THE ADVENT GIVING TREE PROGRAM

Our Advent Giving Tree program has been in the planning stages and is now ready to move forward.  We have committed to 500 gifts this year from three organizations, Catholic Social Services – Adult program; Hilltop Community Churches – Children program; Columbus Home Healthcare; and 50 money envelopes which will be used to help members of our parish family.

 

Ornaments will be placed on two Christmas trees for the weekends of Nov 22/23 and Nov 29/30.  There will be one or two items listed on each ornament.  You may purchase one item or both, securely box and wrap the gift.  Tape the ornament securely to the package.  Please keep in mind that these gifts are moved between 7-10 times prior to making it to their final destination.  We do appreciate the lovely items attached to the gifts but these items would be best placed inside the wrapped package. 

 

Gifts can be returned on Nov 29/30 and all gifts must returned by Sunday, Dec. 7.  This timeframe allows all gifts to be checked against a master list and sorted for the correct organization.  If you have any questions or lose an ornament you may call Brenda Case at 361-3918 or the parish office.

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ELECTION DAY 2008

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

 

A parishioner sent in this prayer which Abigail Adams said on the morning of December 7, 1796, the election day in which John Adams was elected president:

 On the decisions of this day, hangs perhaps the destiny of America, and may those into whose hands the sacred deposit is committed be guided and directed by that wisdom which is from above.

 

Don’t forget to vote!!

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SPECIAL MASSES COMING UP

 

Since All Saints Day falls on a weekend this year, the Holy Day Mass Obligation is dispensed.  The schedule of Masses will be: Saturday, November 1 – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 2, 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon.

 

Our special Mass in Commemoration of the Faithful Departed will be held on Wednesday, November 12 at 7:00 p.m.  All Saint Cecilia Parish members who have lost a loved one this past year are especially invited to attend this Mass and the reception following.

 

Mass on Thanksgiving Day will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m.  Please consider joining with others from our parish community to start this special day on Thursday, November 27^th.

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Talent Show and Dessert Extravaganza!!

 

Come one, come all!

 Please join us for our 5th annual evening of family fun and entertainment.

 

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

6:30 in the Parish Center

Celebrate our feast day of Saint Cecilia

 

The evening begins with prayer, an opportunity to fill your plates with dessert goodies, and then an invitation to sit back and relax by watching our talented children of the parish perform their many musical talents.  At the end of the presentation, all young people present will receive a small gift to take home and remember our special celebration of St. Cecilia.

 

The evening of auditions for all talent acts will be Monday, November 3rd, at 7 pm in the Liturgical Music room.  All PSR students may audition first, in order to then head to class.  Please look for a sign-up sheet in your children’s school bags and PSR take home papers. 

 

All attendees are asked to please bring a dessert to share with others.  You won’t be disappointed!!

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Mark your calendars now:

for the annual Advent Service of Lessons and Carols which will be coming in early December.  Sunday, December 14^th at 3:00 in the afternoon.  Please join the choir for a beautiful concert of seasonal music of reflection and meditation.  Give yourself the gift of beauty and peace in the midst of a busy season.

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Would you like to join the choir for the Holy season of Christmas?

If you have thought about joining the choir in the past, but have been unsure of the commitment, maybe this is the opportunity you have been waiting for!  Would you like to “try us on” for a shorter period of time?  We are beginning preparations for the Christmas season and would love to encourage anyone who might be interested in singing with us, to please come and practice with us on Wednesday evenings.  We practice in the church from 7:30 until 9:00.  This is the choir which sings each Sunday at the 9:30 Mass.  If you want to see what goes on - please come!  If you have questions - please call!  Sharon Silleck 878-6346.  The rewards of fellowship, beauty, hard work with plenty of benefits and true discipleship can be yours for just an hour or two of dedication each week.  We’re eager to meet you!  Please come and sing with us.

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BINGO TEAM SCHEDULES

If you are interested in working as a Team Member, a Baker or a Substitute, please call the Parish Office (878-5353) to tell us what day (Sunday or Tuesday) and place you would like to work.  The schedule for the remainder of 2008 is:

 

                      

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ST. VINCENT DEPAUL SOCIETY

During the months of August and September, we helped 26 families (57 clients) with food deliveries; 600 sandwiches for St. Lawrence Haven to feed 300 hungry and homeless; and 4 families (13 clients) with rent/mortgage assistance for a total of 370 clients served. Due to the storm and the economy, we have had extra expenses and our funds are depleted.

 

On November 28th and 29th, we will be collecting funds after the Masses.  Collections happen only 4 times a year when there are 5 Sundays in a month.  We will not have another for 4 months (March 28th & 29th, 2009, which will be two weeks prior to Easter).

 

Please continue to support our society as we help those in our community who are in need

 

Christmas Basket Donor Appeal

 

The St. Vincent de Paul society of St. Cecilia Parish is seeking your help and assistance for the upcoming Christmas Basket program.  As many of you know, without these baskets and the donated foods, supplies and monies that make them possible, many, if not all, of the 125 families to which we deliver will not enjoy a Christmas meal together in their homes.

 

Annually, we confirm donations and assistance from our local area businesses to continue to make this gift possible to those who struggle to make ends meet and provide for their families.  2008 has proven to be a very challenging year and you can help us to reach our goal.

 

With a parish the size of ours, we enjoy a great diversity of experiences and opportunities and so we are asking any of our parishioners who may work for or have a relationship with a possible (business) donor, to consider asking them if they would consider being a donor for this very worthwhile cause.

 

We will be presenting Certificates of Gratitude to acknowledge all of our donors and all donor businesses who wish may also have their names listed on a donor list to be placed in each basket.  Please contact Michael Cunningham at 614-878-3607 or Bill Altman at 614-535-8422 with any questions or donor information

 

May God bless you and inspire you to reach out in generosity and love.

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SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!

 

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA, Sponsored by your St. Cecilia PTO, is coming up on Saturday, December 6, 2008 in the St. Cecilia Parish Center with 8:30 and 10:30 seating times.  Cost is $5.00 per person or $22.00 for families of 5 or more (2 adults and 3+ children).  You will be treated to a delicious pancake breakfast, and there are free crafts and activities for the kids.  Pictures with Santa are $5.00 and Santa’s Helpers will help your child shop for friends and family members at $2.00 per gift in the popular Secret Santa shop.  Flyers with additional information and reservation forms will be available in the Church Gathering Space and Parish Office, and will be sent home with St. Cecilia school and PSR students in the coming weeks.  These forms are also available on the Parish and school websites.  Seating is limited.  Make reservations early!!  Need volunteer hours?  Volunteer opportunity information/forms will also be available in upcoming church bulletins and school newsletters and on the websites.  Contact Mary Couture with any questions:  851-1795 or mary.couture@dla.mil.

COMING UP

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 COMMUNITY BILLBOARD

PARISH ITEMS

 

LENDING A HELPING HAND: On November 16, we have the opportunity to “Help People Help Themselves” through the Campaign for Human Development.  There is an envelope in your monthly packet for this.  Since 1970, the CCHD has been our Church’s effective and compassionate response to the needs of low-income people in our own diocese and throughout the country.

A Food Pantry Collection is held here each month to benefit the Westland Ecumenical Food Pantry.  Upcoming dates for your donations include December 6 & 7.

 

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT - We will be holding Adoration on Friday, November 7th and Saturday, November 8th.  In November, the special prayer intention is for the Faithful Departed.  The December 5th & 6th intention is for those who will be alone this holiday season.  If you are not signed up for a particular time on a regular basis and would like to be included on the list, please call the Parish Office (878-5353). 

 

VACATION SCHEDULE NOTES – The deadline for the December issue of News from the Pews is Friday, November 7.  Also, the deadline for the November 23 and 30 Sunday bulletins will be noon on Monday, November 17.

The Parish Office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 27 & 28.  P.S.R. classes will NOT meet Sunday, November 30 & Monday, December 1. Also, there will be no Children’s Liturgy of the Word and no Sunday childcare on Sunday, November 30. 

 

ELSEWHERE

 

ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION:  The face of every transplant recipient is a testament to the impact of organ and tissue donation.  Friday, November 14 through Sunday, November 16 is “National Donor Sabbath”, a spiritual celebration of the “Gift of Life” and a time to celebrate our Church’s support for organ and tissue donation.  During this Thanksgiving season, please consider the difference you can make by registering to be an organ and tissue donor.  For more information, log on to www.lifelineofohio.org or contact Lifeline of Ohio at 800-525-5667.

 

HEALING AFTER ABORTION: Is God calling you to take this journey with Him?  We invite you to join us at Bethesda Healing Ministry for regular support group meetings on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.  We welcome you with open arms.  Please call 718-0277, 309-0157 or 309-2651.  To speak with someone in Spanish, please call 309-0810. God bless you.

 

JOIN THE CATHOLIC FOUNDATION on Thursday evening, November 13th, at St. Agatha Parish at 7:00 p.m., for Passionate Estate Planning…for yourself, your family, and the Church.  The event is free of charge and open to anyone looking to learn more about estate planning.  Reserve a seat for yourself and a friend or family member no later than November 3rd by calling The Catholic Foundation at 443.8893 or 866.298.8893, or visit www.catholic-foundation.org for more information.

 

ANNUAL DIOCESAN MASS FOR HURTING FAMILIES: Are you hurting and coping with the challenges due to death of a loved one, divorce, job loss, miscarriage, infertility, health problems or any other significant loss?  You and your family and friends are invited to attend this Mass on Sunday, November 9, at 12:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 East Broad Street, Columbus.  Refreshments will be served in the Cathedral Undercroft immediately following the liturgy.  For additional information contact the Marriage and Family Life Office at 614/241-2560.

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS

 

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION PROGRAMS:

Our upcoming and/or on-going programs include:

 

Parent Baptism Class - Parents who wish to have an infant baptized at St. Cecilia are expected to attend one of our monthly Parent Baptism Classes, held on the second Sunday of the month; 1:30 p.m. in Meeting Room A.  Parents need to be pre-registered prior to attending the class.  Call the Parish Office (878-5353) to do so.

 

We anticipate about 42 children will receive their First Holy Communion this school year.  Children who are preparing for First Communion are also encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to the reception of communion.  The First Reconciliation Parent Meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, in Meeting Rooms A & B.  Our First Reconciliation Service will be held on Thursday, December 11.

This month, our second graders will receive information on the Take Home Retreat. These special projects are part of the preparation for First Communion, and should be returned by Monday, February 23, 2009.  The First Communion Parent Meeting II is Thursday, January 15, 2009. 

 

Our Completing the Sacraments classes will conclude this month. We wish to congratulate the families and individuals receiving sacraments after completing the program.

 

Our Confirmation Candidates are reminded that Monday, December 1 is the deadline for the Confirmation Name Form as well as any needed Baptismal Certificates. 

Candidates are encouraged to continue accruing Service Hours during the holidays; their reports are due on April 1, 2009.

 

PSR PROGRAM

All our classes will have a Thanksgiving Vacation on Sunday, November 30 and Monday, December 1.  Next month, Sunday classes will meet on December 7 and 14.  On Monday, December 8, students in the Monday sessions should attend the Holy Day Mass at 7:00 p.m. with their families; they will also be given an assignment to complete at home and bring to class on December 15.  Our students will have two weeks off for Christmas, returning on January 4 & 5, 2009.

 

ADULT VOLUNTEERS are needed to help with our PSR Program as guest speakers, substitute teachers, and occasional office help.  If not available for this year, please consider this for next year!  Also needed at this time are volunteers who can assist or lead the Children’s Liturgy of the Word on Sundays.  We will have a training session for the Children’s Liturgy ministers (both new ones as well as current ones) on Thursday, November 13; 7:00 p.m. in Meeting Rooms A & B.   Please call Kathy Maggied at 878-0133 if you have questions.

All of these people must fulfill the diocesan Safe Environment requirements – that is, they need to have a background check done, sign a diocesan Code of Conduct, and attend a session of the Protecting God’s Children workshop.  The background checks may be done at the Parish Office – please call to schedule an appointment (9 – 4 weekdays, 878-5353).  You will need to bring your driver’s license; the cost is $30.

If you have been considering helping us in any of these areas, or would like to assist at the second graders’ Jesus Day or with the Sunday childcare program, and have not yet completed the Safe Environment requirements, please let us know at 878-0133.  Information on the workshops is available at www.virtus.org; you are requested to register on-line for a session.  Select the Diocese of Columbus to find the dates available in November & December in the Franklin County area of the diocese.  If you do not have Internet Access, please call Barb Cain at 241-2565 for registration help.