MONDAY MORNINGS

Monday Morning is a time we all look forward to at PJD. After a short staff prayer, Carolina, Maria, Sr. Phylis and Sr. Sharon pack the Toyota with teaching supplies and head to Matamoros, Mexico.
We go through check point and over the bridge to Saint Michael the Archangel Church where health education classes have been held for the past year. A faithful group of women walk to the church and continue to learn about various topics of health. Maria teaches from a lap top where the mom’s lean in from the wooden benches to see the pictures and information being presented. Meanwhile, the children are gathered in a circle in the back of church for their own activities with Sr. Sharon.
Carolina and Sr. Phylis continue on the dirt roads of the colonia to the home of a woman who is hosting the educational sessions for the next few months. She has gathered a group of neighbors for classes just outside her home under a tree. The women have decided they would like to learn Capacitar before continuing with health education. Carolina will walk the woman through the Capacitar course beginning with Thai Chi then move to other stress management techniques.
A couple hours later we pack up and head back to Brownsville. We often reflect on this experience together on the ride back to PJD. The women face many challenges in their daily life yet we are always struck by their thoughtfulness, generosity, and gratitude.

Proyecto Juan Diego has begun another year of programs from English classes to health education in homes.
Promadoras de Salud are out in full force holding classes in the Cameron Park neighborhood. Seven groups are meeting weekly having sessions on diabetes, cholesterol, cervical cancer and other health topics. Our neighborhood leaders gather women into their homes where the Promadoras de Salud teach the classes.
At Casa Digna, classes are in session! We have over 35 students in the beginning and intermediate english classes. English classes are focused on conversation. Capacitar, a stress management program, has also begun it's 6 week course. Last week the women were introduced to basic Thai Chi movements, hand massage, and breathing exercises.
New programs reach out to the youth of Cameron park offering art classes to children who live in Paseo Plaza Housing Project and at San Felipe de Jesus' After-School program. Our newly formed Youth Group of teens will have its first service project this weekend. The youth will visit the sick and elderly of the parish taking them a handmade cross.
In the weeks ahead other programs will begin: Citizenship Classes for those over 50, GED, Primary and Secondary Education Classes, and an Exercise Program for Childern ages 8-12.