Dear friends,

+ Retirement Fund for religious

Since pioneer days in the United States, Catholic religious orders of women and men have been a vivid and influential presence, especially in education and health care. They contributed immeasurably to the rise of a vast immigrant population to America's middle class.

The decisive role that sisters, nuns, brothers, and religious order priests played was undertaken in a spirit of service and selflessness.

The stipends, tuition, or fees paid to religious orders or their ministries were reinvested in ministry or in education for the members of religious orders.
Younger members cared for frail, elder members; and health care was provided to religious communities, in large part, through the generosity and charity of Catholic hospitals and Catholic health care professionals.

Today, with the membership of religious communities in decline and the average age increasing, many communities are profoundly challenged to adequately care for their frail and elderly members.

Many of the original convents and monasteries where elderly religious still reside lack handicapped access and air conditioning. The buildings may have narrow stairwells and hallways and bathrooms that are inadequate.

+ Remember the Poor

In this economic crisis we want to remember our less fortunate brethren in need. St. James Parish on Wabash is running a Food Pantry and 40% of their clients are from Chinatown.
St. Therese school students are collecting Peanut Butter and Cans of Soup during this Advent Season; we could join them. For this purpose, I have put two boxes at the back of the church where you can drop your much appreciated contribution. Thank you for your generous support. 

+ The Advent Season is here:

We have begun with this Sunday the solemn Season of Advent, a time when we get ready to welcome Christ as a babe in the manger of Bethlehem on Christmas Day.
Preparation is important to appreciate the celebration.  Jesus’ birth was prepared by centuries of prayers, desires, and hopes.  Experience shows that modern society is unable to wait: we want everything, and we want it now!  We tend to forget that the waiting prolongs the joy of the event.

There is a flyer that could help us to celebrate Advent. It is available at the church entrance and you can take it home with you as a daily spiritual companion for this Advent Season.

+ A request for the CCD Christmas Pageant:

We are looking for 3 or 4 people to help direct our parish children's Christmas play. All children are invited to participate.  Rehearsals can be conducted in the church at 12 noon. Costumes will be in the CCD area in the church basement. Please see Darlene Chan or Christine Delfin for more information. 

+ Death of Alexy II

Patriarch Alexy II, spiritual head of the Russian Orthodox Church .

The Pope stated in the note that he "was profoundly saddened" to hear of the died suddenly last night. Patriarch Alexy II, 79,  had been the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church since 1990.

Pope Benedict XVI in his message of condolences recalled Alexy II's "courageous battle for the defense of human and Gospel values, especially in the European continent, and I trust that his commitment will bear fruit in peace and genuine progress, human, social and spiritual."

Patriarch Alexis was called to guide the Russian Orthodox Church in a period of great change and his leadership has enabled that Church to face the challenges of transition from the Soviet era to the present with renewed interior vitality.

Benedict XVI and Alexy II have worked in recent years to intensify dialogue between the Churches.  The years of his patriarchate constituted an entire epoch in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church. It was precisely in this time that the resurrection of the Russian Church took place, which continues to this day. His funeral will be held next week.

+ Parish Council Meeting 12/03/08

I’d like to congratulate those parishioners who braved the weather and attended the Parish Council Meeting of last Wednesday.
Nick Andreacchi gave a detailed report of the recent Parish Audit. He will address our Congregation at the Masses of  Dec.13th-14th.
Please, enter on you appointment book the day for our next PPC Meeting on January 8th 2009.

+ Fine tuning of the pipe organ:

Our pipe organ is one of the best for sound in the whole area. It need to be fine-tuned from time to time. Berghaus Pipe Organ Builders conducted a service call to do it. The technician Mr. Steve Drexler spent five hours and a half on this job. The bill of $807.98 was paid by Mr. Alex Nisivaco. Thank You Alex for your generosity!

+ Monies

In memory of Raymond Chin’s father, Joseph Chin, by Smith &
Andrews public affairs company                                                            $ 100.00