It's hard to imagine Christmas in East St. Louis. On the streets, the homeless huddle in corners to avoid the winter chill. Families work long hours, sometimes at two or three jobs, just to provide a home and hot food for their children.

The demographics tell the story. Thirty-one percent of families are below the poverty line. Nearly 50 percent of children under 18 and 25 percent of people over 65 live in poverty.

Nonetheless, December 25th comes every year to East St. Louis, just as it does everywhere else. And, for a short while, in celebration of Christ’s birth, charity and joy become the themes in the place once called “the most distressed small city in America.”

Oblates in conjunction with Catholic Urban Programs(CUP) bring life and security back to the people of this river town. In an enormous web of ministry, soup kitchens, medical and financial assistance, family counseling, and safe shelter are all freely provided. Bro. Ed Driggins, O.M.I., who volunteers his time with CUP said, “I really enjoy being down here. It’s another example of Oblates working with the poor.”

Last Christmas, in St. Patrick’s Church, over 2,500 bags of toys and boxes of food were distributed to needy families. An awe-inspiring sight, hundreds of red gift bags packed the interior of the church, filling the pews and covering the altar.
Another generous soul, Sr. Ann Connolly, A.S.C., took pride in the gifts. “This is what we think Church is all about.”

By nine in the morning on a chilly December day, families already begin to gather at the door, lining up on the steps outside and winding around the corner. Soon, they will leave with food enough for the season and gifts to light the faces of their children.

Oblate support helps many other efforts in East St. Louis as well. Just blocks away, at Holy Angels Shelter, Patricia Lewis prepares for the holiday season. The first shelter in all of East St. Louis, Holy Angels is a haven of safety and service. Protecting battered women and children, the shelter helps uprooted families move on with their lives, into new homes and new jobs.

For Christmas, Holy Angels arranged with local churches to buy gifts and necessities for their clients. Thanks to the generosity of local parishioners, these displaced families will find their stockings full on Christmas morning.

Little miracles like these take place all over East St. Louis during the holiday season. Sr. Carol at the Family Center helps children get gifts for mom and dad by rewarding them for good academics. Mike Johnson at the St. Vincent De Paul Thrift Store and Soup Kitchen serves sandwiches and hot soup to hungry patrons. The season of giving is highlighted by the generosity of these wonderful people, working to constantly improve life in East St. Louis.

With financial support, prayers, and Bro. Ed’s assistance, the Oblates encourage these little miracles to grow. Hopefully, some day it will no longer be hard to picture Christmas coming to East St. Louis. Maybe eventually, every day will be exactly like December 25th.