Bulletin 12 16 2012 - St Anns Church

FR. LOU’S REFLECTION
“Small things matter”
I remember a few weeks before Christmas, 1958,
my first Christmas with my new parents,
my dad was hard at work in the cellar.
He was building something for me---and
it was to be a surprise.
Therefore, I wasn’t allowed to go down there.
Anticipation was heightened when I saw my dad
coming home from a hard day’s work,
with plywood and boards.
Then one day I noticed something
in the spare bedroom that I wasn’t
suppose to see: a bunch of boxes.
Though the boxes weren’t wrapped,
I knew they were presents---for me.
I, however, wasn’t that curious
to fool around and find out what they were.
And, by the way, I never peeked down cellar
to see what my dad was working on.
And when Christmas Eve day came,
my dad, who had a day off work,
took me to get the family Christmas tree.
I remember being so excited---
for I never saw so many trees in my life!
In the orphanage at Christmas time,
various organizations would come,
and Santa would come with them,
and gave us all presents (usually candy)
which we all shared.
But this Christmas would be different:
my own parents that I didn’t have to share.
That first Christmas dinner was the best food ever:
mom cooked all day long (no micro wave),
it was delicious.
I went to bed early and got up at about two am.
Though my parents were in bed,
I went straight to the cellar and
found a complete train set,
with tracks, houses, snow, cars, people.
My dad joined me and he was delighted,
overjoyed that I was happy.
But, I don’t think
that lasted too long:
for the present that I really loved was my slinky.
I played with that all day.
It was the smallest of all the presents
that I received.
Sometimes, it is the small things in life
that matter.
The smile.
That concern you offer.
A helping hand.
A prayer for you and family.
Even a thank you.
copyright, 2012, Lou Ruoff
Please Keep in Prayer
Pastoral Care
Shirley Blotkamp, Zita Childers, Maria Fiol, Tom
Keesler, Wanda McNealey, Josie Michele Stewart,
Bishop Walter Sullivan, Marge Wilusz
SISTER ANN— Will be celebrating Christmas with
her Mom and family. She will be back in the office on
January 2, 2013.
WHERE IS JOE DEFFELY? Joe is now living at
10344 Doswell Rd., Doswell, Va, 23047. He would
love to hear from his friends from St. Ann. Phone
number is 804-876-9762. If writing, please put mail in
care of Michael & Dulcie Lacey. If planning to visit,
call first, Dulcie Lacey at 804-994-4087.
WEEKLY COLLECTION
Week of 12/02/2012 $14,500.66
In church collection: $11,430.66
Electronic drafts $3,070.00
Last Year 12/05/2011 $10,640.95
Weekly Budget $12,980.77
YTD Collections thru 12/02/2012 $249,405.73
YTD Budget $298,557.71
YTD Difference ($49,151.98)