JESSE TREE

What is Jesse Tree?

Jesse Tree is a ministry in conjunction with Advent that provides parishioners an opportunity to support local organizations with clothing, toys, gift cards, and other needed items in the spirit of Christmas giving.

In 2024, Saint Clement parishioners generously contributed 4,974 gift items and $14,625 in gift cards and financial contributions to our Jesse Tree partners.

How will Jesse Tree work this year?

Jesse Tree 2025 will run in a similar manner as last year, given that Thanksgiving is late again. Please see important information below about gift selection and delivery.

• Official kick-off: Weekend of November 22-23

• Final gift return deadline: Saturday, December 13

Selecting Your Gift:

We will have physical paper tags representing items needed on trees in the church and chapel. Parishioners will be invited to take a tag to indicate what contribution(s) they would like to make.

If you are unable to stop by after Mass to select a tag, we are always in need of gift cards for our partner organizations. You can contribute $10-$25 gift cards from Jewel, Aldi, Target, or Walgreens. Please clearly mark the amount on the gift card before dropping off.

Delivering Your Gift:

There are two ways for parishioners to return their gifts to the parish:

1. Drop off gifts in the marked bins at the parish reception office before/after Mass or during office hours. (Scroll to the very bottom of the page to see the current parish office hours.)

2. Mail (or direct deliver) gifts to:

   Saint Clement Parish
   Attn. Christa Kingsley - Jesse Tree
   642 W Deming Place
   Chicago, IL 60614

The final deadline for dropping off gifts is Saturday, December 13.

Partner Organizations

Jesse Tree 2025 will support the following organizations: 

• Franciscan Outreach

• H.O.M.E. (Housing Opportunities & Maintenance for the Elderly) 

• House of the Good Shepherd (ministry of Catholic Charities) 

• Iskali Emergency Fund

• La Rabida Children's Hospital 

• Lakeview Rehabilitation & Nursing Center 

• Lincoln Park Community Services

• Marillac St. Vincent Family Services

• Mission of Our Lady of the Angels

• Our Lady of Mercy

• Saint Clement Outreach

• Solidarity Bridge

• The Night Ministry

The needs around Christmas are always great. We are so grateful for the generosity from our Saint Clement family to make the holidays joyful and hopeful for those we serve. Thank you also to our amazing volunteers who help make this special ministry possible! THANK YOU! 

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact parish staff member Christa Kingsley, Manager of Social Justice & Outreach.

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