November 7, 2020: Parish Update

PARISH UPDATE | November 7, 2020

Prayer of the Archdiocese for the Military Services

Almighty God and Father, look with love upon our men and women in uniform and protect them in their time of need. Give them health and stability and allow them to return to their loved ones whole and unshaken. Be with their families and sustain them in these uncertain times.

Grant strength and peace of mind to the Veterans who have given their best for the country they love. Support them in infirmity and in the fragility of old age. Teach us to remember their sacrifices and to express our gratitude.

Manifest your tender care to those in the Military Academies who prepare for future service and to those who serve our Nation far from home. Teach us to remember the sacrifices of those whose efforts contribute to ensuring our way of life.

Bless and multiply the priests who minister to the faithful of the Archdiocese for the Military Services. Reward their generosity and keep them faithful.

Hear us as we present our prayers to You through Christ our Lord.

– Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio

BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE

The St. Christopher Parish Bereavement Ministry invites you to pray for our recently deceased parishioners, their friends, and family throughout the month of November. A Book of Remembrance with the names of all our departed throughout the year is located in the Gathering Space.

Click on the image above to view a video of our Book of Remembrance.

NOW COLLECTING

St. Christopher Parish is once again hosting a winter clothing drive for SVDP now through November 22. Please consider donating new or gently used hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens for men, women, and children. Donation bins are located in the main entrance of the church.

Questions? Reach out to Geraldine Reed at sweetreed8@gmail.com

PARISH CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT FOR THE ARCHDIOCESAN TREE

Thank you to Leah Craine, a parishioner, who created the parish Christmas ornament for the official Archdiocesan Christmas tree at St Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati. The ornament will be hanging on the tree with the other parish ornaments of the archdiocese.

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS

Thank you to the 30+ volunteers who distributed flyers throughout our neighborhoods in support of our annual Vandalia Butler Food Pantry Food Drive! Special thanks to parishioner Maria Rock for coordinating our effort. We are in the final days of the drive, hoping to reach our $22,000 goal (which is the estimated dollar amount of typical food donations every year). So far the food pantry has received just over $17,000 in donations. The pandemic has been especially hard on those with food insecurity. If you haven't made a donation to the Food Drive yet, we encourage you to do so soon. The donations can be made at the City of Vandalia utility drop off (sealed envelope marked food drive), Butler Township administration offices. Or mailed to food pantry at: VBFP, PO Box 141, Vandalia, Oh 45377. You can also donate safely online at a secure site:

www.vbfoodpantry.com/make-a-donation

MASS COORDINATORS STILL NEEDED

We are still looking for an additional person(s) to fill the role of Mass Coordinator for ONE 11AM MASS per month.

FAMILIES: This is a great opportunity for families to have a role in their parish together. COUPLES: What a great way to serve the Lord alongside your spouse!

INDIVIDUALS: All you need to serve in this ministry is a love for Christ and His Church and the willingness to give a little extra time before and after 11am Mass, once a month. *Training Provided*

INTERESTED? Please contact Kelly Schmitmeyer at kschmitmeyer@scpchurch.org

YOUTH CHOIR

Open to all parish youth grades 2-8! Social distancing will be put in place at practices and when they sing at Mass.

MASS SCHEDULE: Starting in December, the Youth Choir will sing at the 9:00 Mass on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month and on special occasions (Christmas, Easter, etc.) If we have a large group, we will split into 2 groups and divide up who sings which Sunday so that the kids can be safely spaced out in the choir area. PRACTICES: Practices will likely be on select Wednesdays 6:00-6:50 and will start November 11.

INTERESTED? If your child would like to be in Youth Choir, contact Kelly Schmitmeyer at kschmitmeyer@scpchurch.org

USHERS & DOOR GREETERS NEEDED

We are looking for friendly adults or teenagers to assist ONE Sunday each month as either an usher or door greeter. A Door Greeter would need to hold the main entrance door open and keep a count of people entering. Ushers would assist people with seating and communion line facilitation. Either would be a great opportunity for any teens needing service hours!

INTERESTED? Please contact Mary Lauterbach at mlauterbach@scpchurch.org

CHURCH CLEANING COORDINATOR

We are in need of a Church Cleaning Coordinator ONE SATURDAY every 8 weeks [8:30am-9:30am].

JOB DUTIES: The coordinator would need to open the church & supervise the cleaning of the church. Someone else schedules the cleaners, the coordinator would only need to call to remind them a day ahead of time.

INTERESTED? Contact Bonnie Prine at the parish office or by email: bprine@scpchurch.org

LIVE STREAM NOW FROM YOU STREAMING TV DEVICES

Mass is now available on our own custom ROKU/AMAZON FIRE TV channel! Simply search the channel list for "St. Christopher" and add our channel to your device! Thank you for your patience as we strive to improve your at-home worship experience.

We deeply apologize for the MANY live-stream connection issues we were experiencing last weekend and throughout last week. Our internet service provider has made several repairs/replacement of equipment throughout the Vandalia area. We expect the problem to be resolved. Thank you for your patience and commitment to worshiping with us!