Our Mission:
Believing that we cannot proclaim a gospel we do not live, we dedicate our activities to promoting the welfare of those in need of comfort, shelter and food and, through education and action, to working for justice and peace.
 
 
CIA Prayer:
Dear Lord, you are the light that brings us together. We thank you for the gifts that you have given each of us to do your work. Help us to remember our blessings and to recognize the needs of your people. Grant that our minds and hearts are open to your will and give us the wisdom to know how we can serve you. In the spirit of St. Clare, may we respond with charity and love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
 
General Information Update:
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, CIA members have had to change the ways in which we fulfill our mission. We no longer are able to gather for monthly meetings. Please know that the people of St. Clare Parish, the state of Texas and the world are in our prayers. The following changes are effective until further notice: We are unable to take calls for emergency outreach assistance. Before we closed this activity in March, we were able give emergency rent and utilities assistance to 14 local families for the month, at a cost of $3,450. We will reopen for emergency assistance as soon as we can safely do so. CIA will extend collections for two projects—the Lenten Box Project which benefits Casa Juan Diego shelter and the collection of greeting cards for the use of those imprisoned at the Carole S. Young Prison in Texas City. More information on donation deadlines will be available when St. Clare Church reopens. Because St. Clare and other churches are closed, we no longer can collect and bring Food Panty Box donations to the pantries at St. Paul's Catholic Church and Clear Lake Baptist Church. You can bring food directly to Clear Lake Baptist at 15700 Space Center Blvd. on Sundays and Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m. The pantry also needs volunteers. If you are interested, contact Louisa at this email: louisacmartin@gmail.com. Unfortunately, St. Paul’s is not available to accept food donations at this time. Please consider donating to the Food Pantry Box when you are able to visit St. Clare again. It is in the hallway to the Conference Center. If you have questions on any of these call Brigid at 281-488-5957.
 

 
 
 
Projects/Events, Jan.-March:
In February, CIA members will complete the Valentine Senior Services Project, which is completely funded by parishioners' financial donations through the CIA monthly envelope. Small indoor plants and valentines crafted by St. Clare School students will be given to 50 elderly clients of Catholic Charities. 
 
The annual Lenten Box Project will begin the weekend of Feb. 29-March 1, with CIA members handing out lists of needed items after all masses. The project helps clients of Casa Juan Diego, a local Catholic shelter. You can help by filling a small box with items for infants, children, women or men. Items include toiletries, underwear and stationery. In addition to being handed out, the lists of needed items will be posted on the CIA bulletin board and published in the Sunday Bulletin. Donations will be collected through Lent. For more information, contact Gordon at 281-461-6982.
 
 
Thank You So Much:
In grateful appreciation for all the merciful works St. Clare's generous parishioners made possible in 2019, Christians In Action members will offer masses for parishioners.  We gratefully express thanks for your support of our many outreach efforts last year. Your caring and generosity allowed us to assist the most needy in our community. Below are some of the ways you helped others in 2019.

• Provided 304 needy families with financial help to pay monthly rent, utilities and other aid, at a cost of nearly $70,000.
• Presented boxes of candy to 50 elderly clients identified by Catholic Charities, in the Valentine Senior Services Project.
• Donated 120 boxes of essential items for those served by Casa Juan Diego Shelter, through the Lenten Box Project.
• Contributed 24 large boxes of underwear, socks, books, toiletries, puzzles and games in the Hospitalized Veterans Project.
• Gave enough school supplies to meet the needs of many under privileged children served by St. Pius V and Queen of Peace Catholic parish schools.
• Adopted—and provided food for—36 needy families and donated enough food to fill almost 135 boxes for pantries at St. Pius V Parish and Casa Juan Diego Shelter, in the Thanksgiving Adopt-a-Family Project and Food Drive.
• Gave gifts of clothing, shoes, toys, and essentials to the needy: 72 children and 25 seniors referred by St. Pius V Catholic Church’s outreach program, and many clients of Casa Juan Diego Shelter, in the Spirit of Christmas Project. 
• Helped feed the homeless of Clear Lake, through the Mercy Tree project.
• Donated greeting cards for the use of prisoners at the Carole S. Young Prison in Texas City.
• Supported our parish weekly food basket, toward filling local pantries at St. Paul Catholic and Clear Lake Baptist churches; and donated eyeglasses, education box tops, Sunday coupon circulars and stamps to help others.

 
 Ongoing Support:
Because parishioner contributions to CIA’s monthly envelope pay for nearly all of CIA’s financial outreach assistance to the needy, we humbly request your support. To donate to this effort, please use your monthly envelope entitled CIA Aid to the Poor and Needy. It is collected the fourth weekend of each month. If you don’t have an envelope, just note “for CIA” at lower left on your check. You can mail in (or deliver) your donation with your regular St. Clare contribution. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of those in need. Link your Kroger Plus Card to KM540 and St. Clare’s Christians In Action will earn money several times a year to help clients who need emergency outreach assistance. You need to link your card only once, either at a store customer desk or by visiting Kroger.com. Questions? Contact Yvette at 281-480-1330.

Prayer During Coronavirus Pandemic:
O clement, O loving, O sweet Mother Mary, we, your children of every nation, turn to you in this pandemic. Our troubles are numerous; our fears are great. Grant that we might deposit them at your feet, take refuge in your Immaculate Heart, and obtain peace, healing, rescue, and timely help in all our needs. You are our Mother. Pray for us to your Son. Amen.