1. Take ornaments from the Advent Giving Tree (St. Nicholas, North Alcove) 
2. Donations & gift cards: 

• Drop in collection basket by Dec. 14th.
• Use envelope provided. 
• Do not leave under the tree, please. 
• Mark dollar amount on gift cards. 

3. Leave requested items under the tree (St. Nicholas Church, North Alcove). 

• Deadline: no later than Sunday, December 14 at 1:30pm. 
• Attach the paper ornament (or label items) to ensure gifts reach the right home.
• Do NOT gift-wrap, please.  

More ways to help:

• To sort gifts and load cars (Sunday, December 14, 1:30pm) 
• To help deliver gifts (Monday, December 15)

Contacts:  Margaret [email protected] or Jean [email protected]

Full list of Organizations  English / Spanish 

Evanston is working hard to address the food challenges in the neighborhood. Below is a list of food pantries with days and times for those who need it in the area. Food Assistance Resources in Evanston
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If you would like to help your community, the St. Vincent de Paul Paul Society  has a list of needed items listed on our website. 

The bishops issued a Special Message addressing their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States. It marked the first time in twelve years the USCCB invoked this particularly urgent way of speaking as a body of bishops. Watch their Special Pastoral Message on Immigration on Vimeo

BALTIMORE – As the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) gathered for their Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore, the bishops issued a Special Message addressing their concern for the evolving situation impacting immigrants in the United States. It marked the first time in twelve years the USCCB invoked this particularly urgent way of speaking as a body of bishops. The last one issued in 2013 was in response to the federal government’s contraceptive mandate.

Under the regulations pertaining to statements and publications of the Conference, a “Special Message” may only be issued at plenary assemblies, and they are statements which the President of the Conference, the Administrative Committee, or the general membership consider to be appropriate in view of the circumstances at the time. To show the consensus of the body, a Special Message must receive two-thirds of the Conference members present and voting at the plenary in order to pass. In a vote of 216 votes in favor, 5 votes against, and 3 abstentions, the bishops overwhelmingly approved the Special Message, with sustained applause of the body following the vote.

The full text of the bishops’ Special Pastoral Message follows:

As pastors, we the bishops of the United States are bound to our people by ties of communion and compassion in Our Lord Jesus Christ. We are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement. We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants. We are concerned about the conditions in detention centers and the lack of access to pastoral care. We lament that some immigrants in the United States have arbitrarily lost their legal status. We are troubled by threats against the sanctity of houses of worship and the special nature of hospitals and schools. We are grieved when we meet parents who fear being detained when taking their children to school and when we try to console family members who have already been separated from their loved ones. 

Despite obstacles and prejudices, generations of immigrants have made enormous contributions to the well-being of our nation. We as Catholic bishops love our country and pray for its peace and prosperity. For this very reason, we feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defense of God-given human dignity.
Catholic teaching exhorts nations to recognize the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants. We bishops advocate for a meaningful reform of our nation’s immigration laws and procedures. Human dignity and national security are not in conflict. Both are possible if people of good will work together.

We recognize that nations have a responsibility to regulate their borders and establish a just and orderly immigration system for the sake of the common good. Without such processes, immigrants face the risk of trafficking and other forms of exploitation. Safe and legal pathways serve as an antidote to such risks.
The Church’s teaching rests on the foundational concern for the human person, as created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). As pastors, we look to Sacred Scripture and the example of the Lord Himself, where we find the wisdom of God’s compassion. The priority of the Lord, as the Prophets remind us, is for those who are most vulnerable: the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the stranger (Zechariah 7:10). In the Lord Jesus, we see the One who became poor for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9), we see the Good Samaritan who lifts us from the dust (Luke 10:30–37), and we see the One who is found in the least of these (Matthew 25). The Church’s concern for neighbor and our concern here for immigrants is a response to the Lord’s command to love as He has loved us (John 13:34).

To our immigrant brothers and sisters, we stand with you in your suffering, since, when one member suffers, all suffer (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:26). You are not alone!

We note with gratitude that so many of our clergy, consecrated religious, and lay faithful already accompany and assist immigrants in meeting their basic human needs. We urge all people of good will to continue and expand such efforts. 

We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people. We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement. We pray that the Lord may guide the leaders of our nation, and we are grateful for past and present opportunities to dialogue with public and elected officials. In this dialogue, we will continue to advocate for meaningful immigration reform. 

As disciples of the Lord, we remain men and women of hope, and hope does not disappoint! (cf. Romans 5:5)

May the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe enfold us all in her maternal and loving care and draw us ever closer to the heart of Christ.

Join Evanston neighbors for Interfaith Action of Evanston’s 27th Annual Thanksgiving Eve service at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2515 Central Park Ave., Evanston. This tradition gathers members from 40 faith communities for a service of gratitude and reflection.

All are welcome to join an interfaith choir rehearsal at 5:30 p.m. under Andrew Major's direction. Several faith leaders will give blessings and, Robin Rue Simmons, founder and executive director of FirstRepair, is the guest speaker.

​The Thanksgiving Eve service is open to all and can be viewed on Northminster Presbyterian’s YouTube channel.
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Dear Neighbors,

​When it rains, it pours. Recent ICE activity has terrorized our community, tragically separating some families, while others have lost income, either because they aren’t able to safely go to work or because of the effect this situation has had on businesses. This is on top of the ongoing harm caused by the government shutdown.

On Saturday, things may change dramatically for the worse as SNAP benefits (federal food aid) are on track to be cut off. The impact on our community will be severe.

That’s why I’m so deeply appreciative of a remarkable group of community activists who have come together to organize an emergency food and mutual aid drive this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the ETHS Fieldhouse Parking Lot. I’m going to join them, and I hope you will, too.

Here is a list of the needed items that will be accepted – please bring what you can. View a flyer for the event as well as a map that describes the flow of traffic you should follow. Please feel free to share far and wide.
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In the face of these horrifying attacks, it’s been deeply inspiring to see community members stand up to support and protect one another. Let’s keep it up and continue doing all we can to keep our neighbors safe.

​In Solidarity,
Daniel Biss
Mayor, City of Evanston
[email protected]

Estimada comunidad de CSPL:​
El Día de Todos los Santos, el sábado 1 de noviembre, a las 10:00 a. m., los invitamos a reunirse con nosotros para una segunda Misa Popular, esta vez en el Centro de Detención de Broadview, que sigue siendo una base central de las operaciones imprudentes de ICE/DHS, y un lugar donde nuestros hermanos inmigrantes enfrentan condiciones inhumanas, la separación de sus familias y la inminente deportación. Intentaremos nuevamente llevar la comunión a nuestros seres queridos que se encuentran detenidos. Todos los presentes estarán invitados a recibir la comunión y las bendiciones.
En el Día de Todos los Santos, afirmamos que en Cristo no hay separación: los profetas de la justicia interceden desde el cielo, los asesinados por ICE como Silverio claman por misericordia, los detenidos sufren en su interior y el pueblo de Dios permanece unido afuera en testimonio profético.
Una Misa Popular, o misa popular, es una celebración eucarística que centra las voces de los marginados y proclama la presencia de Dios que mora en todos los que luchan. A lo largo de la historia, las misas al aire libre se han celebrado como un acto sagrado y poderoso de solidaridad y resistencia en momentos de severa opresión. Esta misa continuará esta tradición, arraigada en el llamado de nuestra fe a actuar con valentía y no violencia ante la injusticia.
Fecha: Sábado, 1 de noviembre de 2025
Hora: 10 AM
Lugar de encuentro: Centro de Detención en Broadview, 1930 Beach St, Broadview, IL 60155
*El lugar de reunión exacto se anunciará pronto.
Invitamos a todo el clero, religiosos y laicos a unirse en oración, canto y resistencia. No es necesario ser católico bautizado para unirse a esta liturgia.
Al compartir el Cuerpo de Cristo, proclamaremos nuestro llamado a desmantelar los sistemas que dañan profundamente a nuestras comunidades y proclamaremos que Cristo está presente en Broadview.
¡Acompáñenos e invite a sus amigos, familiares, vecinos y compañeros de trabajo!