Mission Circle November 2020 Newsletter |
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Message from Deacon Peter, Administrator |
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Hello Everyone!
It is my great pleasure to announce our new Mission Circle Board:
Fr. Gerard Lecomte, Pastor
Deacon Peter Hodsdon, Administrator
Julie Bishop
Dale Burchby
Pat Caughey
Ann Harris
Warren Henderson
Katie Hodsdon
Deacon Bill Kazmierowicz
Jessica Reed
Monica Stapleton
You will get to know each of our Board members in the months ahead. We will begin meeting in early November and start formulating plans for the ensuing year. There are a lot of good ideas brewing and I am excited to administer this transition. In addition to the Board, we have a Support Team in place as well:
Shirley Giese - Communications
Clare White McDonald – E-Newsletter
Debbie Derderian – E-Newsletter
Anastacia Grenda – Social Media
Albert Fitzgerald (staff) – Accountant
Jannet Diaz (staff) – St. Leo Mission Director
Please continue your financial and volunteer support as best you can. We’re all anxious to get back to serving the Lord in many ways as soon as we can safely do so. Some activities are already back in full swing (see below). Thank you as always!
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Mission Circle Thanks Kevin O’Connor
for his Dedication & Leadership
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On behalf of all the volunteers in Mission Circle, we sincerely thank Kevin O’Connor for his service as President these past 3 years. His dedication, hard work, and vision have successfully guided our mission to serve those in need locally and in Tijuana.
When asked about his term as president, Kevin said, “My foremost memories are that no matter what we asked for, be it shoes, socks, peanut butter and jelly, or presents for the girls at Christmas, our parishioners came through in spades, and for me, watching the girls open up their gifts was the best Christmas present I could get. Second was working with all the great people who ran our outreach ministries and the friendships that developed.”
Kevin tirelessly gave his time to nurture each of Mission Circle’s programs and events, but he carries a special place in his heart for the girls at Casa Eudes Girls Home in Tijuana. Before the pandemic, Kevin loaded up the Mission Circle van with volunteers and materials two Saturdays every month and drove to Casa Eudes. With all the girls and Sisters living at the home, there have always been things in need of repair, painting to be done, and friendships to be made.
Mission Circle has been blessed to have Kevin serve as president. He has led by example by putting his faith into action and by his willingness to jump in to help wherever there was a need. As a result of his leadership, many who were in need have been touched by the kindness and generosity of Mission Circle Volunteers.
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Making a Community Better by Serving |
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Volunteers Alicia & Raphael Rodmel,
Living the Spirit of Service
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Alicia and Raphael Rodmel preparing donated food for distribution |
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When Raphael and Alicia Rodmel were approached about coordinating the food distribution effort at St. Leo Mission, Raphael thought it would be absolutely impossible: they simply didn’t have the time. Two active teenagers, two full-time jobs, members of the St. James Pastoral Council, starting a Young Adult Group at St. Leo, and lots of other volunteer work already kept them perpetually on the move. Much to his surprise, Alicia didn’t reject the idea outright. Soon they were thinking maybe they could and even should take it on. After all, St. Leo’s is located near their home and they knew the pandemic had caused a great need for food. Who knows? Perhaps the Holy Spirit nudged them along, but soon they decided to give it a go.
The St. Leo’s Food distribution program Raphael and Alicia now coordinate distributes primarily canned goods provided by Catholic Charities. That supply is augmented by food donated by members of Mission Circle and the St. James -St.Leo Parish Community as well as other generous souls who give both food and funds.
“People have been amazing”, says Raphael, “One woman drives up every week with two big boxes of bananas. Another man regularly brings bags of fresh bagels.” The Rodmels encourage donations especially of bags of beans, rice, pasta, cereal and other foods that don’t spoil quickly. Cash donations, Raphael and Alicia say, enable the program to purchase fresh foods such as tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, eggs, fruits, vegetables and milk which need to be purchased weekly since St. Leo’s doesn’t have enough refrigeration to store fresh food on site.
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Each week volunteers contact the recipients to confirm which day and time they will be receiving their food. Raphael and his crew of volunteers distribute the food weekly from 6 to 8 pm in the parking lot of St. Leo’s. Each Tuesday and Wednesday evening when about 60 families drive or walk from their homes to pick up their food, it is organized and waiting. Volunteer drivers also deliver food to people who are unable to drive.
Anyone receiving food and all volunteers are asked to register with Catholic Charities. Raphael says just basic information is required primarily to facilitate contacting participants in the program. Raphael says volunteers help the program in many ways including distributing and delivering food, spreading the word about the program and making donations.
Another way to help the program, the Rodmels could tell you, takes no time or effort at all. It is part of the philosophy of both Catholic Charities and Mission Circle: “Simply accompany those we serve; acknowledging their inherent dignity as persons created in the image and likeness of God.”
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St. Leo & Catholic Charities
Food Distribution
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Distributions: Tuesdays & Wednesdays;
6:00-8:00 pm
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If you are in need of food assistance or know someone who is: pre-register with Catholic Charities at https://www.ccdsd.org/food-pick-up. If you need help registering, contact the Coordinators Raphael and Alicia Rodmel at drodmel@gmail.com or 858-688-1102.
Food donations greatly appreciated! If you are able to donate food to supplement the canned food provided by Catholic Charities, please bring your food donations to St. Leo Mission, 936 Genevieve St., Solana Beach, Tuesdays and Wednesdays by using the drive-thru between 6:00-8:00 PM. For the 60 families that are currently being served, they are especially in need of the following donations:
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dried pinto beans
white rice
pasta
fresh fruit
fresh vegetables
milk
eggs
cereal
(NO canned foods please)
Cash and check donations to purchase weekly food needs are also greatly appreciated! Checks can be made out to St. James-St. Leo Community. On the memo line, write St. Leo Food Distribution. Donations can be dropped off at the parish office, or mailed to:
St. James-St. Leo Catholic Community
625 S. Nardo Ave.
Solana Beach, CA. 92075
Thank you for your continued support of this program. Each family receiving food is very thankful and greatly touched by the generous hearts of our community. Questions? Contact coordinators Alicia and Raphael Rodmel at drodmel@gmail.com or 858-688-1102.
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Creating Bright Futures One Girl at a Time |
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By Jessica Reed, Program Coordinator |
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With the help of generous donors, the Futures Program continues to support its three current students in every aspect of their college life in Tijuana. Each of the girls formerly lived at Casa Eudes Girls Home, achieved good grades in high school, then met the requirements to be admitted to Mission Circle’s Futures Program. |
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completed her degree requirements in September and is still awaiting a date for her graduation ceremony. We look forward to sharing that moment with her as well as her new life as a Logistics Engineer. |
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a.k.a. Olga, is learning English fast. She can’t wait to practice her new language skills with the St. James parishioners that she’s met over the years since she arrived at Casa Eudes as a little girl. |
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is a very good student. We were sad to hear she had a serious incident on her way home from school in early October when someone tried to steal her cell phone and laptop. Fortunately, Fatima was not seriously injured, but she was bruised and scared. Her laptop was damaged, but the Apple Store has offered to fix it free of charge. There’s no doubt that an angel is watching over her! |
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our latest applicant to the program, is preparing to take the college admissions exam in mid-November. She is very disciplined, is using a study guide to review the test material, and is excited about joining the Futures program upon passing the exam. |
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We are so proud of these young women. They are looking forward to returning to in-class instruction when their colleges re-open. Each one is staying focused, working hard, and dreaming of the opportunities their higher education will provide. If you would like more information about the Futures Program, please contact Jessica Reed jessreed@mac.com.
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Volunteer Opportunities
New Volunteers ALWAYS Welcome
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Want to volunteer to make PB & J Sandwiches
for the Prisoners & Homeless in Tijuana?
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Volunteer spaces are limited to provide for physical distancing. Please call Stephanie Kowack 860-961-3002 to reserve a space.
Sandwiches are currently being made outside the kitchen at St. Leo Misson
every Thursday starting at 10:00 am. All volunteers must wear gloves and masks to be safe and responsible.
- Facemasks & physical distancing required
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