Diocese of Fall River teams up with Catholic Social Services
With the recent announcement of Little Flower Early Learning Center, Catholic Charities CEO Sue Mazzarella immediately knew that her organization could help. She contacted Steve Perla, Catholic Schools Superintendent, to offer any assistance with supplying the center with toys and books. Within a week, the Director of the Little Flower Early Learning Center, Christine Barrett, had filled her car with brand new toys with plans to go back with a truck for the multitude of new toys and books allocated to Little Flower. CSS has been servicing the Diocese of Fall River since 1924 and to this day, lives out their mission “to help those in need.”
Mazzarella comments that, “CSS formally links and collaborates with local, parishes, agencies and systems to create strengthened community services. This is a prime example of how two Diocesan ministries can come together to better serve the children and families of southeastern Massachusetts.”
CSS receives donations from the community, and especially from the parishioners throughout the diocese. The Celebrate the Beauty of Every Child campaign is an example of a donation opportunity. CSS is the conduit for distributing these donations; they reflect the compassion and generosity of the members of our diocesan community.
“This collaboration between Catholic Social Services and Little Flower truly embodies what we are all about,” said Perla. “Little Flower had a need and CSS had a solution – I cannot think of a better way to be good stewards of people’s generosity and good will. Because of CSS, Little Flower will save at least $1000 from having to supply toys and books for the children it will serve.”
“I was so overwhelmed and blessed with how many toys CSS has to offer,” said Barrett. “When I tell you there are lots and lots of toys from birth to age 10, I felt like I was in a toy store. What an amazing service to Little Flower.”
The Catholic Schools Alliance comprises administrators, teachers, staff, parents and clergy joined in partnership to educate the children of the Diocese of Fall River in Catholic faith and values. The schools have a demanding educational culture that helps students from across the academic spectrum reach their God-given potential.
The Little Flower Early Learning Center offers a faith-based, innovative, and affordable childcare program for children 6 weeks to 3.9 years. The Little Flower Early Learning Center will accept childcare vouchers. For more information, including tuition rates, please call Christine Barrett at 508-455-0145.
