Making Christmas Bright

During Advent, we are encouraged to help bring the season’s promise and hope to others through our acts of charity. This season offers many opportunities to give a little extra time or treasure to help those less fortunate. According to Jesus, giving to others – especially the “least among us” – is the surest way to “store up treasure in heaven” and be truly prepared to meet the Lord.
We are highlighting a few meaningful opportunities for “Making Christmas Bright” in our local community.

• Our Giving Tree Christmas Collection supplies families at the Cornerstone Emergency Shelter with much-needed new winter gear. The tree is in the church foyer, covered in ornament tags. Each tag has an item listed on it. All you need to do is pick a tag and bring it with you next time you’re out shopping. Buy the item printed on the tag and drop it off at the church before January 1.
• Gifts to the Dudley Emergency Fund are used to offer financial assistance to parishioners and community members that find themselves in need. This can include an unexpected medical bill or repair, or even a month’s rent.
• Donations to the Tegeder Fund allow us to partner with non-profit organizations to complete larger projects. This summer, we helped build a gazebo at a women’s shelter and sent a child recovering from leukemia to camp with his family.
• Lastly, a year-end gift to St. Ed’s general fund supports all our ministries, pays our staff, and maintains our beautiful facilities.

During the days of Advent, let us try as much as possible to embrace the deeper meaning of this holy season. Let’s try to take advantage of the special opportunities to reflect, pray and serve the needs of others.
May God bless us as we celebrate this holy season and prepare once again for the coming of Christ.

— Fr. Rick