The Christmas tradition of gift giving and thinking of others is especially evident in The Tree of Giving. At the start of Advent, since 2002, a Christmas tree adorned with ornamentally shaped gift cards, has been placed on the altar of Sacred Heart Parish. Each gift tag contains a descriptor of a recipient in need of a Christmas gift. Parishioners choose a tag, and purchase a gift for that particular person/persons. All gifts are brought to church and placed, bagged but unwrapped with the gift tag attached, under the Tree of Giving. The dead-line this year for placing all gifts under the tree is December 12th. Parishioners feel a special joy, that because of their love for others, and their personal generosity, members of our parish and school communities, who are in need, will also experience the happiness this Christmas, that they are remembered.
Birthright is an organization that is also named on some of the gift tags on the tree of Giving. Birthright offers the shelter of the stable to girls and women who find pregnancy a great burden, but who wish through the help of Birthright to go on and give birth. Clothing and other essentials are provided for mothers and their babies. To support Birthright’s mission of caring for mothers and their babies, gift tags for baby diapers (size 2- 12- 18 lbs.), and baby formula, are also included on the Tree of Giving. This year the need is even greater.
The Tree of Giving is a caring tradition that offers gifts for all recipients to have a Blessed Christmas. Sacred Heart Parish continues to serve and to share our gifts at Christmas and throughout the year. May the Light and Love of Christ always lead us!