ST. OLAF GIVING TREE

The leaves are dropping from the trees; the mornings have a briskness; the air has a crispness and freshness that we feel as we inhale its life giving oxygen into our lungs – it leaves us feeling short of breath, yet filled with life. The wondrous part of living in
Wisconsin – we are graced to live the four seasons and to experience the cycles of life. We are exhilarated at this time of the year, we live in a sense of anticipation of all that this time of the year ushers forth – winter is around the corner, and we look forward to the joy and to the season that it brings. What so many of us look forward to in anticipation, many render themselves to in apprehension. Heat is more than a setting on the thermostat for many of our brother and sisters who live in this community of the Chippewa Valley that we all call home. Some cannot turn up the thermostat because they do not have the resources to pay the
increased cost. Many cannot go to the local department store and buy a new coat for themselves or their children. Many do not even have an old coat that can last just one more season. To steal a phrase from Alfred Lord Tennyson, “Ours is not to wonder why…” To steal a phrase from Matthew 26:35-36 “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, naked and you clothed me, …” Yes, there are agencies and organizations, of which the church is one, that exist to help the less fortunate than we.

WE ARE THESE ORGANIZATIONS & AGENCIES – WE ARE THE CHURCH.

On November 14th the “Charlie Brown” giving tree will again appear in the gathering space. The familiar ornaments for “Spirit of Christmas” will hang in hopes of being “picked” and the ornaments for Catholic Charities (Scrip requests that may be purchased after each mass or from the office) are hanging loosely and can be easily “plucked” from the branches. The “Spirit of
Christmas” and Catholic Charities are our way of being able to reach out, with others, to be the “Light Brigade” that responds to the Gospel – simply because it is the Gospel Message. Please return the ornament, with your gift of life, hope and love and place it beneath the “Giving Tree” on or before Dec 6th, which will allow
distribution of gifts to the “Spirit of Christmas” and make Scrip available to Catholic Charities so that both may reach out to those in need in our name.

May God’s grace abound in your lives – Deacon Bob