Disney Star David Henrie Joins Catholic Ministry to Help Kids in Need for Christmas: "It Represents the Ultimate Gift" David Henrie, formerly known as Justin Russo on Disney Channel’s "Wizards of Waverly Place" alongside Selena Gomez, is the newest ambassador for Cross Catholic Outreach’s "Box of Joy" ministry! The Catholic husband and father married Catholic chastity speaker Maria Cahill in 2017 and is outspoken about his faith. Back in 2018, Henrie shared a photo of his meeting with Pope Francis during the General Audience with a caption stating, “I learned one very important request in Italian for the Pope to pray for me and my wife...Such an amazing experience today and this trip.” More recently, he shared a photo of his three children dressed as saints for All Saints' Day. He also shared his daughter's reaction to an oil painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Henrie also regularly expresses the joy of marriage, fatherhood, and his Catholic faith with his social media followers. Last week, the 34-year-old actor took to Instagram to share his new partnership with Cross Catholic Outreach. He says, “Now that I’m a father, the thought of kids like my own not getting a present on Christmas crushes me because more than the gift itself, what it represents is the ultimate gift, which is God’s Love.” He then continued to express the excitement from his children who hand-selected presents for those in need at a toy store. “I couldn’t be more honored and excited to begin this journey around the world with Cross Catholic Outreach to help the poor and provide them with Box of Joy gifts,” Henrie says. Cross Catholic Outreach launched its mission in 2001. The 501(c) (3) non-profit organization aims to provide shelter, water, food, housing, education, and medical care to the poor in over 30 countries around the world. The Cross Catholic Outreach website states, “Box of Joy is a Christmas shoebox ministry that is joy-filled from beginning to end. The ministry uplifts the hearts of the families who assemble the boxes and brings smiles and laughter to poor children and their families when those gifts are distributed in developing countries.” What is a Box of Joy and How Does it Evangelize? “A Box of Joy is a shoebox-sized package that you fill with toys, clothing, school supplies, and other treasured items or a box of those items sponsored by a donation and packed by Cross Catholic Outreach’s ministry team (Team Joy). "Each child who receives a Box of Joy also receives a rosary and a booklet in their own language that tells The Story of Jesus. Box of Joy provides hope to children in need. Each gift represents Christ’s love and might be the only Christmas gift they receive.” “The call to help the poor and provide them with joy is a universal one united around love of neighbor. It’s my hope that you and many more will answer the call and join me this holiday season in encouraging your family and friends to donate a Box of Joy.” Henrie says. @DavidHenrie bit.ly/46qhESX ✍️ Christina Herrera