Archdiocese participating in Christmas ministry

By The Catholic Week 
The Archdiocese of Mobile is again participating in Cross Catholic Outreach’s “Box of Joy” program. 
Last year, Cross Catholic Outreach collected and delivered gift-filled Boxes of Joy to 106,276 children in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Grenada, the Bahamas and Guatemala thanks to the efforts of participating Catholic parishes, schools and groups across the U.S., including the Archdiocese of Mobile. 
“Box of Joy gives families, parishes and schools the opportunity to show children who live in impoverished and poverty-stricken nations that they are loved, that there are people who think about them and pray for them and, ultimately, have placed them on their hearts during the Christmas season,” said Jim Cavnar, president of Cross Catholic Outreach. 
Catholic parishes, schools and groups nationwide organize Boxes of Joy by packing the boxes with small gifts like toys and school supplies, and adding essentials like soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, as well as a few treats like hard candy and coloring books. 
The ministry adds a Rosary and “The Story of Jesus” to every box to remind children why Christmas is so special. 
Participants include $9 in each box to cover shipment from the local drop-off center to the child. 
Catholic Social Services and Our Savior Parish in Mobile, Montgomery Catholic High School in Montgomery, St. John the Evangelist Parish in Ozark and St. Patrick Parish’s Lazarus Outreach Center in Phenix City will serve as drop-off centers. 
— Visit crosscatholic.org/box-of-joy/ for more information.