Saint of the Month
Saint Nicholas* was the Bishop of Myra in the fourth century. He is remembered as a man of great faith and compassion. He was also a fierce advocate for those who had been unjustly condemned. Nicholas is most well known as the beloved patron saint of children and gift-giving on his feast day of December 6. According to tradition, Nicholas’ parents died when he was young, leaving him a large sum of money. With his inheritance, Nicholas practiced charity, helping those in need.
Our “Saint of Good Shepherd” connection to St. Nick is Deacon Gene Christensen. Deacon Gene embodied many of the traits of St. Nick. It is also in memory of Deacon Gene that we continue the Gaudete Sunday tradition of filling the altar with toys. They will be taken to the House of Peace and distributed to hundreds of families for a little bit of Christmas joy.
We honor both St. Nick and Deacon Gene Christensen this December for creating and sustaining God’s kingdom in our parish as “Saints of Good Shepherd.”
*St. Nicholas biography excerpts courtesy of www.stnicholascenter.org/