A Season of Service and Reflection (2026)
November through December can be a busy time of year with many activities and family gatherings. We would like to invite you to consider spending some of that time offering acts of service or spending time in reflection. We’ve tried to gather in one place opportunities for you to consider.
Service:
Adopt a Family: Provide gifts for a family in need. We have twenty families that we hope to help this year. You are invited to sign-up to “adopt” a person by purchasing and wrapping gifts. The suggested spending guideline is around $50- $75 for each individual “adopted”. Wish lists will hopefully be available before Thanksgiving for delivery to St. Johns by Monday, December 7.
Jeremiah Program Winter Wishes: We will also be “adopting” several families who are with the Jeremiah Program “Winter Wishes”. Wish lists, which will contain a short description of the item and link to where you can purchase it online will be available early November. Sponsors will receive a gift list totaling approximately $125 per individual child, and up to $175 for a JP Mom. Gift drop off, to Jeremiah Program, is the first week of December: Monday 7th – Friday 11th. Keep this in mind when you’re ordering your gifts – the sooner the better relative to supply chain issues and delays
Donation Collection for Dorothy Day: During November, we are receiving donations for the Dorothy Day House. Please reference the bin in the Gathering space for accepted items.
Catholic Charities Giving Tree: Check the Gathering space for the tree and take an ornament that has instructions on what to give.
Volunteer at Channel One (Tuesday, December 1st)
Christmas Anonymous (volunteers needed before and on the store day)
Operation One More
Reflection:
Pick up a copy of The Word Among Us from the parish center
Pick up an Advent reflection book (available at the parish)