Almsgiving is financial or material offering toward the poor. Caring for the needy and disenfranchised is mentioned in both the Old Testament and New Testament. Almsgiving can express a combination of both love of God with love of neighbor.
Periodically throughout the school year the CB community bring together the gift of alms for those in need. The almsgiving efforts are coordinated during Thanksgiving, Advent, Lent and in response to major emergencies or tragedies that affect our world. Almsgiving provides immediate relief to those who are suffering.
The word Advent means “coming.” It is during this time Christians anticipate the birth of Christ. Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas day. Advent, according to Second Vatican Council, is twofold in character. “It is a season to prepare Christians for Christmas when Christ’s first coming to us is remembered; as a season when that remembrance directs the mind and heart to await Christ’s Second Coming at the end of time.” Advent brings joy and hopeful expectation.
During the season of Advent the CB community participates in almsgiving. The Christian Service Corps collects monetary donations from students once a week. In the past, recipients of the almsgiving donations have been Oakridge Elementary School and the Mustard Seed School for homeless children. When students donate money the money is used to purchase such items as: grocery store gift cards, gift cards for Target, all types of clothing, books, art supplies, school supplies and toys. The generosity of the CB community is always appreciated by those in greatest need.
The word Lent comes from Middle English and means “spring.” Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and is a forty-day liturgical season of fasting, special prayer, and almsgiving in preparation for Easter. During Lent Christians are challenged to renew themselves through contemplative introspection and participate in the sacrament of reconciliation.
During the Lenten season the Christian Service Corps collects almsgivings from the CB community twice a week. In the past the almsgiving donations have gone to programs such as the Moral Values Program, and St. Patrick’s Elementary School. The CB community has a generous heart and munificently contributes to the needs of those who are without school supplies, clothing, sport’s items for playground use and gift cards for food.
