Screenshot of Catholic Charities Hawaii’s wish list for its clients
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“The reason we have gifts is so that we can be gifts for others.” (Pope Francis, World Day of the Poor message, November 2020
Gift-giving is a longstanding tradition during the holidays, often portrayed through big red bows, shiny wrapped boxes and the latest and greatest electronic gadgets. But Christmas means much more than that. Gift-giving reminds us of the true reason for the season — God’s greatest gift revealed in a vulnerable family sheltered in a stable with their newborn Christ child.
In his World Day of the Poor message, Pope Francis calls us to ask: “What can I give to others” in order to be like Jesus? Perhaps this year, we can respond by giving more of ourselves — spending more time talking story with others, listening, empathizing, offering acts of service and aloha. Bishop Larry Silva last week echoed this same Gospel sentiment at our diocesan Christmas season staff Mass, reminding all that God has given us our gifts and talents to become servants in our witness to Jesus, our Savior born in a manger.
All across the diocese, ordinary persons are sharing their God-given gifts and talents in service with others in need. This Christmas, for example, Big Island parishioners are supporting HOPE Services Hawaii, the diocese-affiliated non-profit organization, which is bringing community groups together to collect and distribute food, toys and even COVID-19 face masks for vulnerable persons and families. For keiki experiencing homelessness, HOPE receives and distributes donations of toys from local businesses and community groups, all gift-wrapped by the youth ministry of Sacred Heart Parish in Pahoa.
Those living in HOPE Services’ Big Island shelters will receive a Christmas day meal thanks to parishes across the island. Sacred Heart, Pahoa, parishioners will prepare more than a dozen meals for the HOPE Sacred Heart Shelter in Pahoa. Malia Puka O Kalani Parish in Keaukaha will make 100 meals for all of HOPE’s Hilo shelters, while St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Kailua-Kona will be offering 60 Christmas day meals to residents in two emergency shelter programs and a permanent supportive housing program in West Hawaii.
On the Kohala coast, Sacred Heart Parish in Hawi is partnering with other faith-based communities for an ecumenical service that will collect non-perishable food for the Sacred Heart Church food pantry and unwrapped toys for the nonprofit Toys for Tots. The churches will prepare 600 plates of food to be served “drive-thru” style for Christmas. Donations are still being accepted.
Meanwhile, on Molokai, St. Damien Parish is collaborating with the Maui Food Bank and its Mililani, Oahu, sister-parish, St. John Apostle and Evangelist, to organize a drive-thru St. Damien holiday giving event on Dec. 21. Volunteer parishioners, including youth and young adults, will provide Christmas turkey and fixings for at least 75 vulnerable families from across the island, providing the larger families with additional gift certificates for more groceries.
Catholic Charities Hawaii is providing an opportunity on all the islands to give gifts to others in need through an online shopping experience. Donations can be made via the Amazon Wish list to share some holiday cheer with a family or kupuna facing hardship this Christmas. Go to the Catholic Charities Hawaii holiday registry at Amazon.com by visiting this link: amazon.com/registries/custom/1U8YWA8L6DI3W/guest-view. The gifts you buy will be sent to Catholic Charities Hawaii and distributed to families, youth and kupuna in need.
For more gift-giving ideas and how to experience the revelation of God in the vulnerable Christ child this holiday season, please visit the Office for Social Ministry website — officeforsocialministry.org. Let’s share the reason for the season, witnessing to Jesus by being gifts to others!
Mahalo and Mele Kalikimaka!
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
