1. The two-bit collection is for debt reduction. In January I hope to give a report on how we are doing in balancing our parish budget. We are not there yet and have recently made some reductions in our school and parish personnel. I appreciate your support of Holy Family.
2. Also I want to thank you for your support of Holy Family Parish in the first collection. Our parish council is working with me to develop a plan for addressing the needs of the parish. We must complete the seismic repairs of our school and fulfill the ADA requirements for handicapped accessibility. Also the roofs of the Church and Ailbe House require repair. Beyond these immediate necessities, the parish needs a multi-purpose facility. If we are going to move ahead with these projects, we must first put our operating budget on a solid footing. To do that, we need your support. Several families have made generous donations to Holy Family during recent weeks. I ask you to please consider Holy Family Parish in your Christmas and year-end giving.
3. To date 489 families have made written pledges to support Holy Family Parish in the coming year. Total pledged: $345,059. There are still a couple more days to fill out a commitment card before the end of the year - and we will not reject any late pledges.
4. A special thanks to the Filipino Christmas Carollers who raised $833 for the support of our parish.
5. On New Year's Eve there will be bilingual Mass at 11 p.m. and a New Year's Day Mass at 11 a.m. The full Mass schedule and other important announcements may be found in the bulletin.
6. This Thursday, January 2, is the First Thursday of the month. Beginning in 2003 the confession hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. That is, priests will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation this Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
7. Marriage Classes (Evenings for the Engaged) will take place in January, beginning Sunday afternoon, January 19 at 4 p.m. Please call Sharon at the parish office for more information and to register.
8. Also in January, on the second and third Monday evenings, we will have baptism classes for parents of infants and young children.
9. Eucharistic Adoration will continue as normal on New Year's Day. Please take advantage of this opportunity to spend time with Our Lord truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
10. Scrip will be available after the morning Masses.