Once again, our Catholic Youth Organization has collaborated with the Optimist League here is Naples to provide opportunities for children ranging from pre-school age through high school to learn the most popular sport in the world (and the Pope’s favorite): soccer. Members of our Parish Family, the Dina’s and the Greening’s, lead the Optimist Soccer Program with thousands of youth and families descending on the Vineyard playing fields each Saturday. It is a spectacular site to see so many children and families engaged in such a positive program, and it showcases the need for CYO here in Naples.
Another Parish Family, the Tedrow’s, have taken on the responsibility to bridge the connection of sports and social justice through our CYO Donation Program. Each season, we have multiple opportunities for all the families of the League to give to those in need in Immokalee. This past collection was for clothes, and we had CYO and other families bring bags upon bags of baby, children and even adult clothing to the St. John box truck at the fields all day long. These clothes have already been delivered to the Catholic Charities free clothing distribution at Guadalupe Social Services in Immokalee. The smiling faces of the children handing their donations to us was heartwarming, since they are learning how to encounter those in need even at their young age.
As we Build Our Future, Serve Our Past, we still need all the gifts, prayers, and support of our Parish Family. If you have any questions, please contact Jean-Paul Boucher, at 239-566-8740 or email: [email protected].