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Shelburne youth raise funds for Catholic Relief Services

Posted on by Cori Urban

Youth from St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Shelburne raised $800 for Catholic Relief Services by making and selling dog treats.

“A friend had given me homemade dog treats a few months ago, and I thought what a great idea for a fundraiser; with Covid some folks still don’t want to buy bake sale items but may be more inclined to get a treat for a dog or friend’s dog,” explained Ashley Prout McAvey, a religious education teacher at St. Catherine’s who assisted the youth.

The project was open to the very young to teens to those in their early twenties; 13

participated. Parents assisted with the project: Sheila Bisanzo, Amy Guidice and Molly O’Brien.

They made about 600 treats in various shapes and put four or five (depending on size) in 120 treat bags. The suggested donation was $5 per bag; some people could only give $1 and some were able to give $25.

The dog biscuits were sold at the Shelburne Market and after Masses at St. Catherine’s earlier this month.

“I really enjoyed doing this because I knew we were doing something good for the world,” said Reid McAvey, 11, a fifth grader from St. Catherine of Siena Parish.

Half of the proceeds will go to CRS for use where most needed and the other half to CRS in war-torn Ukraine.

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Ashley Prout McAvey explained that CRS was chosen as the recipient of the proceeds from the fund raiser because of its “amazing work around the world and in particular in Ukraine now.”

The project showed participants that “even though it is a small and simple thing, it’s so easy to do something for others,” she added. “Also, when terrible things happen around the world, we can pray and do something. It showed the kids that their efforts matter, and it’s a very concrete way to help those in need by raising funds for them through such a great organization.”

Holly Thayer, Catholic Relief Services diocesan director for the Diocese of Burlington, said the participants in this fund raiser “inspire us to seek how our own passions can be translated to help our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world. They demonstrate how everyone’s skills, young and old, can be used to help the local community while also having a much wider impact through the support of CRS.”

Their generosity exemplifies the theme of unity during the Year of Communion through their act of charity, she added.

St. Catherine Parish opened the dog biscuit project to youth outside the parish as a way to bring them together to do good. “This was a wonderful element that we hope to expand on — to invite other kids to come together with kids of the parish to help those in need,” Ashley Prout McAvey said.

 

Shelburne parish blood drives help save lives

Posted on by Cori Urban

St. Catherine of Siena Parish is committed to strengthening the community and helping meet hospital and patient needs through blood donations. “Hosting the blood drive is our way of giving our neighbors an opportunity to help save lives,” said parishioner Laureen Mathon, blood drive coordinator.

The parish began sponsoring the blood drives after a new parish hall and gathering space were built in 2020; they take place every other month, and repeat donors come from the surrounding towns as well as from Shelburne.

Usually there are at least 30 donors per blood drive, and in the past year there have been 195 donors.

Parishioners volunteer in several ways. The day before the drive, those attending morning Mass are asked to help set up the gathering space for the reception and canteen area. Volunteers put the tables and chairs back after the drive is over. On the day of the drive, volunteers help with check-in of the donors and at the canteen table, observing the donors after they donate and encouraging them to stay 15 minutes and have water and a snack to make sure they feel well enough to leave.

Some parishioners volunteer to bake cookies or brownies for the canteen. “We’ve been told by the donors that we have the best snacks,” Mathon said.

The St. Catherine blood drives take place every other month, usually on a Tuesday from noon to 5 p.m.

“Advent is a season of hope and preparation as we anticipate the birth of Christ. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood,” Mathon said. “We can give hope to them by donating blood during Advent and give the greatest gift of all — the gift of life.”

According to the Red Cross, its national blood supply has fallen by about 25 percent since early August. Blood product distributions to hospitals are outpacing the number of blood donations.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to give blood, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

—Originally published in the Winter 2023 issue of Vermont Catholic magazine.

 

Sharing what we believe

Posted on by Cori Urban

Some people say, “Keep the faith.”

Some will reply, “No, share it!”

Faith is shared by word and by example.

Whether through formal programs or impromptu encounters, Catholics share their faith in myriad ways.

“The Office of Pastoral Ministries of the Diocese of Burlington seeks to equip and inspire parishes and individuals to share what we believe,” explained Deacon Phil Lawson, executive director of that office. This is done through retreats, workshops, evenings of reflections, the annual Totus Tuus summer program, Steubenville Youth Conferences, the Diocesan Leader of Prayer Program and the Diocesan Lay Formation Program.

All of parish catechetical leaders are currently participating in a 2-year certification program through the Catechetical Institute at Franciscan University Steubenville, Ohio.  “This certification program is fully sponsored by the Diocese at no cost to our parish catechetical leaders or their parishes as we seek to provide them the tools to better share the Gospel message,” he said.

One of the participants in the Lay Formation Program, Katharin Brink of the Essex Catholic Community, said her faith sharing is both personal and public.

She lets members of her family know how important God is to her life and to theirs — praying for them at family meals, mentioning to acquaintances that she attends daily Mass as a way of reminding them that “praying every day should not be an extraordinary event” and regularly sending articles to her adult children that have a faith focus or guidance on parenting, education and world views from Catholic writers or clergy.

More publicly, she shares her faith through liturgical service in the parish, gathering parishioners to work together planning Advent and Lenten seasons and serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Mass and for the homebound.

“Sharing your faith is so important because you never know when someone is going to be touched by the Holy Spirit and your words can help them come to know God,” she said.

Another participant in the Lay Formation Program, Elizabeth Stuart of Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Bethel, shares her faith in numerous ways. As parish secretary, she shares via the weekly bulletin, social media and the parish website. She also posts or reposts content to the parish Facebook page, usually sourced from Catholic online resources. She is facilitating a Bible Study of the Gospel of St. Matthew using materials from Ascension Press and requested that a “spiritual exercise” be incorporated into each of the council meetings.

“If we don’t [share the faith], if I don’t start actively sharing the Catholic faith both inside the Church and outside of it, the world will provide the definition of who we are and what we stand for,” she said. “And the world never gets it right because it cannot comprehend the love of God that motivates us.

Father Curtis Miller, pastor of Holy Trinity Parish based in Barton, uses his words to spread the faith as he preaches and as he teaches a religion class at St. Paul School there. But he is aware spreading the faith requires more than words.

“I try to live out my faith in the way I live,” he said. “As St. Francis said, ‘Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.’

He spends time tending to the needs of parishioners and those who come to the rectory seeking assistance. “Many people come to our parish in need of financial assistance, so I try to show them Christ’s love through that service,” he said. “Sometimes I can pray with them or tell them that we are able to help because the faith of the parishioners here inspires them to be generous to people in need.”

When Burlington Bishop Christopher Coyne ordained Father Miller a transitional deacon, he said in his homily “that people should be able to recognize me as a deacon, even outside of Mass, by my acts of charity and service,” he recalled. He always tries to follow that advice.

“If we don’t share our faith, the Church will not grow,” Father Miller said. “Also, the fact that we have the faith is a gift that God has given to each of us, not for ourselves alone, but in order to share.  Jesus’ parable of the coins (the talents) reminds us that we must share and increase the gifts that God has given to us, and the gift of faith is one of the greatest gifts we can share.  When we don’t share our faith with others, they miss out on the joys of Catholicism and the graces that God pours out through the Church for our salvation, especially through the sacraments.”

—Originally published in the Spring 2022 issue of Vermont Catholic magazine.

 

 

 

Sharing the Christmas spirit

Posted on by Cori Urban

While children in Kate Curran’s third-grade class at The Bishop John A. Marshall School in Morrisville make their Christmas lists, they know there are children in the world who have less — much less — than they have.

Some children’s lives have been torn apart by war and natural disaster; others are stuck in a cycle of poverty. And without help, they might not receive even one Christmas gift this year.

That’s why the Bishop Marshall School children are filling shoeboxes with gifts for Operation Christmas Child.

“I feel [the project] will make a big difference in the world,” said Amalie Pratt, 8. “Christmas is a happy time of year, and it’s good for everyone to be happy. And when children get these [boxes] they will be really happy to get them.”

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization. Its mission is to provide local partners throughout the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus. Gifts are distributed to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine and disease and to children living on Native American reservations in the United States.

Included in each box is a toy, paper, pencils or pens, soap and a toothbrush. Other items are added as available. Brushes, combs, washcloths, hair ties, pencil sharpeners, markers and erasers were among the items the Bishop Marshall students were adding to the 35 boxes the class filled for Operation Christmas Child.

The project was part of the November celebration of Catholic Schools Week at Bishop Marshall School. “This is a time for community service and to get [the children] in the mindset of these simple things” they can do to help others, Curran said.

While Vermont children might be asking for drones, cameras, snowboard boots and computer games this Christmas, her students understand that “a pad of paper is a luxury gift to a child in other countries,” she said.

Asked whom he is following by helping children in need, Kelly Apple, 9, was quick to reply that Jesus set the example. “He loves everybody. He loves the poor people. Everyone should love the poor people,” he said.

“I want every child to know there is a God who loves them,” and Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, based in Boone, North Carolina.

In addition to the shoebox gifts, recipients also get a copy of “The Greatest Gift,” a storybook that shares the message of salvation and 11 scripture stories and invites children to follow Christ. Children take this home to share with family and friends. It is used in more than 80 languages.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 146 million children in more than 100 countries.

For more information, go to samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child.

—Originally published in the Winter 2018 issue of Vermont Catholic magazine.

Sharing smiles and sandwiches

Posted on by Cori Urban

When it comes to volunteers and financial help, COTS can count on the Catholic Church in Vermont.

From participating in the annual walk-a-thon to serving meals to homeless persons, parishioners, Catholic school students, diocesan employees and members of religious orders are there the help the Committee on Temporary Shelter in Burlington.

Eileen O’Rourke, executive director of human resources for the Diocese, helps prepare and serve a monthly lunch to persons in need; for her it is a way to give back to the community and to thank God for her many blessings. “If I can bring a smile to someone by preparing and serving food to others, this also brings a smile to me for giving back to those in need,” she said.

Burlington Bishop Christopher Coyne, who personally underwrites the cost of the COTS meals served by diocesan employees, said this service is a way for employees to participate in the works of mercy that are already being done in the community rather than duplicating services. “In this way, too, we Catholics are participating in fostering the common good of our community while spreading the seeds of Christ beyond our churches and our parishes.”

Last year, COTS served nearly 2,400 people, including 855 children, through emergency shelter, homelessness prevention and rehousing services and housing.

Last year seven Catholic-based teams participated in the COTS Walk, raising more than $25,000.

“The Catholic community has generously raised $100,888 for the COTS Walk in the past five years. Wow and wow! That is amazing, and we are so incredibly grateful,” said Becky Holt, COTS director of development and communications. “The Catholic Church enables COTS to break the fall for people … facing the crisis of homelessness.”

The 29th Annual COTS Walk is May 6. Registration begins at 1 p.m., and the walk kicks off at 2 from Battery Park in Burlington.

For more information, go to cotsonline.org.

—Originally published in the Spring 2018 issue of Vermont Catholic magazine.

 

 

Sharing love and fellowship

Posted on by Vermont Catholic

College students are finding ways to give back to the community while sharing their faith with others.

The students at the Catholic Center at the University of Vermont place an emphasis on service and outreach. Throughout the semester, students participate in numerous projects and partner with local groups and organizations.

“It’s good to get out and interact with others and share our faith,” said Adrian Pierce, a first-year student at UVM.

In October, students visited Our Lady of Providence Residence in Winooski for a Game Day. They played board games, went on walks and chatted with the residents. “They have a lot of wisdom, and they have a lot of stories that they really like sharing, and you being there allows them to share,” Pierce said.

At one point of the visit, a retired Sister of Mercy became joyful upon hearing some students were embarking on a mission trip to her home country in El Salvador. She broke out in Spanish, asking questions and teaching them new words to prepare them for the trip. “I really enjoyed the joy in which she lit up when she knew we were going.

You could tell it meant a lot to her,” Pierce said.

The students travel internationally through Fellowship of Catholic University Students mission trips during which they work on a variety of projects like street evangelization, spending time with the marginalized and providing medical care and education to those in need. Past FOCUS trips include Honduras, Argentina, England and Taiwan.

Residents of Our Lady of Providence Residence enjoyed meeting the students and look forward to them returning. “When you live within a closed environment, it’s always good to have something to open the boundaries, and it’s very good to have new people in your life,” said Sister of Mercy Patricia Murtagh.

Members of the Catholic Center community plan to visit more frequently and create a long-lasting relationship with Our Lady of Providence residents.

In addition, twice a month, students gather to cook a meal for the Salvation Army in downtown Burlington and then deliver and serve it to the patrons. “In the past, the various lieutenants have commented on the students going down and serving at the Salvation Army and how they’re just so grateful,” said Campus Minister Kim Allbee.

Throughout her 21 years working at the Catholic Center, Allbee has seen a rise in service projects. “Especially at UVM, social justice and a cause for service is something that many college students desire, and there are so many opportunities for that on this campus,” she said.

Each Labor Day, students and Catholic Center staff do a service project for St. Francis Xavier School in Winooski. They also respond to requests from community members that reach out asking for help.

This year, a Service and Outreach Committee was created to expand volunteer opportunities and allow students to come up with more ways to serve others. “I think it’s a great gift to have so many students involved and willing to help out and a desire to serve others,” Allbee said.

—Alayna Masker, media intern for the Diocese of Burlington

—Originally published in the Winter 2018 issue of Vermont Catholic magazine.