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A Snapshot of St. Mark's Wellness: We Need You!
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 A few weeks ago I told you about The Living Compass Training which Beth Johnson, Lisa Montgomery, Andrea Nowack and I completed at The Nicholas Center in the Diocese of Chicago. The first outcome of that training was to provide every member with a copy of the Living Well through Advent meditation book and on Sundays, December 14 and 21, the opportunity to participate in a small-group discussion in Bethlehem Chapel facilitated by Lisa Montgomery. If you did not get a copy of the booklet, extras are still available in the Parlor).
We are now ready to roll-out phase two: creating a snapshot of the wellness of St. Mark's. In order to do this we need your help. Beginning now, you can log in to a website to take the Living Compass Self-Assessment Tool survey which will give you a snapshot of your own state of balance, wholeness and wellness across eight categories (spirituality, rest and play, vocation, organization, care for the body, stress resiliency, relationships, and handling emotions). You will receive your individual results. Lisa Beth, Andrea and I will receive the aggregate results for St. Mark's (your individual results will be visible only to you). This snapshot of our congregational wellness will help us see where to focus our attention in the year to come.
 How Do I Do This?
The survey takes 10 - 20 minutes to complete. To take the survey now, simply go to http://www.livingcompass.org/wellness-intro.html. You will need to provide a group code. St. Mark's group code is: 1509. Then click "Start." When you are done you have the option of creating an account for yourself and/or of printing your individual results. We encourage you to do so. Again, only you will have access to your individual results.
If you prefer, you can use one of the computer work stations that will be set up on Sunday mornings, December 14 and 21 in the Volunteer Office. Beth, Andrea and Debra will be on hand to walk you through the process if you need assistance.
Why Should I Do This?
Benefits for You: Each person completing the Wellness Assessment for Congregations will receive immediate, confidential results of his or her current state of balance and wellness. Only the individual taking the assessment will see these personal results. These results will help the individual make decisions about his or her wellness, including what wellness programs that he or she might like to attend when they are offered.
Benefits for St. Mark's: The congregation will benefit from the completion of the Wellness Assessment for Congregations because it will gain important data that will help its leaders plan future wellness programs. The congregation's leaders will receive the aggregate scores of the self-assessment along with the results of interest survey for various wellness topics. The congregation's leaders will never know who took the assessment, nor will they ever be to see any individual's responses.
- Pastor Debra+
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Worship
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In the baptismal covenant, we are asked, "Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?" and we respond, "I will, with God's help."
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Third Sunday of Advent:
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11;1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28
"Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying the seed, will come again with joy, shouldering their sheaves." - Psalm 126:6-7
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 Christmas Poinsettias
One of the beautiful ways in which we mark the difference between the season of Advent and the joyous celebration of the Feast of the Incarnation is in the way we adorn our sanctuary. All are invited to help us create a festive display by contributing money toward poinsettias. Contributions may be given in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving or honor of someone special. There are forms available for this purpose in the Parlor or from the church office. The requested minimum donation is $20 per name. After our Christmas celebrations, the plants are delivered to our homebound parishioners and to others in the community to enjoy. Please make checks payable to St. Mark's Episcopal Church and indicate "Christmas Flowers" in the memo line or place cash in an envelope clearly marked Christmas Flowers. Requests to remember or honor loved ones in this way, must be in to the church office no later than Sunday, December 14.
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This Week's Lay Ministers
Thank you to the following individuals for bringing their best gifts to God in ministries at St. Mark's. If you would like to become involved, please contact Pastor Debra.
- Lector: Anne Heinz & Byron Scott
- Eucharistic Ministers: Lisa Montgomery & Byron Scott
- Acolytes: Tyler Maegawa-Goeser, Sara Basha, Elia Basha
- Altar Guild: Evelyn Russel & Sharon Friend
- Flower Guild: Michael Schoen
- Vestry Persons of the Day: John Lucadamo & Ted Loda
- Ushers: John Lucadamo, Nancye Kirk, Doug Sondgeroth
- Coffee Hour Snacks: Last names beginning with
D - I - Welcoming New Worshippers: All the People of St. Mark's
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Christian Formation
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Lifelong Christian faith formation is important for lifelong growth in the knowledge, service and love of God as followers of Christ. Regardless of where you are on your spiritual journey, no matter what season of life you are in, you are invited to enter into a prayerful of continuous learning.
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Advent Conversation on Race for Middle School through Adults
On Sunday, December 14 at noon, parishioner Motoko Maegawa will be sharing her wisdom as a Leader for the National SEED Project for Inclusive Curriculum. SEED stands for "Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity" and is a non-profit organization which encourages conversations about how our own stories relate to social systems and about how we can turn both oppression and privilege into agency and action.
If you would like lunch ($10) and/or if you require childcare, please RSVP to Pastor Debra at [email protected] no later than Friday, December 12. Childcare will be provided (if requested) for infants through Grade 5. Youth (grades 6 and up) and adults are encouraged to participate in this important conversation. If you do not want to purchase lunch, please feel free to pack one and join us after church in Bethlehem Chapel.
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Upcoming Adult Forum: Living Well through Advent
On the Sundays of December 14 and 21, all are invited to join Lisa Montgomery in Bethlehem Chapel from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. for a time of reflection and conversation based on the "Living Well through Advent 2014" meditation booklet. If you do not have a copy of the booklet, they are available in the Parlor and will be handed out at both worship services on Sunday, November 30.
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 Christmas Pageant
-- Rehearsal Schedule Reminder
The remaining pageant rehearsals will take place on December 14 and December 21 from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. in the Choir Room.. Sundays in Advent - November 30, December 7, 14, and 21 - we will hold Christmas Pageant rehearsals from 9:30 - 10:15 a.m. in the Ages 3 - 5 Sunday School Classroom. This will be the only children's formation for these four weeks and We hope that all children will participate (even if you will not be present on Christmas Eve). This year's pageant will include many favorite Christmas carols and we look forward to all the children learning the words and music to these wonderful traditional songs.
The Pageant dress rehearsal will take place on Tuesday, December 23rd from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. This will be a full dress rehearsal - with costumes - and parents who would like to have photos to remember this year's pageant are encouraged to attend as this will be the only opportunity for "staged" photos.
The Pageant itself will take place on Wednesday, December 24th at the 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship Service. If you have any questions about the pageant, please be in touch with David ([email protected]), Milner ([email protected]), Patty ([email protected]), Liz ([email protected]) or Pastor Debra ([email protected]).
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Fellowship
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Where are you today? Lonely and afraid? Joyful and confident? Somewhere in between? Wherever you are in your journey of faith, know that there is a place for you here, companionship for the journey in this community gathered.
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Second Friday Dinner
On Friday, December 12, all are invited to take part in the Second Friday Dinner at 6:15 p.m. at the Celtic Knot in Evanston. All ages are welcome. To make a reservation, contact Dick or Carolyn Brooks at [email protected].
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InterPlay for Adults
The Chicago InterPlay community offers weekly community classes at St. Mark's each Tuesday from 7:30-9:00 pm, with doors open at 7:15 pm for registration and meeting other participants. The cost to attend the classes is $10 per class or $40 for a five class card ($8 per class). InterPlay is an easy to learn creative process that invites participants to express themselves through storytelling, movement and vocalization. InterPlayers across the world are celebrating its 25th birthday this year. To learn more about InterPlay, visit www.meetup.com/ChicagoInterPlay and www.InterPlay.org. You can also email event leaders Christina Ernst at [email protected] or Jeff Breting at [email protected].
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Evanston English Country Dancers
Evanston English Country Dancers meet in Cunningham Hall on alternate Wednesday evenings beginning at 8 p.m. All dances are taught and prompted and include English Country dances devised from pre-1650 to the present. Once a month, live music is performed by Putting on Aires; other Wednesdays, the music is from an extensive CD collection. Please come with or without a partner. Wear comfortable shoes (the type you would use to walk a mile) and casual clothing. The fee is $5 ($3 for students). For more information, contact Tom Senior at 847-606-8704 or [email protected]. Upcoming dates are December 3 and December 17.
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This Week at Saint Mark's
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Thursday,
December 11
12:00 noon
Interfaith Clergy Alliance of Evanston, Bethlehem Chapel
7:30 p.m.
Choir Rehearsal,
Choir Room
Friday,
December 12
6:15 p.m.
Second Friday Dinner, Celtic Knot
Saturday,
December 13
11:45 a.m.
Ladies Luncheon,
Caf� Central,
Highland Park
Sunday,
December 14
8:00 a.m.
Holy Eucharist - Traditional,
Lady Chapel
9:30 a.m.
Christmas Pageant Rehearsal,
Choir Room
9:30 a.m.
Adult Forum: Living Well through Advent, Bethlehem Chapel
10:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist
with Music,
Sanctuary
12:00 noon
Handbell Choir Rehearsal,
Balcony
12:00 noon
Lunch and Advent Conversation
about Race,
Bethlehem Chapel
6:15 p.m.
Confirm not
Conform Class,
St. Matthew's Church
Monday,
December 15
7:00 p.m.
Vestry Meeting, Bethlehem Chapel
Tuesday,
December 16
11:30 a.m.
Staff Holiday Lunch, Blind Faith Caf�
6:30 p.m.
St. Mark's Guild / ECW Christmas Party
& Dinner,
Sagan Home
7:30 p.m.
Interplay Class, Cunningham Hall
Wednesday,
December 17
6:00 p.m.
Music Night
(ages 5 & up),
Choir Room
6:30 p.m.
Music Night
(youth & adults),
Choir Room
8:00 p.m.
English Country Dancers,
Cunningham Hall
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December 6
Mary Nowack
December 8
Nykel Himrod,
Kate Suvari
December 9
Dorothy Szczepaniak
December 12
Holly Gallegos
December 18
Lucinda Kelly
December 20
Judson Brooks
December 22
Evelyn Russell
December 24
Lisa Montgomery
December 25
Gail Joy
December 26
Lola Himrod,
Josh Lettner,
Kathy Lettner
December 27
Desmond Francis
December 28
Jennifer Barr
December 29
Chris Schultze
December 31
Adrianna Dangremond
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December 17
Mike and Tacia Johnson
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Annual Saint Mark's Guild / ECW Christmas Party and Dinner
Saint Mark's Guild/ECW most cordially invites the women and girls of St. Mark's to be our guest at the Annual Saint Mark's Guild Christmas Party and Dinner on Tuesday, December 16 at 6:30 pm at the home of Betsy and John Sagan, 1314 Forest Avenue, Evanston. This year's entertainment will be a GLORIOUS GRAB BAG GIFT exchange, so if you would like to participate, bring a "grabbable" gift (please spend no more than $10.), something which is fun. functional and/or funky. Please let us know if you can attend by calling or emailing: Tacia Johnson, 847/328-0993, [email protected] or Dorothy Laudati, 847/491-1026, [email protected] no later than December 12th. Guests and neighbors are welcome.
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 A Caroling Party
On Sunday, December 21st, SMAC (St. Mark's Youth Group) invites everyone in the congregation to join them in caroling. We will leave St. Mark's at 2 p.m. to sing at Albany Care, an Intermediate Care Facility dedicated to the treatment and recovery of individuals suffering from chronic mental illnesses. Afterwards, if it's not TOO cold, we'll do some door-to-door caroling around the St. Mark's neighborhood. Around 4 p.m. we'll join in the Carol Sing at the Rectory.
Carol Sing, Cookies, Cocoa and Coffee at the Rectory
On Sunday, December 21st, all are invited to the Rectory at 4 p.m. for a good old fashioned carol sing complete with cookies, cocoa and coffee. The Rectory is located at 1501 Ridge Avenue (immediately to the south of St. Mark's).
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♪♫ Music Night ♫♫
Each Wednesday from 6:00-7:30pm, our associate for Music Ministries, David Plank, will be leading "Music Night" at St. Mark's. People with any level of musical background-even those with no music experience-are welcome to come upstairs to the choir room. Younger children, starting at age five, are welcome to join with all ages from 6:00-6:30. Youth and adults can come (or continue) from 6:30-7:30. Please contact David with any questions you may have at [email protected].
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SMAC (Youth Group) in December
On Sunday, December 21st all in grades 6 - 12 are invited to stay after worship for an afternoon of fun! We will eat lunch together and then decorate cookies which we will be sharing later in the day. At 2 p.m. we will leave St. Mark's to go caroling around the neighborhood and at Albany Cares. At 4 p.m. we will share the decorated cookies with the St. Mark's community at a Carol Sing / open house at the Rectory. Activities will conclude around 6 p.m. We hope you'll join us for this day of cookies, caroling, and carol sings! Please remember to dress for the weather --- hats, gloves, scarves (you get the idea!). If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Debra at [email protected]; text 847-732-9564 or Deane at [email protected]; text 231-313-9217.
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Social Justice & Outreach Opportunities
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St. Mark's continues its commitment to young people through its many social justice and outreach opportunities. Each Sunday we pray, "Bring newness and change to our streets, O God, that we might commit ourselves to our young people and address the epidemic of gun violence which plagues our communities, our country, and the world. Awake, O Streets, rise from death!" Following are a list of ways in which you can get involved with the St. Mark's community in helping to create a better world.
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Mitten Tree
St. Mark's is collecting new or gently used mittens, gloves, and hats to
help our neighbors stay warm this winter. Children's items will be donated
to Evanston School Children's Clothing Association. Adult sizes are also
needed! Please hang your donations on the Christmas tree in the parlor by
Sunday, January 4th.
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Third Sunday Food Drive: A Year's Worth of Jam!
On the third Sunday of each month, St. Mark's will collect non-perishable food items to be shared with local food pantries. On Sunday December 21, the Interfaith Action of Evanston's Hospitality Center at St. Mark's is our recipient. They have asked us to provide them with a 3-month supply of jam. Each month they go through 4 large jars of grape jelly, 4 large jars of any other kind of jam or jelly. We would like to collect at least 12 large jars of grape jelly and 12 large jars of other jams or jellies. Please bring your jars and bottles with you to church. The big red shopping cart will be waiting for you at the back of the sanctuary.
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Sesquicentennial Anniversary Blood Drive
LifeSource will continue to accept donations. to help us meet our goal of 150 blood donations to mark our 150th anniversary year. Please sign-up at https://donateblood.lifesource.org/ to donate at LifeSource, 2436 Main Street, Evanston, at a time that is convenient for you. When you donate blood, identity our blood drive by using the special code O57G (zero, five, seven, g). If you have any questions please contact Donna Richardson at 847-677-0701.
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St. Mark's Anniversary History Booklet
The Sesquicentennial Steering Committee is pleased to announce that St. Mark's Anniversary History booklets have been printed and are now ready for distribution to parishioners. Members of the parish can pick up their copies in the parlor throughout the season of Advent. The committee wishes to express our appreciation to Bruce Gaede, church historian, for assembling and editing the booklet. If parishioners would like to purchase an additional copies, the cost is $5 per copy.
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 Building Work Update
By the time you read this, the library and kitchen repairs should be complete. Roof repairs were completed last month as were ceiling repairs in the women's restroom, painting in the sanctuary, and some downspout work at the Rectory. We will then be "on hold" until spring when masonry projects will begin - repair of steps leading to the sanctuary and the back of the church and repairs to the parapet wall on the south side of the Parish House - and some much-needed landscaping work. Thanks to your generous giving and to the legacy of St. Mark's Saints, the vestry has determined not to undertake a capital campaign at this time. However, if you would like to make a donation to capital repairs at any time, you are, of course, encouraged to do so - simply make a note on your check that it is for capital repairs. And, if you haven't already, please do remember St. Mark's in your will.
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Social Media and St. Mark's
If you have your mobile device it would be good if you put it on silent when in worship. But if anything in Sunday's service - a prayer, reading, hymn or the sermon-moves you, please feel free to tweet it or post it to Facebook #StMarkEvanston. While you're at it, "check-in" with us on Foursquare!
St. Mark's website has up-to-date information on all that's new at St. Mark's - including a current calendar of events - check it out at http://www.stmarksevanston.org. Also, we are on Facebook and Twitter! Find us at http://www.facebook.com/StMarkEvanston and follow us @StMarkEvanston.
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In The Community
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God calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Loving finds all of its meaning in relationship. The following are opportunities to be in relationship with one another and with the community of Evanston.
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 For All Adults Who Value Reading Aloud to Children
Reading aloud to children is a proven, simple practice for creating the enthusiastic readers of tomorrow. Join Brian Wilson, EPL Children's Librarian as he shares his picks for Best Picture Books of 2014 on Saturday, December 13, 10:30 AM, in the Evanston Public Library Community Meeting Room. Parents, teachers, child care workers, grandparents and anyone else who values reading aloud to young children at home, in school, in child care or playgroups will enjoy "Mr. Brian's" lively presentation. Participants will also get great ideas for picture books that make great gifts.(NOTE: This event is for adults only!) For more about Mr. Brian, check out his blog at mrbrianspicturebookpicks.blogspot.com.
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Evanston Children's Choir Holiday Concert 2014
Join Directors Gary Geiger and Monica Blacconeri as they lead the entire ECC in their most popular concert of the year, celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in typical ECC style! The concert is free (voluntary donations graciously accepted at the door). The concert will be held on Sunday, December 14 at 3 p.m. at Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston. For more information, contact Gary at 847-733-0814 or [email protected].
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Grand Chanukah Menorah Lighting
On Thursday, December 18, community members are invited to join Evanston Mayor Elizabeth B. Tisdahl and other civic, business and community leaders at Fountain Square, located on Davis St. between Orrington and Sherman Avenues, for the Grand Chanukah Menorah Lighting event beginning at 5:30 p.m. The ceremony will celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and freedom of conscience over oppression. Attendees will enjoy musical entertainment and free refreshments. The free event is hosted by Tannenbaum Chabad House. For more information about the menorah lighting, please call 847-866-2914.
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Carols by Candlelight: A Holiday Sing-Along
The Chicago Chamber Choir continues its 19th season with Carols by Candlelight: A Holiday Sing-Along. Celebrate the glow of the season with enchanting and cherished holiday music, in which audience members are invited to sing along with their favorite carols. Surrounded by candles and holiday greenery, the rich voices of CCC will ring in the season with contemporary and traditional settings of exquisite carols, including "I Wonder as I Wander," Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium," "Angels We Have Heard on High," and "The Christmas Song." What better way to kick off your Christmas holiday? Saturday, December 20 at 3 p.m., St. Mark's Church. $20 adults / $10 children and students with ID. Tickets are available online at www.chicagochamberchoir.org or by calling 312-409-6890.
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Fierce Conversations, January 21 & 22, 2015
"While no single conversation is guaranteed to change the trajectory of a career, a company, a relationship, or a life...any single conversation can." Fierce Conversations will take place at Saint James Commons, 65 East Huron Street, Chicago IL 60611. Wednesday, January 21, 8:30am-4:30pm, and Thursday, January 22, 8:30am-4:30pm. The cost is $100. Registration is capped at 60 participants. Breakfast, lunch, snacks and materials are included in the cost of training.
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Parish Prayer List
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If you would like your loved ones added to (or deleted from) the prayer list at any time, please send an e-mail to [email protected]. Thank you.
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We bid your prayers for: Helen Baker, Louise Behrends, Veronica Braithwaite, John Burnham, Karen Cornelius, Kendric Das, Bob Easton, Lynn Erickson, Hal Griffith, Mary Hair, Charlie and Judy Kopp, Ann Lettner, Ayden Lettner, Grace Lettner, Kathy Lettner, Mary O'Dowd, Jan and Jeri Offutt, Joan Barr Smith, Carol Albertson, Carol Beatty, Barbara Bishop, Dorothy Clark, Ward Clark, JoAnne Gilburg, Patricia Gosling,Dave and Jan Gurniak, Henry Gutierrez,Kaileen Hogan-Brink, Erma Johnson Hadley, Katie Iles, Yvonne Johns, OJ Mabwa, Kyle Peach, Deborah Russell, Colleen Schoen, Ean and Neale Smith, Sue, Tim and his family, Jill Vannattam
We pray for those who have died: Bishop William Wiedrich, suffragan bishop in the Diocese of Chicago from 1997; John Pollele, dear friend of Dave and Lola Himrod; Margot Ryan, dear friend of Dave and Lola Himrod; Mary Levitan, dear friend of Dorothy and Vittorio Laudati.
We pray for the people in: the Diocese of Southeast Mexico and in the Diocese of Renk.
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Stay Connected
 
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