Give the Gift of Hope to the Missions

As Catholics, our faith tells us that Advent is a season of preparation. It’s a time to begin anew, to ready ourselves for the presence of the Christ Child in our hearts. Our society, however, pulls us in another direction and we find ourselves faced with the same question each year as Christmas approaches: what new gift ideas can we think of for all the “hard to please” people on our lists?

At The Society for the Propagation of the Faith, we believe there is a better, more faith filled way to share happiness as we celebrate the real meaning of Christmas: we can give the gift of hope to those who live in mission countries in our loved ones’ names.

This year, please consider making an offering for our Christmas Enrollment cards or Mass Cards.  Both are a great way to tell your friends, family, and the world that you love them and your Catholic faith.

Our Enrollment Cards, for an offering of $5, provide a yearlong membership in The Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Members receive the spiritual benefits of being remembered in 15,000 Masses said every year by mission priests and a daily Mass said at the Vatican. By choosing to support the missions this Christmas, your gift helps untold numbers of people.

The offerings collected from our individual Mass Cards are sent to priests in the missions who depend on these donations for their daily support – they receive no salary for their ministry.  The suggested offering for the Mass cards is $10.

Most obviously, our Enrollment and Mass Cards benefit the intentions of the recipient. Your gift also makes it possible for the Good News of Jesus Christ to be spread in faraway places like Ecuador.

Tucked into the coastal city of Manta is the Centro Medico La Paz – The Peace Medical Center – run by Sisters Marcia and Piedad.  Through their clinic, the Sisters, both nurses, are able to provide low cost medical and dental treatment to the local people who work in the tuna canning factories for poor wages.  This work is made possible because of generous Catholics around the world who reach out through their faith to others.

To order your Christmas Mass and Enrollment cards and give the gift of hope to the missions, go to our website, www.propfaithboston.org and click on the Mass Offering/Enrollment drop down box under the Propagation of the Faith for a form, call 617-542-1776, or email us at info@propfaithboston.org.

-Maureen Crowley Heil