Christmas Baskets at St. Therese

Our neighbors will give us a wonderful gift this week – the gift of graciously allowing us to give them Christmas Baskets.  As much as they may appreciate receiving them, our joy in giving them is even greater.  It is probably worth thinking about just a little bit, and worth much more in just doing it. 

            For fifty one weeks of the year we worry with our neighbors as we provide help from the food pantry and with different kinds of emergency financial assistance.  We struggle along with them to help keep their homes warm and utilities on.  Sometimes we even help them bury their dead.  We keep advocating for help with housing repair and curbs on violence.  We speak out for economic development and help to restructure loans to keep families in their homes.

            But for one week of the year, no worries are allowed.  Instead of focusing on plain necessities, we provide the fixings for a family feast, and then some.  We make sure there are gifts for adults and children.  There’s nothing extravagant, but everything is clean and new, the results from months of bargain hunting that began with the post-Christmas sales last year, and continued with the delivery a semi-truck load of frozen turkeys and tons of other food and staples.

            People who work here during Christmas Basket Week tell us that this is what Christmas is all about – the joy of giving.  And our neighbors make that gift possible.  If you’d like to help out beginning Saturday, December 13, beginning with unloading the semi, or to assist in other ways during the week, give B.J. a call at 816-444-5406.