Jubilee Christmas: Sharing the Joy of the Season and Lifting Spirits of those in Need

Christmas is just around the corner! As we prepare our hearts and our homes for the birth of Christ, we must also look to our neighbors in need. Our Lady of Hope is blessed to be part of a community-wide program called Jubilee Christmas that brings joy to those in need, lifting their spirits and honoring their dignity.

“The Outreach Committee saw a huge need in our community for this ministry,” Teresa Joyce says. “So they went around to all the area churches and asked if they’d be interested in assisting in this event and everybody jumped on board.”

Teresa coordinates our parish’s role in Jubilee Christmas. We are one of many area churches that participate, allowing us to make a greater impact on the community. Our job at Our Lady of Hope will be to purchase gifts in three price ranges for children of different ages. You will find ornaments on the Christmas tree at church that provide an age, whether the recipient is a boy or girl, and a price range or with a dollar amount to fund the purchase of gift cards. All of the gifts we purchase will go to a large event center for organization and display.

During their scheduled time slot, parents who have been invited can come and choose one gift from each price range for each of their children. Parents will be able to wrap the gifts themselves. Children up to age 11 will receive physical gifts, whereas teens ages 12-15 will receive gift cards so that they can purchase both a gift and something necessary for themselves.

Buying gifts and donating money is not the only way to help with Jubilee Christmas. We also need lots of volunteers to pray, bake cookies, decorate or assemble gift bags. Volunteers at the event center serve as ambassadors to help the parents shop and they dress in colorful Christmas clothes and perhaps some twinkle lights or reindeer antlers — anything to share the festive mood!

“You don’t have to purchase anything,” Teresa says. “You can just volunteer and your heart is filled with joy.”

Our parish usually provides gifts for about 60-70 children. With all of the gifts and blessings that we have in our lives, giving back to the community at Christmastime is a beautiful way to share those blessings.

“It’s not just about giving money,” Teresa says. “Some people have fallen on hard times.”

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, but as we have done for the past 12 years, our parish will take the time to care for those around us.

“It’s heartwarming and it’s uplifting,” Teresa says. “And it’s a need for our community.”

Everyone can help by taking an ornament from the tree and buying gifts for Jubilee Christmas. If you would like to volunteer in other ways, please contact Teresa Joyce at tjoyce@evdio.org or by calling the parish office at 812-254-2883.

Our Lady of Hope is blessed to be part of a community-wide program called Jubilee Christmas that brings joy to those in need, lifting their spirits and honoring their dignity.

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, but as we have done for the past 12 years, our parish will take the time to care for those around us.