September 2020 E-Newsletter |
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Futures Program, School Supplies, Volunteer Opportunities, & More….
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Greetings Mission Circle Supporters,
We again pray that this letter finds you safe, healthy, and socially distanced. Mission Circle is still greatly limiting our activities, but our mission—as well as our need for support from you—continues.
Our pastor, Father Gerard, has announced a major "relaunch" of Mission Circle - combining a new vision with our long tradition. The intent is to integrate the spirit of Mission Circle into our St. James-St. Leo faith community in a more dynamic, inclusive way that touches all of our ministries. Please read the details in his accompanying letter below.
Meanwhile, our mission continues. The girls who usually live at Casa Eudes in Tijuana are still back with their families. The young women who are in our Futures Program, by which we fund their college education, are continuing their studies. Fatima and Olga have continued their studies despite disruptions caused by the coronavirus. This month, Yulisa is graduating as a Logistics Engineer after participating in the Futures Program for three years. She has a full time job and she is able to support herself. Hers is another success story resulting from great commitments by the student and her sponsors who believe in the power of education to improve one’s life. All the girls and their families are healthy.
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The Futures Program is sending one more participant to college in Tijuana. Karonive grew up in Casa Eudes and wants to study Medicine, which is a 5- or 6-year program in Mexico. She looks forward to a future of helping others once she becomes a doctor, but now she needs your help. We’re looking for a donor who can cover the cost of a new laptop so she can start classes online. We’re also looking for a sponsor or sponsors willing to contribute toward her educational expenses (tuition, school supplies, and transportation). Sponsors with the time and interest can also help get involved guiding Karonive. If you can help in any of these ways, please contact our program coordinator, Jessica Reed (jessreed@mac.com). This program changes the future for each girl, her family, and future generations. Sponsors have shared that their lives have also been enriched by sharing this journey with one of the girls.
As in recent months, our donations program is serving local family emergencies only, so please do not leave used items at the donation sheds or at the church. Contact Kathy Faller (faller.kathy@gmail.com) or Jeanne Hansen (tojeanne@yahoo.com) first to see if it’s something that is needed. A work party is scheduled for Sept. 12 at the donation sheds in the dirt parking lot at St. James. If you’d like to be part of this creative team or learn more about it, see the information below in the Volunteer Opportunities section.
Thank you to everyone who has donated to our Back-to-School Supply Drive! We sincerely appreciate your support! We are still in need of a few more items to support the 50-60 kids in the St. Leo Faith Formation classes and the 30-40 kids in the after-school Tutoring Program at St. Leo Mission. If you can help, please see the shopping list in this newsletter and drop off your donations at the Parish Office.
Although many of our in-person activities are limited at the moment, Mission Circle continues to provide critical financial support for activities such as Casa Eudes and the Futures Program. We need your donations as much as ever. Please go to missioncircle.com and click on the Donate link.
As always, thank you for your support. We all look forward to the time when we’ll be once again serving those in need, in person.
Stay safe and God bless,
Kevin
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To All Parishioners and Supporters of Mission Circle from
Fr. Gerard LeComte, CJM:
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A New Vision Anchored in Rich Tradition |
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September 1, 2020
For over 40 years, Mission Circle has been a key part of the St. James – St. Leo Catholic Community. Under Fr. John Howard’s leadership, the intent of Mission Circle has always been to provide parishioners the opportunity to become “missionaries for a day”. Initially, this was focused on a needy home for girls in Tijuana called Casa Eudes, and over the years, other projects have arisen that have expanded the reach of Mission Circle volunteers. These include the Food Packaging events, the peanut butter and jelly ministry, the shoe program, tutoring kids at the St. Leo Mission, cookies for Kairos, and other similar opportunities.
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As Pastor, my dream has been to integrate the spirit of Mission Circle into our faith community in a much more dynamic, inclusive way, touching all of our ministries. This is a challenging vision, but I’m excited to move it forward in a direct way today. I’ve asked Deacon Peter Hodsdon to take the lead as Administrator of Mission Circle, effective immediately, reporting to me. His immediate duty is to propose a new Board that represents all facets of the Parish, from the Academy to St. Leo to the Youth to Catechetical Ministry, and to revisit all of the programs under the Mission Circle umbrella. I am particularly interested in how to coordinate Mission Circle with our Social Justice committees so that we balance charity and justice in purpose and practice.
I want to emphasize that this new direction is in no way a criticism of the current Board and leadership. They have recognized the need for new blood and new initiatives to me on several occasions and share my desire to see Mission Circle thrive and expand. Our parish owes a significant debt of gratitude to these dedicated volunteers. I have no doubt that they will continue to help us in the months ahead.
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Please join with me in realizing Mission Circle’s guiding principal – people helping people in need.
Welcome Dcn Peter Hodsdon, New Mission Circle Administrator
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La Clase Mágica Creates Magic |
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When Susanna Romero-Reiss talks about her work coordinating the La Clase Magica tutoring program for La Colonia de Eden Gardens, you can hear the warm smile in her voice. You can literally feel her dedication to teaching the 20 to 35 children age 4 to 16 who regularly attend weekly sessions.
La Clase Mágica gives free after-school tutoring to students who soak up homework help, gain proficiency in reading, math facts, and phonics. Sitting on the St. Leo Mission patio with their tutors from Mission Circle and UCSD, the kids attain a higher-level of grade proficiency and absorb the mentoring that just naturally happens when caring adults spend quality time with eager children.
This year, however, La Clase Mágica will be much, much different Susanna says. COVID19 has necessitated the use of virtual programming, and Susanna is still working out the details. The tutoring sessions will probably involve ZOOM sessions with breakout rooms rather than gathering on the cozy patio at St. Leo’s. Fortunately, many of the students have received tablets or Chromebooks at school which they can utilize at Clase Mágica.
During registration for this school year, students were asked to create art based on the theme “Family Strength.” That art was recently showcased at a drive-by art show in the parking lot across from St. Leo Mission. While UCSD students will begin mentoring in September, other classes will be organized around school schedules. La Clase Mágica is breaking new ground with on-line programming but NOT everything will change.
Mission Circle and UCSD volunteers will still be utilized. La Clase Mágica will still be sponsored by La Colonia de Eden Gardens https://www.lceg.org a non-profit established in 1989 by Manny and Maryann Aguilar. Most importantly, the children and families of La Colonia will still be enriched with the warmth of volunteer tutors that surround them with smiles and warm-hearted mentoring. If you would like more information or would like to volunteer, please contact Susanna Romero-Reiss at lcmmagalceg@gmail.com.
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Photos of Drive Thru Student Art Show by Adam Kaye |
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Let’s Stuff Those Backpacks! |
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SHOPPING LIST
New School Supplies for
St. Leo Faith Formation and Tutoring Program
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We still need a few more school supplies! If you would like to help, please drop off your donations, new items only please, at the Parish Office (open Monday-Friday 9am-4pm) or at St. Leo Sunday Mass. If you prefer to order online you can send them directly to the parish office at St. James-St. Leo Catholic Community, c/o Jannet Diaz, 625 S. Nardo Ave., Solana Beach 92075. Extended due date: Friday, September 4th!
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St. Leo Faith Formation: 50-60 children
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crayons
- colored pencils, pre-sharpened
- pencil sharpeners, hand-held
- safety scissors for little ones
- glue sticks
- washable markers
- backpacks
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Tutoring Program at St. Leo Mission (La Clase Mágica): 30-40 children |
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Art Projects:
- Crayola paint brush set
- Crayola washable paint set
- Art paper for painting
- colored markers (big box)
- crayons (big box)
- colored pencil pack (pre-sharpened)
- sketch pad
- gel pen pack
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black sharpie marker, fine tip, low odor
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School Supplies:
- lined paper
- erasers
- safety scissors
- composition books
- highlighters
- construction paper
- pencil sharpeners, hand held
- backpacks
- pencil boxes or pouches
- flashcards for math facts and phonics
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Thank you! Your donations support the academic and spiritual education of our children and send a tangible message of love and community support for their future dreams. If you have questions or need additional information, contact Shirley Giese at shirleyjgiese@gmail.com.
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St. Leo & Catholic Charities
Food Distribution
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Continuing to Provide Weekly Food Needs
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Food donations greatly appreciated! If you are able to donate food to supplement the food provided by Catholic Charities, please bring your food donations to St. Leo Mission, 936 Genevieve St., Solana Beach, every Tuesday through Friday by using the drive-thru between 6:00-8:00 PM. For the 70 families we are currently serving, we are in need of the following donations:
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dried pinto beans
bread for sandwiches
pasta
fresh fruit
fresh vegetables
(NO canned foods please)
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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. Monetary donations can be given to Deacon Peter or Jannet Diaz, 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 coordinator Jannet Diaz at jdiaz@stjames-stleo.com.
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Volunteer Opportunities
New Volunteers ALWAYS Welcome!
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Home-baked desserts for local homeless |
Mondays and Fridays before
4:00 PM
Deliver to: Kathy Faller, 604 Santa Helena, Solana Beach
Over 200 people are living in their cars overnight in local parking lots in the Safe Parking Program. Through coordination of services, we are helping to provide desserts Mondays and Fridays. Please wrap desserts individually, mark desserts containing nuts, and deliver to Kathy Faller before 4:00PM on Mondays and Fridays. Simply leave desserts on the bench near the front door. Thank you! Questions? Call Kathy 858-254-2008.
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Drivers needed to deliver desserts |
Mondays or Fridays after 4PM – Fill your car with sweetness!
Volunteer drivers are needed to help deliver the desserts to the Safe Parking Program every Monday and Friday. For more information, please call Kathy Faller 858-254-2008.
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Saturday, Sept. 12; 9:00-11:00 AM
Adults and Teens!
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"Repurposing with a Purpose” work party!
This ‘party’ is great for students wanting to be outdoors and get some exercise! We’ll be sorting donations, breaking up unusable furniture, and making a few dumpster runs.
Meet by the sheds in the St. James dirt parking lot at 9:00AM. Questions? Call Kathy Faller at 858-254-2008.
Remember…Wear a mask and socially distance
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