Wishing Everyone a Blessed Christmas

It is that time of year when the stockings are hung, presents are filled-up under the tree and goodies are laid on every table near.

We can get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle and forget about the true meaning of Christmas – The Christmas Spirit.  The spirit of Christmas isn't’ in the expensive items and toys you asked for from Santa, or all the stress in traveling from one place to another.  It’s about BELIEVING… The Christmas spirit is in the moments spending time with family and friends or giving a helping hand to those less fortunate.  Take some time this Christmas and think about the memories of Christmas you remember most.  I bet it’s not about the IPad you received 3 years ago - It’s probably memories about special family traditions or the smile on a strangers face when you were able to be a helping hand. Don’t lose the Christmas spirit by getting wrapped up in the hustle and bustle. May we see the gifts of God all around us - JOY, HOPE and LOVE.. 

Light Up a Child's Life - Jolly Holiday Lights

Light up a Child's Life at Jolly Holiday Lights in Des Moines! Going on now till January 1, 2014 at Water Works Park. I highly recommend taking the drive to see it - plus all proceeds goes towards Make-A-Wish Foundation.

It is the LARGEST light display in Iowa!! 

Yesterday, Anthony and I drove through all the twinkling, jolly-holly lights!  It was a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.  It was a 3.5 mile long journey through magical light displays.

'No Room at the Inn' Event

I started working at Catholic Charities about a month ago and was able to jump right in by helping coordinate their 9^th Annual No Room at the Inn event which was this past weekend. It was a weekend full of festivities centered on poverty awareness. There is often ‘no room at the inn’ like our family shelter, St. Josephs’, for families living in poverty.  This past year, St. Joseph family Shelter had to turn away 1,089 families or 2596 people because their shelter was full. The weekend of No Room at the Inn consists of three events: Fundraising Reception - Friday night, Poverty Stimulation - Saturday and our Open House - Sunday.

Fundraising Reception

Friday night was a great turn out - around 300+ people attended! This was our first year of the lighting of the ‘Giving Tree’.  It was a night filled with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and socializing.  The Catholic Pastoral Center looked amazing! It was decorated beautifully and looked very elegant.  Check out the YouTube video of the Lighting of the ‘Giving Tree’! http://youtu.be/-PZjJavyOq4

Poverty Stimulation

This was my first time participating in a poverty stimulation. It was set up to be a real-life experience to show what it might be like to live in a typical low-income family – not a game. Right when you walk in you receive a new identity and family. I was a 17 year old boy who dropped out of school and had to help my family survive. I had a 34 year old mother and a 14 year old sister, and we had no income starting out the stimulation.  We had four weeks to learn and experience the realities faced by the poor. 

The Stimulation taught me the difficulties and frustrations that people living in poverty have to face - government agencies, transportation, importance of budgeting money towards your most needed needs and much more.  I highly recommend anyone and everyone to participate in a poverty stimulation to get this hands-on experience – it is truly an eye-opener.

Open House

The open house on Sunday consisted of an afternoon full of choirs, 100+ nativity displays, a live nativity, Christmas treats, the Christmas Story read by Bishop Pates & Bishop Charron and  a ‘window of opportunities’ display for visitors to learn about volunteer and service opportunities through Catholic Charities.  Despite the snowy weather, which made it hard for some to travel, we had a good collection of personal care items that were donated!

Thanks to everyone who participated in this event! Without you we couldn’t make this great event happen!