Rev. Benjamin Romo, C.M.
Matías Romero No. 1412,
Col. Vértiz Narvarte,
México, D.F. 03650
Tel/Fax: (55) 5604-6213
E-mail: vinfam_2000@yahoo.com

March 3 2005

To all the Visitors, Visitatrices, National Councils of the AMM, and Members of the Association of the Miraculous Medal

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

After finishing my service as Delegate of the Superior General for the Vincentian Family, my visitor in Mexico named me National Advisor for the different Vincentian associations of the country. At the end of the month of January Father G. Gregory Gay, C.M., Superior General and Director General of the Association of the Miraculous Medal, asked me that, without neglecting the work with the Vincentian Family of Mexico, I be in charge of the Coordination of the Association at international level. Moved by the love of Mary our Mother and the affection that I have for the Association, I have accepted with much pleasure this offer to serve. I expect, with the grace of God, to support the deepening and the expansion of the Association in the world.

I thank Father Shelby for all his work of animation and especially for setting up the web site, www.amminter.org, which offers such wealth in formation for the Association.

At this point, please allow me to treat two important topics:

First topic:
SECOND INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF THE AMM – 2005  

One of the commitments of the first meeting, held in 2001, was to organize a second meeting within the next four years. The Director General has decided to convoke it this year. The Coordinating Council has begun the preparation, and to help you now to prepare for participating we offer you the following information.  

Place of the Second Meeting:
Casa María Inmacolata
Via Ezio, 28
Rome, Italy

The Dates:
October 24-28, 2005

Participants:
For those countries with approved Statutes: Up to 4 members (two lay members of the Association, the National Director, and the Sister Delegate)

For those countries that have begun the foundation of the Association or want to begin it: Up to two members may participate who are promoting or organizing the Association in the country

Cost of the Meeting:
The cost will be of 220 Euros per person and it includes: lodging, food and materials from the secretariat for the meeting.

In a few days you will receive more information to help you get ready for participation.  

We are looking for the way to create a solidarity fund to support participation in the meeting by countries in more economic difficulty.

Second topic:
FUNDS OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION

From the year 2002 the Association has had a simple International structure whose purpose is to offer animation, formation materials, and information to its members. The team is composed of an International Coordinator and three other members that constitute the Coordinating Council of the Association. From their appointment in June of 2002 they have met once a year for three days. Their main objective has been to respond to the commitments taken in the first International Meeting of the Association. This Council up to this moment does not have its own funds; rather, all the expenses have been assumed by the AMM of Perryville, Missouri, USA. We are very grateful for this valuable support that has been borne through Father Charles Shelby.

In our meeting of January 2005 in Paris, we saw the need to ratify the decision, taken at the first meeting of the Coordinating Council in 2002, to create a fund that allows the International Council to fulfill its service of animation to the Association in each country.

Therefore, we have decided to ask anew of the countries where the Association is found for a contribution of one cent of a dollar ($0.01) per person per year. Certainly, we leave complete freedom for a country to support us with a larger contribution if you are able and wish to do so. Feel free! We will be very grateful.

By means of this contribution we also want to allow the Association in each country to feel their ownership of the international Association.

The annual contributions will be collected in the following way. The National Advisor or Director will send the amount that you have determined to the Provincial Treasurer of the Congregation of the Mission in the country. He in turn will send it to the Econome General in Rome. I myself as Coordinator, along with the Council, will make the best use of the funds for the good of international animation.

We hope to receive your contributions for the year 2005. We would also be grateful to receive contributions for previous years. We hope the deposits can be made before the month of July, 2005.

Do not hesitate to offer any explanation to us at the address of the International Coordinator of the AMM or to the members of the coordinating Council.

Imploring our Blessed Mother's intercession so that she accompanies you in your journey, I leave you with my deepest regards.

Your brother in Christ,

(Rev.) Benjamín Romo, C.M.
International Coordinator

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