Santas at St. James

What did you get for Christmas? For many northwest suburban youth, it was the latest video game, a new phone or some trendy clothes. But in other parts of the Chicago area, that's not always the case. So when eighteen youth from St. James' Catholic parish in Arlington Heights took a day off school on December 15 to play Santa's helpers at St. Malachy school on Chicago's west side, it made a big impact.

They split up into three groups and passed out Christmas presents to every child and teacher at the school. "This was probably the only Christmas gifts these children will receive" said Fr. Matt Eyerman, the pastor at St. Malachy's.

"Thanks to the generosity of more than 300 parishioners, these children had a present under the Christmas tree" said Sr. Faustina Ferko, the Director of Youth Ministry at St. James. The students also delivered more than 60 Christmas gifts to Catholic Charities for the children there. "It made me happy to see the children happy." said Bill Waltz, a student at St. James. "It made me feel that I was blessed." The students at St. Malachy would undoubtedly say the same.

For more information about the partnership between St. James and St. Malachy, please contact Sr. Faustina at SrFaustina@stjamesah.org, the St. James parish at 224-345-7200 or email <URL destination="mailto:parishoffice%40stjamesah.org%0D?subject=">parishoffice@stjamesah.org