It was a joy to our world at the
Casa Eudes Christmas party!
Santa got off to a slow start …
We had a flat tire, a Head Elf came down with the flu, and we discovered an insurance problem on the van that we had to resolve … but once we got underway it was smooth sledding from then on.

Dancing, feasting, a posada, and fabulous presents
As always, our party was a festive blend of Mexican and American traditions.  It included a posada, which is procession that re-enacts the search by Mary and Joseph for shelter in Bethlehem. That was followed by a folk dancing recital by the kids and a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings hosted by Mission Circle. Finally we heard sleigh bells and Santa came ho-ho-hoing in with presents for all the girls, the sisters, and the Casa Eudes staff.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
St. James Academy’s gift made our party even merrier 
The kids from St. James Academy sold Christmas ornaments and donated the proceeds for the party. Our president, Kevin O’Connor received a check from Susan Hana and Sheri Daquipa for $800!  That made the whole party a lot more fun!
Our generous parish filled every gift bag
Once again we were overwhelmed with the generosity of our parishioners. We had plenty of gifts for every girl, allowing Santa to give all the kids what they wanted for Christmas. A heartfelt thanks to everybody who donated gifts.  
Joy in a Shoe Box!
Buying a new pair of shoes is a routine purchase for most of us. We take for granted that shoes come in a box and have a new shoe smell and feel. But for some children, it is something they have never experienced because their families cannot afford such a luxury.

1,300 local students to receive new shoes! Preschool – 5 th grade students from low-income families in Oceanside will be starting the new semester with a brand new pair of sneakers!

Mission Circle is partnering with Shoes to the World, Oceanside Unified School District, and Palomar Family Counseling Services to purchase and distribute the shoes to children who rarely, if ever, get new ones. We’re HALF WAY to our funding goal! Help us put a smile on the faces and new shoes on the feet of these children in need!

Please send your donations by cash/check to:
St. James Mission Circle, P.O. Box 1376, Solana Beach, CA. 92075.

Be sure to designate your donation for the SHOE DRIVE.
Volunteer Opportunities! Volunteer sign ups to sort and distribute the shoes will begin in mid January on Sign-up Genius. Watch the Parish bulletin, the Mission Circle website, and the Parish e-newsletter for the link to Sign-up Genius to volunteer to help:

Wednesday, Feb. 7 -- Shoe Sorting Laurel Elementary
Thursday, Feb. 8 Shoe -- Distribution, Laurel Elementary
Saturday, Feb. 10 -- Shoe Sorting, Mission Elementary
Monday, Feb. 12 -- Shoe Distribution, Mission Elementary

Help bring joy to a child with the gift of new shoes! These children really need them so come help us with the distribution. Watch the joy and excitement on the faces of these children as they open a box, unfold the tissue paper, and discover their new pair of shoes!

Questions? katekellyhodsdon@gmail.com
Many Thanks to our Partners!
Shoes to the World http://www.shoestotheworld.org
Palomar Family Counseling Services http://www.palomarfamilycounseling.com/
Oceanside Unified School District https://www.oside.k12.ca.us/"
You might say … our charity is
Father John’s most lasting achievement!
Father John started Mission Circle in 1972.  
It was one of the first things he did when he came to St. James. This year he is celebrating 50 years of faithful service as a priest. He has accomplished many wonderful things but all of us at Mission Circle think his most lasting achievement is the founding of our charity. To have a volunteer organization still going strong after all those years is a real tribute to Father John’s insight, leadership, and compassion.

It all started with the Casa Eudes Girls Home
Father went down to visit a home for “at risk” girls in Tijuana run by sisters from his Eudist order. He found the home in desperate need of support. Father asked his St. James parishioners to help and Mission Circle was born. We’re still supporting the Casa Eudes Girls Home today.

But over the years, we’ve added many programs to help t he poor. 
And we help on both sides of the border. At the moment we have 16 different programs. For example, our volunteers make 800 sandwiches a week for the hungry in Tijuana, package food for the needy in the third world, cook and serve meals at Bread of Life Mission in Oceanside, and distribute 1,300 pairs of new shoes to needy kids in the local area. 

Yes, Mission Circle is 45 years old and still going strong.  
We think that makes us Father John’s most lasting achievement. And, we believe, one of his best!
Volunteer Opportunities
New Volunteers ALWAYS Welcome!