Family Giving Tree

Our parish will continue a ministry to the poor in the form of the Family Giving Tree. Families will be identified from those served by the St. Vincent de Paul Society. These families will be represented on the Jesse Tree in the Narthex by a numbered ornament which will show the number of children in the receiving family so that the Parish Giving (Adopting) Family will have sufficient information to make a selection.

The Family Giving Tree will be decorated and the ornaments available for selection at the weekend Masses on November 28th and 29, the First Weekend of Advent. Following selection of an ornament, the adopting family must contact the Pastoral Center office in order to obtain the specific information (names, address, telephone number, and gift ideas) for the receiving family’s children. Parents, please make certain that children are not taking ornaments from the tree unless properly supervised. Each ornament represents children in need.

The adopting (giving) family, upon selecting an ornament from the tree, will take on the responsibility of providing a positive Christmas experience to the less fortunate family. To help defray the expense, several families may choose to go together in providing for a larger family. The first step is to obtain the family’s information from the Pastoral Center and, if desired, meet with the family in order to more accurately determine its needs. The information sheet has gift ideas as well as sizes for clothing. The next step is to purchase gifts for each child age 12 and under, and perhaps assist with food for their Christmas dinner.

The gifts can brought to SVdP or delivered directly to the family. Please have gifts taken care of by December 18. Drop-offs to SVdP (1145 Broadway) can be done during regular store hours on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The St. Vincent de Paul Society will see to it that your gifts are provided to the family for whom they are intended. The SVdP store will be closed the week of December 20 and 27.

If you wish to deliver the gifts directly, please call ahead to make sure someone will be at home and deliver the gifts by December 18th. The adopting family will retain the ornament from the tree to remind them of their commitment and to serve as a memento of their Advent journey and experience.

Please give your prayerful consideration to participating in this Ministry to the Poor. Remember that “whatsoever you do for the least of my children that you do unto me”.