The Season of Giving
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we celebrate God’s greatest gift to humanity. Christmas marks God’s giving of Himself. The Gospel of John says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (Jn 1:14). God gave of Himself so that what sin destroyed might now be restored by grace.
The Christmas season is about gifts. I don’t mean the buying frenzy that started on Black Friday and continued through Christmas Eve, but rather the desire of the heart to share something that will bring joy to a loved one. We show our love by giving a gift. The Magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to honor the newborn King. The time they gave to travel so far, as well as the valuable treasures they placed before the Christ Child reflected God’s desire to gift humanity with His own divine life.
We too should imitate God’s actions by giving the best gift we have to give, namely, oneself. There is no gift that anyone can give that is greater than the gift of one’s time and presence. To spend time with someone is of extreme value. Each of us is unique and when we share ourselves with others, we give them a unique gift.
As 2022 approaches, I challenge each you to share your time and talent with others. Spouses, make sure to make quality time for one another; parents spend more time with your children, grandparents with your grandchildren and friends with one another.
As you think ahead of your participation at Ascension in the upcoming year, I invite you to consider volunteering in one or more of our many ministries or outreach initiatives. YOU are the best gift you can give. Irrespective if you are young and fit or aging with limited stamina, you can be a gift. Whether it be ushering at Mass, showing hospitality as a Greeter, serving food at a funeral luncheon, bringing Holy Communion to the sick or homebound or forming our youth as a Catechist, your gift of time will bear fruit.
All registered households should have recently received a 2022 Stewardship Commitment Packet in which you will make a financial pledge of what you wish to tithe in the upcoming year, but also how you might share your time and talent with others.
Feel free to call the parish office or any of the ministry leaders to learn more about a specific ministry or outreach initiative. The Church of the Ascension is a vibrant Catholic parish that provides many opportunities to share the gifts of your time and talent. Volunteers can commit to as few or as many hours as they like. Please consider sharing the greatest gift you can share… the gift of YOU.
Merry Christmas and may God abundantly bless you in the year ahead.
Sincerely yours in Christ Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life,
