 of them!), you’ll find, once a year, the fiestas patronales of that town. Originating as a celebration of the feast day of the town’s patron saint, the fiestas are a cross between a county fair, a […]