CANARSIE — St. Jude Shrine Church is preparing for its annual “Christmas Joy” celebration to provide gifts to children in its religious education program.
Father Ikenna Okagbue, the church’s pastor, said that the parish’s goal is to create an exciting and meaningful experience for the children, and said The Tablet’s Bright Christmas campaign plays a big part in bringing the event to life.
“Since I arrived here (in 2023), the event has grown involving more kids from the youth ministries in the parish, some are altar servers, members of the youth choir, as well as children from religious [education],” Father Okagbue explained. “We’re hoping to make it a little bit bigger this year for all the 150 kids we have in the youth program with the help of Bright Christmas.”
This year, the celebration is scheduled for Dec. 24.
Father Okagbue credits his Director of Religious Education, Helen Tiefer, and Youth Ministry Director Nadine Bosse for their efforts and commitment to make “Christmas Joy” a special time for the children.
“This event is very important because it helps to spread the joy of Christmas with the youth,” Bosse said. “The whole reason we started the youth ministry is to let the youth be heard and be seen. We just wanted to make sure they were visible as young, upcoming Catholics.”
Bosse noted that the event also celebrates the children’s volunteer efforts.
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“We are praying for a miracle to come so that we can hold this celebration,” Bosse said. “They do a lot and happily volunteer their time.”
Tiefer added that the event “is all about bringing joy and having the kids sing the Christmas songs and really focus on Jesus.”
The Tablet’s Bright Christmas campaign has been helping churches, schools, and organizations throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn and beyond for over 60 years.
“Bright Christmas will help us carry on the ‘Christmas Joy’ tradition, helping to build morale and to let the children know that they are seen and cared for and that we value them,” Bosse said. “I want the children to feel like they are a valuable part of the church family.”
