Across the nation, laity of all ages, religious sisters and clergy provided spiritual and corporal works of mercy to bring the joy of Christmas to the less fortunate. Below is a look at three apostolates, ranging from life-changing street evangelization to a festive feast for the homeless and delivering handpicked gifts for families directly to their doors.

 

New York

The Sisters of Life live a perpetual advent of preparing and waiting for Christ, as they protect human life by inviting pregnant women in need to live with them during their pregnancies and for a time after their children are born.

“Our hearts are always open and ready to receive the gift of new life, to receive the coming of the Lord into our souls,” Sister of Life Bethany Madonna said by phone from the order’s motherhouse in Suffern, N.Y. “He can always be born anew.”

That’s also the message they share in the street evangelization they do a few days before Christmas at their convent in Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan. The sisters set up a Nativity scene outdoors beside which they stand and sing Christmas carols. Nearby is a table with a mountain of cookies, hot cider and cocoa. Inside the convent, priests are ready to hear confessions.

“We put up a sign that says, ‘Catholics come home for Christmas. Confessions available,’” Sister Bethany Madonna said. “We pass out Divine Mercy holy cards, and we basically say: ‘Jesus came for you; he wants to have a relationship with you and show you his mercy. Christmas is a wonderful time to start anew — to start fresh. What could this year be for me if I invite Jesus in?’”

A few years ago, a woman the sisters call “Casey” stopped by and was deeply touched by one sister’s explanation that the Nativity scene’s manger would be empty until Christmas as a reminder that Jesus wants to be born in our hearts. “Two weeks later, the doorbell rang, and it was Casey,” Sister Bethany Madonna recalled. “She said, ‘A couple weeks ago, I was talking to a sister who gave me her rosary. Will you tell her that night I left my job at the strip club and gave my life to Baby Jesus?’”

“Jesus is the light bursting through the darkness to bring the truth, to untangle the knots of our struggles and heal our wounds. He wants our freedom and wants us to live in his light,” said Sister Bethany Madonna. “He brings life and joy and new beginnings.”

Single parent Evelyn Gbongli, 38, an immigrant from West Africa, lived with the sisters in 2013. Her now 2-year-old son Michael Emmanuel was born two months before Christmas. Gbongli remembers her time at the convent and the Advent caroling and street evangelization with fondness.

“It was the most beautiful time in my entire life,” the Brooklyn resident told the Register. “With the sisters, I saw the beauty of Christmas.”

        

Denver

The Father Woody Christmas Party for the homeless and needy is an annual tradition in Denver, dating back to the 1980s, and serves 4,000 men, women and children a delicious feast in a beautiful hotel ballroom, complete with carolers, personalized gifts and visits with Santa. Most important, it’s given in a spirit of joy. 

An army of volunteers, including college students, seminarians, priests and families, wait on the guests, who line up outside hours early to enjoy the party that occurs the week of Christmas.

“I love being a greeter and telling people, ‘If you don’t have a smile, I have an extra one for you!’” said volunteer Lovey Shipp, 88, who has participated in the event since 1986, when she began working for Msgr. C.B. “Father Woody” Woodrich, who started the festive event when he was pastor of Holy Ghost Church in downtown Denver. He died in 1991, but his love for the poor and service to them continues through the shelter and the events he founded.

Today, the Father Woody Christmas Party is co-sponsored by Holy Ghost Church, the Archdiocese of Denver, Regis University, The Daniels Fund, the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel and many others.

“There is a tremendous dignity about the whole thing,” said Father Chris Uhl, pastor of Holy Ghost. “It is very focused on showing the dignity and worth of people.”

Regis University alum Evan Jinks, 28, has volunteered the past nine years. “It’s the best,” he said. “At the Christmas party, you ask the children how old they are and get their names. In a lot of situations, this will be their only Christmas; when you give them their gifts, their faces just light up — it’s heartwarming and tear-jerking.”          

 

Los Angeles

This year was the 25th that the Adopt-a-Family program of Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in Los Angeles provided a tailor-made Christmas for nearly 500 underprivileged families in the downtown Skid Row area. The volunteer-run program is led by Lydia Gamboa, who said the apostolate’s mission is to provide a “magical Christmas.”

“We interview each family we adopt,” she said, explaining volunteers go door-to-door through the neighborhood. “We find out who lives in the household and get everyone’s sizes (for clothing), and we include a wish-list item for every child and adult living in the house.”

Explaining what’s unique about the program, Gamboa said, “We find (the families), and we take the gifts to them.”

Typical in the “basket” of gifts is an outfit for every child, from underwear to shoes, toys and household goods, ranging from blankets to a microwave.

Jose Cortez, 37, a former recipient of the ministry, recalled in a video what the gifts meant to him growing up. “Those are some of the most vivid memories of my life,” he said, “waking up to … this joy.”

Roxanne King

writes from Denver.