Holy Cross Parish continues support of parishes in San Luis and Baler
by Delcie Runco
We have several projects going on at the same time with our Philippine Committee.
We are once again having "Christmas in July" collecting stuffed animals for next Christmas. Also, K-Mart has had boxes of 24 crayons and spiral notebooks on sale for ten cents so we have collected 300 boxes of crayons and 100 spiral notebooks because I figure that they will make good Christmas presents also.
A couple from our church has a connection with Carters baby clothing company. The store lets them know when they are having a closeout sale. They have purchased over $3,000 worth of new baby clothing including 52 pairs of tennis shoes that light up when the children walk. We have now shipped 150 boxes of clothing, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, sheets, towels, etc.
This weekend at all the Masses we are selling white, children's T-shirts for the poor families whose children can't go to school because the family can't afford a uniform. We are selling them for more than we paid for them so that we will have extra money to purchase the pants and skirts needed for the uniform. We will wire the extra money to Fr. Von for the MSK workers to purchase the uniforms there because they are so much cheaper and that way we know that they are the right color.
When I first came home we raised $3,000 to purchase vegetable seeds and chickens for the poorest villages so they could raise their own food. Fr. Von has a volunteer who will teach them how to prepare the soil and how to raise animals.
It sure keeps me busy but I am having the most rewarding time of my life.
Fr. Von needs back surgery, please pray for him. Also, his cook has just been diagnosed with a serious illness and needs our prayer.