Offertory Report

Sunday Collection

.......... $ 3,249

Amount Budgeted

.......... $ 3,060.00

Budget to date ($3060/week x 24 weeks) $ 79,560

Collections to date

.......... $ 75,090

Collection surplus/(deficit) to date

.......... $ (4,470)

Many, Many Thanks!
We offer thanks and appreciation to the many people who have given of themselves to ennoble our Christmas celebration! Special thanks to Charlene McElwee, our Liturgy & Music Minister, the choirs, musicians and cantors who make beautiful music all year long, but especially at Christmas, the liturgical ministers, to Kay Vine and the many people who clean and decorate the church, both inside and out, and all who help make liturgy “the source and summit” of our celebration. New this year were decorations on the lighted wreaths of the Church pillars. Those were made by children and teens in the Christian Formation and St. Malachi Center Programs. The gifts shared by our children, teens, and their teachers are real treasures for us all! You have given both of your time and of your heart. May God bless you!

EPIPHANY CELEBRATION
Plan now to attend our annual Epiphany Celebration on Sunday, January 8. We begin at 4:00 pm in church with a service of readings and carols followed by a special presentation by our children in The Surprising Christmas Pageant, a re-telling of the Christmas story with love, astonishment and lots of humor. As always, we end the afternoon with a simple potluck supper in the hall. Main dish will be provided, but please bring a dish to share. To RSVP for the supper or for more information, please call the rectory (216), 861-5343.

The Paradise Tree
What is the decorated evergreen tree-the light and sight and smell of which means “Christmas”? It is the tree in the center of the garden, lost to us by our first parents' folly, restored to us by Christ's saving deed. It is the tree that claps its hands uproariously before the Lord, who comes. It is the tree-once drafted into death's service-that now blooms forth and shines in splendor: He who died in its arms has defeated death and lives forever. This is the tree of life straddling the river of life in the new Jerusalem. Bearing twelve kinds of fruit, it is laden with enough joy for all the tribes. It marks the spot where heaven intersects with earth. And look! That spot is here-in the house of the church. That spot is here-in your own house. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord! Paradise is so very close to home.

Copyright © 1997, Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1800 North Hermitage Avenue, Chicago IL 60622-1101; 1-800-933-1800. Text by David Philippart.

PROTECTING GOD'S CHILDREN: VIRTUS TRAINING
St. Malachi Center - will host a training session of “Virtus: Protecting God's Children” from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 14. The training is to help children by learning the warning signs of abuse, how to control access to children, how to monitor programs, how to become more aware and how to communicate concerns. For more information or to register, call the center, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday, 216-771-3036.

FR. JIM O'DONNELL'S ANNUAL BENEFIT 
Fr. Jim O'Donnell's 7th Annual Visitation Home Reunion Dance Friday, January 20th, from 8PM-Midnight; $25 donation includes open bar and light snacks. Call Bill McLaughlin at 440-465-8317.

3RD ANNIVERSARY PRAYER WALK FOR PEACE
Join us on Jan. 18th at 7:15 PM to help celebrate the 3rd year Anniversary of the Prayer Walk for Peace.
 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
If your New Year's resolution is spending more time volunteering, St. Malachi Center has several opportunities as soon as this month.

	We would like to extend reading assistance to all third grade After School Program participants and then to fourth grade as well. We need Reading Buddies.
	Up to 50 teens (13-17) come to the Center on Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 8pm for intellectual and team building activities. We need mentors and team leaders for some of these activities.
	On January 21 we have a clothing ministry from 11 to 2 pm. Those in need make appointments to shop the Church basement. We need help sorting donations and putting clothing and small household goods on shelves. We need shopping assistants, especially for the mothers of big families.
	On January 31 we have the first Family Activity Night of the year. We need help preparing and serving dinner and cleaning up afterward. The total time commitment would be from about 5:00 pm to 8:00pm.

If you are interested in helping with any of these activities, please call Jackie Bluett at 216-771-3036 x 15, any time 9am to 5pm Tuesday through Friday. 

CENTERING SPACE
Reflective prayer, 7-8 p.m. every Tuesday, 14812 Lake Ave., Lakewood. (216) 228-7451

 
  Accept our gifts
   also, O Lord