About this time each year we see an increase in the Advent Giving Tree collection. It usually starts off slow, a few donations in this collection, a couple of more in the next collection. Then as the needs are known, the money/acts of kindness comes in. And I believe that this will again happen—not so much because of the collection tallies I have seen so far, but rather because of the goodness and generosity of the people of this parish that comes about year after year. When the people of Saint Catherine of Siena Parish are informed of human needs: from the food insecurities of a single parent or of an elderly senior, or a health issue of a neighbor here in the Farmington Valley, to the struggles of parents and children due to Covid-19 and its many isolations and tragedies, to the everyday struggles of families in these very uncertain economic times, people of goodness respond in generosity and compassion.
We are a blessed community of faith. And the amount of the individual giving—the donation itself—is less important than the fact that we act as a family of faith, and the collective giving of so many people truly brings about the miracle of giving heart at Christmastime. Families will be fed, rents shall be paid, and small monthly bills are made less of an obstacle to living daily life—and even major medical needs are met and healthcare is given—all because of the goodness of people in this parish who unite with our Neighbors in Need ministry and the Knights of Malta.
I am taking this Sunday to make a simple ask: no matter what you can give to the Advent Giving Tree, whether it is $5 or $10 or $250 or $500, it is in the giving that our eyes of faith are opened and our hearts see the needs of another and so we become the solution to their need. You and I in giving and caring, become as the song says, “the eyes and ears of Christ.” And the hands and hearts too. Faith is put into action and make the Kingdom of God is made present today for someone in need. If you have never felt the pain of being without, you have been blessed. To not know the experience of hunger or homelessness or not having possessed fear of having “no anchor” in life— meaning God—then indeed we are blessed. And when we open our hearts and minds to Christ and the needs of His children, we can take those blessings of our lives and turn them into shared blessings for others. Please pray over participating in this year’s Advent Giving Tree. If you have never given before, may you begin a new Christmastime tradition this year. The only thing you shall feel is the goodness of being a disciple of Christ and a solution to the many concerns and problems in our own community. And to help become part of the solution to hunger, homelessness, loneliness or a lack of healthcare in our neighborhoods is the full participation of faith. To see a problem and not turn our backs on it but rather to reach out and heal, that’s faith.
Thank you for considering helping the AGT and in supporting our Neighbors in Need ministry and the Malt House of Care. Blessed Advent and Happy Christmas.