This isn’t a traditional gift guide in the sense that it’s not all about physical products or services to bestow upon loved ones, friends, or colleagues. As Cardinal Dolan recently said, “Christmas spirit isn’t buying, Christmas spirit is giving.”
With that in mind, we present some Catholic Christ gift ideas, intended to be more satisfying for the soul — and maybe save on bows and wrapping paper.
A Gift of Joy and Hope, by Pope Francis (Worthy Publishing, $27)
“We must not let hope slip away from us. God and His love walk alongside us. ‘I hope because God is with me.’ Each of us can say these words,” Pope Francis writes in his most recent book, a beautiful and inspiring work that will resonate during the Christmas season and throughout the year.
Donate to the Cardinal’s Annual Appeal
“This year’s theme ‘To Whom Shall We Go?’ is a part of scripture so near to my heart that I chose it as my Episcopal motto. It is both a prayer and an answer to much of the uncertainty floating around these days,” Cardinal Dolan wrote in the introduction to this year’s Cardinal Annual Stewardship Appeal. The appeal focuses on five areas: assistance for financially vulnerable parishes; charitable outreach and pastoral support; evangelization, communications, and Catholic education; formation of new parish priests; care for retired parish priests. Use this link to donate.
The Monastery of Bethlehem Chinaware Collection
The Order of the Monastic Sisters of Bethlehem of the Assumption of the Virgin and of Saint Bruno was founded in 1950 in Rome, and since 1987, at the invitation of then-Cardinal John O’Connor, has resided in Livingston Manor in Sullivan County. The Sisters offer crafts and goods they design and hand-paint, including 11 patterns of chinaware, Christmas ornaments, and greeting cards. Each purchase supports their work. Visit their online shop here.
Volunteer for Catholic Charities
Sometimes giving doesn’t cost money. Volunteering even a few hours per month can make an important existence to organizations doing good work but in need of more people to help do it. Through Catholic Charities, volunteers can work with 90 agencies and partners located throughout Manhattan, Putnam, Bronx, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Westchester, Ulster, Staten Island, and Rockland counties. Give the gift of your time, and give it to a friend or relative too, so that the time — and reward — can be enjoyed together. For more information, visit Catholic Charities of New York’s website.
Mass Class: Your Questions Answered, by Fr. Dave Dwyer (Paulist Press, $22.95)
Father Dave Dwyer may be best known for his “Busted Halo” on SiriusXM’s Catholic Channel, and for adding his voice to Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s weekly podcast. But now Father Dave has just published his first full book, having co-authored a previous title with Cardinal Dolan. Mass Class answers numerous Catholic questions that readers may have missed in Catechism.