WINTER RELIEF EFFORTS THANK YOU

 

THANK YOU FOR WINTER RELIEF EFFORTS

Thank You to everyone who contributed to this year's Winter Relief Efforts. We provided Dinner, Lunches and Breakfast for 20 Guests who stayed at St Christophers From December 6^th to December 12th

A REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

 

Hello to all,

Jackie Ryan is looking for some assistance in helping move some furniture.  Below is a summary of what she needs to have done.  Her dad is getting a Hospital bed delivered in the very near future., So the sooner the better to have these tasks completed.  You should contact Jackie to let know her know how you can assist.

 I am going to need some assistance to move furniture to accommodate my dad's current level of needs.  We need to move the following:

 An end table, TV Table, 2 side tables, 

 4 chairs from the upper level to the basement.

A wine rack (pretty heavy) from basement to upstairs.

2 dressers from basement to upstairs

Sofa from basement to upstairs

A couple of bookshelves from one room to another in basement

 Possibly a few boxes of decorative items to move downstairs.

 I think this about covers it, Imay have missed an item or two, but you get the general idea.

 

Thanks!

Jackie

 

LETTER FROM PRESIDING BISHOP

 

Catholic Apostolic Church in North America         

       Office of the Presiding Bishop

               December 22, 2022

 

My Sisters and Brothers,

 

Christmas is the season that demonstrate God is present in us and in the world, working for our healing and growth, our direction and our comfort, our reconciliation, and our redemption. This is the fundamental Christmas message that was to those who came before us and most especially to us in this time of unrest.

 

New life is breathed into our hearts at Christmas, infusing faith and genuine hope, and love so we may start afresh. We are once again called to believe in God who first believed in us; enough to send God’s son Jesus to be born as one of us, showing us how to be centered in God and that we too can be perfect just like Jesus. What a gift to humanity. It is this gift that began the well-known and much advertised tradition of gift giving. Also, the message of Christmas is one of love, peace, and goodwill to all.

 

It is no secret that we face many threats and challenges daily, enough to cause the best and most resilient to question God’s presence. The Christmas message frees us from all those anxieties and fears, transforming them into optimistic and hope-filled expressions of a better tomorrow. Let us summon our resolve to be confident in the power of God to change the world through

             Jesus born in that Bethlehem stable.

 

In the comforting words of the angels to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all peoples to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord….”

Jesus is the light of the world every day of the year. As our gift of love, let us

be the extension of that light and love to all those we encounter.

 

A very blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with love and peace to our CACINA family and to the whole world.

 

             Your Servant in Christ

+ Michael Theogene

            Presiding Bishop CACINA   

 

+ Michael Theogene

            Presiding Bishop CACINA   

 

MONKS BREAD

                               

We rarely, if ever promote products being offered in the marketplace.  Making this the exception to the rule.  We think they deserve our support.  

The Abbey of the Genesee

Monks’ Bread and Specialty items are baked at the Abbey of the Genesee, a Roman Catholic community of contemplative monks belonging to the worldwide Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (O.C.S.O.), more commonly known as Trappists.

 

About Monks' Bread

Monks’ Bread and Monks’ Specialty Bakery are works of the Trappist monks of The Abbey of the Genesee in Western New York. Manual work is an integral part of Trappist life. Each monastic community must support itself by the work of its hands. The bakery supports the monastery's primary mission, which is to pray for the world. 

Enter this in Google Search and it will take you to their Web Site:

Monks' Specialty Bakery (monksbread.com)

KIVA DONATIONS FOR OCTOBER OF 2022

 

KIVA LOANS FOR THIRD QUARTER IN 2022

 In October we loaned a total of $ 400.00 to six different people in three different countries.  We had three loans @ $100.00 each. One loan @ $ 50.00 and Two loans for $ 25.00 each .  We had a total of  $ 409.74 in the KIVA account available to loan. This quarter we contributed $ 7.50  to support KIVA.  We have a balance of $ 2.24 on hand in our account after these loans were made. The next contribution period will be end of January 2023.

Picture N/ A:  Petronila's story- PHILLIPHINES

Petronila is 54 years old, married and has eight children who are now adult age. For the past years, she and her husband have run a small family farm to earn a living. They grow rice plants. They have been in this livelihood for many years to support the family.  Now, she asks for a loan of PHP 10,000 through Kiva’s lending partner, CEVI-Philippines, for additional capital to buy fertilizer for their plants.

Picture N/A: Myrna's story- PHILLIPHINES                                                                          Myrna has four children. She is a very hard working entrepreneur. She is 51 years old and has two children who are in school. Myrna has a rice retail business in the Philippines. She requested a PHP 15,000 loan through NWTF to purchase more sacks of rice to be sell.  She has been in this business for 2 years. In the future, Myrna would like to save enough money so she could afford to send her children to college.

Picture N/A:Emad's story- JORDAN 

Emad is doing what he loves and that is why it is hard for him to let go.  Machinery rental has been his business for as long as most of the people of the town can remember. When he entered the business, there was only him in the market. With a little help, he set up a store that houses all the machinery. He knows each one thoroughly. This makes him the man to ask for help with machinery. A loan will help him get new machines and recover from the COVID-19 crisis.

Picture N/A:  Emelia's story-  PHILLIPHINES  

Emelia lives in the province of Concepcion, Iloilo. She is 56 years old, married and has one dependent. To earn an income, Emelia runs various businesses like a sari-sari (variety) store, hog-raising and fishing. She has been in this business for many years now.  Emelia is asking for a loan of PHP 50,000. She will use this loan for additional capital to buy more stocks for her store. The rest of the loan will be used to buy a fishing net.  Emelia aspires to improve her business in the future and become successful.

Picture N/A: Divina's story - PHILLIPHINES

Divina is 43 years old and married with two children in school. Divina works very hard to provide for them.  Divina runs a general store in the Philippines and requested a PHP 20,000 loan through NWTF to buy items to sell like canned goods, junk food, etc., to sell in her general store.  Divina has been in this business for 4 years and sells a variety of items.  In the future Divina would like to save enough money so she could afford to send her children to college.

Picture N/A:  Georginia's story – TIMOR LESTE

Georginia is a modest and enterprising married woman. She has a very good understanding and much experience of the general store business. She has one of her own which she has been running for many years. Her store is located in an excellent spot that is easy to find and where many people always come to buy her goods every day.  Running her business has made Georginia become more independent because she can be responsible for herself and she can also help to support her family's everyday income.

TITHING RECIPIENT FOR DECEMBER 2022

 

TITHING DONATION RECIPIENT FOR DECEMBER 2022

YOU CAN CHANGE THE LIFE OF A PERSON IN PRISON

The Joan Chittister Fund for Prisoners was initiated in 2006 in response to numerous requests for spiritual materials from prison chaplains and individual prisoners. Each year over $60,000 worth of FREE publications by Sister Joan Chittister are sent to prison chaplains and volunteers ministering in 90 prisons across the United States. The Fund is in close contact with this network of chaplains who personally distribute the materials received. Individual requests from those in prison are also honored.

The Fund is especially intent on getting the monthly publication, The Monastic Way by Joan Chittister, into the prisons because chaplains find this interfaith resource ideal for personal and group reflection.

FREE SPIRITUAL MATERIALS

Your support of the Fund for Prisoners since 2009 has enabled us to send over $500,000 worth of spiritual publications by Joan Chittister free to those in prison, to begin the kind of caring conversations that give people something to believe in and a sense of the presence of God in themselves. We work closely with a network of 90 prison chaplains and volunteers to insure that materials reach those in prison and are used effectively—in small discussion groups, retreats, journal classes, and for individual reflection and prayer.

The Monastic Way, a monthly publication by Joan Chittister, has become a staple of spiritual development in prisons from one end of this country to the other. Over 3,000 free subscriptions are mailed each month and prisons and prisoners everywhere are still begging for more. Prisoners write of their dependence on this little piece of beauty and reflection to stir their hearts and seed their souls.

The Joan Chittister Journal is the most requested item—over 50,000 have been sent to individual prisoners. With striking full-color photographs, comforting and challenging words by Joan Chittister and lots of writing room, the Journals provide a space where prisoners can pour out personal feelings, wrestle with private struggles, and trace their journeys to a healthier and more meaningful life.

The Joan Chittister Fund for Prisoners is supported solely by individual donations.

FORMING SPIRITUAL COMMUNITIES

The Joan Chittister Fund for Prisoners also collaborates with Monasteries of the Heart and its effort to form small “monastic” communities in prison. Currently there are 12 such communities trying to implement values from the Rule of Saint Benedict into prison life.

By introducing the Benedictine concepts of stability, community, prayer, silence, conversion of life and nonviolence into the lives of prisoners, the thought of meaningless routine, uncomfortable schedules, random violence, and obedience could be transformed into sacred awareness; silence and the developmental effect of stability of place could result in self-knowledge and interior development. More than that, this program does what we all say we want to have happen in the penal system. It presents another way to live, another reason to be alive, another kind of human heart to strive for, and another vision of rehabilitation.

Ten percent of all donations received to the Joan Chittister Fund for Prisoners are designated to forming monastic communities in prisons and the Fund supplies all necessary spiritual materials, including the basic formation book, The Monastery of the Heart by Joan Chittister.

PRISON & HALFWAY HOUSE RETREATS

The Joan Chittister Fund for Prisoners also collaborates with Monasteries of the Heart and its effort to form small “monastic” communities in prison. Currently there are 12 such communities trying to implement values from the Rule of Saint Benedict into prison life.

OUR DONATION WAS USED TO "PAY IT FORWARD":  We are pleased to send you The Monastic Way for free. Help us send a print copy to a person in prison for only $10. Please give what you can. Thank you. Our Donation will allow us to send 16 copies of the Monastic Way for one year.

OUR TITHING RECIPIENT FOR NOVEMBER 2022

 

Mission Statement

In the Jesuit Catholic tradition of academic learning, personal care, and spiritual growth, The Loyola School offers a scholarship-based education for children of Baltimore City families of limited means aged two through the fourth* grade.

Our dedicated faculty honors the uniqueness of each child and nurtures the promise of all children by providing a caring and supportive environment where they can be active, engaged, and reflective learners.

We partner with our parents to accompany our children as they develop the competence, character, and confidence to become leaders in their classroom, their school and, ultimately, the greater Baltimore community and beyond.

*TLS added kindergarten class in September 2021 and will add one grade level each year until 2025,
when we reach our projected full enrollment of kindergarten, first, second, third, and fourth-grade
students. In the 2022/2023 school year, TLS’s elementary school is only offering Kindergarten and first
grade classes.

Our Vision

Rev. William J. “Bill” Watters, S.J., opened Loyola Early Learning Center in 2017 to address the lack of quality early learning opportunities for low-income children in Baltimore City.

On June 29, 2021, The Loyola Early Learning Center (LELC) changed its name to The Loyola School to reflect its expanded mission, now including a new elementary school (grades K-4).

TLS added a Kindergarten in September 2021 and will add one grade level each year until 2025, when we reach our projected full enrollment of K-4 students.

The overarching goal of TLS is to remedy socioeconomic disparity in kindergarten and middle school readiness among underserved children living in Baltimore City.

We provide our students with a high-quality preschool and Kindergarten curriculum, characterized by individualized student support and parent involvement.

Rev. Watters has a long-standing Jesuit Tradition in responding to the critical need for quality education for children of low-income families in Baltimore City.

TLS is modeled to follow the success of St. Ignatius Loyola Academy, which has educated middle school-aged boys since 1993, and Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, established in 2007. Father Watters founded both schools, aiming to provide disadvantaged students with a high-quality education.

T A P S; OUR TITHING RECIPIENT FOR OCTOBER 2022

 

THE MISSION OF TAPS: “ TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS”

Our Tithing recipient for october: 

TAPS is the national nonprofit organization providing compassionate care and comprehensive resources for all those grieving the death of a military or veteran loved one. 

Since 1994, TAPS has provided comfort and hope 24/7 through a national peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families and loved ones.

TAPS provides a variety of programs to survivors nationally and worldwide. Our National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp has been held annually in Washington, D.C., over Memorial Day weekend since 1994. TAPS also conducts regional survivor seminars for adults and youth programs at locations across the country, as well as retreats and expeditions around the world. Staff can get you connected to counseling in your community and help navigate benefits and resources.

If you are grieving the loss of a fallen service member, or if you know someone who can use our support, the TAPS 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline is always available toll-free with loving support and resources at 800-959-TAPS (8277).

If you are here because our mission to care for the families of America’s fallen heroes speaks to you as well, we welcome you to connect with us about giving, volunteering, professional engagement or careers.

TAPS is a national nonprofit 501(c)3 Veterans Service Organization and is not part of, or endorsed by, the Department of Defense.

Please consider making TAPS your Amazon.Smile.com "Charity of Choice"  It is very easy to do. The $$$'s can really add up. 

 

FIND INSPIRATION WITHIN THE TAPS MAGAZINE

TAPS Magazine is dedicated to America's fallen heroes and their surviving families and friends. 

This quarterly magazine is sent free of charge to anyone interested in receiving it, including survivors, service members, supporters, and grief professionals.

 Subscribe to the TAPS Magazine.

The articles in each edition are written by military survivors, grief professionals, and TAPS staff. We hope you find inspiration, comfort, support, resources, and a sense of belonging within these pages. 

 

HERE ARE SOME WAYS TO JOIN THE TAPS VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY:

Support TAPS Staff at our National Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, through administrative projects, inventory, mailers and more. Sign up for our weekly volunteer opportunity.

Sign up to volunteer at survivor seminars and other events in locations nationwide to help with set-up/breakdown, check-in, store sales, race day support, serve as airport greeters, and more.

Active Military, Veterans, and Good Grief Camp graduates, become a caring companion and a reminder to TAPS youth that the military still cares for them.

If you are an adult survivor at least 18 months beyond the loss of your own loved one and ready to comfort and give hope to another survivor, consider becoming a TAPS Peer Mentor.

 

If you are a group that is interested in volunteering at an event or working on projects at TAPS National Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, please email volunteer@taps.org.I

MARYLAND FOOD BANK / OUR TITHING RECIPIENT FOR SEPTEMBER 2022

 

Our Tithing Recipient for September 2022

The Maryland Food Bank is a nonprofit hunger-relief organization that is feeding people, strengthening communities, and ending hunger for more Marylanders. For more than 40 years, the Maryland Food Bank has partnered with communities across the state to distribute food to individuals and families in need. Through carefully crafted programs, the food bank aims to meet the immediate needs of Marylanders while simultaneously working to develop pathways out of hunger. Currently distributing more than 12,000 meals per day-more than 37 million meals annually-the Maryland Food Bank will continue to expand its efforts until hunger ends.<br><br>Our mission is feeding people, strengthening communities, and ending hunger for more Marylanders.

How We Fight Hunger

Now more than ever, we have proven that the food assistance safety net we’ve built over the last 42 years can withstand any crisis.

Our expertise combined with a statewide network of thousands of community partners makes it possible to meet the immediate needs of food-insecure Marylanders while simultaneously working to create pathways out of hunger.

We are helping Maryland recover by feeding people, strengthen

Where Your Money Goes

Thanks to donors like you, we’re able to provide food-insecure Marylanders with pathways out of hunger while distributing nearly 170,000 meals daily. Your donations make all that we do possible, so you should know how that the Maryland Food Bank uses all donations efficiently.

 

FY2021 Operating Expenses*

 

93%

Program Services

 

3%

Administration

 

4%

Fundraising

COMMUNITY CHANGE.ORG TITHING RECIPIENT FOR AUGUST 2022

                                                                      Community Change:

 Is a progressive community organizing group active in the United States.^[2] It was founded in 1968 in response to civil rights concerns of the 1960s and to honor Robert F. Kennedy. 

Their Mission Statement:

"To build the power and capacity of low-income people, especially low-income people of color, to change their communities and public policies for the better."^[

^{The link below will take you to five inspirational  stories of organizers in the past 50 years who have been involved with Community Change}

5 Organizers in 5 Decades - Community Change is a national organization that builds the power of low-income people, especially people of color, to fight for a society where everyone can thrive.

Community Change generally works in low-income areas, especially within communities of color, and attempts to create resident-based groups to work on local issues of concern. The organization sponsors internships and training programs in several areas, including community organizing, service learning, union organizing, electoral engagement, and youth/student organizing.^[6] The organization provides resources for grassroots groups including campaign strategy, funding and social media strategy. In 2004, through the collaboration with immigrant groups,

Community Change organized the Fair Immigration Reform Movement that "empowered immigrants to speak out".^[7] 

Community Change has helped to create government programs like the Community Reinvestment Act and the food stamps program.^[8]

The organization seeks to create workplace environments that value family, to guarantee minimum wage, "unlock opportunities in the poorest communities, and increase income taxes for the wealthy.^[9]

The Center for Community Change launched the Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM), an immigration reform movement working for comprehensive immigration reform. 

 

 

FIRST TITHING RECEPIENT FOR JULY 2022

 

MOUNT VERNON VIRTUOSI

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 2018 by internationally renowned cellist Amit Peled, Mount Vernon Virtuosi is a chamber orchestra based in Baltimore, Maryland. Comprised of seventeen string players, our mission is to provide a place of artistic growth for the young musician on the brink of their professional career. By providing a platform for our musicians to continue developing their skills, we encourage their personal growth by engaging with audiences of all ages through exceptional performances and community engagement activities throughout the Baltimore and Washington DC region

To learn more: The link to their website is below

https://www.mountvernonvirtuosi.com/

The Mount Vernon Virtuosi regularly performs at three venues in Maryland – the Pratt Library in Baltimore, Spencerville Seventh-day Adventist Church in Silver Spring, and the Bender JCC in Rockville. Through the generous contributions of dedicated individuals, all regular season performances are presented free of charge. We continue to develop meaningful partnerships with community organizations throughout the Baltimore area, with concerts and education initiatives in schools, prisons, hospitals, hospice, and in collaboration with local venues that expand our reach and provide easy access to community members.

Beyond regular season concerts in the Baltimore/Washington area, Mount Vernon Virtuosi has toured throughout the East Coast and records exclusively for the CTM Classics recording label. The orchestra’s first recording, “Mozart Live” was released in 2019.

Do you want to participate ?  We will have a form available ( coming to your in box soon) You can complete the form for a group that you think deserves our support.  Any articles, or other media information you may have about the group would also be welcome.  We would like to have everyone's input.