Serving with Open Hands and Open Hearts
Check out this page for the monthly service project completed by the families in the Generations of Faith program, as well as notices of upcoming service opportunities for families around town.
October 2012
During October's Generations of Faith celebration, families participated in a number of community service projects.
In recognition of Respect Life Month, participants wrote prayers and messages of life onto cut-out leaves that have been hung up on the Tree of Life in the narthex of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.
Additionally, families created cards and notes for residents of nursing homes and home-bound parishioners (left). The notes, which include messages of love and hope, will be distributed to the elderly via mail (each person will received several notes, and they love to get mail)!
Each family also decorated a baby bottle (below) to take home and put in their family prayer space. In addition to reminding parishioners about the value of life, the bottles will also serve as a "Baby Bank," allowing participants to collect change for pro-life activities throughout the year.
In recognition of Respect Life Month, participants wrote prayers and messages of life onto cut-out leaves that have been hung up on the Tree of Life in the narthex of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.
Additionally, families created cards and notes for residents of nursing homes and home-bound parishioners (left). The notes, which include messages of love and hope, will be distributed to the elderly via mail (each person will received several notes, and they love to get mail)!
Each family also decorated a baby bottle (below) to take home and put in their family prayer space. In addition to reminding parishioners about the value of life, the bottles will also serve as a "Baby Bank," allowing participants to collect change for pro-life activities throughout the year.
Diocese of Austin: Respect Life Month
Click on the Diocese of Austin logo (left) to learn more about pro-life ministries and activities within the diocese.
Buddy Walk®: Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas
The Buddy Walk® was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome. Today, the Buddy Walk program is supported nationally by NDSS and organized at the local level by parent support groups, schools and other organizations and individuals.
The Buddy Walk, now in its 18th year, started in 1995 as 17 walks has grown to more than 250 walk across the country and around the world. Last year alone, 285,000 people participated in a Buddy Walk and collectively they raised more than $11 million to benefit local programs and services, as well as NDSS national advocacy initiatives.The Buddy Walk is a one-mile walk in which anyone can participate without special training. It is an inspirational and educational event that celebrates the many abilities and accomplishments of people with Down Syndrome. Whether you have Down Syndrome, know someone who does, or just want to show your support, come and join in the Buddy Walk.
Buddy Walk
Sunday, October 21, 12:00 p.m.
Reunion Ranch, Georgetown TX (850 C.R. 255)
If you would like to register for, or donate to, the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas' Buddy Walk®, click on the Buddy Walk logo (above).
Online registration is closed, but you can still register and pick up your t-shirt and packet in person:
Friday, Oct. 19: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 20: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
RunTex (422 W. Riverside Dr., Austin TX 78704)
*You can also register on Sunday, Oct. 21 (at the Buddy Walk) from 12 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. (click on the link above for directions and for more information).
The Buddy Walk, now in its 18th year, started in 1995 as 17 walks has grown to more than 250 walk across the country and around the world. Last year alone, 285,000 people participated in a Buddy Walk and collectively they raised more than $11 million to benefit local programs and services, as well as NDSS national advocacy initiatives.The Buddy Walk is a one-mile walk in which anyone can participate without special training. It is an inspirational and educational event that celebrates the many abilities and accomplishments of people with Down Syndrome. Whether you have Down Syndrome, know someone who does, or just want to show your support, come and join in the Buddy Walk.
Buddy Walk
Sunday, October 21, 12:00 p.m.
Reunion Ranch, Georgetown TX (850 C.R. 255)
If you would like to register for, or donate to, the Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas' Buddy Walk®, click on the Buddy Walk logo (above).
Online registration is closed, but you can still register and pick up your t-shirt and packet in person:
Friday, Oct. 19: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 20: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
RunTex (422 W. Riverside Dr., Austin TX 78704)
*You can also register on Sunday, Oct. 21 (at the Buddy Walk) from 12 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. (click on the link above for directions and for more information).
Food Drive
This month, we are collecting canned and non-perishable food items for the Austin Area Food Bank. Please bring in a few cans or boxes during your designated Generations of Faith session in November to help hungry families this winter.
Baby Bottle Banks
Please bring in any change your family has collected in your Baby Bottle Banks from October (you can keep the bottle at home - we just ask that you bring the change). We will donate the money raised to the the Pro-Life office.
November 2012: Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan's Purse)
In November, Generation of Faith families participated in Operation Christmas Child, a world-wide Christmas gift project that allows members of various church congregations to deliver gifts to poor and impoverished children around the world.
Families put various items, including school supplies, toys, and person hygiene items in a "shoe box" (left), each with items designated for a boy or girl.
Volunteers dropped off the "shoe boxes" at Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin in November. From there, the boxes were sent to distribution centers and later transported to children all around the world!
For more detailed information about Operation Christmas Child, visit www.SamaritansPurse.org/occ. Here, you will also find videos detailing how to pack a "shoe box" gift, as well as testimonials from adults who received a "shoe box" gift when they were a child; learn how a simple gift changed their lives!
Every "shoe box" gift is an opportunity to share the love of Christ with a child who has so little. It is truly amazing how God can touch a child so powerfully through a simple "shoe box" gift.
When the children open their gift boxes, we pray that they will feel the love that is packed inside, and that it serves as an introduction to the love that Jesus has for them. This is truly a gift that lasts.
Families put various items, including school supplies, toys, and person hygiene items in a "shoe box" (left), each with items designated for a boy or girl.
Volunteers dropped off the "shoe boxes" at Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin in November. From there, the boxes were sent to distribution centers and later transported to children all around the world!
For more detailed information about Operation Christmas Child, visit www.SamaritansPurse.org/occ. Here, you will also find videos detailing how to pack a "shoe box" gift, as well as testimonials from adults who received a "shoe box" gift when they were a child; learn how a simple gift changed their lives!
Every "shoe box" gift is an opportunity to share the love of Christ with a child who has so little. It is truly amazing how God can touch a child so powerfully through a simple "shoe box" gift.
When the children open their gift boxes, we pray that they will feel the love that is packed inside, and that it serves as an introduction to the love that Jesus has for them. This is truly a gift that lasts.
December 2012
In December, all Generation of Faith families attended one session, during which we went through various centers focusing on Scripture, Mary and the Christmas story.
Activities included pretending that we were in the time of John the Baptist my making crunchy, green (pretend) edible grasshoppers (left).
Families also had the opportunity to decorate Christmas cookies to give to each other or to someone they know to show him/her that they are in our thoughts. This activity was designed to remind us that God speaks to us in many ways, sometimes without words.
We also made Christ Candles (below) to remind us that Christ is The Light. The Christ Candles were designed to be placed in the center of each family's Advent Wreath to represent the coming of The Light, Jesus, into the night of a dark world, shrouded in sin. It was to be lit on Christmas Even to symbolize the long wait is over - Jesus is here!
Activities included pretending that we were in the time of John the Baptist my making crunchy, green (pretend) edible grasshoppers (left).
Families also had the opportunity to decorate Christmas cookies to give to each other or to someone they know to show him/her that they are in our thoughts. This activity was designed to remind us that God speaks to us in many ways, sometimes without words.
We also made Christ Candles (below) to remind us that Christ is The Light. The Christ Candles were designed to be placed in the center of each family's Advent Wreath to represent the coming of The Light, Jesus, into the night of a dark world, shrouded in sin. It was to be lit on Christmas Even to symbolize the long wait is over - Jesus is here!
January 2013
During January's Generations of Faith sessions, families worked together (left) to make a total of 120 "Chemo Pillows" for cancer patients. The "Chemo Pillows" are designed to serve as a reminder of our love and prayers, as well as God’s ability to heal - both physically and spiritually.
Each pillow also included a heartfelt message (below).
The pillows were donated to the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Texas, where they will be distributed to cancer patients.
Each pillow also included a heartfelt message (below).
The pillows were donated to the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Texas, where they will be distributed to cancer patients.
February 2013
During February, families assembled care packages for the men and women serving in the military. Each package included a variety of items, including snacks, Chapstick, lotion and body wash, among other items.
Families also created cards with well wishes for the soldiers.
Families also created cards with well wishes for the soldiers.
March 2013
During March, Generations of Faith families and parishioners, attended - and even participated in - St. Catherine of Siena's Biblical Village! The Biblical Village was designed to allow families to experience Lent and the Catholic church in a whole new way (left).
Families got a chance to experience the way things were when the great "Apostle to the Gentiles," St. Paul, spread the story of Jesus Christ to the pagan world. St. Paul and Barnabas told the story of their adventures and gave witness (below). Parishioners rejoiced with song and celebration as they remembered the great deeds of Jesus, and they learned about the way people lived during this time period.
Families got a chance to experience the way things were when the great "Apostle to the Gentiles," St. Paul, spread the story of Jesus Christ to the pagan world. St. Paul and Barnabas told the story of their adventures and gave witness (below). Parishioners rejoiced with song and celebration as they remembered the great deeds of Jesus, and they learned about the way people lived during this time period.
April 2013
During April, Generations of Faith families assembled care packages for the youth of St. Catherine who are now in college. Since many of them are far from home, this served as a way to keep them connected to the church, and to remind them that we are thinking of them and praying for them as they prepare for finals.
May 2013
During our final gathering, all of the Generations of Faith families joined together for a closing potluck meal. After the meal, guest speaker, Dr. Norman Farmer, introduced us to another form of evangelization - evangelizing through art!
