On Sunday December 15, Jesuit Dallas hosted the annual Adopt a Family event where members in the community participated in mass, wrapping presents, and delivering presents.

What is Adopt a Family?

Run by the Jesuit Dallas Alumni Association and the Jesuit Women’s Auxiliary, the adopt a family event is where individuals in the community donate presents and their time to wrap and deliver the presents for low income families in the DFW area. The Jesuit community has helped just over 100 deserving families this Christmas season. This event has been going on annually for over 20 years and has grown throughout the time. Various sports teams and organizations within the community “adopt a family” by being in charge of buying particular presents for the family.

Sean McMullen ’96, Director of Alumni Relations said, “This started as a senior project in the 1980s and quickly outgrew as it fits in everything we do. So, it became a community program. To me, all of our agencies we benefit are agencies our senior work with, so we already have a preexisting relationship with them. It is just an opportunity for the community to come together to make Christmas happen for people who otherwise would not have a chance to have a wonderful Christmas. It is not just an extension of what we do for four years in the service program, but what we should be doing for mankind, and I think it is a good example of what Jesuit Dallas can do for the community and for the world.”

Mass

Before the gift wrapping and delivery began, the community came together to celebrate the third Sunday of the Advent season. Father Polce celebrated the mass, assisted by Father Deutsch and Deacon Knight. Father Polce reminded everyone of the importance of rejoicing during the advent season as we prepare for Christmas day. The Gospel Reading for the mass was Luke 3:10-18 which talked about John the Baptist and him professing Jesus coming soon. This links with the Advent season as we all a wait for Christmas when Jesus is born to celebrate Him coming to earth.

Connor Cole said, “I was very thankful for the opportunity to bring smiles to those in need. Giving to those in need and elevate their Christmas is very fulfilling to me.”

Conclusion

While Christmas is mostly about being with our family and celebrating Jesus’ birth, this Adopt a Family event shows how our family is larger than just our immediate family members and we must help the entire community rejoice during the Christmas.

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