The joy in the eyes of these sixteen families of St. Joan of Arc parishioners is an example of the spirit of giving during the holiday season with their gifts to the Indian Ministry. Their faith allows them to know how happy their adopted families will be. The contributors will not see the happy smiles on the children of their recipient families as these are anonymous gifts, but this does not matter to them. They will remember all of this on Christmas morning, as they open fewer gifts at their own homes to allow someone less fortunate to have a warm Christmas. One St. Joan of Arc contributor verbalized this thought by saying, “We have enough: It is heart warming to share.” Another family stated that they have participated in this program for three years, and giving gifts to the Native American families is their favorite project at St. Joan’s. These families have given of themselves to make someone else’s Christmas a happier time.

For 15 years St. Joan’s has had a spiritual connection with Father Notebaardt at the Dioceason Indian Ministry on Park Ave. St. Joan families adopt needy Native American families and purchase the gifts using a wish list offered by the family. They then wrap the gifts and deliver them to Janet Stately, Associate Director at the Ministry. Stately distributes them to the families and the love flows from one unknown to another. One can realize that this is a work of love including not only a monetary gift, but one of time sharing and love included in the shopping and wrapping.

Clarence and Avis Von Eschen with Mary Ellen Kennedy

Mary Ellen Kennedy leads the project and her gracious smile also shows the love that she places into this project. Eileen and Larry Somers have been regular helpers and their daughter, Ann, has joined in to offer treats for the workers on the day that the gifts are passed from the giver to the receiver. Avis and Clarence Von Eschen started the project, and are continuing to enjoy the giving, but decided to let Mary Ellen have the “fun” of the work.

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Avis Von Eschen has been a member at St. Joan's since 1978. She has been involved in many projects. Although she is presently traveling and frequently out-of-town, she continues to write occasional articles for the web and to send pictures. She also helps out in the office on occasion and has stayed involved with the St. Joan Bridge Club.