Holiday help

Parishes already at work to help families in need


A Christmas tree glistens with lights and ornaments, bringing an aura of love and hope during the Advent season and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Presents poke out from under the tree, and whether from Santa Claus or parents, the kids sneak out of bed early on Christmas morning, hoping to get a glimpse of what awaits, long before their parents arise for the day.

A tray that once held cookies only shows crumbs. A once-full glass of milk now only reveals residue, a sign for the children that Santa had indeed stopped at their house overnight.

Such a joyful scene … for some. Yet for families struggling to provide such presents, the Knights of Columbus at Saint Joseph Catholic Church and Our Lady of Lebanon (Marian Rite) in Norman engage in their annual toy drive aimed at helping all young children celebrate the holidays with gifts.

“This came up at one of the meetings,” said Knight Bill Martich with the Saint Joseph Knights of Columbus Council 12819, “and it was determined that we should have a toy drive, especially for the J.D. McCarty Center in Norman.”

That was nine years ago, prompting a call to their priest for help with the project. Information went into the church bulletin. And the project took off.

“It was very well received,” Martich said.

And it remains so.

Support pours in from the parishes for a community in need. The J.D. McCarty Center for children with disabilities was one beneficiary, along with the Catholic Charities Women's Shelter in Norman and parishioners in need of assistance.
 
The items collected, more than 3,000 to date, include clothing, games, toys, sports balls, remote-controlled cars and trucks and Bluetooth and digital devices.

Some make donations of items some are monetary, allowing families to buy items for their children.

In Ponca City at Saint Mary Catholic Church, the times between Thanksgiving and Advent to Christmas is a time for caring about the community. The parish doesn’t have a food pantry available to the public, but does provide community support to those who are greatly in need.

The support extends to help with gas to travel to a job interview, rent assistance or funds to help pay for utilities. Saint Mary works with New Emergency Resources Agency (NERA), which offers a food pantry and a grocery store for those in need, especially the homeless.

At Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Newkirk, Desiree Wathor is the parish office manager and the voice of the church for those who need immediate help. Saint Mary’s holiday program is done through the Blessed Stanley Rother organization.

“They provide groceries, which includes a ham and all the fixings for Thanksgiving,” Wathor said.

At Christmas, the parish provides a Trees of Love event at the back of the church, offering families food and children’s gifts.

Everett Brazil, III is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.

The Knights of Columbus at St. Joseph Catholic Church and Our Lady of Lebanon (Marian Rite) in Norman host an annual toy drive. Photos provided.