ST. JUDE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY   PAGE SIX          FEBRUARY 3, 2002

Last weekend we stood in solidarity with our Archbishop and the priests, religious and lay leaders of our Archdiocese, especially with those who serve in the poorest of parishes in our Archdiocese.     We cannot allow ourselves to ignore the needs of our poorest sisters and brothers.    If you were not able to complete your Pledge Commitment Card last weekend, please prayerfully consider doing do today and returning it to our Pastoral Center or dropping it in the collection.     We do need to stand in fullest and most heartfelt support with our poorest sisters and brothers in their needs.

"Together in Mission" truly does help our poorest parish communities.     However, as the income has risen so has the bills for services risen and risen.     The help we give in reality shrinks unless we increase our donation.    Our poorest parishes do have "real needs" that are not being met.   It is estimated that it would take $128,000,000.00 today to make all the repairs and do the retrofitting needed in these parishes and parish schools.   

Please prayerfully consider giving a little more than you have over the past years.     We need to understand that our Baptismal Calling encourages us, in fact impels us, to share with those who are less fortunate.      Let us dig deeply this year and try our best to help this worthwhile project, "Together in Mission".

Whether you have been married two months or 20 years, next Sunday is the day to celebrate your sacramental marriage.      Catholic Engaged Encounter --- which many of you experienced before marrying in the Church --- would like to commend all married couples for your daily commitment to your marriage.     If you would like to share your marriage experience and help couples getting married, please Tom & Diane Krause at 310 - 316 - 3477 or visit our website at www.CEEofLA.org.

Next Sunday we will ask married couple to renew their marriage vows during the Sunday Masses.

Bishop Thomas J. Curry will celebrate Mass for couples in the Santa Barbara Region celebrating their 10^th, 15^th, 20^th, 25^th, 30^th, 35^th, 40^th, 50^th, or more years of marriage at Our Lady of Sorrows, 21 East Sola Street in Santa Barbara on Sunday afternoon, February 24^th, at 2:00 p.m.

Couples must register in advance and forms are available in our Parish Office or by calling the Regional Office at 805 - 682 - 0442, between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm weekdays.    A Reception will follow the Mass in the Parish Hall.

Carpooling is encouraged.     Directions: 101 north.    Exit Mission St and turn right.   Go to State Street and turn right.     At Sola Street, 1400 block, turn left.      Enter driveway on left just past the mortuary.     Come early to pick-up pins and ribbons before Mass.

During Lent that begins February 13^th, St. Jude's Knights of Columbus will once again serve a Lenten Soup Dinner each Friday.     Different parish ministries and groups are joining with our Knights to put on these Soup/Salad dinners.     Dinners are served between 5:30 and 7:15 p.m., so that participants can attend Stations at 7:30 p.m.     

There is no charge for these simple Lenten Dinners.      However, donations are accepted.     Last year over $1,600.00 was given to different local charities to help our local poor.

The First Lenten Dinner will be Friday, February 15^th.     Bring your whole family, and make the evening complete by attending Stations afterwards.