Arrows Participate in Spirit of Sharing

On December 20, members of the St. Sebastian's community filled up a mini-bus of gifts generously donated by our families to help out at Spirit of Sharing, an initiative under the umbrella of Cor Unum Meal Center in Lawrence. Founded over two decades ago, the annual Spirit of Sharing - Lawrence collection helps brighten Christmas for about 350 boys and girls who live in this gateway city, one of the most financially impoverished cities in the United States. With great care and the help of volunteers, they unpacked and categorized gifts that our community and several others in the Boston area donated. The volunteers greeted the children’s parents/guardians and patiently assisted them in selecting gifts for their young sons and daughters, ages 3 to 14.

Father Paul O’Brien, Pastor of Saint Patrick Parish, Lawrence, recently wrote:

"With 90,000 residents, Lawrence is the most of-color community in New England (88% people of color, 81% Hispanic), the fastest growing community in Massachusetts (10% growth in the last census), and one of the youngest (average age 32). With double the Massachusetts poverty rate (18%) and half of the state’s average per capita income ($27,827), two-thirds of Lawrence’s homes are headed by single parents. Fine young families living in this gateway city struggle, and often fail, to make ends meet.

Most people here in Lawrence have a deep faith in Jesus and a remarkable work ethic. For me, they offer real hope for the growth of America as a nation of love and justice. The support offered through Spirit of Sharing makes the Christmas season an entirely brighter reality for families in Lawrence. It is a very real unfolding of the grace of Christmas."