Catholics in Texas, Illinois bring Christmas cheer to troops overseas

Published: 2007-12-19

TYLER, Texas (CNS) -- Catholics in Texas and Illinois were among those spearheading projects to make the holidays merrier for military personnel stationed abroad this Christmas. Students from Stephen F. Austin State University's Catholic Student Center in Nacogdoches, Texas, collected toiletries, games, food, books, religious items and letters for packages to Catholic soldiers abroad during the holidays. In Carthage, Texas, members at St. William of Vercelli Church took part in Operation Christmas Box, which focused on Army Capt. Stephen Bate, a parishioner serving in Iraq. In Illinois, Operation Care Package, co-founded by a parishioner at St. Joseph Parish in Manteno, worked to send more than 5,500 Christmas stockings to military personnel overseas. The endeavor was an extension of what the nonprofit group does throughout the year by sending monthly packages to more than 1,200 people in the military. At Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill., military personnel overseas and their relatives at home received a special Christmas gift when they were able to see and speak with their family members through the use of a satellite camera and high-speed Internet connection.

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