Parish program seeks to bring season's joy to all

Intermountain Catholic

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LAYTON — According to the Gospel of Matthew, three wise men brought the Christ child gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. In this tradition, the Knights of Columbus Council at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Layton runs the Gifts of the Magi program in the parish as a symbol of the joy of Christmas.

The purposes of the Gifts to the Magi program are “to brighten the holiday season for families who could use some help, to give our parishioners another outlet for their great generosity, and to broaden our fellowship,” said Joseph Garcia, the event chairman.

During the first two weeks of November, Garcia and some parish volunteers collected applications from some families with children who could use a little help this Christmas season. Then, through the Gifts of the Magi program, the children receive gifts, and “we provide complete Christmas dinners for the families,” Garcia said.

Although the task isn’t such an easy one, “our council is blessed with a great supportive pastor, Fr. [Clarence] Sandoval, and the most generous and enthusiastic parishioners I’ve ever known,” Garcia said.

The difficulties brought by the pandemic over the past two years have highlighted some values of the Catholic faith, he added. “We’ve become more acutely aware of how important family and community are. … It takes some ingenuity, but really if we just ask ourselves what is most important to us, it’s all right there: building and sharing our faith in God, and helping one another.”

With the applications for the Gifts of the Magi program in hand, the parish’s Knights, under the leadership of Grand Knight Rick Hartle, now are preparing the gifts and dinners for the recipients. On Dec. 12 they will have a present-wrapping party, and on Dec. 17 they will shop for the food for the dinners that will be distributed the next day.

Donations to the program are still being accepted; contact St. Rose of Lima Parish at 801.544-4269.