18 Dec 2012 – Hurricane Sandy Relief
December 17, 2012 News
This is a note from one of Fr. DeCelles family members who lives in New Jersey. At Thanksgiving Father had asked her to notify him if she heard of any Catholic parishes in particular need due to Sandy. She made Father aware of the below mentioned need.
Little Ferry, NJ was hard hit, with many homes destroyed by flood when a berm in the town burst. St. Margaret Church in Little Ferry was also damaged, and the church and rectory are still closed. Apparently, the church was where many people in this lower income area went for help such as food pantry, etc.
Our parish (in NJ) is working with St. Margaret’s sister parish to provide gift cards so Little Falls families can purchase items for Christmas. Cards for Sears, Target, Toys R Us, Kohls, Lowes / Home Depot, Best Buy are probably the most useful. Restaurant or grocery store gift cards are also welcome since many homes there do not have working kitchens yet.Your parishioners could send gift cards to our parish. Our youth group will be coordinating and making sure these get to the right place.
Seeing as the youth of their parish are working to organize efforts for Hurricane relief we thought it would be nice for our youth to assist them in this endeavour. For starters this week for Youth Group on Thursday night we will be making Christmas Cards of encouragement that can be passed out to the families with the gift cards. So High School YOUTH GROUP (this week only) will be from 5:00pm-6:30pm in the Library (Thursday Night) and we will have pizza for dinner. I would also like to encourage you (youth esp) to think about giving to these families in need (including youth your age) who are without basis necessities this Christmas.This is rather late notice but should you like to contribute a gift card to help those in need you can drop it off to the parish office marked for hurricane relief through this Friday, or you can bring them with you this Thursday.
I pray you are all enjoying a Blessed Advent!! You are all in my prayers! Let me know if you have any questions.
Yours in Christ,
Ms. Kristin
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Kristin Smith
St. Raymond’s Director of the Youth Apostolate
straycyo@gmail.com
703-440-0535 ex. 21