ADVENT ALMSGIVING OPPORTUNITIES

 

Fasting should always be accompanied by prayer and almsgiving.
By following in the example set by our Patron Saint, we encourage the Faithful to participate
in the following almsgiving opportunities:

 

ALMSGIVING REFLECTION

“Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours, but theirs.” + St. John Chrysostom

 

ALMSGIVING OPPORTUNITIES

(THE LAST DAY TO PARTICIPATE IS MONDAY, DECEMBER 11th)

CLOTHING the NEEDY

CAMELOT COMMUNITY & RIDGE PARK CHARTER:  This Advent season we will again be conducting a Winter clothing drive for the residents of the Camelot Community as well as the students of Ridge Park Charter Academy.  On your next shopping trip please consider purchasing the following:

CHILDREN:
(General Needs): coats (boys size , snow pants (boys: size 5/6 and 7/8 / girls size 5/6), winter boots, hats, gloves/mittens, ear muffs/ear headbands, and socks.
(Specific Individual Children’s Needs): boys snow pants size 5/6 (for two students), boys snow pants size 7/8 and 8 (for two students), girls snow pants size 5/6, boys coat size 5/6 , boys boots size 3, boys boots size 11, boys boots size 12, boys small hat/gloves, boys hat gloves medium, boys gloves medium, Man Size Hat

TEENS/ADULTS: hats, mittens/gloves, and socks

SUDANESE FAMILY: A new family from Sudan urgently needs complete sets of winter clothes for their children.  Signup to purchase by item and size at [Sudanese Children].

Many of our Camelot neighbors are from warmer parts of the world and winters are difficult for them.

Collection boxes are available in the Narthex and the west entrance across from the Cultural Center from November 13 – December 3. Please be generous in your support of our neighbors and friends in need.

PROJECT MEXICO – SANTA’S HELPERS: This year we are sponsoring a new arrival at St. Innocent’s Orphanage, Mexico. His name is Victor who is a grade 8 student. Victor loves playing video games and enjoys remote control cars. You can donate electronically at [Santa’s Helper], or through Venmo or by check with “Santa’s Helpers” in the memo. Deadline for donating is November 30.

FEEDING the HUNGRY

We are again participating in the Meijer “Simply Give” double match this Advent season. That means $10 donated to “Simply Give” will result in a $30 food donation. Our parish often refers those in need to our neighborhood food pantry serving one hundred families each month. Contributing to St. Nicholas for the “Simply Give” program feeds the hungry right here in our community. The deadline to donate is Monday, December 11th. ADD BULLETIN DONATION INFORMATION

ENGAGING in SERVICE

Our Parish, in partnership with Catholic Charities, (360 Division Avenue SE Suite 3A), will set up and stock this year’s Grand Rapids Foster Care Christmas Store on Monday, December 11 at 5:30 pm. It is a full night of work and fellowship with dinner provided. Over 1,200 children will receive Christmas gifts and winter clothing as a result of this effort. Have fun watching this time lapse video from a previous year’s event: [VIDEO].