INTRODUCTION The opening song of the CD is called "Sandalwood" based on the Spanish proverb that says, "be like the sandalwood which perfumes the ax that wounds it." May we invite you to participate in this mission of hope and we thank you being a part of the "perfume" that brings a sense of hope and for making the work of hope possible. I believe that the age of Hope is with us. We need its power and vision. Hope is "a passion for what is possible" (S. Kierkegaard) for it sees the world around us in a new way. This hope is not a fantasy. It is real and it illuminates from within the very heart of suffering and love. People of hope are committed to forgiveness, understanding and communion among us all. The poet Denise Levertov wrote a poem entitled, "Candles in Babylon." The poet sees herself running through the streets of Babylon at midnight with a lighted candle of HOPE in her hands protecting it from the winds of skepticism-she becomes a messenger of Hope in a place of suffering. THE MISSION The mission of the "Sandalwood Project" is to bring the music of this CD out to parishes and schools throughout the country while supporting projects of some of our own great heroes of hope such as Dr. Henry Hamilton of the MedLend medical missions, Chosen Children Village Foundation for abandoned and disabled children, Tahanan Walang Hagdanan for the disabled, and the Assumption Mission in Bukidnon. Each is a great works of hope that deserve our support.