Every Advent, the Angel Tree at St. Catherine of Sweden Parish in Allison Park is adorned with more than 800 name tags, each representing someone in need. In a scene that’s repeated in parishes across our diocese, families eagerly choose an angel, ready to share their precious gift of faith.

“Our parishioners see their faith as a gift that’s been passed on through the generations,” said Father Steve Neff, pastor of St. Catherine of Sweden. “We can’t wait until Christmas for the gift of Jesus. We’re ripping it open with excitement!”

Gifts to Our Campaign for The Church Alive! also reflect the desire of donors to help build the kingdom and serve God.

Faith is a gift we received from the communion of saints, our ancestors in faith, handed down from our parents and grandparents, and the priests, nuns and catechists who taught us.

“God wants us to be instruments that build the kingdom,” said Father Joe Keenan, pastor of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish in Blawnox/Harmar. “A gift is not a gift until it’s given away. We have to share it.

“Sharing our faith could take the form of evangelization, catechesis, social outreach, helping the less fortunate,” Father Keenan said. “The campaign is not just about raising money but supporting and nurturing various ministries across the diocese, through our response in faith.”

The catechism teaches that “faith is a supernatural gift from God… an entirely free gift that God makes to man. We can lose this priceless gift. To live, grow and persevere in the faith until the end we must nourish it with the word of God; we must beg the Lord to increase our faith.”

Father Terry O’Connor, pastor of St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Munhall, calls it “a gift that lasts a lifetime and beyond.” It is, in fact, already the beginning of eternal life.

“The gift of faith says, ‘I believe. I know God and I am growing in relationship with him each day,’” Father O’Connor said. “The sacrifices that people are making through their gifts to the campaign are signs of their faith.

“The gift of faith must be nourished and strengthened continuously, and one of the ways we do that is through our generosity,” Father O’Connor added.

Father Nick Argentieri, administrator of St. Andrew Parish in Center Township, sees the joyful witness of his parishioners who model the Holy Family and the early disciples of the Church.

“When I reflect on the gift of faith, I think of Our Blessed Mother Mary, St. Joseph, the apostles, all the saints, and how they were receptive to receiving the gift of the Spirit,” Father Argentieri said. “They always said ‘yes’ to the gift of God, and ‘yes’ to sharing that gift with others.

“Through the campaign here at St. Andrew, our parishioners shared their gifts in many ways,” Father Argentieri said. “They spent time meeting with other parishioners, telling the stories of how much their faith has meant to them over the years, and how it’s influenced their children and grandchildren.

Back at St. Catherine of Sweden Parish, Father Neff marvels at the generosity of his people.

“Every year we also collect new and gently used coats, hats and scarves for the needy,” Father Neff said. “This year, the group that normally handles the collection wasn’t able to be involved. So the high school girls in the Junior Ladies of Charity volunteered to run the drive. I thought, ‘Wow, this is something special, a younger generation stepping up.’

“We’re turning to God so he can give us more. We’re helping to fulfill our mission of bringing Christ’s love alive!”