HOUSTON (December 14, 2015) — Kids, babies, parents, a donkey, goats, a llama and, of course, a Cardinal were guest stars of the seventh-annual A Cardinal’s Christmas luncheon held Saturday, Dec. 12, at Lakeside Country Club. The event raised nearly a quarter-million dollars for the children and family-services programs of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
More than 350 guests – including 130 children – were on hand for the festivities, which included a Nativity petting zoo and young musicians from The Regis School of the Sacred Heart’s Bell Choir, St. Michael Catholic School Choir and St. Anne Catholic School Choir.
Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, invited the children to gather around him as he shared a story of The Three Kings, which emphasized the true meaning of Christmas: selflessness, love, and the importance of giving to others.
Event co-chairs Gloria Kalman and her daughters, Lauren Summerville and Jennifer Fuentes said that A Cardinal’s Christmas gives families a holiday tradition that downplays the commercialization of Christmas and helps others in need. Donors including (insert names) helped Catholic Charities achieve its mission.
This year, Catholic Charities more than 87,000 with direct assistance – children, families, seniors and veterans. “When we are able to put families on the road to recovery and restore their dignity — the relief in their eyes, the smiles, the gratitude they have — we are reminded daily why we do what we do,” said Cynthia N. Colbert, President and CEO of Catholic Charities.
You can still support the agency’s children and family-services programs by sending in a donation. Please visit www.catholiccharities/ACC to donate. For more information, please contact Zarinah Poole at 713-874-6649 or zpoole@catholiccharities.org.