“
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome, lacking clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.” Matthew 25:35-36
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This Special Edition of the Mission Circle newsletter celebrates our many accomplishments this past year. We are featuring a few personal stories of people who have been helped by Mission Circle volunteers and the generous donations of our St. James-St. Leo Community. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and your financial support, we can look forward to a new year of bringing God’s love, grace, and hope to the poor on both sides of the border.
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Mission Circle’s Importance to the
St. James-St. Leo Community
By Fr. Gerard Lecomte
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Mission Circle has been part of the fabric of our parish for 40 years. As the official outreach of the parish to the community, its mission is to engage the people of our community to improve the lives of people in need and to sow hope in those we serve. The St. James-St. Leo Community, without Mission Circle, would not be the same. It is impossible to separate the two. I am proud to say that Matthew 25 is really alive here!
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Stories of Compassion
:
Helping People, Changing Lives
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Clients Get More Than Food at the
CRC Food and Nutrition Center
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Living with her family in North County on very little income, Sally depends on the support of the Food and Nutrition Center at CRC (Community Resource Center). Without its support, Sally and her family would have to skip some meals. “I don’t know what we’d do without them,” Sally said. “Our quality of life would be so much less.” While she is grateful for the food, Sally also appreciates the kindness she has been shown. “The staff and volunteers have never made me feel inadequate and are always happy and accommodating,” Sally says. Anna, another regular client, said before she came to CRC, she and her kids were frequently hungry. Now, thanks to CRC and its volunteers, they regularly have enough food to eat.
While all food pantries distribute food, the volunteers at CRC also nurture the hungry. Helpful volunteers greet clients warmly and assist them in selecting food from a pantry that is designed to closely resemble a typical grocery store. Dedicated Mission Circle volunteers staff the CRC Food and Nutrition Center every Friday.
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You can be part of Sally’s success story too by volunteering your time at the Community Resource Center or making a donation to Mission Circle!
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Changing Lives
One PB&J Sandwich at a Time
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When he ministers to the homeless along the canal in Tijuana and feeds the prisoners at its jail, Bill Luke is constantly reminded of how the compassion sandwiched between two slices of bread in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich can make a big difference in people’s lives. That’s why Bill is no longer surprised when he later meets someone who remembers getting a sandwich from him. Once while visiting Tijuana’s Casa San Juan Diego home for invalid men and its soup kitchen, the cook smiled at Bill and said he remembered receiving one of Bill’s sandwiches while he was homeless. The Sisters who run the Casa tell Bill that most of the participants at their retreats talk about a stranger who had handed them a PB&J sandwich when they needed it most. Another man who volunteered to help distribute the sandwiches told Bill how grateful he had been to receive his sandwiches both at the canal and in the jail. “To a person who is struggling to get by each day,” Bill says, “these sandwiches bring needed nourishment for body and spirit. With the sandwiches, people can taste the sweetness of the unconditional love and the hope our Lord promises.”
Every Thursday at 10:00am, a small group of enthusiastic volunteers gathers in the St. Leo kitchen to make 1,000 sandwiches from day-old bread and donated peanut butter and jelly. Then on Friday morning, Bill picks up the sandwiches and takes them to Tijuana to nourish the hearts, minds, and bodies of the homeless and imprisoned.
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You can bring nourishment and hope too by donating PB&J, making sandwiches,
or making a donation to Mission Circle!
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Touching the Future ...
After-School Tutoring
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How can one touch the future? Volunteer tutor Jim McCollum was waiting at the counter of a local pharmacy a few years ago when the pharmacist looked up and said, “Hi Jim!” Jim looked at the young man in the white lab coat. He seemed to know Jim, but Jim could not place him. Then the pharmacist asked if Jim was still tutoring at St. Leo. “Yes,” Jim replied, “but how did you know I tutored there?” The pharmacist smiled and said, “Because, I was once one of your students.”
The students who attend the after-school tutoring program at St. Leo Mission need a little help practicing and improving their English language reading, speaking, and writing skills. Dedicated Mission Circle volunteers provide this support and get to know some amazing young people!
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You can touch the future too by volunteering as a tutor or making a donation to Mission Circle!
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Shoes That Fit Many Needs
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Maria, a petite five-year old girl and her Mom survived a dangerous and traumatic journey from Honduras seeking a better life in San Diego. Once they were settled here, the kindergartner then had to adapt to a new place where everything was different. Unable to speak or understand English, school was very difficult for her. One of Maria’s happiest days at school was the day Mission Circle gave new shoes and socks to each student. As she tried on her new shoes and picked out a pair of new socks, Maria’s big smile needed no translation! The kindness and generosity of strangers had made a bigger impact on her life than what covered her feet. They allowed her to step into a more welcoming, friendly new world.
This past year, the St. James-St. Leo Community raised over $12,000 to buy new shoes for every child in two elementary schools in Oceanside where over 80-90% of the children live in poverty.
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Thanks to your generous contributions, 1300 children including Maria received new shoes individually fitted by Mission Circle volunteers. We look forward to your continued support of Mission Circle.
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YOUR GIFT CHANGES LIVES!
From Mission Circle President, Kevin O’Connor
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Mission Circle strives to be Christ's hands on earth, reaching out in kinship with people who face hardship and challenges. In this Special Edition, we are excited to share a few of our programs and how people have been touched by the kindness and compassion of our dedicated volunteers. Mission Circle is dedicated to engaging parishioners to improve the lives of people in need. I invite you to visit our website to learn more about the wide variety of volunteer opportunities available to people of all ages and time restraints.
Of course,
none of this would be possible without your on-going financial support
. Mission Circle is an all-volunteer organization and operates completely on the generous gifts of our donors. Your support allows our volunteers to carry out the call to serve in Matthew 25.
Your commitment to our mission will make a difference to those in need.
Come join our Circle of Compassion!
We need your help now more than ever.
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We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
Mother Teresa
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CLICK ON THE SYMBOL....
How you can make a difference....
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Make a donation or make a donation in honor of a loved one's special day.
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Choose one of our weekly or annual events.
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Forward this newsletter to Family and Friends
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Choose an event from our calendar
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Write your check to: St. James Mission Circle
P.O. Box 1376
Solana Beach, CA 92075
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Want to Make a Difference?
~ VOLUNTEER WITH US ~
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On-going Volunteer Opportunities
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Books for Tutoring Program
Gently used or new children’s books, from Dr. Seuss to young adult, needed for the Tutoring Program’s library. Please place books in a bag marked TUTORING and leave in the social room at St. James. Our students and tutors GREATLY appreciate your donations!
"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” Walt Disney
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Peanut Butter & Jelly
Donations Needed
Every Week!
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It takes a lot of peanut butter and jelly to make 1,000 sandwiches
each week to feed the prisoners and homeless in Tijuana. Please leave your jars of
creamy PB & any flavor Jelly
in the social room under the sink at St. James.
We especially need peanut butter at this time!
We love our donors!
Contact: Stephanie Kowack,
stephkowack@yahoo.com
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Travel Size Toiletries
Please save the travel-size toiletries
f
rom your hotel stays and leave them under the sink in the St. James social
room. The prisoners in the Tijuana jail will greatly appreciate them
.
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MC Monthly Meeting – Open to ALL
7:00 – 8:00 PM
St. James Church Gathering/Reading Room
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Thursdays
Make PB & J Sandwiches for Prisoners & Homeless in Tijuana
10:00 AM – noon
(or until all sandwiches are made)
St. Leo kitchen –
Come join us! Drop-ins Welcome!
Contact: Stephanie Kowack,
stephkowack@yahoo.com
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Fridays
Food Distribution at Encinitas
CRC Food Bank
New Volunteers always welcome!
2 shifts: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Encinitas Community Resource Center
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Maintenance & Crafts at Casa Eudes Girls Home,
Tijuana, Mexico
*
7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Come join us!
Meet in St. James Parking Lot to carpool in the church van
Contact:
Jeff Sturgis,
*Must carry a valid US Passport Card (not a passport)
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“
Repurposing with a Purpose” work party!
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:00 – 11:00 AM
Teens, Young Adults, Adults
Need service hours? Volunteers ALWAYS welcome!
Donation Sheds – St. James parking lot
Join us as we organize donations for upcoming building and home furnishing projects.
Contact:
Kathy Faller,
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August 17-18
Mission Circle Weekend! Annual Fundraiser at all Masses
*NEW in September
Mission Circle meetings are moving to the
2
nd
MONDAY
of each month beginning Sept. 9
th
September
After-School Tutoring Program resumes at St. Leo Mission (date to follow)
Sunday, Oct. 13
Food Packaging Event
More information to follow! To join the team, contact
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