Newsletter: December 2025
Dear Friends of Joseph House:
The star of Bethlehem was a silent beacon that led the wise men to the Christ Child, the King of kings wrapped in swaddling clothes, hidden away in poverty and simplicity.
Today the star would be easy to ignore. We are more apt to look at glowing screens, and light pollution has dimmed the brilliance of the nighttime sky anyway. But if we want to look, if we are willing to search, we can still find our way to Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas.
Advent gives us time to make this inner journey. We need to cross a desert, like the wise men did, only now it’s one of uncontrolled materialism and commercial exploitation — the modern holiday season. For guidance, we don’t have to look up to the sky (although spending time outside is a good idea). Instead, we can follow the light of quiet prayer, Scripture, and acts of charity and peacemaking. They will lead us to where we need to go, to a Christmas of deeper meaning and lasting joy.
Our secular culture forgets about Advent and jumps straight into Christmas. We don’t have to do the same, however. Advent does has a penitential nature, it’s a time for conversion, but the predominant theme is hope. After all, we are getting ready to welcome a baby, and we do that by making our homes, our lives, and the world itself more nurturing and hospitable. Our efforts must be focused especially on the needs of the weakest and most vulnerable members of the human family. As Dorothy Day said, “The mystery of the poor is this: that they are Jesus, and what you do for them you do for Him. It is the only way we have of knowing and believing in our love.”
Advent is also a time of joy. Even though the month of December is very busy at the Joseph House, we and our volunteers never lose our smiles. We are here to help people, to lift them up, and this time of year, when the burdens of poverty can feel extra heavy, we do everything we can to spread a spirit of goodwill. There are toys to give out, extra food to share, plus our usual financial assistance — an outpouring of generosity thanks to you! Your support is your love made visible, and we are ready to share this love with everyone who comes to us.
Here are some recent case stories:
Carly and Phillip had been homeless for several months when they came to see us. Their faces were ragged and weather-beaten and they both had evident disabilities. It was obvious this couple had been through hard times. They had a simple request, just two nights in a motel. That would be enough until their disability checks came in. We agreed to help, and one of our volunteers packed up their belongings and drove them to the motel. But the story was just getting started.
The motel manager recognized the couple and claimed they had made a mess during a previous stay. An argument ensued, and our dutiful volunteer did his best to smooth things over. When the tempers had calmed down, our volunteer left and returned to the Crisis Center. Unfortunately, all was not well at the motel. Another argument broke out, and the manager called us to say that Carly and Phillip had left and had taken our check with them.
The next day, we were pleased to see them show up at the Crisis Center. They returned the check and were going to head back to the streets. We asked them to wait because one of our sisters had contacted a mental health outreach agency. The caseworker came over and spoke at length with both Carly and Phillip. In addition to ongoing support services, this agency was able to offer them an extended stay at a motel and help finding permanent housing. This weary couple can now rest easier.
The story of Carly and Phillip shows the necessity of being patient with people and not writing them off for being “troublesome.” A little understanding goes a long way. We’re also glad to connect with local agencies and be part of the network of care serving our community.
A few months ago, Scott, 50, was released from prison after serving time for several years. The transition back into society has been difficult, which is true for many former inmates. Scott and his family (wife and two children) ended up homeless, living in a motel. His wife’s SSI check paid the bill, but after buying food there was never any money left. Scott has been on the go looking for work, riding his bike everywhere. In his travels he found an apartment where the rent was less than the cost of the motel. The problem was, the first month’s rent had to be paid in advance, and Scott had no chance of saving up the money. The Joseph House paid the amount Scott needed. He is determined to provide for his family and has a good lead for a job at a restaurant.
Lorenzo, 63, makes a living as an independent truck driver. He supports his wife (who is caring for her mother suffering from Alzheimer’s) and two grandchildren (their mother is on drugs). Lorenzo owns his truck, but it was put out of service after an accident, which was not his fault. Nevertheless, without a working truck Lorenzo has no income. When a disconnect notice arrived from the electric company, Lorenzo contacted a government agency for help. He was promised a partial payment in two or three months. That was going to be too little too late. Lorenzo then came to our Crisis Center. We paid the bill that day.
Simone, 38, wanted to move to a safer neighborhood. She and her five-year-old daughter deserved better than to live in constant fear. An affordable housing complex caught Simone’s attention. It had been renovated from top to bottom. Clean and safe, the complex had its own playground and after-school program. It had what Simone was looking for: neighbors invested in the community. She dreamed of renting one of the apartments, but even though she worked full-time, the security deposit was too high. Thankfully, the Joseph House was able to contribute what she needed.
Advent is a pilgrimage and so is life. Up and down it goes, with hills to climb and valleys to cross. We had our share of difficult moments this past year, but no matter what, we know eventually there’s going to be a happy ending. Just like Christmas follows Advent, at journey’s end there is something wonderful waiting for all of us, a destination prepared by God that “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart imagined” (1 Cor 2:9). The birth of Jesus gave a new foundation to this hope. It becomes more important to us with every passing year.
May your heart be filled with peace and joy this Christmas! Thank you for being a friend to us and to the poor. We will remember you in our prayers with much gratitude. The goodness of God is never-ending, and we know His blessings will be with you in 2026.
Your Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary
Prayer Requests: Send us your special intentions and the Little Sisters will pray for you: Contact Form.
Donations: Your contribution will help people in need: Donate.
There is still time to help us for Christmas, see: Holiday Giving.
Your generosity supports the Joseph House Crisis Center and the Joseph House Workshop.
Here is a card we received from a Joseph House Workshop resident. Your support of our work changes lives!
Advent is a pilgrimage of the soul
The first Christians spoke of Jesus’ coming with great joy — as a new creation, as a bright morning star that was rising in their hearts. “Behold,” Jesus said, “I make all things new!”
Every Advent is a time to awaken our hearts from the sleep of lazy habits or indifference to our spiritual lives. It’s a time for removing roadblocks and obstacles, for straightening out the paths of our hearts so that they lead us more directly to God.
We can know who we are by what we love, by what we choose to pursue and the priorities we give our time to. So, we want to make sure that our hearts are set on Jesus, on His will, on His plan for our lives. We want to be sure that we love what He loves.
-Archbishop José H. Gomez
