This year, the Council of Catholic Women is again coordinating parish-wide support of Cross Catholic Outreach’s Box of Joy project, a Christmas ministry bringing hope to children in countries such as Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Participants fill shoebox-sized boxes with toys and small gifts to share the joy of Christmas with children in extreme poverty, many receiving a gift for the first time. Our parish has committed to filling 300 boxes. Empty boxes will be available soon, but you can begin collecting gifts now for a boy or girl (ages 2–4, 5–9, or 10–14). A list of suggested and restricted items is available here.
Each box requires a $9 donation to cover shipping and to support Catholic ministries in the children’s communities. Families may combine donations in one envelope or give online at boxofjoy.org, which is the preferred method.
We will begin collecting filled boxes in mid-October. They may be returned to the Parish office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. or before any weekend Mass. For more information, contact Project Coordinator Rose Mary Bossman at (954) 410-5067 or rmb@rnexec.com.