Our Last Advent Project

For at least 68 Children, Christmas is not about stacks of gifts under the tree, if there is one.

Its not about the latest electronic gadget or game, when your cold or hungry

For 167 adults, Christmas is about being fed in the body & spirit & knowing there will be food for at least a few more weeks

Gifts of clothing that warm the body and the soul of 51 families for another winter.

A wonderful group of people that gave so generously to those in need

For 10 years we have had the JOY and Honor of co-chairing the Advent Project at Sacred Heart. The love and generosity of the parish has moved us to tears every year. Nothing was more rewarding than the night before delivery & the visual gift of Sacred Heart being Jesus to the community.

EVERY year, the Advent Project ran on FAITH & integrity with the funds donated. We came to the painful realization we can no longer in good conscience continue to participate in the program when the parish staff chose to use what should have been a “joyful giving” as a “fundraiser”for the church.

When all was delivered, with our adult children and grandchildren, we left knowing it was our last year to participate and the last day as members of the the parish.

Sometimes growth and knowledge is painful but necessary. But for the first time in months, Larry & I are sleeping through the night, knowing we did the right thing.

So, the gate is open, coffee is fresh and bread is baking so stop in for a chat.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Technorati Tags: Advent Project,giving,knowledge,growth,closing the gate

Stepping Back

Once in a while everyone comes to a point when they have to just step back and as my friend Rhonda says, “close the gate”. My “closing the gate” may not be the same but, I’m finding I need to step back for a bit.

We’ve had a few challenges that have set us on our heals and seriously shaken us to the core leaving us both feeling very hurt and emotionally battered. I’m finding its become unstoppable, like a huge wave, flowing into and affecting all other aspects of our lives. We both are having a difficult time focusing or sleeping. I’m having a difficult time maintaining commitments I’ve made. As a moderator on the Down_To_Earth Forum (I haven’t been able to do for a week) and the Ruby e-zine article I’m 2 weeks late with. Both are such wonderful & joyful places to be a part of.

With a lot of prayer, & supporting each other we’re taking baby steps to move forward but, needing to let some things go, at least for a little while.

We have for the past 10 years co-chaired what is called the Advent Project at our parish. To our family this project is our Christmas, interviewing those in need, coordinating sponsors with recipients of a pantry restock & gifts of clothing & toys for children. This year we have scaled back and only have 50 families sponsored. When we found ourselves making comments such as, let’s just get through this year we knew we had to make a few personal changes. Everything else we do is set aside for now as this needs to be done with a good spirit & joy in our hearts. Anything less would not be right and in fact be a disservice.

Tomorrow night is Advent Eve for us, all the groceries & gifts will be brought to church and Saturday morning will be delivery day.

So, we’re stepping back …. and closing the gate on everything for a bit, trying to find our balance.

Advent Project Completed

Every year when everyone else is gone but those of us coordinating & the lights are turned low, before we leave I go up to the Alter. This sight moves me to tears. Although these gifts pale in comparison to the gift of The Father, these are the gifts of our Sacred Heart Parish Family to a community in need. Faith, Love & Grace in action.

Each pew contains a months supply of groceries, personal care & children's gifts for 1-2 family's

Arrival of Advent

It's been a crazy weekend. Ever met yourself coming and going?
Its Advent season and busy for us. We co-chair what we call the "Advent Project" In the sane vein as the "Angel Tree". We (the Parish) sponsor 50-60 families providing gifts and clothing for children, Turkey or Ham and all the trimmings but, also a pantry restock. Generally enough food for a week or two. We interview families to assess the need (sizes etc) Write up sponsor sheets. We break up the items needed, canned goods, staples, dairy, meat, This is where miracles happen......a parish family can sponsor a Advent family (no names listed) for any one section. Every one gives what they can. We've had phone calls of "I can't make it out to shop, can some one do that for me" or "I have a bunch of blankets I've been purchasing all year , which family's need them the most" or, a special hand shake that provides for the last items needed. Some how, there is always plenty. The items purchased are all brought to the church Friday night, and delivered Saturday. It's a Parish family affair. Parishioners and their family's load up the "gifts" for the Advent families and deliver them. No judgments, no "looks" just "Merry Christmas" & "God Bless". In a society of haves and have not's, its eye opening for the children
and teens. It's so heart warming to deliver. Not a "we did this for you" but a warm wonderful knowledge that you had a small part of a "Gift" a gift of love. So, the "Advent Project" is once again upon us, and as in years past we think, wow its been a tough year, people are struggling here and were asking them to give even more. And every year it works out with Plenty.


Raspberry Swirl, Night time knitting, a custom order for Cam.

Another custom for Cam.

"Flamin Fun" Longies (Sheepy Tim Knits of course) love the way these came out!

All my neck warmers on Etsy sold this weekend so, last night I stayed up and had quite a few completed to list today.

Isaiah lost his first tooth last week! Tonight the second came out, both on the bottom. It's a good thing too as the other set are already poking through!