The Christmas Giving Tree at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church is ready for donations of credit cards to help local families or senior citizens enjoy Christmas. But the Giving Tree, unadorned and near the side altar within the sanctuary of the Church, has its owns story to tell.
Rather than wrapped toys or gifts, the volunteers in the St. Vincent de Paul Society are requesting credit cards be placed in the container near the undecorated Giving Tree between today and Dec. 17 after the 9:30 Mass. The Society is asking for store gift cards in the amounts of $10, $25 or $50, or any combination of those amounts good at Kohls, Targets, Old Navy, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar or any other local store which is convenient to both the donor and recipient.
Cards can be left in the decorated boxes by the tree on the altar rail by December 17. Last-minute donations can also be brought to the Food Pantry on Monday, December 18 between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Why an undecorated tree and why gift cards rather than wrapped gifts which has been traditional at the Route 36 Catholic Church? And why a tree in the first place?
In the past, a festively decorated tree was placed in the front entry foyer to the church. However, a St. Vincent de Paul Society member happened to spot a woman taking some of the gifts. When the volunteer approached her and asked why she was taking gifts, the woman explained she belonged to another group that was also collecting gifts and she had nothing to give them. The woman felt it would not be harmful to take gifts from the charity exhibited at OLPH to give to her other charity.
The volunteer, touched by the embarrassed and sorrowful woman, explained the better idea would be to contact the St. Vincent de Paul Society who would certainly help her out. Penitent but happy for the response of the Society’s volunteer, she thanked her, returned the gifts and made her own requests for assistance to the volunteer. The Society members then felt that rather than offer temptation to someone in need, they would keep the tree within the church. And what place than in the sanctuary.
However, since the tree is within the sanctuary of the church, and the church views Advent as a time of preparation rather than an accent on decorative festivity, glitter and color before Christmas, the tree remains undecorated.
Still the tree itself has special meaning, the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Agnes Parish explained. Look at the history of why a tree is symbolic of Christmas in the first place, he suggested.
Tradition dictates it originated in Germany some 1500 years ago when St. Boniface, a missionary, encountered pagans preparing to sacrifice an oak tree to a false god. But when they took an ax to the tree and it did not fall down to honor the false god, St. Boniface pointed out that a nearby evergreen should be considered a “holy tree.”’
Fr. Quin pointed out that the evergreen, unlike the oak, could be considered the “holy tree” because it remains green, healthy, thriving and beautiful in all seasons regardless of harsh weather or torrid sun. That is the reminder of God’s blessings are always with those who seek the true God, have faith, and know that God will protect them forever. God sending His Son to be born of Mary as the Savior of the world is the true meaning of Christmas.
Whether it is tradition, a desire not to offer temptation, or the fact evergreens never lose their beauty, the Giving Tree at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church welcomes gift cards so the St. Vincent de Paul Society can continue its efforts to help all in need.
Adults of families registered with the Society will be contacted as to when they can pick up their family’s gift cards. For those in the Highlands or Sea Bright area who also in need, but not registered, they can contact the St. Vincent dePaul Society at 732-291-0272, ext. 120.
