Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On November 11^th we will be hosting the 1^st meeting of a Neighborhood Watch Program for the area round the church. It will meet in the Guild Hall at 6.30 pm and all are invited.

Obviously the main purpose is to coordinate neighbors in keeping a watchful eye on each other’s houses, property, etc. It is sad in a way that such a group is necessary, but it is a good way of people getting to know each other.

I can’t help feeling that an even better Neighborhood Watch would be one that looked out for people rather than property. We are all called to be neighbors in that sense for each other. Our Lord reminds us that we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, and a start towards that would be getting to know which of our neighbors are living alone and might need help. It is not only the elderly who need support from their neighbors. There are many unhappy and lonely people whose lives are confined to their homes or apartments and work. They have acquaintances but few or no friends. In the old days, those wonderful old days we all remember (or imagine) from our childhood or just old movies, everyone knew each other and grew up together. People knew who around them needed some help or comfort. These days with scattered families and much mobility of jobs and homes we sometimes seem to be living among strangers. Well, if they are strangers to us it is also true that we are strangers to them.

November 11^th is also the Feast of St. Martin. The story tells how as a Roman soldier he took pity on a freezing beggar and divided his soldier’s cloak with him. That night in a dream Christ appeared to Martin wearing the half of the cloak that had been given to the beggar. As often as ye do it for one of these the least of my brethren….. Everyone we meet is our neighbor in Christ, but we do have a special responsibility towards those who actually live near us. We see them often and perhaps exchange a few words at least. If we do not know when they are in need of help or comfort it is perhaps because they wish to keep it from us. But they may wish to keep it from us because they do not believe we will care. It is one thing to respect privacy, but another to be indifferent. The price of perhaps being told to mind our own business is not a very big one to pay if by asking if we can help we do actually open a door to someone who is just hoping that someone will care or show an interest.

Neighborhood Watch can mean many things. Let it not be just a concern about property.

Yours in Christ
Fr. Michael +

Income $7,533.49
Expense ($11,750.71)
Net Income ($4,217.22)

Treasures from the Trunk will continue in the January 2010 "Epistle" newsletter.

I would like to thank all of those who helped with and attended the Whole Health and Wellness Fair. It was a wonderful effort and I appreciate all of the knowledge, blessings and talents that people shared with us. God Bless You!

Respectfully submitted by

Dana Washburn, Outreach Committee Chairperson

During the four Sundays of Advent the altar is kept bare when we reflect on the promise of Jesus’ birth. When the holiday arrives you can offer celebrations and remembrances in the form of flowers and greens. Names and intentions are printed in the Christmas bulletins. An "Christmas" envelope is enclosed in the printed newsletters for your use for Christmas Memorial Flowers. For those who receive the electronic version of the newsletter, these envelopes will be on the table in the GuildHall.

Remember, too, that any Sunday present an opportunity to memorialize loved ones or offer thanks for anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, or any special occasion. Our altar guild does a beautiful job of turning your donations into a beautiful floral presence at our worship space.

1 can baked beans                           ½ c. brown sugar
1 can butter beans, drained              ½ c. sugar
1 can kidney beans, drained             ¼ c. catsup
½ lb. ground chuck                          ½ tsp. dry mustard
½ lb. bacon, cut up                          2 T. molasses
1 onion, chopped

Brown bacon and onion in skillet until bacon is crispy, but not hard. Drain grease and set aside. Brown ground beef in same skillet. Drain grease. Combine all beans and meat in casserole dish. Mix in bowl, brown sugar, sugar, catsup, dry mustard and molasses. Pour over beans and meat mixture and stir to mix. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Recipe Note: Very good the next day and may also be doubled.

Courtney Susedik ran 26.2 miles in the Milwaukee Marathon on October 4, 2009. She ran it in 3 hours and 28 minutes. This qualifies Courtney for the Boston Marathon in April 2010.

Submitted by

Melanie Cornale-Susedik
(Her very proud mom)