Service and Joy Go Together
Like Peanut Butter and Jelly
Mission Circle’s Weekly PB & J Sandwich Program
Says Farewell to its coordinator, Jerry Johnson
“ If you want to serve Jesus by helping the poor, this is a great way to do it!”  That’s how Jerry Johnson, coordinator of the PB & J Sandwich Program, describes this hands-on ministry. Jerry has faithfully organized the supplies and warmly greeted the volunteers every Thursday for the
past year and a half.

800 Sandwiches are made every week!
Volunteers gather every Thursday in St. Leo’s kitchen to make 800 PB & J sandwiches to feed the prisoners and homeless in Tijuana .  The sandwiches are made with donated bread, peanut butter, and jelly.
 
Leonor Figueroa started the program about 11 years ago.
Leonor along with some friends in Eden Gardens bought the peanut butter and jelly and made the sandwiches in her home using Mission Circle’s donated bread from local grocery stores.  Bill Luke, a good Samaritan from San Clemente, still transports and distributes the sandwiches every Friday in Tijuana and provides haircuts to the prisoners and guards. Several years ago, Mission Circle was looking for more local outreach opportunities, so the organization began purchasing the peanut butter & jelly and recruiting volunteers to help make the sandwiches. A year and a half ago, Leonor, now Sister Leonor, left the community here to join the Eudist Servants of the 11 th Hour. That’s when Jerry volunteered to take on the responsibilities of coordinating this weekly outreach program.
 
The best part of the program…
When asked what has been his favorite part of the program Jerry responded, “Working with the volunteers and being able to go to TJ with Bill to see the results of the sandwich program. The prisoners are so hungry they grab the sandwiches right out of your hand. There is a sadness in seeing how many poor people there are but such joy in seeing what our sandwich making does to feed the poor…at least for a day.”
 
Jerry will continue to serve the poor with joy!
Mission Circle and the PB & J Team would like to thank Jerry for his commitment and dedication to the program. Although he will be greatly missed, we wish him well as he continues serving Jesus by helping the poor in the kitchen at Fr. Joe’s Villages. But we sincerely hope he drops by St. Leo’s kitchen from time to time to join us in making a few hundred peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!

If you’d like to help make sandwiches, join our
friendly & joyful sandwich makers at:
 

 
Jerry Johnson, center, with some of the sandwich volunteers
If you’d like to help make sandwiches, join our
friendly & joyful sandwich makers at:
 
       St. Leo’s Kitchen
          Every Thursday – drop-ins are always welcome!
         10:30 a.m. until 800 sandwiches are packaged! (usually around noon)
 
Questions? Contact: 
Stephanie Kowack stephkowack@yahoo.com
Kim Scholz 858.259.0439
  think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
Sign up to Join
St. James Mission Circle & Shoes to the World
as we sort and distribute shoes to local children!
Laurel Elementary School : 1410 Laurel Street, Oceanside
Sorting: Wednesday, Feb 7    
 Distribution: Thursday, Feb 8

Mission Elementary School : 2100 Mission Ave., Oceanside
Sorting: Saturday, Feb 10    
Distribution: Monday, Feb 12


For Information: Katie Hodsdon, 858-682-1118

Come share in the joy of the children
 as they receive their new shoes!
Father John’s Golden Jubilee was full of precious memories
On the evening of Friday, January 19th, the huge ballroom at the Hilton was filled with people and crowded with memories of Father John’s 50 year ministry. It was a fitting tribute to an outstanding man who has been our spiritual leader for most of those years and is the founder of our parish charity, Mission Circle, as well as the medical clinic. He is a priest who raised a family. He is also a linguist, a traveler, a chef, a psychiatrist, a biker, and, above all, the heart and soul of our St. James/St. Leo parish for almost all of his 50 years.
 
From young priest to beloved pastor
 
Father John came to us early in his ministry. It is our good fortune to have had this intelligent, merciful man serving us for over four decades. 
 
In a evening full of reminiscing, Deacon Joe Santen came all the way from North Carolina to be the MC. He entertained us with story after story of Father John’s early years to the present. Fellow pastors consisting of Monsignor Lawrence Purcell, Monsignor Richard Duncanson, Reverend William Rowland and our present Pastor, Gerard Lecomte, all paid tribute to Father. Then Karen Avosa and Pauline Wright performed a hilarious musical history dedicated to him. The world famous classical guitarist, Pepe Romero, enthralled us with his artistry and Father John’s adopted son gave a loving tribute to him as a parent and a grandfather. Finally, Father John himself briefly took the stage and expressed his joy for the people present and his years of service.
 
Looking ahead
 
Fortunately, Father is retiring in name only. We are blessed to still have him as an active, vital part of our St. James/St. Leo community. We spent this wonderful evening reminiscing but there are many golden years ahead.  
Remembering Madre John Eudes
who quietly worked miracles
The Madre, who passed away on New Year’s Day, founded Casa Eudes Girls Home and was instrumental in donating the land for the church next to the home. She was a quiet woman who lived out her years surrounded by the “at risk” young girls she sheltered for almost 50 years. After a visit to Casa Eudes in 1972, Father John worked with the Madre to help the home by starting our parish charity, Mission Circle. Volunteers from St. James/St. Leo parish still go down twice a month to maintain the home and interact with the girls. We feel honored to have known this holy woman who accomplished so much for so many for so long.
On-going Volunteer Opportunities