Top Row – Bishop John Corriveau OFM Cap (Bishop of the Nelson Diocese) and
Jamie Fortune.  Middle Row – Fr. Sebastian Puthenpura, Brody and
Devon Mazzei, Arin Martins, Adam Houle, Sabrina and Patricia Fortunato. 
Bottom Row – Liam Riley, Levi Harris, Jaden Alaric and Paige Riley

This years Grade 7 Catechism class from Christ the King Catholic Church in Oliver
ended their Catechetical year receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation
and presenting the Canadian Food For Children warehouse in Penticton
with their total fundraising efforts for this past year.

This is a unique class.  Unique because they are close friends.  Unique
because out of 11 students it includes 3 sets of twins.  But more
importantly, unique because they love to raise money for Canadian Food
For Children.  These students through recycling, running a concession
stand for the local theatre company SOAP, planning and hosting a Valentine
Spaghetti dinner for their Parish and participating in the “3rd Annual
Ballnighter”, were able to raise a total of $1750.20 this year for this
worthwhile charity.  For the past three years, these same students, under
the leadership of their volunteer Catechism teacher Mrs. Paula Martins,
have raised a total of over $4000.00 for Canadian Food For Children.  In
2009, this class came up with the idea of the “Ballnighter” event, an
all night evening of prayer, praise and fun.  They collected pledges for
the event to raise money to purchase balls to send to children in need,
hence the name “Ballnighter”. This spark to serve has grown tremendously
and far exceeded their expectations.  This years “Ballnighter” included
Grade 6 students from our Parish as well as students from St. Anne’s
Parish in Osoyoos.   Next year, we hope to make it even bigger.  These
students wish to thank their parish community for supporting them in donations and
prayers.

Canadian Food for Children is a non-government organization working
towards the relief of suffering of the poor in developing countries.
For more information, visit their website at
http://www.canadianfoodforchildren.org/

.

Canadian Food for Children picture (names):  Back Row –  Canadian Food
for Children volunteers from Penticton; Ellen & Kerry Lowry, Karen
Gatzke, Pat Swanson, student Jamie Fortune, teacher Mrs. Paula Martins,
volunteer Lorraine Stephaniuk and student Paige Riley
Middle Row – Brody Mazzei, Levi Harris, Arin Martins and Adam Houle. 
Bottom Row – Liam Riley, Jaden Alaric and Devon Mazzei.   Missing from
photo:  Patricia and Sabrina Fortunato
These two photos were taken on June 28 as the students presented the volunteers with this years cheque for $1750.20

Students and Mrs. Paula Martins listening to volunteer Mrs. Lorraine Stephaniuk explaining what the class will will be helping with on this visit.  The students helped to sort clothes, put together cleaning and hospital and maternity kits and filling containers with items to be shipped in crates.

Story and pictures contributed by Lucy Riley