Sa int Catherine of Siena Church

November 30, 2008     

MONDAY - December 1^st                    

            8:00 a.m.   William Kramer

TUESDAY - December 2^nd     

8:00 a.m.  Kim Hatfield - Special Intention

WEDNESDAY - December 3^rd

            6:30 p.m.  Wayne Vinson

THURSDAY - December 4^th

            8:00 a.m.  Roy & Thelma Hiser

FRIDAY - December 5^th

            9:00 a.m.  Betty Kocher

SATURDAY - December 6^th

            8:00 a.m.  Ed & Louella Robinson

            4:30 p.m.  Joyce Rolf

SUNDAY - December 7^th

            9:00 a.m. Members of the Parish

          11:30 a.m. Freda Waechter

GIFT BEARERS   December 6^th & 7^th    

  4:30 p.m.  Ken & Karma Klingenberg & Family

  9:00 a.m.  Tony & Sue Ann Freeman & Family

  11:30 a.m. Mike & Julie Rafferty & Family

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST     December 6^th & 7^th

4:30 p.m.  Alexa Abner, Greg Gall, Barb Beck, Mollie Beck, Cathy Halloran, Matthew Beck, Elizabeth Hamberg, Mary Jamell

9:00 a.m.  Nancy Hassman, Stacey Seiter, Madison Freeman, Carol Adams, James Deavy, Mary Lou Deavy, Jennifer Cox, David Thiel

11:30 a.m. Jayne Beiting, Zane Dziech, Carter New, Tom New, Kelley Glaser, Mike Smith,  Austin Juniet, Tom Adkins

LECTORS    December 6^th & 7^th  

4:30 p.m.   JoAnne Garner, Jim Deavy

9:00 a.m.   Maryanne Zeleznik, Jenny Malmstrom

11:30 a.m. Bruce Mirrielees, Jennie Cox

SERVERS SCHEDULE    December 1^st - 7^th    

8:00 a.m.   - Monday

                          Evan Mohr, Noah Connolly

8:00 a.m. - Tuesday

                          Connor Bleser, Laura Brannon                      

6:30 p.m. - Wednesday

                          Olivia Owens, Mallory Seidel

8:00 a.m. -Thursday

                          Ellie New, Megan O’Brien

9:00 a.m. - Friday

                          Sarah Ruwe, Whitney Fields, Brandon Vieth

8:00 a.m. - Saturday

                          Maria Massa, Caroline Holmes

4:30 p.m. - Saturday

                          Seth Connolly, Laura Bunning, Nathan Grosser

9:00 a.m. - Sunday

                        Caitlyn Thiel, Colin Dupont, Lou Bunning

11:30 a.m. - Sunday

                          Emily Hicks, Adam Hicks, Brennan Devoto

GREETERS SCHEDULE     December 6^th & 7^th  

4:30 p.m.   Betty Mohr

9:00 a.m.   Ken & Lori Greis, Stan & Cathy VanLierop

11:30 a.m. Lois & Patti Hoffman, Tom & Marcia Adkins

SUNDAY COLLECTION RECAP

11/16/2008                    11/18/2007

Weekly Offering                                            $14,708.00                  $27,139

Weekly Budget                                              $14,145.00

Number of Registered Families                    724

Number of Families Contributing                  169

Fiscal Year to Date Collections                    $327,705.00

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK    Karen Owens, Margie Thomas, Bob Shay, Bob Hiance, Megan Wolfe, and Paula Riedmatter Perrino.  Also, remember our parishioners in nursing homes as well as those confined to their homes in your prayers.

NEXT SUNDAY’S READINGS

Is 40: 1-5; 9-11                                                            2 Pt 3: 8-14                                          Mk 1: 1-8 (5)

THIS WEEK                                                                          

TODAY

                        First Sunday of Advent

                        Pancake Breakfast, 10:00 a.m. , McCrystal Hall                       

                        Player’s Auditions, 7:00 p.m. , McCrystal Hall

                        AA/Al-Anon, 7:00 p.m. , LIB                           

MONDAY     

                        Charismatic Prayer Group, 7:15 p.m. , Church                                                  

TUESDAY

                        Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 3:00 p.m.

                        Confessions, 5:30 p.m.

                        Rosary Prayer Service, 7:00 p.m.

                        Board of Education, 7:00 p.m. , LIB

                        Benediction, 8:30 p.m.  

WEDNESDAY          

                        Mass, 6:30 p.m.

                        Advent Lessons & Carols, following mass

THURSDAY 

                        Foresters Meeting, 6:00 p.m. , TWR

                        Baptism Preparation Class, 6:00 p.m. , Parish Office

                        RCIA, 7:00 p.m. , LIB

                        Choir, 7:30 p.m. , Church                                                                                                                                   

FRIDAY        

                        Painting in McCrystal Hall                                   

SATURDAY  

                        Painting in McCrystal Hall                                                                       

NEXT SUNDAY

                        Blood Pressure Screening after all masses

                        Birthday Party for Jesus, 12:30 p.m. , McCrystal Hall

                        Player’s Audition, 7:30 p.m. , McCrystal Hall

 IN OUR PARISH

THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT – “BE WATCHFUL! BE ALERT!” MARK 13:33-37Today begins our preparation for the celebration of the most important event to happen regarding the salvation of mankind – the birth of Jesus Christ.  Over the next 4 weeks we have an opportunity to read and reflect and pray for a greater insight into the true meaning of the nativity of the child Jesus.  Push aside the hype and the hoopla and prepare a true gift for Jesus – a heart that is more like His and a life that imitates him in how we treat others.  Be watchful and be alert to every opportunity to be like Jesus.  

FROM THE FINANCE COUNCIL   This year Bishop Foys instituted a new policy that requires parishes to have periodic procedural audits.  This is not an audit of the actual finances, but one that determines compliance with the Diocesan Parish Fiscal Policies and Procedures Manual.  St. Catherine was chosen at random to have the audit done this year.  After receiving several bids, we selected the accounting firm of Van Gorder, Walker & Co. to perform the audit.  We are pleased to report that it went very well.  The auditors offered only three minor recommendations.  Two – that all parish cash accounts (Boosters, Players, etc) should be accounted for on the parish balance sheet, and that a finance council member other than the business manager review the monthly bank reconciliation – were quickly implemented; the third – that all fixed assets should be recorded on the balance sheet – is not recommended by the diocese.  We do inventory all fixed assets, but because we are a non-profit organization that does not pay taxes, we don't depreciate our fixed assets, so there is no reason to list them on the balance sheet.  

LOOKING FOR AN EASIER WAY TO FULFILL YOUR OFFERTORY COMMITMENT? Having a hard time remembering to bring your donation each Sunday? Want to give back to God from your surplus instead of your leftovers? EFT may be the answer to your dilemma. Your offertory commitment may be fulfilled by having a monthly withdrawal from your checking account through  Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). The withdrawal can take place either on the 15th or the 30th of the month. If you would like more information, please contact Mary Brzinski in the parish office 441-1352 extension 14 or email at mbrzinski@stcatherineofsiena.org.

PARISH JESSE TREE PROJECT   Visit the Jesse Tree today and next weekend… We will be providing gifts to those in need in our parish, local community and through the diocesan mission in Vanceburg , Kentucky .  Select an ornament tag from the tree, located in the church’s prayer/meditation space and return your gift with ornament tag attached by Sunday, December 14^th, 12:30 pm to the Jesse Tree area.  Wrap your gift only if indicated on the tag.  We are also collecting canned food items and peanut butter.  For those interested in helping but unable to shop, monetary donations will be gladly accepted.  Call Molly Fassler 442-9150 if you have any questions.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS PARTY     Has been canceled.  

ST. CATHERINE PLAYERS AUDITIONS FOR CHILDREN OF EDEN   Calling all actors, dancers, singers, and more…the Players invite you to audition for Children of Eden, a musical ride through the biblical book of Genesis, penned by Stephen Schwartz, the lyricist for Godspell and Wicked. Auditions are open to everyone, no experience required, and will take place Sunday, November 30^th and Sunday, December 7^th, both at 7:30pm in McCrystal Hall. For more information contact Producer Conni Tupes at 859-781-0009.  

HELP HOMELESS FAMILIES   through the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) Monday-Wednesday, December 1^st, 2^nd & 3rd.  Assistance is needed in transporting families in the IHN van to and from Christ Church and the Day Center in Newport , preparing a meal, hosting a meal and spending the night. This is a great way for families and individuals to work together in service. New volunteers will be paired with experienced helpers so don’t let inexperience keep you from answering the call. Call Mindy Hoarston at 547-8415 for additional information or see the sign-up posters at the Rossford Avenue exit of church.   

(2107-0070.tif)CHRISTMAS MEMORIAL FLOWERS....Remember a loved one by placing flowers in the church during the Christmas season.  Please use the envelope from your packet for this occasion.  List the name of the person to be remembered and their name will then be listed in our Memorial Book which will be located in the back of Church during the Christmas season.  

UPDATE MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION    Does the church have your family membership record correct?  It is time for us to update our database with any changes, additions, or deletions that may have occurred in your family over the past year.  Have you changed your phone number?  Have you moved or are you planning to move soon?  Are all of your children still at home and are they all included in your  membership record?   Here is your chance to update your record for our annual Guide Book & Directory.  If you have not already informed the church office about any changes to your record, please let us know now so that the information in the new Guide Book is correct.

IN OUR DIOCESE

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA       sponsored by Holy Trinity School Parent’s Club will be held on Saturday, December 6^th from 9 AM until Noon at Garvey Hall located in St. Bernard Church.  This event is packed with kid’s games & crafts, Secret Santa Shop, raffles, and more!  Cost is $3.00 per child and includes pancake & sausage breakfast and 4 activity tickets.  Adult admission is free and breakfast can be purchased for $3.00.  Pictures with Santa are $3.00 for two 4x6 photos.  See you there!  

LUNCH WITH SANTA      Join Santa in his Mission to Africa .  “Newport Central Catholic Students for Africa ” are sponsoring a lunch with Santa to help defray the cost toward their Mission Trip next Summer. It will be held on Sunday, Dec. 14^th from 12-2:30 at St. Thomas cafeteria.   Lunch, pictures with Santa, holiday activities, and our SPECIAL PROJECT – “Child to Child Prayer Bracelets” - make a bracelet for yourself and one for a friend in Africa that Santa will deliver!  Cost-Children $6.00; adult $3.00 (children under 1 free).  Paid reservations encouraged -Please call Kathy at 468-5157 or Patty at 441-7664 or 468-9482 for payment information or mail payment to Patty Kues 628 S. Ft. Thomas Ave. Ft. Thomas. Ky 41075 (please include name and # of adults and children) Checks payable to St. Thomas .  Please join us in changing the lives of people on both sides of the world!   

ELSEWHERE

CHRISTMAS GIFT WRAPPING AT FLORENCE MALL   Beginning November 28, 2008 and continuing thru December 24, 2008 Interfaith Hospitality Network will be wrapping gifts at Florence Mall.   We do not know the site as yet.    WE ARE IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS AND ASSISTANT COORDINATORS.  If you would like to volunteer to work a shift or to take a day to supervise the gift wrap please contact Bill & Ruth Chestnut at (859)282-8586 or Betsy Evans at (859)441-2785. We can use you in at least two hour increments and are encouraging churches to volunteer for a whole day.   Youth groups should have one adult for each 4 youths.  All of the proceeds benefit Interfaith Hospitality Network, which houses homeless families of Northern Kentucky by using churches to provide sleeping quarters and meals. Please consider volunteering to help this very worthy cause.  

Parish Night Schedule of Events

Immediately following Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Mass

                                            Adult Education                        Youth Ministry                          Children’s Ministry

December 3                                                               Advent Lessons and Carols                                                        

    All Ages Welcome

December 10                                                 Medjogorije - presented by Dave Schlachter

                                                                                       All Ages Welcome

December 17                     Season of Christmas                 Adventures of St. Paul                     Juan Diego & Our Lady of      

                                                     Fr. Stef                                 In Gym                                       Guadalupe - In Library