Alternative Christmas Gift Giving

The AGGO offers all parishioners an opportunity to give to those who are less fortunate. This is a chance to welcome Christmas with less emphasis on material gift giving and respond to the needs of those around us. Realizing that one of the greatest gift we can give is to help improve the quality of another’s life. Representatives from our church will be present in the main vestibule of the church at the AGGO after all Masses. Parishioners will be invited to make a donation to the cause of their choice, and in turn will be given a certificate to present to the people in your life whom you wish to honor through this gift giving. This is a chance to honor family and friends through your generosity towards others in need of assistance.  Participating agencies will include:  SHIP (Samaritan Homeless Interim Program); Habitat for Humanity; Appalachia Relief Services; Pregnancy Aid Center of Raritan; Immaculate Conception Elizabeth Ministry; Interfaith Hospitability Network; and the Immaculate Conception Social Ministry Emergency Relief Fund.

The Gift Giving Opportunity comes at such a perfect time of year. Not only because most of us feel generous and desire to help those in need, but also it is a time when we are searching for gift ideas. Sometimes we need a little something to add to a gift, sometimes we need stocking stuffers, sometimes we want to give a gift to someone, but we know that person needs absolutely nothing. The Gift Giving Opportunity can meet all these needs! It is just the perfect gift to give anyone. There are also so many options of charities and amounts to give. Some testimonials include: “I love giving a gift to the Appalachian Relief Services to my Father. He was a builder by trade, and I think it brings back fond memories, in addition, he knows that a donation is going to help others in need, which is something he did all his life.”  “I love giving this gift in my children's stockings. They always open their stockings first and this just reminds them what the real spirit of Christmas is, giving.” “Personally, I view The Gift Giving Opportunity is a wonderful convenience to me as it completes my Christmas shopping. It's a place where you can find a gift for everyone on your list!”
Participating in our Alternative Gift Giving Opportunity is a great way to make a difference this holiday season. At the fair, learn about the many local, organizations making a difference in our community and world.
"Maybe Christmas*," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more!"
- from How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Each Christmas season, Immaculate Conception offers parishioners an opportunity to give to those who cannot repay and, have some enjoyment doing so! An “Alternative Gift-Giving Opportunity” is held the first weekend of December, in the Entrance of the Church. This is a chance to welcome Christmas with less emphasis on material gift giving, and to respond to the needs of those around us. Representatives from our Parish Social Ministry are present after all Masses in the main Vestibule of the Church to assist in this special gift giving.

Parishioners are provided the opportunity to donate to the charity of their choice and are in turn given a certificate to present to the person/persons in their life whom you wish to honor through this alternative gift giving. This is a chance to honor family and friends through generosity towards others in somber need.

Participating agencies that are benefited include: SHIP (Samaritan Homeless Interim Program); Habitat for Humanity; Appalachia Relief Services; Pregnancy Aid and Information Center; Social Ministry Outreach to the Poor; the ICP Elizabeth Ministry; and the Interfaith Hospitality Network. We include Immaculata Campus Ministries, Fair Trade Sale. This important effort supports Fair Trade which empowers the working poor in developing countries to have the dignity of work for a fair and just wage. Fair Trade items are not made at the expense of the environment or the peace of its workers. This endeavor provides a job for an impoverished human being.

Catholic Social Teaching urges us to stand in solidarity with our human family in our community and all over the world. What better way, on the first weekend of Advent...to prepare for the birth of our Lord and Savior, by sharing our abundance with those who do not have even their basic needs met.

Each year this event collects over $6,000 in donations for these worthy charities. We are hoping to continue the success of this noble endeavor through your outpouring of love and generous spirit. Please consider donating to one of these worthy causes and giving this gift to someone you love. A sacred gift of great meaning, helping the poor in a myriad of ways.

Jesus said “…when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14: 13-14