🎄 A Feast of St. Nicholas message from Father Dan

Feast of St. Nicholas 2015 Good Ole St. Nick I recall our family custom on the December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas. We kids hung our stockings on the fireplace mantle the night of December 5. The next morning we checked to see what St. Nick brought us. Anyone of us who had been naughty would receive an onion or piece of coal wrapped in aluminum foil, while the good ones received candy and fruit. One year, my brother took my good stuff and put his lump of coal into my stocking. I cried for justice! St. Nicholas (270 to 343) is the origin of our Santa Claus. He is also called Nicholas the Wonderworker because of all the miracles that were attributed to him. Above all, St. Nicholas gave gifts secretly to poor people in great need. The good bishop St. Nicholas became the model for the Santa Claus imagery used by today's consumer culture. But we Catholics hold true to our memory of Nicholas and his passion to spread the faith in charity. How about playing the role of Santa Claus today by becoming a partner with us in spreading the Gospel? Earlier this week, we all heard about Giving Tuesday, a positive move to remind us that charity should be at the top of our minds as Christmas approaches. If you donated to our media ministry then, thank you! If that event passed you by, here's another chance. A gift to Franciscan Media enables us to continue to bring the Gospel to the world via our websites and emails. For example, every day we freely send emails, like Saint of the Day, to people all around the world who simply request this popular digital feature. So please consider partnering—or continuing to partner—with Franciscan Media in our mission of spreading the Good News that is Jesus Christ. Would you consider donating $50, $75, $100 or more so that we may continue to evangelize in the spirit of St. Francis? Your donation in any amount touches thousands with the Gospel every day. Use our secure online donation form or mail a donation, payable to the Franciscans, to Franciscan Media, 28 W. Liberty St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. If you prefer you may phone in a credit-card donation for our evangelization ministries at 1-866-543-6870. Peace and every blessing,   Fr. Dan Kroger, O.F.M. Publisher, Franciscan Media Copyright © 2015 Franciscan Media, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at a Franciscan Media website. Our mailing address is: Franciscan Media 28 W Liberty Street Cincinnati, OH 45202 Add us to your address book unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences