December 1st, 2007

Dear friends,

Merry Christmas!

As we approach Christmas our hearts are will with gratitude for the many graces received from God’s goodness.

The Chinese Convention (NACCCRL) we held at Mundelein, IL on May 24 - 27th, 2007 represents  a special blessing to our Parish to be very grateful for. It has brought to surface hidden talents and resources that we were not aware we had. It has helped us to reach out to younger generations and it has given a new sense of purpose and continuity to our community.

.Through the hard workof Mr. Joe Delfin. youth director. “YouthCAST “ (The Youth Club At St. Therese) has been formed for students in grades 6-12.
It kicked off with a youth music program in early October. Together with Dan Nicky, students learn to work together to form rock bands and music production. Future YouthCAST events include arts & crafts, open gym nights, junior high retreat, etc.
The youth ministry is still looking for adult volunteers to help coordinate and create activities. Would you like to give us a hand?

As we approach the half way point of our fiscal year, I would like to share with you the status of our Sunday collections.  We budget only $120,000 a year for Sunday collections which in some cases is less than one family's annual salary.

Sunday collections have been short an average $500 - $800 per week.  This is due more to the lack of mass attendance than the generosity of the attendees.

For the first five months (June - November) of fiscal year 2007 we collected $41,667 or 35% of the budget.  As you can see the collections are well short of the budget.  
Your extra generosity this Christmas time will be especially appreciated. The Parish would be happy to provide you with receipts for tax purposes. The best gift, as always, is seeing you hear celebrating Mass with us. You can find the “Time Schedule of the Holiday services on the back of this page” or you can visit us at www.StThereseChinatown.org.  

May the newborn Jesus bring you His gift of peace and joy. On behalf of Fr. Aniello, the Xaverians of Hyde Park, and myself, I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year 2008!