The Holidays are Brighter When We all Share the Joy

By KRISTINA HAMMELL

I can’t believe another year has gone by and we’re nearly in 2025! Let’s face it: 2024 has been quite a year. I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling a deep need for Christmas and all it brings - time with family, connection, and moments of joy - perhaps more than ever.

For me, this year has been marked by loss. As I work through what loss brings, I remind myself that I’m not alone. Looking back on this year, it’s not only the loss of my father and other family members that stands out, but also the love that was shown to me. In my time of need, I was reminded of the incredible people surrounding me - my friends, my family, and my colleagues, a.k.a. my “work family,” at Catholic Charities.

For the past 16 years, I have had the honor of working with an organization that lives out its mission of helping and supporting others in their time of need. I think of all the ways I felt supported, and I am filled with a deep sense of appreciation and peaceful joy. This feeling, and what it inspires in me, is why I love working here. My job, simply put, is to share this feeling - to remind others that we truly can make a difference in people’s lives - and that the holidays are always brighter when we all share the joy.

Our mission at Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota is to provide help, hope, and dignity to the most vulnerable among us. The staff - my “work family” - work tirelessly to provide support to individuals and families across our region: working night shifts to provide shelter on the coldest days, being on-call to counsel an expecting mother in need of support, or visiting homes to ensure a warm welcome when the world turns the other way.

As the social service arm of the diocese, we offer services to help individuals and families in crisis, vulnerable adults, and seniors. We see and serve all. For this, we ask you to consider donating to support our mission. We want to help as many people as possible in Southern Minnesota - sharing the joy that I hope we all feel this Christmas.

We invite you to be part of our work by volunteering with one of our programs. To volunteer or donate, visit our website at www.ccsomn.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

• Active Aging - Senior AmeriCorps

• Medication Application Services (MediAppS)

• Child & Family Services - Diaper Bank

• Emergency Shelters in Winona & Rochester

• Refugee Resettlement Services –Welcome Teams

• Parish Engagement

On behalf of Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota, we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. Let us bring joy to others, especially those in need, this Christmas, remembering that Jesus came to share his joy and peace with everyone.

- Mother Teresa

Kristina Hammell is the director of development and outreach for Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota.