News Around the Parish
A Fabulous Christmas Boutique – if you missed it last weekend, this year’s Christmas Boutique was fabulous. Beginning with the Champagne Preview on Friday night, the Mother’s Club beautifully decorated the Church hall with different booths selling different homemade or special gifts. Everything from homemade jams, to personalized ornaments, to jewelry and specially decorated Christmas tree could be yours, for a slight fee that goes towards supporting the school. On top of that, there were prizes to be won, like a getaway to Lake Tahoe. I won a bottle of rum in a spin the wheel game, and a $50 gift certificate towards Lucky, for signing-up for e-script, which donates a portion of our purchase back to the school. The evening was filled with food, music and laughter, as fellow parishioners and their guests enjoyed the evening with one another. Although it rained Friday night, however, the weather cleared up the following day and it was sunny the rest of the weekend, which was perfect for the children. There were many inflatable games, such as a zip line, set-up right in the middle of Ulloa Street, between the Church and the School. Many kids lined up for an experience to zip down Ulloa Street, and they were amazed to see their principal, Mrs. Carol Grewal, zip along with them twice. There were 3 other inflatable games in the school yard, one that was like a maze/obstacle course that you had to get through. The kids would compete with one another to see who could get through the fastest. There was also a rock climbing wall and 3 kids at a time can compete to see who would get to the top first. Different games in the gym included a mechanical bull, karaoke, at least 4 tossing games with prizes ranging from goldfish, to salami, to tickets that can be cashed in for other prizes. Face painting, removable tattoos and hair coloring were also popular. To keep the children and adults energized, the Men’s Club barbequed hot dogs, burgers, Philly cheese steak and Portobello mushrooms. A great time was had by all. To the countless volunteers who prepared for this weekend and made it a success, those who oversaw the events to ensure our children were kept safe, to the cooks, the counters, the builders, the decorators, the organizers, the sales associates, those who set up and cleaned up, to all of you who worked behind the scenes, thank you, thank you, thank you. To those who spearheaded the weekend’s festivities, Kristi Mitchell, Chuck Lewkowitz, Mari McKeever, Jenny Nelson and Karen Peirotti, you did a fantastic job. I echo what Mrs. Grewal said to you, “thank you for your hard work, dedication and vision.”
Congratulations, 2nd Graders – On Thursday night, Dec 12, our 2nd graders celebrated their First Reconciliation. Do you remember your own first reconciliation? I don’t recall my first, but I do remember the ones after it and how wonderful it felt to come away with a clean heart. These little ones remind us how good it is to prepare for the coming of Christ by celebrating Reconciliation. It is an encounter with the God of mercy who shows us His love in a tangible and meaningful way. So the parish is offering an Advent Reconciliation Service, on Wednesday, December 18, 2013 @ 7pm. Please plan to join us.
Fr. Dan
