Not long ago, we assisted a woman with small children relocate from one part of the diocese to another, to escape her violent husband who had threatened to kill her. The move happened while he was incarcerated. Because of the generosity of our benefactors, we were able to help her move to a safe place away from her abuser.
At the beginning of the school year, Billie Kollars, the CCD coordinator at Saints Mary and Joseph parish in Valparaiso, had a great idea to help the students learn the difference between faith that is alive and faith that is dead (see James chapter 2). She suggested making and raffling a quilt for St. Gianna Women’s Homes.
With the help of some ladies in the parish who are trained in the art of quilting, they helped create and stitch a beautiful quilt which was raffled the weekend of April 9 and 10. Tickets were sold after each Mass for one dollar. The total collected was $311- a nice haul for a top quality quilt. The first and second place ticket sellers were Cassie Osmera and Marissa Jensen.
I would like to thank Msgr. Paul Witt, Billie Kollars, and the CCD teachers for their support. Thank you also to the students and ladies who worked so hard in making a beautiful quilt for the benefit of the women who come to us with their children escaping abortion and domestic violence. This is truly an example of living faith, faith formed with charity.
Please know that we at Catholic Social Services and St. Gianna Women’s Homes will not only keep all who were involved in this project in our prayers but also all of our supporters who help us love Jesus who is present in a special way in the poor and needy especially during this Easter Season.
