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Celebrating our lives together in Christ |
FROM FATHER PATRICK TWOMEY
Newcomer
Class Social at the Twomey Home: I am inviting the
participants in the recent Newcomer Class to our home on November 24 at
7:00 p.m. Our address is 415 E. Spring St. This will be a time to enjoy
each other’s company as well as some enjoyable evening snacks.
A
Youth Group Coffee House: All the teenagers of the parish
are welcome to the Twomey home on November 19 at 6:45 p.m. This time,
in addition to pleasant company and conversation, we will enjoy
homemade scones (pronounced with a short “o”) and an assortment of
coffee drinks and teas. I will be acting as the evening’s barrista,
utilizing my incredible Micro-Cimbali espresso maker.
A
Six-week Bible Study: I will be convening a study of St.
Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. This epistle is of special importance
in emphasizing the freedom that is ours in Christ. St. Paul cautions
against attenuating this message with any additional legal requirement.
To suggest that salvation is earned is to lose the truth that it is
free. This was a message of great importance to the early church and
was also a great theme of the Protestant reformers. What does “freedom
in Christ” mean for you and me?
We will meet in the parish library at 7:00 p.m., concluding promptly at
8:00 p.m. The course will begin December 15 and will meet six
consecutive Monday evenings, concluding January 19. While it will
be my special responsibility to prepare for the class, this will not be
a lecture. Participants will take responsibility for doing their own
close reading of the epistle, and we will all benefit from our mutual
insights and questions.
Alternative
Gifts Market and Mini-Market: I want to express my special
appreciation to all those who have planned the market and to all our
volunteers. We can all show our support by using the market for
our Christmas shopping. Remember that this is an event intended
for the wider community. Invite your family, friends, and neighbors.
Pledge
Campaign Underway: Please remember that pledges for the
year 2009 will be gathered at both the 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
liturgies on November 16.
I would remind you that our present economic unrest is not the first
time we have seen assets reacting dramatically in recent years.
The parish endowment decreased notably in 2002, as it has done again
recently. Fortunately, there was a rapid recovery after the 2002
decline. During this period, the parish’s overall financial health has
remained consistently strong. Currently, for example, our pledges are
running $5,300 ahead of expected pledged income. This can be attributed
to the faithfulness of our members and some modest growth in
membership. I also believe that parishioners have made deliberate
decisions to make the well-being of their parish a personal
responsibility deserving their attention and sacrifice. As I have often
mentioned, our giving will remain strong and may even, the Spirit
prompting us, increase when we start by honestly assessing what good in
teaching, study, companionship, prayer, love, and support we have each
received from All Saints. Please do your very best for this excellent
parish community.
Respectfully,
Fr. Patrick
11TH
ANNUAL ALTERNATIVE GIFTS MARKET
SUNDAYS, NOVEMBER 16 AND 23
The set-up day for this big event is Saturday, November 15. This year,
shoppers will see some changes in outreach opportunities (Mothers’
Mercy Home, the Women’s AIDS program, and the Loretto School feeding
program) and in the merchandise.
Alternative Gifts International is emphasizing those needs that match
the goals set by the United Nations Millennium Development Plan. We
will also enjoy displays of some of St. Thomas’ outreach programs.
These include crafts from Africa and Honduras. SEE YOU ALL THERE after
both services and until 1:00pm.
THANKSGIVING
DAY: NOVEMBER 27
HOLY EUCHARIST at 10:00am
PARISH
NURSE UPDATE
November is National Diabetes and Organ Donation month. Go to the
Parish Nurse’s display to get good information on these two topics.
ALSO: Have you had your flu shot? It’s time.
PRAYER
SHAWL ACKNOWLEDGMENT
“Thank you so much for the beautiful Prayer Shawl. It gives me such
wonderful comfort and peace. he yarn is so soft and the
expression of faith is so deeply felt. You can’t begin to know how much
this means to me!”
This came from a woman who had lost her husband after 55 years of
marriage.
RED
CROSS ERRAND PROGRAM
The Outagamie Chapter of the American Red Cross offers a Shopping &
Errand Program for homebound individuals needing assistance with
shopping and other errands. Red Cross staff will do errands for you at
only $4:00 per errand. Please make this service known to any older folk
or shut-ins. Call 733-4481 for assistance.
2009
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR ESSAY
This annual contest asks young people who are inspired by Dr. King’s
vision of a society free of racial prejudice to submit a one-page
essay. (It can be in poetry form). The subject of this year’s
community celebration is “Beyond Dr. King’s Dream: Next Steps.” A
flyer received in the office states that “Dr. King’s dream for
our world was that all people would learn to live together in
harmony. Student entries should attempt to describe the
responsibility young people have in advancing Dr. King’s message of
equality and harmony among people of all races and all backgrounds.”
The deadline to enter the contest is 4:30p.m., Friday, December 5,
2008. For more information, call the parish office. The age categories
are by grade 2 & 3, 4 through 6, 7 through 9, and 10 through 12.
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