Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Advent Appeal

Dear Friend,

Take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ’s birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives.
~ Fr. Edward Hays
Fr. Hays, a Roman Catholic priest and prolific writer on prayer and contemporary spirituality, suggests that perhaps the most intimate Christmas joy comes not from celebrating a birth that occurred some two thousand years ago, but rather from experiencing Christ’s rebirth in our own Bethlehems: our homes, our families, our communities.

The Maria Kaupas Center (MKC) is indeed a little Bethlehem. In this space Christ is reborn on a daily basis as we introduce Him to the scholars of Catalyst-Maria School, some of whom are meeting Him for the very first time. As a Catholic community center, we share with these young people the beautiful traditions of our Catholic faith and introduce them to the many ways a relationship with Jesus will improve their lives. In this way, we carry on the mission of St. Casimir Academy and Maria High School and of the Sisters of St. Casimir.

As a past supporter of that very same mission, we are asking you to take a few minutes out of the whirlwind of Christmas activities to learn about the Maria Kaupas Center; then, after prayerful consideration, we hope you will choose to support our efforts.

The MKC opened to the students of Catalyst-Maria High School in September, and in just three short months close to 33% of the students have become registered members. We have transformed the former convent that sits at the south end of the school building into a vibrant, colorful space that echoes with laughter, a place where kids feel safe and valued.

Daily after-school attendance at the Center averages between 30 and 50 students. Each afternoon begins with Daily Reflection, a 15 – 20 minute spiritual exercise in the chapel that touches upon topics as varied as the traditions of Advent to bullying to a Q-and-A with Christ. The rest of the afternoon includes the options of scheduled programming, homework, and hanging out with friends.

Just this month, we have extended our outreach to include sixth graders by inviting them to participate in either a jewelry-making entrepreneurship program facilitated by a dedicated volunteer or a sewing service learning project directed by Sister Elizabeth Ann Yocius, SSC.

We have come far in a short time, but the reality is we have much work to do, or much work we want to do. We want to offer sacramental prep classes to younger students, establish a conversational English class for Spanish-speaking parents, and put in place mentorship programs pairing Catalyst high school students with college students from University of Illinois, Chicago and Lewis University.  We want to offer community outreach where our students can teach community members basic computer skills. We are blessed with an energetic, creative staff that is bursting with ideas for making the MKC a place the Sisters and the community can be proud of.

Turning these dreams into reality, however, will require others to invest in our vision. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to create a community center. The Catalyst organization has been generous to us as have the Sisters of St. Casimir, and we have been successfully pursuing funding from outside organizations. The United States Council of Catholic Bishops has officially recognized our mission.
As a past friend of SCA/Maria, we would like to invite you to join this community of believers - individuals and organizations who trust that offering the scholars of Catalyst-Maria a safe space defined by faith, love, and opportunity will reap dividends not only for the young people who take advantage of it but also for their families, their communities, and society.
As in so many things, we turn to Mother Maria, foundress of the Sisters of St. Casimir and namesake of our center to inspire and fortify us.  Her words capture our own conviction that faith and hope will light our way and guide us to the realization of our goals:

What will sustain us . . . and encourage us . . ., if not FAITH in God’s Providence and the HOPE of a better, brighter future?
Please consider supporting our little Bethlehem here at 67th and California.
Gratefully,

The MKC Staff and Supporters


P.S.  If you are able, please insert your tax-deductible gift in an envelope and submit to: 

Maria Kaupas Center
2740 W 68th Street
Chicago, IL 60629

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MISSION STATEMENT
The Maria Kaupas Center is a Catholic space where spirituality, community and leadership merge,
creating opportunities for people of all faiths to grow and develop as effective agents of God's love.

The Maria Kaupas Center formally adheres to the Church teaching and practices

as determined by the Church leadership of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

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