Dear Parishioners,

Each year a simple version of the Jesse Tree, a symbol of the expectation of new birth and life during Advent, is placed in the Narthex, (rear of the church). We call our tree the Giving Tree. Please take one of the tree ornaments, many created by the children of our parish, which have a gift suggestion for you to purchase for a woman or man in need.

Please return your brightly wrapped gift, with the ornament attached, no later than Sunday, Dec. 21, and place it in the designated baskets on each side of the Giving Tree.  This will ensure the gifts arrive on Christmas Day.

These gifts will be delivered to The Gift of Love Residence, located on Washington Street, where residents are cared for by the Missionary Sisters of Charity, founded by Mother Theresa. The sisters also prepare meals for about 100 homebound women, men and families in need from the surrounding community. On Christmas Day, the meals and gifts from the Giving Tree will be delivered by volunteers.

God loves all of Creation and so there will also be a list of needed items for sheltered animals at the Bide-A-Wee Shelter located at East 38 ^th Street.

Thank you!

Judy Kelly Magida
Social Justice Committee