St. Raymond donations help clinic in Uganda

There is no turkey, dressing and all the trimmings served in the Uganda, East Africa, village of Nakifuma, but there are plenty of moms and babies very thankful to be alive because The St. Raymond Alms Committee of St. Raymond Parish in Mount Prospect has created a miracle for them.

Medicine for deadly malaria fever gives them a reason to be thankful to be alive.

Parishioner Peter Tantillo and local Deacon Don Grossnickle asked St. Raymond to help them save lives in the St. Luke's Clinic, where those who cannot afford a hospital or doctor come before they die.

Thank goodness the St. Raymond Parish Alms Program searches for community organizations that reflect caring for needs of the "least of our brothers."

The Alms Program strives to raise the consciousness of the parish community to the diverse needs of the disadvantaged. It provides an opportunity for parishioners to live out the Gospel command to: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, provide shelter and comfort those who have nowhere to turn.

St. Raymond's Lenten Alms Giving Project for the weekends in March 2018 was a tremendous success.

The money donated has been used to build a pig farm operation that can produce a sustainable source of funds to purchase medicines for the St. Luke Clinic operated in this village.

"Selling pigs, fortunately, buys medicine," Tantillo says.

Volunteer, founder, nurse and director Teophista Nakawundu sends thanks to the generous parishioners and local community for the support necessary to plan and implement this project.

Teophista is thankful, and made a recent phone call wishing the people of St. Raymond's a happy Thanksgiving and explained to the donors that the land was purchased for the pig farm, a shepherd hired, and feed and water arranged for the care for these animals.

Her hope is that soon the worries about not having money to purchase and distribute lifesaving medicine are over.

St. Raymond has promised to allocate another fundraising campaign in 2019. Pete Tantillo and Deacon Don thank the people of St. Raymond Parish and invite other organizations to assist them in an effort to support several other clinics that provide outreach against malaria.

For details, call Peter Tantillo at (847) 253-8600.