GIVING SUNDAY : PUTTING THE REAL REASON FOR THE SEASON AT THE HEART OF OUR HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES...........

With 'Black Friday', grabbing the majority of the ThanksGiving weekend attention during the past week plus; and a concerted second year effort to make 'Small Business Saturday', today';s focus for Christmas shoppers; and 'Cyber Monday', tomorrow, this fourth day of our American ThanksGiving weekend, and the 1st Sunday of Advent, is beginning to be referred to by some, as 'Giving Sunday'.  remembering the custom of making, and buying gifts at Christmas is anchored in the greatest gift ever in human history, Jesus The Christ, God's Co-Eternal Son, and our Redeemer.  'Giving Sunday', is our sincere Catholic-Christian discipleship opportrunity, to do what Jesus does, remembering and reaching out to others, especially those who need outreach most at Christmas.  The St. Vincent De Paul ministry at OLOL Parish is hard at work organizing their Christmas Giveaway, to poor and needy children and families in our three parish zip codes.  Like in many Christian communities during Advent, they have an adopt a family project, by which parishioners can support the Christmas Giveaway.  Giving Trees are a common presence in churches during Advent, with tags as decorations containing the names and wished for gifts, of those who might otherwise go without at Christmas.  'Giving Sunday', is a concrete sign to all pof us, to remember and do something extra for those families in our communities facing a meager, economic hardship, holiday season.  'Giving Sunday', and showing concern for the last fortunate, Keeps Christ Who Is The Reason For Christmas At The Center Of Our Celebrations,   Fr.  Troy