Christmas Giving Tree
Each year during Advent, St. Josaphat parishioners and school families have generously participated in our annual Giving Tree, providing donations and gifts to local organizations and families in need at Christmastime. This ministry coordinates the needs of partnering organizations with the generous spirit of our parishioners in order to provide gifts and the necessities of life to those in need in our neighborhood and beyond. Donors may sign up through the Giving Tree Sign Up Genius or select a tag off the tree in the back of church.
Delivery & Deadlines:
All gifts should be delivered to the rectory no later than FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5TH to give us time to sort and deliver them to recipient organizations for distribution to families by Christmas. Another way to participate in the Giving Tree is helping to load cars and driving gifts to the organizations.
Organizations Supported by The Giving Tree:
Our Sharing Parish, Academy of St. Benedict the African, an under-resourced school of 250 students in Englewood. The Academy has served the community since 1901 and continues to thrive as a Catholic school leading their students to be successful in academics and in life. The School is requesting books, blankets, pillows and stuffed animals for their students in pre-kindergarten through second grade students.
Our Hands of Mercy's outreach ministry for the hungry, Don's Helping Hands assists individuals who come to the rectory weekdays for a sandwich and hot soup or pop. The Giving Tree committee is requesting t-shirts, sweatshirts, socks, hats and gloves for these individuals.
Our Hands of Mercy Prison Ministry supports Kolbe House - the agency of the Department of Parish Vitality and Mission of the Archdiocese of Chicago that serves individuals and families affected by the criminal justice system. Jeans are especially needed and much appreciated this year.
Refugee Ministry - New Neighbors Program
We are supporting our Hands of Mercy Refugee Ministry's "New Neighbors" program again this year. A refugee is a person who has experienced past persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Resettlement to the United States is a process that takes months and more often years. Through resettlement, the United States provides an opportunity for refugees to pursue a life of safety and dignity without fear of persecution. Our ministry supports the work of Exodus World Service, an organization dedicated to assisting refugees resettled in the Chicago area. Parishioners volunteer as “New Neighbors” offering friendship and guidance to individual refugee families as they struggle to meet the challenges of securing housing and finding employment while learning about their new country.
St. Simon of Cyrene Parish (formerly St. Agatha)
St. Simon of Cyrene is located on the west side of Chicago, St. Simon of Cyrene assists its parishioners and others in their neighborhood in need during the Christmas season and throughout the year. Their parish office receives requests from their registered families for gifts to be distributed at their annual Christmas event.
Our Hands of Mercy Aging Ministry supports our neighborhood's aging communities at Little Sisters and The Vistas. Gifts are distributed to residents at their annual Christmas celebrations.
For more information about volunteering or participating in our Giving Tree, please contact Amanda & Carol Galuhn at [email protected]
