Editorial

Many parents will remember getting requests from their college-age kids to send care packages, especially at final exam time. Some fraternities and sororities even offer to put together special "cram packages" of goodies for parents to give their children (and, of course, the Greeks make some money on the deal).

	Mailbag policy We reserve the right to edit or reject letters. Limit letters to 200 words or less. All letters must be signed. Please include your city or town of residence. Send letters to: Mailbag The Catholic Herald P.O. Box 44985 Madison, WI 53744-4985 Fax: 608-821-3071 E-mail: info@madisoncatholicherald.org

As we come to the end of the school year, I received an e-mail from I Care Ministry in California that has a great idea for youth: sending "Spiritual Care Packets." The goal of these packets is to help youth "grow in the love of God."

Reaching out to youth. Each packet contains a rosary and directions on how to pray it; a scapular and a pamphlet explaining it; a miraculous medal and explanatory pamphlet; holy cards of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary; the Litany of Humility; a simple explanation of the Catholic faith; a holy card about vocations; and a prayer for vocations.

These items are placed in bags marked "Spiritual Care Packets." Says Suzin of I Care Ministry, "We feel there is a dire need to reach out to our youth and others and to use sacramentals to help bring them closer to Jesus."

These packets might make great graduation and Confirmation gifts. But they're not just for young people.

Not just for kids. Suzin works with a children's youth group which sent "Spiritual Care Packets" to over 100 soldiers overseas and they were well received.

For more information on this project, write to I Care Ministry, P.O. Box 7164, Visalia, CA. 93291.

I Care Ministry also welcomes contributions of holy cards, rosaries, medals, or other sacramentals to include in the packets.

Interested persons could come up with their own version of a "Spiritual Care Packet" to give to family members, friends, or fellow parishioners. Perhaps the packet could include a personal message or offer of prayer for special intentions.

Need assurance of faith. In today's topsy-turvy world, our young people need the assurance of faith, hope, and love. They need to know that God will be with them always, no matter what happens.

Perhaps they will pull out the rosary or a prayer card during the stressful times of exams, or when they need the courage to resist peer pressure, or when they're feeling alone or afraid.

Take care of their souls. Parents usually take care of the physical and monetary needs of their children. But do they forget the spiritual needs? Yet, concern for children's souls should be the most important thing parents do for them.

Think about sending a "Spiritual Care Packet" or pass this idea along to someone else. In this season of final exams and graduations, let's not forget the gift of faith.

Mary C. Uhler, editor