Start out Advent by doing good, giving back
Giving Tuesday, or #GivingTuesday, held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is described as a global day of giving or a global generosity movement “unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world,” according to givingtuesday.org.
Giving Tuesday was initiated in 2012, by the 92nd Street Y in New York City, with the United Nations Foundation co-founding it.
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This year, Catholics celebrate 30 years of “Communities of Salt and Light,” and the U.S. bishops stress that “we cannot be called truly ‘Catholic’ unless we hear and heed the church’s call to serve those in need and work for justice and peace.” There are many ways you can participate in Giving Tuesday.
Brighter futures for boys
Catholic Charities is seeking donations to its Strong Futures program this Giving Tuesday. Strong Futures is a supportive, transitional living program for males ages 18-21 who are aging out of the child welfare system and/or are homeless. Strong Futures provides the support and training that each youth needs to develop self-sufficiency skills to make a successful transition to adulthood and permanent housing. To donate, visit our website (ccannj.org), click DONATE NOW, and write “Strong Futures” in the memo box.
Mercy House Toy Drive
The Mercy Houses in Elizabeth, Jersey City, and Newark are holding Toy drives for its annual Toy Giveaway planned for Dec.18-20. To arrange a drop-off, call or text Annette at 201-687-8139.
This year the Christmas toy list includes: newborn toys, Melissa and Doug Wooden Toys, Legos for Girls and Boys, Play-Doh Kits, Nerf Guns, white and ethnic Dolls (Barbie and larger dolls similar to “American Girl”) and white and ethnic baby dolls, sports items, magic kits, Beyblades, Magic Mixies, Puppy Corn Rescue, Pets Alive, Sticky Nails, toy cars (Matchbox), My Little Squishy Dumplings, hoodies, PJs or Nike and Adidas socks for teens, and gift cards to Amazon, Target, Walmart.
Ignite the joy of the Gospel
Give to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and help missionaries to ignite the joy of the Gospel in over 1,200 mission dioceses. The support also helps many communities torn by violence. The missionaries are crucial builders of peace and reconciliation and care for the physical as well as spiritual needs of those who suffer poverty and persecution. Whether supporting student priests and religious, educating children, or caring for the sick and oppressed, your gift will transform lives. Have a global impact and spread your love for the missions. Give to the Pope’s missions by clicking here.
Give the gift of healing
Donations can be made to Rachel’s Vineyard, a safe place to renew, rebuild, and redeem hearts broken by abortion. Weekend retreats offer a supportive, confidential, and non-judgmental environment where women and men can express, release, and reconcile painful post-abortive emotions to begin the process of restoration, renewal, and healing. Every year, thousands of women and men are offered hope and healing through retreats at Rachel’s Vineyard. To give to Rachel’s Vineyard click here.
Support the gift of life
Established in 1994, LIFENET is a non-profit educational organization that exists to attain equal rights for babies in the womb through education, advocacy, and networking. Their efforts include training speakers to make scientifically accurate presentations on abortion, cutting-edge bio-ethical issues, and sexual integrity and bringing multi-media presentations to public and private junior and senior high schools, youth groups, churches, and civic organizations. To donate click here. To get your baby feet car magnate click here.
Giving trees, food pantries, blood drives
Check with your parish ministries for ways to give back. Donate food to the church food pantry, adopt a family through a Giving Tree program, or sign up to give blood at a local blood drive. Social ministry should not be a separate component but rather “an integral part of the entire parish,” woven “into every aspect of parish life — worship, formation, and action,” said the bishops in the document.
