The following are highlights from this Sunday's bulletin. To read the entire parish bulletin for March 7, 2010, click here.

NEED FOR ALTAR SERVERS:  There is a need for Altar Servers for the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass. Individuals should be willing to serve 1-2 times per month. Anyone from 9 to 90 should consider this important ministry. Training will be provided. Please call Jim Morrisard at 973-6570 if you are interested.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS:  The Stations of the Cross will be held Fridays at 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a simple soup supper. Your participation is needed. Each Friday two readers, a Cross bearer and two candle bearers are needed. Sign-up is on the credenza. No experience is needed and training will be provided. Call Jim Morrisard at 973-6570 for more information.

CANTORS NEEDED:  We are in need of additional singers to serve as cantors for the 5:00 p.m. Saturday mass and the 8:30 a.m. Sunday mass. Any interested persons should speak to Bill Polhill, Minister of Music or contact him at gwpolh3@yahoo.com.

CCS CONTINUES TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS: Charlottesville Catholic School (CCS) continues to accept applications for Pre-kindergarten through 8th grade and are in the process of considering applicants in our applicant pool.  If you are interested in learning more about all that CCS has to offer, please call our Admissions Coordinator, Ann Michel, at 964-0400. Appointments may be made for tours Monday through Friday.

AUCTION:  Just one week until CCS’s 14th Annual Gala Auction!  Make your online reservation now to join us next Saturday, March 13th at the Boar’s Head Inn Pavilion as we "Celebrate the Journey"!  Buy a raffle ticket (prizes include a new 46" flat screen TV, a Dell Mini Laptop, Vacation weeks, UVA sports packages and much more!) and/or join us for a fun, memorable community evening.  Silent and live auctions, dinner and dancing included!!  This weekend is your last chance to register! For more information, visit http://www.cvillecatholic.org/auctionupdate2010/.

PHILOSOPHY CLUB:  The Philosophy Club has moved to daylight hours!  We now meet the second Sunday of the month at 12:30 p.m. (right after the 11:00 a.m. mass) in the Bernard Moore Room.  All are welcome to join us at any time.  At our next meeting, on March 14th, we will discuss St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica, Question II and Question III, Articles 3 and 4, on the existence of God.
Please contact Suzanne Bailey (sbailey@nlrg.com or 296-5033) with any questions.

IMPACT:  Mark your calendars!  The IMPACT Nehemiah Action Assembly takes place at U-Hall on Monday, March 22.  Although the program starts at 7:00 p.m., it's a good idea to plan to arrive at 6:15 to park and sign-in.  Even if you have ignored all the other IMPACT programs this year, your attendance at Nehemiah is crucial.  IMPACT works to bring justice for the poor through the power of numbers -- a very large number of people of faith.

PANTRY:  The amount of food we receive from the government has increased lately, but that doesn't mean we can eliminate the pantry bags provided by the parish.  We always need protein foods like tuna and chunky soups, and toilet articles are especially welcome.  It's amazing how many people ask for soap and toilet paper, and how pleased they are when we tell them those items are automatically included in all pantry bags.

SALTADÈRE UPDATE:  Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Father Blot and our twin parish of St. Michel are helping to support about 500 refugees in the community through care at the clinic and education at St. Michel School. Watch for updates and recent pictures at the Haiti table. Updates on relief efforts are being posted on the Saltadère website, www.saltadere.org.

ANNUAL DIOCESAN HAITI GATHERING:  St. Thomas Aquinas is hosting the Diocesan Haiti Gathering on March 20th. Please take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about the work of our diocese in Haiti. The new bishop of Hinche (sister diocese to Richmond) will be a speaker. Help is needed with all aspects of organizing this all day event. To register, call Patrice at (804)545-5974 or email patrice.schwermer@cccofva.org.

BI-PARISH HAITI COMMITTEE:  The committee’s next meeting will be March 7th at St. Thomas Aquinas at 1:00 p.m. in the Library. For more information, please contact Laurie Duncan at Laurie Duncan.

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

The following are highlights from this Sunday's bulletin. To read the entire parish bulletin for January 24, 2010, click here.

NEED FOR ALTAR SERVERS:  There is an immediate need for Altar Servers for the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass. Individuals should be willing to serve 1-2 times per month. If you are between the ages of 9 to 90, please consider this important ministry. Training will be provided. Please call Jim Morrisard at 973-6570 if you are interested.

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: Charlottesville Catholic School is currently accepting applications for the 2010-11 school year.  Please visit our website for comprehensive information and for details about our application process. Applications must be received by February 8th to be considered in the first round of enrollment contract offers.  If you would like to have a tour of our school, please call Ann Michel, Admissions Coordinator, at 964-0400.  Limited seats are also available for this school year.

CAN YOU HELP?:  Holy Comforter has a group of Sacristans that take turns during the week preparing for the upcoming Masses. Each Sacristan signs up for one or two months of the year. During the assigned months, it takes one hour a week at the Church doing some easy, but essential tasks. If you can spare the time to help in the preparation for our Masses, it would be a great help. Training is provided. Another area in which we are in need of a volunteer is in the washing and ironing of the Church linens. If you can help with either of these important ministries or for more information, please contact Barbara Battiston at 244-0185.

BOOK CLUB:  Are you looking for a chance to deepen your understanding of your faith? To share your views with other parishioners?  If you are, we invite you to read the book "A Key to The Doctrine of The Eucharist" by Abbot Vonier and to come to the next meeting of the book club on Tuesday, March 2nd from 4:00-5:30 p.m. at 150 Bennington Road.  For questions or to get directions, contact Therese Stong at 296-9961 or trstong@embarqmail.com.

FIRST RECONCILIATION CLASS SCHEDULE:  First Reconciliation classes for all parish second grade students will be held on January 24, 31, and February 7. All classes meet in the chapel from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. A parent must attend each class with his/her child. First Reconciliation is Saturday, February 13th at 11:00 a.m.

IMPACT:  During the recent bitterly cold weather much has been said about providing shelter for the homeless.  Making sure that everyone has a warm place to stay in the winter is critical.  But there are systemic problems that create homelessness in the first place.  So while congregations in the area are providing immediate aid through PACEM, the IMPACT congregations, most of whom support PACEM, are working on the justice issues that contribute to homelessness.  Learn about what IMPACT is accomplishing at the Rally on February 25th at 7:00 p.m. at the Church of the Incarnation.

PANTRY:  LOTION!  During the winter dry skin can be a problem for many people.  For the elderly, winter-related dry skin can be very painful.  For elderly people living on limited incomes, soothing lotions can be an out-of-reach luxury.  The next time you're making a purchase for the pantry, think LOTION!

EARTHQUAKE UPDATE:  Many thanks to all who are praying for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Saltadère felt the earthquake but its people and buildings are okay. We have news that other twinning parishes with twins in the capitol have lost Haitian friends there. Our own Pere Blot has lost three nieces who were in Port-au- Prince. All parts of Haiti are feeling the impact however, as relatives move from the capitol back to the country. Shortages of food and fuel in the capital are causing a rise in price of a scarce commodity. Thank you for supporting the diocesan collection for Haiti last weekend and this weekend. Haiti’s needs are many but the Haitian people have resilience as they place their trust in God. Let us pray with them that God will be their refuge and their strength. Updates on the earthquake and Haitian friends are posted on Saltadère.org

BI-PARISH HAITI COMMITTEE:  The committee next meets at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 24th at St. Thomas Aquinas. All are welcome. To learn more, contact Laurie Duncan at Laurie Duncan.

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

The bulletin for January 3, 2010 is available by clicking here to view it.

Listed below are a few of the items from this week's bulletin. See the bulletin for more details and to read all of the announcements.

NEED FOR ALTAR SERVERS:  There is an immediate need for Altar Servers for the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass. Individuals should be willing to serve 1-2 times per month. If you are between the ages of 9 to 90, please consider this important ministry. Training will be provided. Please call Jim Morrisard at 973-6570 if you are interested.

CHARLOTTESVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (CCS) OPEN HOUSE: Parents of prospective students are invited to attend Charlottesville Catholic School’s Winter Open House on Wednesday, February 3rd from 9:00 –11:00 a.m. Join us to learn more about what CCS has to offer students, from challenging academics to strong community life where faith is integrated in all we do and celebrated every day.

THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS:  The next meeting of Father Louis A. Rowen Council 3670 will be held on Monday, January 18th at the Church of the Incarnation’s Stone Chapel. The Church of the Incarnation is located on Route 29 North behind Toys’R'US. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 7:15 p.m. followed by the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Plan to attend and bring a brother Knight.

FIRST RECONCILIATION CLASS SCHEDULE:  First Reconciliation classes for all parish second grade students will be held on January 24, 31, and February 7. All classes meet in the chapel from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. A parent must attend each class with his/her child. First Reconciliation is Saturday, February 13th at 11:00 a.m.

IMPACT:  At the IMPACT Rally to be held at Incarnation Church on February 25th, we will learn what the research committees are planning to seek at the Nehemiah Action Assembly on March 22nd. It is hoped that the enthusiasm generated at the Rally will inspire us to bring ourselves and as many others as possible to the Nehemiah Action. The average weekly worship attendance at Holy Comforter is about 600. Can we bring 100 to Nehemiah?

PANTRY:  During this unusually cold winter there are people in our community who are having a tough time providing shelter and heat for their families. Often the food budget suffers as a result of this. Fortunately the generous people of Holy Comforter parish can help by providing generous pantry bags filled with nourishing food, soap, toilet paper, shampoo, deodorant, tooth paste and tooth brushes. On behalf of these needy people -- Thank You!

BI-PARISH HAITI COMMITTEE:  The committee next meets at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 24th at St. Thomas Aquinas. All are welcome. To learn more, contact Laurie Duncan at Laurie Duncan.

TRAVEL TO HAITI:  Several trips to visit our twin parish of St. Michel are being planned in the coming months. If you are interested in traveling with one of these groups, please contact Paul Harnois at lphmch@embarqmail.com.

For more information about Holy Comforter's twinning work with St. Michel parish, visit Saltadère.org

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

The bulletin for January 3, 2010 is available by clicking here to view it.

Listed below are a few of the items from this week's bulletin. See the bulletin for more details and to read all of the announcements.

SOPRANOS, TENORS, AND BASSES NEEDED:  The choir is in need of additional singers. Please contact Bill Polhill at gwp@holycomforterparish.org or speak to him after Mass if you are interested!!

NEED FOR ALTAR SERVERS:  There is an immediate need for Altar Servers for the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass. Individuals should be willing to serve 1-2 times per month. If you are between the ages of 9 to 90, please consider this important ministry. Training will be provided. Please call Jim Morrisard at 973-6570 if you are interested.

CHARLOTTESVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (CCS) OPEN HOUSE: Parents of prospective students are invited to attend Charlottesville Catholic School’s Winter Open House on Wednesday, February 3rd from 9:00 –11:00 a.m.  Join us to learn more about what CCS has to offer students, from challenging academics to strong community life where faith is integrated in all we do and celebrated every day.

BOOK CLUB:  The book club is growing! The next meeting of the book club will be Tuesday, January 12th at 4 PM at 150 Bennington Road . We will discuss Pope John Paul II's Crossing the Threshold of Hope. You are invited to use the quieter after Christmas weeks to read this book and to join fellow parishioners in exploring the issues it raises. For more information, contact Therese Stong at 296-9961 or trstong@embarqmail.com.

PHILOSOPHY CLUB:  The Philosophy Club will not meet in January.  The next meeting will be Sunday, February 14th at 6:00 p.m. at which time we will discuss "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding" by David Hume. For information, please contact Suzanne Bailey at 296-5033 or Suzanne Bailey.

FIRST RECONCILIATION CLASS SCHEDULE:  First Reconciliation classes for all parish second grade students will be held on January 10, 24, 31, and February 7. All classes meet in the chapel from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. A parent must attend each class with his/her child. First Reconciliation is Saturday, February 13th at 11:00 a.m. Students are to prepare for the first class by having read Chapter 17 of the textbook.

IMPACT:  This is the time of year when most of us make resolutions to improve ourselves during the next months.  Most of these resolutions are soon put aside.  How about a few resolutions that are easy to keep? 
1.  Resolve to help the less fortunate.  Regular contributions to our food pantry do just that.  Grocery lists are passed out monthly in the Reverse Collections.  If you can't remember to get a list, toilet articles are always welcome.
2.  Resolve to work for justice.  In addition to voting and being a law-abiding citizen, there are two easy ways to work for justice.  Attend the IMPACT Rally on February 25 at Incarnation Church, and attend the big Nehemiah Action Assembly at U-Hall on March 22.  Bringing others with you to the Nehemiah Action will add to the impact of IMPACT.

BI-PARISH HAITI COMMITTEE:  The committee next meets at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 24th at St. Thomas Aquinas. All are welcome. To learn more, contact Laurie Duncan at Laurie Duncan.

TRAVEL TO HAITI:  Several trips to visit our twin parish of St. Michel are being planned in the coming months. If you are interested in traveling with one of these groups, please contact Paul Harnois at lphmch@embarqmail.com.

For more information about Holy Comforter's twinning work with St. Michel parish, visit Saltadère.org

CHRISTIAN FORMATION HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

Sunday, January 3rd	CLASSES RESUME

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

The bulletin for December 27, 2009 is available by clicking here to view it.

Listed below are a few of the items from this week's bulletin. See the bulletin for more details and to read all of the announcements.

SOPRANOS, TENORS, AND BASSES NEEDED:  The choir is in need of additional singers. Please contact Bill Polhill at gwp@holycomforterparish.org or speak to him after Mass if you are interested!!

NEED FOR ALTAR SERVERS:  There is an immediate need for Altar Servers for the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass. Individuals should be willing to serve 1-2 times per month. If you are between the ages of 9 to 90, please consider this important ministry. Training will be provided. Please call Jim Morrisard at 973-6570 if you are interested.

CHARLOTTESVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (CCS) ADMISSIONS: CCS is currently accepting applications for the 2010-2011 school year.  Please visit our website for comprehensive information about Charlottesville Catholic School and our application process. If you would like to tour our school, please call Ann Michel, Admissions Coordinator, at (434)964-0400.  Limited seats are also available for the current school year.

PHILOSOPHY CLUB:  The Philosophy Club will not meet in January.  The next meeting will be Sunday, February 14th at 6:00 p.m. at which time we will discuss "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding" by David Hume. For information, please contact Suzanne Bailey at 296-5033 or Suzanne Bailey.

FIRST RECONCILIATION CLASS SCHEDULE:  First Reconciliation classes for all parish second grade students will be held on January 10, 24, 31, and February 7. All classes meet in the chapel from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. A parent must attend each class with his/her child. First Reconciliation is Saturday, February 13th at 11:00 a.m. Students are to prepare for the first class by having read Chapter 17 of the textbook.

PANTRY:  Many generous people have made donations to the Food Pantry as part of their Christmas.  These donations will be used up in January, but there will still be hungry people.  Perhaps New Year's resolutions could include a resolution to make regular donations to the pantry.

IMPACT:  One of  IMPACT's goals is to turn out a congregation's average weekly attendance at the Nehemiah Action.  Holy Comforter's average weekly attendance is about 600 people, but we have yet to bring even 100 to the Nehemiah Action.  Can you help to improve Holy Comforter's attendance at Nehemiah Action 2010?

BI-PARISH HAITI COMMITTEE:  The committee next meets at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 24th at St. Thomas Aquinas. All are welcome. To learn more, contact Laurie Duncan at Laurie Duncan.

TRAVEL TO HAITI:  Several trips to visit our twin parish of St. Michel are being planned in the coming months. If you are interested in traveling with one of these groups, please contact Paul Harnois at lphmch@embarqmail.com.

For more information about Holy Comforter's twinning work with St. Michel parish, visit Saltadère.org

CHRISTIAN FORMATION HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

Sunday, December 20th	CLASSES MEET
Sunday, December 27th	NO CLASSES
Sunday, January 3rd	CLASSES RESUME

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

The bulletin for December 20, 2009 is available by clicking here to view it.

Listed below are a few of the items from this week's bulletin. See the bulletin for more details and to read all of the announcements.

FIRST ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CARD SALE: The parish is offering Christmas cards for sale. The picture on the card is a glorious photo of our 2009 Christmas Sanctuary. The price is $10 per package of 10 cards, and the cards are available to be purchased in the commons area after all masses.

SOPRANOS, TENORS, AND BASSES NEEDED:  The choir is in need of additional singers. Please contact Bill Polhill at gwp@holycomforterparish.org or speak to him after Mass if you are interested!!

NEED FOR ALTAR SERVERS:  There is an immediate need for Altar Servers for the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass. Individuals should be willing to serve 1-2 times per month. If you are between the ages of 9 to 90, please consider this important ministry. Training will be provided. Please call Jim Morrisard at 973-6570 if you are interested.

CHARLOTTESVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: We are currently accepting applications for the 2010-2011 school year.  Please visit our website for comprehensive information about Charlottesville Catholic School and our application process. If you would like to tour our school, please call Ann Michel, Admissions Coordinator, at (434)964-0400.  Limited seats are also available for the current school year.

PHILOSOPHY CLUB:  The Philosophy Club will not meet in January.  The next meeting will be Sunday, February 14th at 6:00 p.m. at which time we will discuss "An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding" by David Hume. For information, please contact Suzanne Bailey at 296-5033 or Suzanne Bailey.

FIRST RECONCILIATION CLASS SCHEDULE:  First Reconciliation classes for all parish second grade students will be held on January 10, 24, 31, and February 7. All classes meet in the chapel from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. A parent must attend each class with his/her child. First Reconciliation is Saturday, February 13th at 11:00 a.m. Students are to prepare for the first class by having read Chapter 17 of the textbook.

PANTRY:  What does BOGO really mean?  At the supermarket, they would have us Buy One, GET One; but at the Holy Comforter Food Pantry, we think it means to Buy One, GIVE one ... to the Food Pantry, of course!

IMPACT:  Each week at Mass when we recite the Nicene Creed, we acknowledge that God has spoken through the prophets.  The prophets tell us that God wants justice, requires justice, demands justice, looks for justice.  What does this mean we should do?

CHRISTIAN FORMATION HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

Sunday, December 20th	CLASSES MEET
Sunday, December 27th	NO CLASSES
Sunday, January 3rd	CLASSES RESUME

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

The bulletin for December 13, 2009 is available by clicking here to view it.

Listed below are a few of the items from this week's bulletin. See the bulletin for more details and to read all of the announcements.

SECOND ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROLING:  Holy Comforter’s Christmas Caroling will be on
Sunday, December 13th at 9:30 a.m. Gather in the Commons to sing the blessings of Advent & Christmas. All voices are needed and welcomed!

FIRST ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CARD SALE: The parish is offering Christmas cards for sale. The picture on the car is a glorious photo of our 2009 Christmas Sanctuary. The price is $10 per package of 10 cards, and the cards are available to be purchased in the commons area after all masses.

SOPRANOS, TENORS, AND BASSES NEEDED:  The choir is in need of additional singers. Please contact Bill Polhill at gwp@holycomforterparish.org or speak to him after Mass if you are interested!!

NEED FOR ALTAR SERVERS:  There is an immediate need for Altar Servers for the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass. Individuals should be willing to serve 1-2 times per month. If you are between the ages of 9 to 90, please consider this important ministry. Training will be provided. Please call Jim Morrisard at 973-6570 if you are interested.

CHARLOTTESVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: We are currently accepting applications for the 2010-2011 school year.  Please visit our website for comprehensive information about Charlottesville Catholic School and our application process. If you would like to tour our school, please call Ann Michel, Admissions Coordinator, at (434)964-0400.  Limited seats are also available for the current school year.

PHILOSOPHY CLUB:  The next meeting will discuss the future of the Philosophy Club. Since its inception several videos have been viewed and discussed, good conversation has been hard regarding the famous and seminal "allegory of the cave" in Plato’s Republic, Henry Bugbee’s book Inward Morning has been studied together, Karl Jaspers' Reason and Existenz was discussed for four or five meetings, and, most recently, we read and discussed the Meditations on First Philosophy of Rene Descartes. The Holy Comforter Philosophy Club takes for its mission and purpose the clarification and enhancement of our thinking. Our home is within the Catholic intellectual tradition, especially--but not exclusively--as this tradition interfaces with contemporary religious and secular thought. Membership in the Club is open to all interested members and friends of the Holy Comforter Congregation.  All are welcome.

The Philosophy Club continues to meet on the second Sunday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Bernard Moore Room, Lower Level of the church.  For information, please contact Suzanne Bailey at 296-5033 or Suzanne Bailey.

FIRST RECONCILIATION CLASS SCHEDULE:  First Reconcilation classes for all parish second grade students will be held on January 10, 24, 31, and February 7. All classes meet in the chapel from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m. A parent must attend each class with his/her child. First Reconciliation is Saturday, February 13th at 11:00 a.m. Students are to prepare for the first class by having read Chapter 17 of the textbook.

BI-PARISH HAITI COMMITTEE:  The committee next meets at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 13th at St. Thomas Aquinas. This will be a potluck lunch. All are welcome. To learn more, contact Laurie Duncan at Laurie Duncan.


For more information about Holy Comforter's twinning work with St. Michel parish, visit Saltadère.org

PANTRY:  It is Reverse Collection time again.  Even though many people make generous donations to food pantries during the Christmas season, it doesn't take long before all those many donations are gone.  Also, we are the pantry known for giving out toilet articles, and these don't usually come in holiday food drives.  Therefore, please be generous in the Reverse Collection.

IMPACT:  The IMPACT research committees are making progress in learning what is needed both in the area of preschool education as well as translation services.  By the time of the Nehemiah Action in March, the members of IMPACT will be in a position to ask for needed changes from officials who can make the changes.  But this requires the power of many, many people of God working together.  Please plan to join with other congregations in the area to demand justice.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

Sunday, December 13th	NO CLASSES -- 9:30 AM ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROLING
Sunday, December 20th	CLASSES MEET
Sunday, December 27th	NO CLASSES
Sunday, January 3rd	CLASSES RESUME

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

The bulletin for December 6, 2009 is available by clicking here to view it.

Listed below are a few of the items from this week's bulletin. See the bulletin for more details and to read all of the announcements.

SECOND ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROLING: Holy Comforter’s Christmas Caroling will be on
Sunday, December 13th at 9:30 a.m. Gather in the Commons to sing the blessings of Advent & Christmas. All voices are needed and welcomed!


SOPRANOS, TENORS, AND BASSES NEEDED: The choir is in need of additional singers. Please contact Bill Polhill at gwp@holycomforterparish.org or speak to him after Mass if you are interested!!

FIRST ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CARD SALE: The parish is offering Christmas cards for sale. The picture on the car is a glorious photo of our 2009 Christmas Sanctuary. The price is $10 per package of 10 cards, and the cards are available to be purchased in the commons area after all masses.


CHARLOTTESVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL ADMISSIONS: We are currently accepting applications for the 2010-2011 school year. Please visit our website for comprehensive information about Charlottesville Catholic School and our application process. If you would like to tour our school, please call Ann Michel, Admissions Coordinator, at (434)964-0400. Limited seats are also available for the current school year.

PHILOSOPHY CLUB: The next meeting will discuss the future of the Philosophy Club. Since its inception several videos have been viewed and discussed, good conversation has been hard regarding the famous and seminal "allegory of the cave" in Plato’s Republic, Henry Bugbee’s book Inward Morning has been studied together, Karl Jaspers' Reason and Existenz was discussed for four or five meetings, and, most recently, we read and discussed the Meditations on First Philosophy of Rene Descartes. The Holy Comforter Philosophy Club takes for its mission and purpose the clarification and enhancement of our thinking. Our home is within the Catholic intellectual tradition, especially--but not exclusively--as this tradition interfaces with contemporary religious and secular thought. Membership in the Club is open to all interested members and friends of the Holy Comforter Congregation. All are welcome.

The Philosophy Club continues to meet on the second Sunday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Bernard Moore Room, Lower Level of the church. For information, please contact Suzanne Bailey at 296-5033 or Suzanne Bailey.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: The rescheduled annual Memorial Mass for the deceased brothers of Father Louis A. Rowen Council 3670 will be held on Saturday December 12th at Holy Comforter at 9:00 a.m. A reception will follow. Father Gerald Fogarty will be the celebrant.

BI-PARISH HAITI COMMITTEE: The committee next meets at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 13th at St. Thomas Aquinas. This will be a potluck lunch. All are welcome. To learn more, contact Laurie Duncan at Laurie Duncan.


For more information about Holy Comforter's twinning work with St. Michel parish, visit Saltadère.org

PANTRY: This is the time of the year when we are bombarded with pleas to help the needy through food or monetary donations. But the people of Holy Comforter know that need is year-round. The people who are hungry during the Christmas season will still be hungry in January and in June. So please make generous holiday donations, but remember to continue your support of the pantry after the holidays are over.

IMPACT: Why is it so difficult for us to work for justice? One common reason is that we personally are not immediately affected by injustice. But many years ago John Donne stated that "no man is an island." We are all connected whether we see it immediately or not. So, if anyone in this area is a victim of injustice, we are all involved. IMPACT is the way in which local people of God have come together to work for justice.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

Sunday, December 13th	NO CLASSES -- 9:30 AM ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROLING
Sunday, December 20th	CLASSES MEET
Sunday, December 27th	NO CLASSES
Sunday, January 3rd	CLASSES RESUME

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

The bulletin for September 28, 2008 is available by clicking here to view it.

Listed below are a few of the items from this week's bulletin. See the bulletin for more details and to read all of the announcements.

NEWS FROM SALTADÈRE, HAITI:  We have received a wonderful donation of a treadle sewing machine for Saltadère! It may not sound exciting to you, but for women living without electricity, it is incredibly welcome. If you have the skills to help us prepare the machine for shipping or know where we can obtain extra needles and belts, please contact us at haitiministry@stauva.org.

PANTRY:  Miracles happen at Holy Comforter on a regular basis. Periodically, we run short of food, and it can be discouraging to realize that people depend on us and we might not be able to help them as we would like. But the people of Holy Comforter always come through, and the food appears. It almost seems as if we have brought the miracle of the loaves and fishes to Jefferson Street.

IMPACT:  On October 27, at 6:30 p.m., the twenty-eight congregations of IMPACT will assemble at St. Thomas Aquinas Church to choose a justice issue to address in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area. There will be several issues up for consideration, and each one will be worthy of pursuit. Please plan to attend the Fall Assembly to vote for the issue that you think should be addressed.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: A pot luck dinner will be held Monday, October 6, 2008. Our Council will provide the entree, and we will do the normal side dishes and dessert. This time last names from A-G will bring the dessert and last names of H-Z will do side dishes. We will have a guest speaker from Hospice (Hospice of the Piedmont) talking about what they do and do not do (they do not help people die). This is not a fund-raising speech. They will not be asking for money only sharing information about what they do. Will need a head count by Thursday, October 2nd. Call Kelton Flinn at 973-1557, Tom O'Rourke at 244-2852, or Bill Phillips at 973-6726 with your reservations.

THE LORD NEEDS YOU: How can you do this? Become a Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. As individuals have left this ministry, the need for new ministers at all masses has become urgent. Training will be provided. PLEASE contact Margaret McElroy at 973-6429 or mdm1909@embarqmail.com.

CHOIR REHEARSALS:  The Choir at Holy Comforter has resumed its fall rehearsal schedule on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the choir loft. Anyone interested in participating in the choir should contact Bill Polhill, the Minister of Music. We are especially looking for (1) additional cantors at the Saturday mass and (2) sopranos & tenors for the choir.

BLESSING OF OUR PRECIOUS PETS:  The Blessing of Our Precious Pets will be Saturday, October 4th at 10:00 a.m.

PHILOSOPHY CLUB:  The Philosophy Club is meeting on the second Sunday of each month. For more information, contact Matt Starnowski.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION:  For the month of October, parents of Third & Fourth Grade students are responsible for classroom setup/breakdown.

CATHOLIC BOOK CLUB:  If anyone is interested in participating in a Catholic Book Club, please contact Teresa Ritzert. Someone to serve as a facilitator is needed (as well as eager members!).

HOLY COMFORTER 'HELPING HANDS':  Thank you to all who signed up to help provide meals and rides for our parishioners in need. Your time and efforts are greatly appreciated. We can still use more drivers so people have a way to get to appointments and to Mass. Please consider giving your time to help others in our parish. The sign up sheet is on the table in the Commons. For questions/requests, please call the church office.

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This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.