Delivering food, shelter, and hope to the poorest of the poor
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John the Baptist tells us to make good choices to prepare the way of the Lord
Sometimes it feels like there are hidden messages everywhere. For example, products are placed in movies and YouTube videos to influence us to buy things.
In this Sunday’s Gospel Reading, we learn about John the Baptist, a messenger who appeared before Jesus. What we discover is that John the Baptist didn’t try to hide his message.
In fact, the opposite was true. He openly shared how important it is to make good choices and to tell God that we are sorry for our mistakes.
Verse to Memorize
The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the
way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Luke 3:4
Fundraising Activity
Transform Lives: Gift Wrapping
This week, encourage children to prepare their hearts for Jesus by helping the poor. Ask a local retail store if families can team up to run a gift wrapping station near the exit. Offer to wrap customers’ gifts — complete with ribbons,
bows and gift tags. Make sure you tell them their donation will help build homes for poor families in Guatemala!
Proceeds from this campaign will be used to cover any expenditures incurred through June 30, 2022, the close of our ministry’s fiscal year. In the event that more funds are raised than needed to fully fund the project, the excess funds, if any, will be used to meet the most urgent needs of the ministry.
Poverty Fact and Prayer
Nearly half of Guatemala’s children under age 5 suffer from malnutrition.* Father Raul Monterroso (pictured) is making a difference. His Caritas ministry blesses Santa Rosa’s poor with safe homes, food, education and more.
*Source: The World Bank
God of Justice, open our eyes to see you in the face of those in poverty. Open our ears to hear you in the cries of those exploited. Open our mouths to defend you in the public squares as well as in private deeds. Remind us that what we do to the least ones, we do to you. Amen.
*From Being Neighbor: The Catechism and Social Justice, USCCB, 1998)