Join us in support of those who need it most!

“It’s one giant hug around here!”

“Here” refers to Holy Cross Retreat Center in Las Cruces, NM, where Terri has resided the past serval months while receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the nearby Memorial Medical Center.
Unemployed due to cancer and COVID, Terri drove across the state with her sleeping bag in the back seat. A kind nurse asked Terri where she planned on staying during the long months of chemotherapy and could not accept Terri’s plan of camping out in the back seat of her car. She called Father Tom Smith, OFM Conv., the Director of Holy Cross Retreat Center, and sent Terri to Holy Cross Retreat Center.

Father Tom welcomed Terri; no explanation was needed, no check-out date, and no bill for lodging, meals, or support.  “I’ve never had anyone besides my family care for me the way Father Tom and Holy Cross cared for me!” At the lowest point in her life, your care and kindness held open the door to Terri she never expected. As she prepares to depart, she tells Father Tom, “I’m leaving my heart here.”

I share Terri’s story as one shining example of how your partnership with us, the Conventual Franciscan Friars, touches real people and saves real lives. Without your generosity, we could not do this work.

Your financial support holds open the doors of Holy Cross Retreat Center to cancer patients like Terri, provides food through our Franciscan Kitchens and food pantries, educates and forms young friars and seminarians, and supports our senior and retired friars whose final ministry is praying each day for your intentions.