Giving Trees at St. John XXIII Parish

St. John XXIII Parish has a longstanding history of Advent generosity through our Giving Tree Ministries on both the St. Mary and St. Nicholas campuses.

December 1 - 17, 2023: Giving Tree at St. Nicholas
Grab a tag off of our Advent giving tree in north alcove of St. Nicholas Church starting December 1! Tags on this tree have recommendations from one of a number of community outreach groups for presents or gift cards. Want to participate? Here's how:

1. Take ornaments from the St. Nicholas Advent Giving Tree in the North Alcove starting December 2. You can also view the complete list of needs from all the organizations here in English or aquí en español.
2. To return cash donations and gift cards, drop them in the collection baskets during Mass at St. Mary or St. Nicholas.​​​
   - ​Deadline: December 17 to drop in the collection basket. Use the envelope provided. 
   - Do not leave cash and gift card donations under the tree
   - Mark the dollar value on gift cards
3. Leave requested physical items under the tree in the north alcove at St. Nicholas Church.
   - ​Deadline: No later than Sunday, December 17 at noon
   - Attach the paper ornament you took from the tree (or label items with the name of the requesting organization) to ensure gifts reach the right hom
   - Do NOT wrap gifts

At the end of the giving tree donation period, we will also need help sorting the gifts and delivering them to their respective locations. If you are interested in helping with sorting (after 12 p.m. on December 17) or delivering (on Sunday, Dec. 17 and Monday, Dec. 18), please contact Margaret at [email protected] or Judy at [email protected].

But where will all these gifts be going? We're so glad you asked!
Tags on the Advent giving tree have gift requests from a wide variety of organizations with a wide variety of missions. Some work with migrants, like Bethany House and Center Romero. Others point their efforts towards helping people who are homeless or housing or food insecure, like Harbour House and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Still others focus on helping people who are experiencing or have experienced trauma, like the Kovler Center, Lydia Home Evanston, and the Kolbe House Jail Ministry. Some help our neighbors close to home, like the Childcare Network of Evanston and the Howard and Evanston Community Center, while others work with our neighbors across the country, like Family Promise, or across the globe, like the Gaskov Clerge Foundation. 

All the organizations are dedicated to doing good for the people they serve. All, whether Catholic or not, work in close alignment with the values professed in Catholic Social Teaching. 

Click here (o aquí para el español) to view a comprehensive list of the organizations and a brief description about each.

November 11 - 26, 2023: Giving Tree at St. Mary
Thank you so much to all those who donated through the giving tree in the Gathering Space at St. Mary Church. This giving tree benefitted the Women’s Center on Cicero Avenue, a northside crisis pregnancy center. At the Center’s annual Christmas party this December, Mr. and Mrs. Klaus themselves will deliver the presents to babies and families who have chosen life. 

Every year, thousands of women facing a crisis pregnancy come to The Women’s Centers of Greater Chicagoland. A large portion of them are actively seeking abortion and others are vulnerable to abortion. Many feel scared and alone, without hope or support. At the Women's Center, professional and compassionate client advocates connect with each client, allowing her to share her story and express her feelings... The client advocates access the problems that led her to a crisis situation. Once they review all options and consequences, they identify resources that will help eliminate barriers that stand in the way of choosing life. Together, they develop a plan of action to implement that life-affirming decision. (Adapted from gotwc.org/about-us)

Though our parish giving tree solely benefitting the Women's Center is winding down this week, tags for the Women's Center are still available on the Advent giving tree on the St. Nicholas Campus! Or, you can donate online year-round at The Women's Centers for Greater Chicagoland.