Christmas Outreach to Clergy

Our volunteers know how to get creative with their outreach efforts! Two chapters in different parts of the country each came up with ways to wish local clergy a Merry Christmas from CCL, and helped to create supportive relationships in the process.

Members of the Cleveland chapter made care packages for the seminarians of their diocese. The idea was pioneered by teacher Jessica Davidson who moved to Cleveland from Arlington, Va., roughly two years ago. “Jessica mentioned last year that one reason so many couples take NFP in the Arlington Diocese is that the chapter has a good relationship with the seminary. So, we took her suggestion and made it into a project,” reported Cleveland chapter coordinator Mary Ellen Jakubisin.

Each care package included a dozen homemade cookies and a personal note. The items were placed in individual bags specially decorated by the children of the chapter volunteers. Since there are 77 seminarians in the Cleveland diocese, the chapter called in several friends to help bake cookies and write notes. Mary Ellen commented, “We wrote personalized cards to each of them. We told them we were praying for them in their studies and in their discernment. We thanked them for their commitment to serving the church.”

Meanwhile, on the west coast the Fernando Valley Chapter sent a special Christmas greeting to 140+ priests in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. They created a photo Christmas card featuring all four teaching couples and also included a beautifully designed one-page flyer that featured a picture and quote from each teaching couple about how NFP has impacted their marriage. “This was truly a group effort,” teacher Veronique Gaeta told us.

The flyer also highlighted our three modes of learning—live onsite, live online and self-paced online—and that every CCL class features method instruction, catechesis on God’s plan for marital love, witness talks from the teaching couple, and ongoing support. One of the priests who received the chapter’s Christmas card and flyer called Pablo & Veronique and asked to meet with them. Three other priests sent the chapter cards, thanking them for their service to the Archdiocese and offered words of encouragement and inspiration.

By working together CCL volunteers and clergy can be more effective in bringing couples to NFP. Are you interested in doing more in your local area to increase awareness of NFP? Consider becoming a teacher couple or promoter! Our ministry is a great way to serve the Church and establish meaningful relationships in the process. Find out more today.

Cleveland care package assembly team

Bag decorators!

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Adding cookies to bags

Christmas card to clergy