November 27, 2016 St. Mary’s Church 95 North Main Street

St. Bridget’s Church 15 Church Street

The Pastor’s Two Cents

Striving to know, love, and serve God in all others.

This past Thursday we celebrated Thanksgiving. The day is full of activity and visiting. However, I hope each of us took some time to stop and reflect on the blessings for which we should be thankful. However, if you did not the Church offers us another opportunity as we begin the Season of Advent! We have four weeks in which the church calls us to slow down and reflect as we prepare to celebrate the greatest gift of all, at Christmas; the gift of God in Jesus? The busyness of our lives and the “business” of living can lull us to sleep and keep us from noticing the gift of God in our lives. St. Paul reminds us this week that “It is the hour now for you to awake from sleep! For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Last week Jack Gallagher passed away in his sleep. His brother Ed, who is a priest, was here to celebrate Jack’s funeral Mass. Jack was a person who loved life and enjoyed every minute of it. He also loved God and Mother Mary and helped the church with his gifts. His sudden death reminded me of my parents who also died unexpectedly. There is no doubt that for all of us that St. Paul and Jesus were very aware how complacent we can become and therefore admonish us to “Stay awake!” and “be prepared!” The church also invites us to use the next four weeks to do so. This is not just a time to find the right gift, to get the right tree, to get the baking done, or to get the wrapping done. This is a time to prepare ourselves for the Lord’s return. Ask yourself, if today was the day for the Lord to call you home, would you be ready? I am reminded of a story shared by Anthony de Mello at a retreat I attended many years ago. The story goes… A man took his new hunting dog out on a trial hunt. When his moment arrived he shot a duck that fell into the lake. The dog walked over the water, picked up the duck, and brought it to his master. The man was flabbergasted! He shot another duck. Once again, while he rubbed his eyes in disbelief, the dog walked over the water and retrieved the duck. Hardly daring to believe what he had just seen, he called his neighbor for a shoot the following day. Once again, each time he or his neighbor hit a bird, the dog would walk over the water and bring the bird in. The man said nothing. Neither did his neighbor. Finally, unable to contain himself any longer, the dog owner blurted out, "Did you notice anything strange about that dog?" The neighbor rubbed his chin pensively. "Yes," he finally said. "Come to think of it, I did! The son of a gun can't swim!" After sharing this story de Mello added, “It isn't as if life is not full of miracles. It's more than that: life itself is miraculous, and anyone who stops taking it for granted will see it at once.” Our daily routines and the monotony that sometimes accompanies life can lull us into a sleep or complacency and endanger our faith and the very quality of our life. We need to allow God to shake us awake, to get our attention. This Advent season offers each of us such an opportunity. May God’s grace help us to live more fully, and love more deeply, and experience God’s love more profoundly.

Don’t forget, “The Lord is with you! Fr. Stan

Page Two St. Mary’s Church / St. Bridget’s Church November 27, 2016 Page Two St. Benedict Roman Catholic Parish

DAY MASS INTENTION EVENTS

Sunday, November 27

First Sunday of Advent

7:30 a.m. (SM) John Geise by Ellen, Chris & Anna 9:00 a.m. (SM) Sam Gaudino by his wife and children 9:30 a.m. (SB) Susan Clement by her mother and family 11:30 a.m. (SM) Deceased members of the Higgins &

Horrocks families by Ted & Maureen Horrocks

After Morning Masses (SM) Blood Pressure Clinic in Dougherty During 9:00 a.m. Mass (SM) Pre-K Nursery in Pre-K Room in

Dougherty Hall 5:00 p.m. (SM) Youth Ministry in the Yellow House

Monday, November 28

Advent Weekday

6:45 a.m. (SM) Word and Communion Service 8:00 a.m. (SB) John Romance by Gail Camiola 9:00 a.m. (SM) Leon Brown by Caryl Ann & Linda Fenti

Tuesday, November 29

Advent

Weekday

6:45 a.m. (SM) Julie Ceravolo Garnish by Bob & Maura Moore

9:00 a.m. (SM) Stephen Sherry by Mary Genecco

10:00 a.m. (SM) Prayer Shawl in the Yellow House 7:00 p.m. (SM) Hospitality Committee Meeting in Dougherty Hall 7:00 p.m. (SM) Youth Game Night in the Yellow House

Wednesday, November 30

St. Andrew

6:45 a.m. (SM) Gerry North by Jim & Anne Erdle 8:00 a.m. (SB) Paula Dolinar by Sue Hall 9:00 a.m. (SM) Word and Communion Service

5:30 p.m. (SB) Confessions in the Church 6:00 p.m. (SM) RCIA in Dougherty Hall 7:00 p.m. (SM) Adult Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, December 1

Advent Weekday

6:45 a.m. (SM) Henry Kozody by the Neubecker family 9:00 a.m. (SM) Ralph Calabrese, Jr. (Anniv) by his father

& brother

9:45 a.m. (SM) St. Nicodemus Bible Study in Dougherty Hall 3:45 p.m. (SM) Bell Choir Rehearsal in Church 7:00 p.m. (SM) Knights of Columbus #1445 in Dougherty Hall

Friday, December 2

Advent Weekday

6:45 a.m. (SM) Alice Macaluso by Laurie & Dennis Tep-per

8:00 a.m. (SB) Word and Communion Service 9:00 a.m. (SM) Donald Clark by his children, Colleen &

Tom

7:15 a.m.—7:00 p.m. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Halloran Chapel

7:00 p.m. (SM) Holy Hour and Benediction in Halloran Chapel

Saturday, December 3

St. Francis Xavier

8:00 a.m. (SM) Eileen Halpin by her children 5:00 p.m. (SM) Sue Taylor (Anniv) by Beverly & John

Taylor and family

All Day: Red kettle Bell-Ringing throughout Canandaigua 8:30 a.m. (SM) Divine Mercy Chaplet and Rosary in Church 9:00 a.m. (SM) Breakfast with Santa in Gym 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (SM) Confessions in Church 6:00 p.m. (SM) G.I.F.T. Saturday Session in Dougherty & Gym

Sunday, December 4

Second Sunday of

Advent

7:30 a.m. (SM) Donato Fiorentino (Anniv) by the family 9:00 a.m. (SM) Deceased members of the Valvano

family by the family 9:30 a.m. (SB) Gerry North (Anniv) by Joyce & Bob and

Nancy & Dick 11:30 a.m. (SM) Mr. & Mrs. Rocco Ceravolo by the

Ceravolo family

All Morning (SM) Mitten Sorting in Dougherty Hall During 9:00 a.m. Mass (SM) Pre-K Nursery in Pre-K Room in

Dougherty Hall During 9:00 a.m. Mass (SM) RCIA Dismissal in the PAC 10:30 a.m. (SB) Coffee Hour in Church Hall 1:00 p.m. (SM) Little Flowers in the Yellow House 5:00 p.m. (SM) Youth Ministry in the Yellow House

Today’s Responsorial Psalm

Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. Psalm 122

Altar Memorials This week the sanctuary lamp

at St. Mary’s will burn in loving memory of Donald Clark.

The bread and wine will also be offered in Donald’s memory,

by wife Millie and family

Events listed as SM take place at St. Mary’s, those listed as SB take place at St. Bridget’s, and those listed as SMS take place at St. Mary’s School

Wrapped presents with the gift tag firmly affixed are due back next Sunday,

December 4.

FOR YOUR PLANNING PURPOSES Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Mass Schedule Saturday, December 24

St. Bridget’s Church: 5pm, 10pm St. Mary’s Church: 3pm, 4:30pm, 6pm

Sunday, December 25 St Bridget’s Church: 9:30am St Mary’s Church: Midnight, 7:30am, 9am, 11:30am

Question of the Week: In this week’s readings we hear a lot about darkness and light.

When you think about your own life, where do you find light and darkness? How can you be

light for someone else this Advent season?

Beginning Advent: What are the key first steps?

We can slow down. We can all breathe more deeply. We can all begin to trust that this will be a blessed time. Then, when we let ourselves be who we are, and hear the Scriptures, we can begin to quietly pray, “Come, Lord, Jesus.” We might expand that prayer, in quiet moments of our days ahead, “Come into my life. I trust you don’t mind if it is still messy. I believe you love me, because I need your love. I don’t fear you can’t find the way to my heart. Come and fill me with peace and the love only you can give.” Some of us will want to open our hands on our laps or hold up our arms in the privacy of our rooms and say out loud, “Come, Lord, Jesus, come into this house, into my family, into our struggles. Come and heal us, and give us joy again. Come and unite us and let us experi-

ence, each in our own way, a bit of the joy you are offering me now.” And, before a single decoration goes up, we have prepared for Christmas’ mes-sage with the foundation of faith, with the mystery of Advent’s gift. God wants to be with us. Advent is letting God’s will be done in our hearts and in our everyday lives.

The Two Parts of Advent:

Part 1: up until December 16 While most liturgical seasons have the gospel as their main focus, during the first weeks of Advent, the Church gives us daily readings from the prophet Isaiah. With the eyes of faith, these foretell the coming of the Mes-

siah. Rather than a continuous gospel narrative familiar to us for most of the year, this part of Advent offers a wide variety of gospel readings that support the first reading of the day. After almost two weeks of Isaiah read-ings, we hear the foretelling of a Messiah from other prophets from the Hebrew scriptures - in Sirach, Numbers, Zephaniah and return-ing to Isaiah. With each passing week, the prophets speak more clearly of the coming of a Savior. So, in reading the first reading, for the first part of Advent, we listen to the anticipation, expectation, hope and promise. In listening to the second reading, we listen for the fulfillment or connection with the gospel.

Part 2: December 17 - 24 In these last eight days before Christmas, the relationship between the readings changes. Now the gospel brings us to our celebration of Christmas. The gospels are taken from the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke. Each of these days, the first reading is taken from the Hebrew scriptures, and chosen to match the gospel. In many cases we can imagine Matthew or Luke having the first read-ing open on their desks while they wrote the gospel. So, we can read the gospel first and then read the first reading. The sense of antici-pation and fulfillment builds as we read the story of the preparation for Jesus' first coming into this world for us.

A Prayer for Advent God of comfort, these times seem so uncer-tain, so scary. The world seems darker than it has in the past and I am less sure of my-self. Maybe that's a good thing; maybe now I am turning to you with a realization that I need you so much more and that my life is not in my own control. Let me not forget all of those around the world who are frightened at this moment. Help those who are victims of terrorism and war, poverty and injustice. Be with those who have lost so much in the past year. Hold us all in your loving arms and let us be comforted by the strength and peace you want so much to offer us through the birth of your son, Jesus. Thank you for the many gifts you offer us. Amen.

Page Four St. Benedict Roman Catholic Parish November 27, 2016

St Benedict’s Parish Support for November 19/20

Sincere thanks for your support of the parish and its ministries!

Due to an early bulletin deadline, the numbers for this week were unavailable.

Please see next week’s bulletin for full details. Attendance for 11/20 ........................................................

Weekly Offertory Income* ............................................ .$ Weekly Needs .................................................... ..$19,040 Overage (Shortage).............. ........................................... $

Year To Date Offertory Income* ............................................................ Year To Date Need ............................................ $399,840 Year To Date Overage (Shortage) ........................... …...$

*Regular Sunday Collection

ELECTRONIC GIVING PROGRAM St. Benedict’s is pleased to offer this safe and convenient op-tion for you to contribute your Sunday offering to the Church automatically through your checking or savings account. Please contact the business office at 394-1220.

DECEMBER FIRST FRIDAY This Friday, December 2, is the First Friday of December. We will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Hal-loran Chapel beginning at 7am. Exposition will continue until 7pm. All are invited to take time to honor the Lord and spend some quiet time with Him. From 7pm until 8pm, the Nocturnal Adoration Society will sponsor a Holy Hour and Benediction to conclude the day. Our Office of the Blessed Sacrament provides Psalms, spiritual readings, prayers, and silent adoration that reaffirm the joy of our faith in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. We have this vigil on the first Friday each month. Everyone is welcome. “Let our adoration never cease.” (St. Pope John Paul II)

PREPARING THE WAY, an Advent Reflection Join us on Tuesday, December 13, for a Day Retreat at Notre Dame Retreat House (5151 Foster Rd., Canandaigua). The Day schedule is: 9am registration along with coffee and pas-tries; 9:30 conference begins; lunch at noon; reconciliation and Mass; day ends at 3pm. Please call 585-394-5700 to register. A fee of $25.00 payable at registration. Sr. Carole Proia, SSJ will facilitate this day retreat.

BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY FOR CHURCHES Sponsored by Family Promise of Ontario County

Engaging the faith community to lead homeless children and their families to sustainable independence

What Every Church Member Should Know About Poverty As we engage in ministries and invite the poor into our congregation, many issues can arise. Please consider attend-ing a powerful workshop that addresses some of the issues that faith-based communities face in dealing with individu-als from poverty. The session is also intended to continue the conversation about how congregations can better serve the poor. Saturday, January 21, 2017, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at St. Bridget’s Church in Bloomfield. For more details and to register go to www.familypromiseontariocounty.org.

CHRISTMAS FLOWER MEMORIAL For those who would like to memorialize a loved one at Christmas time, simply write the name(s) of those you would like memorialized on an envelope, place an offering in the envelope, and drop it in the collection basket (additional marked envelopes are available at the back of the Church). You may also wish to mail it to the parish office. We will pray for them during the Christmas Season and list all those me-morialized on our bulletin boards.

NEW HYMNALS! Have you noticed our new hymnals?!? The Glory and Praise Hymnal has been purchased for our use during our liturgical celebrations. It has music that is familiar to us as well as new music we can learn. Many of the “old stand-by” hymns are in the book plus many that you will come to en-joy. The readings for each week are printed in the back of the book and they will now be indicated on the hymn board. The Eucharistic Prayer is not printed in the book. The priest is the one who recites that prayer as the commu-nity prays it together. Not having it print-ed, allows the congregation to pay attention with sight and hearing to the words spoken and the ritual performed. Please give your-self time to adjust to our new hymnal. BREAKFAST WITH SANTA Breakfast with Santa is on Saturday, December 3rd, from 9AM-11AM in the St. Mary’s School Gym. The cost is $4.00/person with children 3 and under free. Menu: Pancakes, Sausage, Milk and Coffee. Bring your camera for pictures with Santa. Join in a Christmas craft or game. Browse our Cookie walk and purchase home baked goodies! All proceeds benefit the St. Mary's PTO. CHECKING YOUR INVENTORY? Have you taken stock of your personal inventory of clothes, gifts and treasures? (You know, the STUFF you received as a gift, but never wore, or the beautiful, but impractical pre-sents you have received but keep in their original box.) In both communities we offer these items to families at no charge each Christmas, so they will be have something to give loved ones. Direct your treasures in Bloomfield to the BLESSING ROOM. In Canandaigua, leave them in the back corridor of the Parish Administration Center or at the Dougherty Hall entrance to church marked “for KIDSHOP.” Last year, in Bloomfield dozens of donations made terrific re-gifts. In Canandaigua, five hundred shopped at the Christmas Shop. The dates for 2016 are December 16 and 17; there are sign-up sheets in St. Mary’s Church if you’d like to be involved in the set-up or staffing of this year’s event.

To Place a Gift Card Order- Download the Flyer, Order Form & Retailers List at

www.stmaryscanandaigua.org Return Order & Payment (checks only, payable to St.

Mary’s School) by Monday. Nov. 28. Orders will be ready for pick-up on or before

Thursday, December 8. Questions? Call School at 394-4300.

Christmas Gift Card Sale Sponsored by St. Mary’s School

Gift Cards make the “perfect gift” or use them just like cash. Easy and convenient shopping!!

Thank you & Merry Christmas from St. Mary’s School!

Page Five St. Benedict Roman Catholic Parish November 27, 2016

A Nell Adams William Aikins Baby Anthony

B Baby Claire Neal Badger Sheryl Barry Dawn Bartholomew Shirley Bement Albert Benivegna Alicen Bentley Anna Bomwell Jeanette Bouquin-Boesler Dennis Bowler David Boyle Shannon Breen Bob Bucceri Kristy Buella Evelyn Bugg Sara Burns Lucille Burrill Virginia Buskus

C David Capone Christopher Case Avery Lynn Casella Ben Cassarino Dennis Walter Castle Cheryl Cecere Michelle Cleaves Lois Clovis Stephen Cole Ginny Coniss Mark Conover Terrence Constable Todd Cook

Matthew Coons Charlene Cowell Pauline Crosier Ellie Crouse Bruce Currier Travis Curtis

D Joe D’Agostino Brenda D’Angelo Joe Deats Bernice Delforte Georgia DeMuzio Karen DeSeyn Kevin Dillon Sue Dobies

E Jeanne Erdle

F Nicole Favro John & Joan Fleming Anne Fiorentino Marilyn Fisher Nicholas Forgione Diane Fudalik

G Ian Galek Christopher Gallagher Deborah Genovese Robert Genovese Andrew German Kathy Gilbert Suzanne Greenwood Anne Griffith Lacey Pietropaolo Gu-lick

H Barb Haight

Sue Hall James Hamilton Al Harter Shirley Heeks Lloyd Heise Mike Heise Noelle Henning Connor Hicks Ted Horrocks Bennett Hudson Dean Humbert

I John Inness

J Susan Jackson Adam Jemmott Dawn Jensen Eric Johnson Jeff Johnson Jerry Johnston Patt Jones

K Martha Kastler Chris Keely Christine Kimmerly James King Nancy Kolb Robert Kubiak Jr.

L Barbara LaBombard Natalie Lawler Nicholas LeGrett Kitty & Philip Loeper Mary Jane Lortscher

James and Liz Lowe Hope Lowman John Luvera Joseph Lynch Teresa Lynch

M Bob Mack Mary Malinowski Claire Maney Michael Mapes Jim Marianacci Alicia Marney Anne Martin Esther Martin Justin Martin Terryn Maybeck Jay Mayeu Janet McCloud Elli McDermott Robert McGlynn Shelby McGlynn Heather McFadden Barbara & James McKee Terry McKenna Genevieve McWilliams Paul Meath Liz Michaels Art Miller Caty Miller Cindy Miller Karen Miller Ron Milton Ken Moore Virginia Lee Mosely

Carolyn Muldoon

N Gordon Nicholson

P Ed Pasciak Harry Patrick Cindy Peck Joyce Pelusio Amelia Personale Jeanetta Pharis Frank Pontera Patricia Popielec

Q Buddy Quayle

R Joe Rafter Ann Recker Barbara Redman Shannon Reeves Rick Revier Tom Revier Wendy Rex Ryder Thomas Rexford Linda Rodney Frank Rutallie

S Beverly Savage Joan, Donald, and Charles Scheibener Regina Schmitt Barbara Schram Rita Schuster Deb Scorse Charles Scott Kelly Shannon Eugene Sharp

Scott Shinkle Family Cindy Skrypek James Smith Mary and Ralph Smith Morgan Smithling Patricia Stauffer James Sullivan Natalie Swift

T Sandra Tambe Steve Tempest Abby Terhune Nancy Barnett Tighe Ethel Toner

V John Valeska Angela Vallachi Michael Vallachi Oretta Valvano Jonathan Vanderwall Janet VanGelder Toni Vatlimo Cheryle Vine Danielle Violanti Annette Vitalone

W Lloyd Wade The Walczak Family Barbara Wasson Ed Watson Sophie Watson Marie Webster Tim Welch Abbe Widmark-Crowell Florence Wisniewski Virginia Wyffels

ST. BENEDICT PARISH ADMIN CENTER: 95 N Main St., Canandaigua, NY 14424 (585) 394-1220 Fax (585) 396-3230

Parish Emergency Pager: (585) 220-7339 www.stbenedictonline.org

cstmaryc@dor.org

Parish Office Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. M-W-F

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. T and T Closed Daily from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

NEW PARISHIONERS: Welcome to our Parish Family! We are so glad you are here! Please let us know you are here so that we can minister to your needs. Speak with a hospitality member, or call or email the parish office.

BAPTISMS Call or email Deacon Claude so he can discuss with you the steps to bap-tism, for your children.

HOLY MATRIMONY Engaged couples should contact the parish at least 6 months prior to desired wedding date. Marriage Preparation is required. Please call or email Deacon Claude.

BECOMING CATHOLIC (R.C.I.A.) Call or email Fr. Daniel.

PARISH COUNCIL Chairperson: Jean Mercandetti Council Members: Nicholas Bober, Brian Carl, Chris Decker, Bill Di-Bacco, Caryl Favro, Nancy Lynch, Paula Foster, Donna Mathis, Chris Neubecker, Norah Nolan-Cramer, Natalie Ruppel, Melanie Soberon, and Andy Yudichak Ex officio members: Fr. Daniel Ruiz, Dawn Burdick, Ann Marie Deutsch, Andrew Uttaro, Deacon Claude Lester, and Valerie Haynes.

St. Mary’s Church 95 N. Main St., Canandaigua, NY 14424

St. Bridget’s Church 15 Church Street, Bloomfield, NY 14469

Father Stan Kacprzak, Pastor…...x31…………… … ....frstan@dor.org

Father Daniel Ruiz, Parochial Vicar….....x11……… …..fruiz@dor.org

Father Kevin Murphy, Senior Priest

Deacon Claude Lester, Sacr Prep - Social Min….X15. ..clester@dor.org

Dawn Burdick,

Pastoral Associate, G.I.F.T. Coordinator...x 39……….dburdick@dor.org

Nick Laskowski, Faith Form Co-Coordinator .x37. nlaskowski@dor.org

Emily Spinelli, Faith Formation Co-Coordinator ..x42.espinelli@dor.org

Andrew Uttaro, Youth Ministry Coordinator……...x 41..auttaro@dor.org

Valerie Haynes, Parish Life Coordinator...x 24……...vhaynes@dor.org

Trixie Meteyer, Music Director…………...x 12……...tmeteyer@dor.org

Maureen Horrocks, Receptionist…........x10…… . ...mhorrocks@dor.org

Anthony DiPrima, Financial Director…...x 25……....adiprima@dor.org

Patricia Simmons, Business Mgr…...... x 13………..psimmons@dor.org

Helen Vallee, Asst. to Business Mgr….....x 34…… …...hvallee@dor.org

Rich Clayton, Joe Schrader & Laurent Paré,

Maintenance................x18………….rclayton@dor.org, shaynes@dor.org

Cemeteries..……………………....…………………...…………….....x 33

St Mary’s School 16 E. Gibson St., Canandaigua, NY 14424…...(585) 394-4300

www.stmaryscanandaigua.org Ann Marie Deutsch, Principal…………..x16………..adeutsch@dor.org

Pam Negley, Donna Kamholtz, SMS Sec... x 17 ……...smcdcs@dor.org

Please Pray for Our Sick

Page Six St. Benedict Roman Catholic Parish November 27, 2016

ADVENT RETREAT AT ST. JOHN OF ROCHESTER 'God With Us' Advent Retreat with Dan Schutte Nov. 27-29 From: St. John of Rochester Parish What: 'God With Us' Advent Retreat with Dan Schutte When: Sun., Mon., Tues. Nov. 27, 28, 29 at 7:00 pm Where: 8 Wickford Way, Fairport STILL LOOKING FOR MITTENS We are still in need of mittens for infants and young chil-dren(15 and under) for this year’s Christmas Assistance Program. Please bring them to the PAC Center and leave with Maureen Horrocks or call Marcia Webster at 394-6836 to arrange for a pick-up.

Readings for the Week of November 27, 2016 Sunday: Is 2:1-5/Ps 122/Rom 13:11-14/Mt 24:37-44 Monday: Is 4:2-6/Ps 122/Mt 8:5-11 Tuesday: Is 11:1-10/Ps 72/Lk 10:21-24 Wednesday: Rom 10:9-18/Ps 23/Mt 4:18-22 Thursday: Is 26:1-6/Ps 118/Mt 7:21, 24-27 Friday: Is 29:17-24/Ps 27/Mt 9:27-31 Saturday: Is 30:19-21, 23-26/Ps 147/Mt 9:35--10:1, 5a, 6-8 Next Sunday: Is 11:1-10/Ps 72/Rom 15:4-9/Mt 3:1- 12

SUPPORTING OUR KALAMA PROJECT Since 2009, St. Benedict’s has been involved in a solidarity development project with the small village of Kalama, Kenya. Our initial efforts to drill a borehole well, provide educational scholarships and construct a medical clinic have all met with great success and have helped to change the quality of life for the villagers.

When Father Dominic was in our country this summer, he brought with him hand carvings from Kalama. For the re-turn trip to Kenya, we filled his suitcase with dozens of de-flated soccer and volleyballs (and a couple of good air pumps). The products available in Kenya are of inferior quality and only last a few weeks; American-made balls will last for more than an entire season. This photograph shared by Father Dominic had the caption, “here are some of the student body happily holding the balls you bought for the school. It was such a great gift and the boys had a great time in sports this academic period.”

These are among the hand-crafted items brought by Father Dominic. They are available for sale. Contact Deacon Claude.

HOW ELSE CAN WE SUPPORT THE KALAMA PROJECT? Each year we offer an ALTERNATIVE GIVING PROGRAM at the Holidays so persons can recognize those who have impacted them through their loving, caring acts, while making a contribution to this charitable cause. You can choose to make a donation to Kala-ma as a Christmas greeting, recognition of accomplishment (e.g. retirement, birthday), in honor/appreciation, or in memory of. Over the years we have had persons make a donation as an anniversary gift, in thanksgiving for prayers answered, to acknowledge a long friendship that doesn’t require a tangible gift, but, rather a thoughtful gesture, instead of giving Christmas presents. We’ve had several sets of parents who have asked their grown kids to contribute to the cause, instead of buying other presents. And there’s even a place for additional text on the card. We send an acknowledgment card to that individual in your name. (So we can ensure delivery to your honoree by December 25, please return this form to the PAC by December 17). Forms are available at the entrances of each church.

You can contribute directly to the BUILDING CAMPAIGN by taking one of the gift tags in church. At this point, we are raising the $7500. needed to build the grade 2 classroom. Tags give you the opportunity to pay for a bag of cement, a truckload of building blocks, windows and doors.

The KALAMA PROJECT has given us the opportunity to express our faith in action, to help a people achieve more for themselves and their families, to give hope to the 1600 persons of Kalama, to form a bond with our brothers and sisters in Christ half a world away, to be the presence of Christ. The generous support of this community has raised $175.636. Each year we need $7500. for the construction of another classroom, $3000. for a subsidy for the health clinic and $13000 for educational scholarships. THANK YOU for your continued generosity.

Church Name: St Benedict Roman Catholic Parish City, State East Bloomfield, NY / Canandaigua, NY File Name: 06-0088 Phone: 585-394-1220 Contact/Editor: Jessica Winum, Communications Coordinator stbenedictcommunications@gmail.com

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