Project Directives For

PROJECT DIRECTIVES FOR 21st ANNUAL ADVENT BABY SHOWER “Shower Christ’s Little Ones”

December 1 – December 25, 2013

SPONSORED BY: Office of Marriage, Family & Respect Life 523 N. Duluth Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104

CONTACT: Travis Benson, Co-Director - (605) 988-3748 Kelly Benson, Co-Director - (605) 940-5976 Teri Geiver – Administrative Assistant (605) 988-3755

“[I]t is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” Matthew 18:14

I. INTRODUCTION

The Office of Marriage, Family & Respect Life will sponsor the Advent Baby Shower again this year. The charitable mission of the Church belongs to all of us. It is an essential part of what it means to be Catholic, and by your generosity and collaborative efforts we can share in this common mission.

The Advent Baby Shower has occurred each year without much fanfare or recognition. However, one by one, we are quietly building a better society by choosing to “Shower Christ’s Little Ones” and their families with unconditional love. The project takes place during Advent because, as we reflect and prepare to celebrate the humble birth of our Savior in a stable, we should also reach out to the less fortunate South Dakota children and their families.

We applaud the efforts of all who have been involved in this truly pro-active, pro-family, pro-life project. It has enabled us to touch the lives of those who experience child abuse and neglect, the marginal, the poor, and those who have lost hope. This project is an ongoing source of joy for the giver and the receiver. We have people in nursing homes knitting afghans and booties, and school children provide beautiful baby clothes purchased through fund raising efforts. We wish everyone could see the face of the mothers (and other family members) who are helped by this project. Not only can you see their relief to be receiving necessities for their children, but also the happiness to realize that someone cares about them and their children.

We have been called to sustain a culture of life, and our faith reminds us that each person is meant to exist and is God’s own idea. As Catholics we are called to help shape the world, and our entire communities of faith are called to be the instruments of God’s grace. The Advent Baby Shower is a way to carry that grace to those who need it most. Your gifts will fill the needs of people in our parishes, Catholic Family Services, foster homes, hospitals, Birthright, the Free Clinic, domestic shelters, and Native American ministries. Please help make this year’s project another success!

II. PACKETS

The project packages you are receiving have been sent to parishes and the parish Respect Life Representatives. We invite you to work with one another in solidarity as stewards of the gifts you all have been given. If you have any questions or need more project packets, please contact us at the above phone numbers.

III. POSTERS

Included in this packet are posters that you may reproduce to fit your needs. Please hang the posters in your churches, workplaces, schools, and on other community boards. We have additional posters if you need them.

IV. SUGGESTED RECEPTACLES TO COLLECT GIFTS:

Bassinet Cradle Crib Manger Gift wrapped box Doll Bed Toy Box Under a Christmas Tree By a Nativity Scene

V. GUIDELINES FOR GIFTS

This year, our greatest need is for NEWBORN sizes of clothing and diapers (0-6 months), but we are asking for sizes up to 12 months. Please do not gift wrap the items because it is easier to distribute them if we can identify categories and sizes. In addition, we ask for only NEW items, so that these families can experience the joy of receiving something that has never been used.

New, Unwrapped Sizes NEWBORN Through 12 Months of the Following:

Sleepers & Pajamas 0-3 Month Sleepers/Outfits Snowsuits & Coats Onesies & Undershirts Outerwear Sweaters & Pants Socks & Booties Bottles Hats & Mittens Crib Sheets Bibs Rattles & Toys All Types of Blankets Diapers Wipes

VI. PROMOTION AND IDENTIFICATION

 Be sure to put up as many posters as possible.  Set out your receptacle of choice in an appropriate, accessible, and visible area that will serve as a reminder to the faith community throughout the Advent Season. You may want to have multiple collection sites.

2  Publish the enclosed Advent Baby Shower notices in your bulletins and announcements.  Designate a Baby Shower Sunday or Mass to highlight the ongoing collection program. Encourage parishioners or children to bring up the shower items at Offertory and place them in front of the altar, or in a manger or cradle at the front of the Church.  Have a designated receptacle made by the children in each classroom at the schools, and religious education classes at Church.  Have a classroom baby shower party.  Collect gifts at all school Masses.  Combine resources and buy one expensive gift, such as a diaper bag, coat, or diapers.  Incorporate the Advent Baby Shower into potlucks and Christmas parties held by your organizations. Instead of bringing gifts for each other, bring gifts for the Advent Baby Shower.

VII. SHOWER GIFT COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION

 Each parish should review the shower gifts to select and keep the ones that meet the needs of their own parish programs or other programs in your community. Each parish will be responsible for distributing those items to their own programs or other local needs. If you happen to receive USED gifts, please deliver them to the St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store or other local charity.  Send or bring the remaining NEW gifts to: Office of Marriage, Family & Respect Life Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls 523 N. Duluth Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 We are located in the Catholic Pastoral Center, First Floor. You can ask our First Floor receptionist to direct you to our offices. Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  If possible, please bring gifts by February 7, 2014, but they will be welcome anytime. We will then coordinate distribution to those in need outside the parish organizations.  Be sure to identify from which parish or institution/organization the gifts were collected.

3 VIII. SAMPLE BULLETIN NOTICES

Bulletin Notice for November 30th & December 1st

SHOWER CHRIST'S LITTLE ONES

We invite you to participate in the 21st Annual Advent Baby Shower, beginning December 1 and continuing through Christmas. Please bring NEW gifts, including clothing sizes newborn to 12 months, and place them in the designated area. (See poster for further information.) These gifts will fill the needs of people in our parish, Catholic Family Services, foster homes, hospitals, Birthright, the Free Clinic, domestic shelters, and Native American ministries.

Sponsored by the Office of Marriage, Family & Respect Life, partially funded by CFSA. www.sfcatholic.org/respectlfe or join us on facebook

Bulletin Notice for December 8th, 15th, and 22nd

SHOWER CHRIST’S LITTLE ONES

Where human beings are in need, there God waits for us. In Him we find hope. Each one of us is called to do God’s work, for “it is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost.” Matthew 18:14

Please share hope with others by participating in the 21st Annual Advent Baby Shower, which continues through Christmas. Please bring NEW gifts, including clothing sizes newborn to 12 months, and place them in the designated area. (See poster for further information.).

Sponsored by the Office of Marriage, Family & Respect Life, partially funded by CFSA. www.sfcatholic.org/respectlfe or join us on facebook