MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Announcements, News, and Events

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Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Is a Holy Day of Obligation:  Mass Schedule is as follows:
Thursday Dec. 31st 4:30
Fri Jan 1st  8:00AM  11:00AM  12:30PM (Latin)

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LeBlond High School Scholarship and Placement Test for Incoming Freshmen SAT, JAN 9th

Eighth grade students planning to attend LeBlond High School next fall will take a placement test on SAT, JAN 9th. Doors open at 8AM and testing begins at 8:30AM. Please call LeBlond to reserve a spot for the test and to confirm what to bring.  

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Confirmation Classes

Will begin JAN 10th in the Casper Erk R. Classes will be from 6-7:30PM. The first meeting will begin at 5:30PM for parent briefing and student registration, with the class beginning at 6PM. All High School aged students (including Freshmen) are now eligible to be confirmed in 2010. Confirmation will be JUNE 4th, 2010 at Cathedral. A sign –up sheet is in the vestibule. Direct questions to Mike Aberer.

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Benedictine College Ministry has organized a mission trip through the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging for its students to travel to El Salvador over Spring Break 2010. The mission is to spread the love of Christ by building houses for those in need. The more money that is raised, the more houses that can be built. To help offset the cost of traveling to El Salvador and buying necessary supplies, Hillary Chilcote-Crawford, a parishioner and St. James School alumna, will be giving parish talks at the weekend Masses (JAN 16th & 17th ). She will also be available after each Mass to answer questions about the trip. The second collection on that weekend will go to help Hillary offset costs of the mission trip.

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Our Food Pantry Needs Your Help!

Our St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry is low on commodities. Any non-perishables left in the vestibule would be greatly appreciated. Cash donations (clearly marked for the food pantry) may be dropped in the collection plate. Thank you for your generosity.

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Give your Parish a gift and use SCRIP cards

How does SCRIP work? You buy a pre-paid “credit card” and the store/restaurant gives the parish back percentage of your purchase. We have gift cards for restaurants, department, home improvement, sporting and discount stores, and much more! We can order what is not in stock and have it here next weekend.
SCRIP cards are for sale after every weekend Mass and available in the school office during school hours.  

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Tax-Free IRA Gifts Extended 

Did you know that federal law still allows tax-free charitable distributions from your IRA? Charitable taxpayers who are 70 and one-half or older can direct “qualified charitable distributions” from their fund administrator directly to the charities of their choice, including one’s parish, school or favorite ministry. Anyone with an IRA who is 70 and one-half years old or older at the time of the distribution should explore this possibility. This provision was renewed to cover the period through December 31, 2009. For the details, contact your legal or financial adviser – or Greg Vranicar at the Office of Stewardship & Development, 816-756-1858 x 529 or vranicar@diocesekcsj.org .  

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Looking Ahead: Mark Your Calendars

SAT, Jan 23rd - St. James Parish Pastor, Clergy & Religious Appreciation Dinner

SAT, Feb 23rd - Seminarian Benefit