Newsletter #36 - December 2022
JMJ
Dear members of our Auxiliary family,
Happy Advent to you now! Soon it will be “Merry Christmas” and then 2022 shall have flown by forever. Don’t you have the feeling that this was a monumental kind of year? How many of you could share stories about life changing events that have occurred? We ourselves experienced all of us coming down with Covid together, and then being evacuated for twelve days because of the Mosquito Fire in September. “What could happen next?” we might be tempted to joke – but don’t say it! Or God will give you an answer!
This year has seen more maintenance here at our property; our new caretakers, Jim and Susan Ohling, have taken up residence at the Caretaker house; we have met a lot of aspirants, and people questioning about a vocation, but none have been directed to us – yet – God has His time.
All of you have made a tremendous difference in our lives, with your generosity and faithfulness. Your contributions of groceries, goods, and donations, have helped us a lot: we feel supported and surrounded by your love. Right now, our phone is out of service, but when it gets back “live,” you’ll be more than welcome to call with prayer requests as usual. We love hearing from you, either by postal mail or phone messages. (Yes, we know, “the dinosaur Carmelites who don’t do texting” can be maddening, but it helps us live out our vocation as we see it.)
Enjoy the upcoming feast days: Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. John of the Cross, and finally the apex, Christmas itself. May your Advent days be safe and peaceful, and may you all welcome in the new year with joy. God bless each and every one of you!
Waiting with you for the birth of the King,
Mother Mary Bethany and your Sisters in Georgetown
Auxiliary News
Dear Auxiliary Members,
A warm welcome to the several new Auxiliary members who have recently joined us! Please remember that the Sisters pray for you and your intentions every week. You can call them for your special intentions. We hope you will remember them in your Christmas Giving. We thank you!
Plans are underway for our annual Fundraiser Luncheon. The date is February 11, 2023, and the location is at St. Mel’s in Fair Oaks. The price is the same, $25.00 per person, and we will be at several churches selling tickets in January. The schedule is below.
Why not buy a whole table and invite your friends? When you register online (at carmeliteauxiliary.org), there is a small handling fee to be aware of, since the company that handles the money charges a small fee to us every time. I think we are paying for their security of the transaction. So when you check out, you will be charged a couple of dollars more than $25. But you can also email us to reserve a table and pay us at the door, and you can visit us at the parishes below:
January 8: St. Clare Parish, Roseville, all morning Masses.
January 15, Good Shepherd Parish, Elk Grove, all morning Masses.
January 22, St. Rose, Roseville, all morning Masses.
January 29, St. Mel’s, Fair Oaks, all morning Masses.
If you would like us to visit your parish and can get the permission and a date, please let me know ASAP. We would like to thank St. Joseph’s in Auburn and Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Carmichael for inviting us in November and December. You were most welcoming and gracious. We appreciate it!
Raffle and Auction: In spite of Christmas preparations, we are trying to acquire raffle gifts and auction items. Raffle gifts are small, fun items that are ruffled off at the luncheon. Auction items are things like activities, getaways, and event tickets that can be auctioned silently for larger prices. I have seen some amazing “deals” happen with the auction items!
If you have a new item for the raffle, please contact us for Henry’s phone number. He will pick up your items.
If you have an auction item, please contact us for Alma’s phone number.
You can also email us at Carmelitehelpers@gmail.com.
Our handmade quilt for the quilt raffle is really stunning. In the Valentine’s Day theme, it is all hearts! We hope it touches your heart too. The theme for the luncheon is Show a Little Love for our Sisters, and in the spirit of St. Valentine’s Day, we will be making Valentine’s Day cards for them too!
In Christ,
Patty