Gift Sunday 2019 - Second Sunday of Advent

Bring your gifts to church this weekend, December 7th and 8th. 

The gifts will be distributed to:
St. Pius X families in need, St. Vincent de Paul, Casa Maria Hospitality House, Hope Network, and La Causa Crisis Nursery & Prevention Program
 
Gift Sunday is a long-standing (40+ years) tradition at St. Pius X. It offers the opportunity to give traditional gifts for individuals as well as to give "alternative gifts or items"*. Both help meet needs as expressed by the above programs. The organizations are all contacted and the list is updated annually (there were significant changes this year). The following Gift Guide provides suggestions for ideas of items most needed, including gift cards. The needs are as great as ever and they appreciate your generosity.
 
PLEASE WRAP AND LABEL THE PACKAGE WITH THE ITEM/SIZE AND AGE GROUP (i.e. boy/girl basketball 10 yrs. +, 4T boy blue shirt and pants, woman’s Med black gloves, Teen-loop earrings)

NOTE: Gift cards may be purchased in the back of church through St. Pius’ Scrip program, placed in an envelope and labeled - see suggestions below. There will be a box for gift cards in front of the alter.
 
ALL AGE GROUPS: Mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, age appropriate clothing, back packs, gym bags
INFANTS – TODDLERS (Birth – 3): Warm sleepers, crib items, pull toys, sturdy age-appropriate books and infant toys
PRE-SCHOOLERS (3-5 years): Fischer Price, Playschool and creative play toys, puzzles, trucks and cars, brown and white dolls, books and beginner games, riding toys
CHILDREN (6-12 years): Jump ropes, sports equipment, games, and art supplies, books, Legos, educational and popular, but non-violent toys.  Used bikes, ready to ride, in good condition have always found a home!
TEENS (13-18 years): Items REALLY NEEDED for this age! Certificates for movies, headsets, teen games, basketballs, makeup, perfume and personal care items, jewelry and gift cards (please mark “teen”)
ADULTS: Warm nightwear, slippers, robes, cosmetics and personal items, jewelry, household items such as clocks and radios (to get up on time for work etc.)  Items really needed for men.
ELDERLY:  Gift cards to food stores (please mark “for elderly”)
 
*SPECIAL NEED ITEMS
Label with name of agency – please do not wrap
 
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – Crossroads Meal Program – Healing Shower: soaps and other bathing toiletries including hotel size (unopened)

CASA MARIA: canned goods, infant and toddler new or like new clothing, new adult women larger sized under garments and clothing, like new winter jackets & coats all sizes, like new or new double bed blankets & bed sheets, towels, hair gel and other products for African American women, travel toiletries from hotels  

HOPE NETWORK:  Gift cards to Wal-Mart, Target, Meijer, Kohl’s (please mark “for Hope Network”), layette items, diapers & *wipes (really need), bottles, pampers, baby blankets, baby toiletries, hooded/towels, fleece blankets and infant books, new and used children’s books

LA CAUSA CRISIS NUSERY AND PREVENTION PROGRAM, (birth to 12): baby bottles, Sippy cups, diapers (lg & extra lg) and pull ups, new underwear, pajamas and socks, pants and tops, combs & brushes, shoes, baby powder, toothpaste, toothbrushes, sweat suits, sweat pants, pajamas for larger children equal to small adult sizes, hand held games, craft supplies, pencils and paper, coloring books, batteries, laundry detergent, school supplies  ****new or like new children’s hats and coats ****
 
Questions? Call Pat Bruce (C) 534-5554 (H) 771-8926 or Bernie Bates 453-4071

Please note: All gifts are distributed after the 10:30 Mass on December 8th. If you are unable to attend that weekend please drop off your donation to the office or call Pat or Bernie prior to December 8th.
 
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Who are the organizations that receive the gifts from St Pius? (New information is bolded.)
 
St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) – Several small chapters of St. Vincent de Paul who struggle to find ways to meet the needs of people in their areas will receive items for families with whom they are working. SVdP really needs items for teens and men.
The SVdP Crossroads Meal Program began offering showers to assist with street ministry. Toiletries cannot be shared.
 
Hope Network is a grass roots support system that has helped families headed by single mothers in Greater Milwaukee since 1982. No agency does what we do; including providing a free newspaper, free cribs and scholarships for post-secondary education. HOPE seeks to include the child and empower the mother: 262-251-7333.
 
La Causa Crisis Nursery & Prevention Program - La Causa's Crisis Nursery and Respite Center is a 12-bed facility for sheltering children ages newborn to 12 years in times of family emergency/crisis or when a highly-stressed parent needs respite care, a "time out" to prevent the possibility of child abuse and/or neglect.  The bilingual staff provides a safe, nurturing and homelike environment for the children until the family situation is stabilized.  Meanwhile, crisis management, support, information and referrals are provided to the parents.  They are southeastern Wisconsin's only 24-hour Crisis Nursery, open 365 days a year. To access their services call 414-647-5990. LaCausa is located at 522 W. Walker, Milwaukee, (04)
 
Casa Maria Hospitality House – is a Catholic Worker House, which provides emergency shelter to families and single women. Casa Maria is completely volunteer run, receives no government funding and is supported by individual contributions and a few churches. Casa Maria is also involved in justice and peace issues such as anti-war and pro-union issues. Casa Maria began in 1966. For the last few years Casa Maria has supplied us with a list of the ages, genders and sizes of those who most likely will be with them on Christmas. We select a donated gift per person. They thank you very much.

You are always welcome to stay after the 10:30 AM Mass to help sort the gifts.
 
Thank you for your generosity!

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