Last week I included in my homily the idea of Christmas “joy” and used a definition by Archbishop Tobin of Indianapolis who in a Christmas letter to his flock spoke about the meaning of Christmas Joy, defining it by the true meaning of what brings us real joy and using the three letters of the word to give us a plan of action. The “J” is for Jesus, put Him first always; the “O” is for others, make them second in your life; and the “Y” is for yourself, be third in life among Christ and others. For acting, speaking and being this will bring you the ultimate Joy of Christmastime—being founded in Jesus, ministering to Him in the way we care and minister to others, and then thirdly, putting our needs behind those before us. This joy is experienced in many ways: par-ents natural put themselves last in their families—the Church puts herself last with Christ at its head and then ministering to Christ by the way she ministers to others in need—spiritually and physically. But here’s another example and one that is close to home, very real, and offered to us by a younger member of our parish community.

Lillian Connelly, along with her mom and dad, Anne and John, and her younger sister, Madeline, are members of our parish. Both girls are in our Children’s Choir and Lillian is also a cantor. Hearing about our Neighbors in Need ministry through our Christmas Giving Tree program, Lillian decided to put her faith into practice. Here is where the living definition of Joy comes into being: Lillian Connelly thought about a project she could do and set out to accomplish it. She in fact, put Jesus first—thinking how she could serve him (serving others) and began to go out into her neighborhood and family to raise money for our neighbors in need right here in Simsbury. Putting Others first, she began ringing doorbells and speaking about the Neighbors In Need program and how her church provides for those who are dealing with financial or other hardships—a way to share our blessings. In this cold and wintery weather, she put herself (You) third and started her journey. In just a short time she raised over $140 to give to the parish’s fund to help local people in need. An amazing act of faithful kindness and joy by a 12 year-old in our community, and one that will help a great deal for someone in need.

What is really powerful about the Christmas Giving Program was highlight to me by Bobbie Bartucca, executive director of the Malta Foundation, who was speaking so highly of the gift our parish has given to the Malta Mobil Van Clinics over the last few years—on average some $25,000 a year. She told me the size of the donation is very helpful but the fact that it comes from so many donors in smaller amounts speaks to the power of the donation and the generosity and kindness of so many folks. Many of the donations are $50 or $100 while others are larger, but it’s the mere fact that a large group of people have heard the message of need and responded. That is a blessing. And that should also remind us of Mother Teresa’s great quote: it is not how much one gives but rather the amount of love that goes with the giving.

Thank you, Lillian, for your joy.