Spirited Times - November 2007

Ouch! Unplanned repairs
Can you help?

Unplanned and costly events happen in every family, including our faith community at Church of the Holy Spirit.

Repairs due to sewer backups and related damages totaled $19,000, and roof repairs totaled $15,000. None of these repairs were in the current budget. God’s help and generous donations beyond the usual are needed to get us through this “emergency.” If you have a little (or a little more than a little) to spare, please mail it in. Thanks for your ongoing support and prayers.

--Finance Council, Church of the Holy Spirit; For more about parish finances, see pages 4 and 5.
 
Please call if we should visit in the hospital
Please call us if someone you know needs a visit in the hospital. As of Jan.1, 2003, federal regulations prohibit hospitals from notifying the parish of patients who are parishioners.
This has caused some confusion because the hospital may still ask what parish the person belongs to—thus it appears that the parish will be notified, but they do not call.

If you or a loved one is hospitalized and you wish the parish to know—please call the Parish Office at 847-882-7580.  We want to be there for you—but first we need to know you are there.
 
Sharing Parish
The annual tradition continues.  Fr. Larry Choate and people from our sharing parish join us for Mass on Nov. 10/11. On Nov. 17/18 parishioners donate, gather, and bring the annual Thanksgiving Food Collection to our Sharing Parish, St. Francis of Assisi / Our Lady of the Angels. Non-perishables and Jewel gift certificates are among items that can be donated, along with time and transportation to deliver the donations. Thank you.
 
Rite of Christian Initiation
Are you an unbaptized adult or adult baptized in another faith? Are you a baptized Catholic who has not celebrated First Communion or Confirmation? Do you know someone who has been away from the Church for awhile? We invite you to join us for the JOURNEY IN FAITH-RCIA process.  We began a new class in the fall.  We have an enthusiastic and dedicated team of people eager to share their faith.  For more information, call Sister Marianne at the Parish Office 847-882-7580.
 
Blessed Virgin Mary
Rosary Group
We meet in the Chapel across from the church Every Tuesday night from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.  Please come join us on Tuesday evenings to give thanks to Our Lady of the Rosary and to ask for peace, guidance and well-being within ourselves, our families, and the world. If you do not have a rosary, we have extras. If you don't know how to pray the rosary, we would be happy to teach you. If you have any questions, please call Marie Chapetta at (630) 855-1284 after 5 p.m.
 
Ministry of Care
Ministers are available
Do you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who could benefit from the services that our Ministry of Care provides?  We are a group of over 30 parishioners who visit the homebound, hospital patients, and nursing home residents. Often, a person who is ill or elderly can find spiritual support in talking about his/her feelings or praying with a Minister of Care. We can also bring communion, if requested.  The Church of the Holy Spirit Ministry of Care has been in existence since 1979. All Ministers of Care complete a training program focusing on a variety of skills, with listening skills being among the most important.  For further information about our Ministry of Care, or how we can be of assistance, please contact Deacon Ray Doud at the Parish Office at (847) 882-7580. 

Home Recovery Program
The Home Recovery Program is a Ministry of Church of the Holy Spirit whose purpose is to provide a family meal for parishioners recovering from a hospital stay, an illness, or an injury. Convalescing at home can be difficult without also having to prepare meals.  Not everyone has family ready or able to step in and help during these times of need.