Bringing Joy This Christmas: St. Michael Jesse Tree 2025
As the season of giving approaches, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church invites you to participate in a cherished parish tradition: the Jesse Tree Ministry. This initiative embodies our community’s mission to serve families in need, spread hope, and brighten the holidays for children in our area.
What is the Jesse Tree Ministry?
The Jesse Tree Ministry has been a cornerstone of St. Michael outreach for many years. In partnership with social workers from local schools, Wake County agencies, and our own Pastoral Care and Hispanic Ministries, the program provides gifts for children aged 0–18 and support for families’ holiday meals.
Last year, the ministry provided gifts for 1,051 children in 385 families. With your help in 2025, we aim to support 1,045 children in 390 families from 12 schools and community organizations, including Cary Elementary, Kingswood Elementary, and Cooperative Extension of Wake County.
How the Jesse Tree Works
- The Ornaments
Three trees in our gathering space are adorned with ornaments, each representing a child’s gift request. These requests come directly from local schools, ministries, and partner agencies. - Taking an Ornament
Parishioners are invited to select an ornament, fulfill the gift request, and return the wrapped gift with the child’s card attached by Sunday, December 7. - Gift Sorting and Distribution
Volunteers sort the gifts, supplement any missing items, and prepare them for distribution. Partner agencies pick up the gifts, with all distributions completed by Sunday, December 14.
Ways to Get Involved
Volunteer
Volunteering with the Jesse Tree is a meaningful way to live out stewardship—sharing your time, talent, and treasure to bring Christ’s joy to families in need. Each act of service strengthens our parish community and makes this ministry a success. Families and individuals can help with shopping, wrapping, sorting, and distribution.
Volunteer Sign-Up here
Donate
In addition to wrapped gifts, monetary donations are essential to the Jesse Tree Ministry. Contributions can be made online or in person and no matter the size, every gift makes a difference. Your generosity ensures every child registered with the project receives a gift. Each year, about 10% of ornaments are not returned, and your donations help volunteer shoppers purchase those remaining presents.
Monetary gifts also provide food gift cards for Christmas dinners and cover essential program supplies. Together, they help fill tables, brighten homes, and bring joy to families in need.
Your support helps ensure no family feels forgotten this Christmas. Thank you for sharing your time, talent, and treasure in Christ’s mission of love and mercy.
Click here to donate online (or in person by check), now through Distribution Sunday, December 14.
Key Dates for 2025
- Volunteer Sign-Up: Wednesday, October 29
- Trees Go Up / Ornament Pick-Up: Saturday, November 15
- Ministry Showcase: Sunday, November 16
- Return Wrapped Gifts: Sunday, December 7
- Sorting Day: Saturday, December 13
- Distribution Day: Sunday, December 14
- Giving / Donations: Now through Distribution Sunday
The Impact of Your Generosity
By participating in the Jesse Tree Ministry, you help make a profound difference in the lives of children and families in our community. Your gifts ensure that no family feels forgotten, and your support allows local schools and partner agencies to share Christ’s love with those who need it most.
Join Us in Spreading Holiday Cheer
Grab an ornament from the trees in our gathering space—or take a virtual ornament and shop online here.
- Grab an ornament from the trees in our gathering space.
- Return wrapped gifts by December 7.
- Volunteer or donate to support this vital mission.
Together, let’s make this year’s Jesse Tree Ministry a blessing for our community!
