Remember the happiness of childhood? I can remember many, many years ago getting ready for my usual Saturday morning middle school basketball game. I didn’t feel much like going there at all. On my walk to the gym, I noticed that the local park ice skating rink was open. I put on some skates and drifted all over the ice. I gave myself permission to be free on the ice and skipped the ball game.

These motivational signs for the students on the Stella Maris Boarding School campus, one of the locations of CARITAS For Children's Catholic child sponsorship programs, illustrate that our ministry partners and the directors of the school, The Little Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, recognize the importance of study as well as allowing children to play.

On that early morning, on that frozen rink, I was given the freedom in my soul to be present, skating without worries. These were joyful moments. When we are giving to CARITAS For Children, we are giving a grace that a child has yet to receive. St. Peter gave in grace, his healing of a suffering man in the name of Christ:

Then Peter took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles grew strong. He leaped up, stood, and walked around and went into the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God. — Acts 3: 7-8 NASB

There were witnesses who were amazed and astonished to see what had happened with that suffering man. St. Peter gave to him a new beginning and strength to his life. The man was healed and became ecstatically happy.

When you choose to sponsor a child through CARITAS For Children’s Catholic child sponsorship programs you support the livelihood of your child and bring to them the Holy Spirit of happiness. With gratitude, sponsoring provides the joy and healing for your child, and it has a wonderful effect on their new life in community. Children love all kinds of joy and freedom. Having a new start with a sponsor brings motivation to your child in a more caring, nurturing environment.