 Christmas is here. A season of joy. A season of miracles. I read this little story and desired to share it with you. So, enjoy and take to heart the simple message and perhaps we may all experience a miracle ourselves.
A Glass of Milk - The Milk of Human Kindness Author Unknown
This is a true story. Here is a short bio on Dr. Howard Kelly (1858-1943). Dr. Kelly was a distinguished physician who was one of the four founding doctors of Johns Hopkins, the first medical research university in the U.S. In 1895 he established the department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at John Hopkins University. Over the course of his career, he advanced the sciences of gynecology and surgery, both as a teacher and as a practitioner.
One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?" You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness." He said . . . "Then I thank you from my heart." As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit. Many years later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, and then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words..... "Paid in full with one glass of milk" (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands." There's a saying which goes something like this: Bread cast on the waters comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place. - And, after all, isn't that what life is all about?
(Posted by Jaci Rae, who has been named "The Christmas Expert!" She is also the author of Collista's Search for the True Meaning of Christmas)
Amen. -Manny
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To our St. Nicholas Community, our dear loved ones: we wish to extend to each and all our warmest and heart-felt blessings and cheer. May your Christmas experience be joyful, filled with awe and wonder and may abundant blessings fill your home, heart and soul. Merry Christmas and may 2015 be a healthy, prosperous and an amazingly wonderful new year. Peace and all good. -Douglas and Manny
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Christmas Eve at St. Nicholas
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We warmly welcome everyone!
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Please note: there is no service on Christmas Day.
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Christmas Eve Service Participants
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4PM:
Presider: Manuel Borg - Vicar
Readers: Neal Setchell and Colleen Davy
Verger: Hal Stratton
String Trio: Jillian Setchell, Shannon Setchell, Maeve Terranova
Leader of Song: Cyndi DeBock
Organist: Mary Fletcher-Gomez
Angels, Joseph, and Mary: Young Members of the St. Nicholas Community
9PM:
Presider: Manuel Borg - Vicar
Lectors: Lesson 1, Brandon Garcia; Lesson 2, Katie Black; Lesson 3, Steve Raftery; Lesson 4, Bill Barlow; Lesson 5, Mary Fletcher-Gomez; Lesson 6, Randy Drolen; Lesson 7, Penny Mandizara; Lesson 8, Douglas VanHouten
Leader for the Prayers of the People: Jennifer Brundige
Acolyte: Steve Raftery
Verger: Hal Stratton
Chalice Bearers: Hank Mandziara, Mindy Golden, LaWayne and Tameica Williams
Organist & Choirmaster: Mary Fletcher-Gomez
Choir: Katie Black, Jennifer Brundige, Brandon Garcia, Ginny Gibbs, Sherri Lambton, Jessie Lindberg, Hope Quarles, Michael Scafidi, and Douglas VanHouten
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While the Vicar's Away . . .
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In case of a pastoral emergency:
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Dear Community of St. Nicholas.
I will be on vacation from Dec. 24th (after the 9pm Mass) until the 29th of December.
If there is a Pastoral Emergency and a priest is needed, I ask you to please contact the Rev. Elizabeth Jameson, rector of St. Simon's Episcopal Church. She will be covering all pastoral calls at St. Nicholas while I am away. Rev. Elizabeth can be reached at: 847-295-2930. St. Simon's Church is located at 717 W. Kirchhoff Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.
I will keep you all in my prayers and thoughts and certainly hope everyone has a wonderful holiday, free from any and all emergencies.
Merry Christmas to one and all.
Blessings and love,
Manny
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The Community of St. Nicholas is praying
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For the repose of the soul of June Staud who passed away late last week. "Auntie June" was a long time friend of the Tamaski family. May she rest in peace and enjoy the Eternal Light that is Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.
For the repose of the soul of Julie Ann Paris, mother to Charles Paris who is a good friend of St. Nicholas. Pray for the Paris family at this time of sorrow and grief as we pray that Julie Ann now rests in eternal peace in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
For Kisha, a friend of our Sandra Glos who is recovering from a brain aneurysm. Pray for Kisha's full recovery and that her family is blessed with strength and peace.
For Pat Beahr, Donna Tamaski's sister, who is to have knee replacement surgery soon. Pray all goes well and Pat is up and around in sound and lasting health. All the best, Aunti Pat.
For Richard Gans, father of our Ken Gans, who had recent surgery. May full and lasting health and healing be yours and that you are back home with your loved ones very soon.
For Dale Rickey who after several months of hospital and rehab stays is so very close to returning home and back to St.Nicholas. We pray you continue to get stronger, better and are back to your wonderful self in no time at all.
For all God's people who cry out to the Lord: may all our prayers be heard and may our hearts and souls find comfort and joy.
For those who are depressed, troubled with anxiety and stress: may the Lord calm all our fears and brings us all to a place of peace and tranquility.
For all our St. Nicholas community members who are under the weather and in need of healing and prayers: may they find peace and be blessed with sound and better health: Bob DeHaven, Joanne Mangiaracina, Connie Nicholason, Vernon Forde, Mary Gans, Eunice Dohra, Dick Day, Paula O' Conner, Jim Laughlin, Jackie, Chris, Cathy Walters, Carrie and any one else in need of our continued prayers and well wishes.
*** "Pray for Barb O, an Al Anon member."
(**written prayer requests)
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To our good friends at St. Norbert's Roman Catholic Church in Northbrook who donated 5 cases of turkeys to our pantry. The turkeys were passed out to our pantry guests for Christmas. Thank you parish family of St. Norbert's for your thoughtfulness and care shown to us once again. To everyone who stuck around on Sunday, Dec. 21st and helped get the tree in place and decorated, vacuumed, washed windows, cleaned bathrooms, brought snacks, led Children's Formation, practiced music . . . amazing and beautiful things happen when we band together! Great work, to one and all.
To Fran Begonja who proclaimed the Gospel and shared her reflection this past weekend. Thank you, dear Fran for your continued spiritual sharing.
To the Order of St. Luke who shared their healing ministry with us this past weekend. We are all a better place because of your care and concern.
To Connie Nicholson and Dan Papentony who braved the cold and prepped our St. Nicholas gardens for winter. Come spring, we shall see the fruits of your labor and we shall all take in the beauty.
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This Week at St. Nicholas
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As a reminder, the full master calendar is always available online at this link. Here is the schedule for the next week:
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Wednesday, December 24, 2014 | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | Christmas Eve Family Service with Las Posadas - The Journey to the Inn | 4:00 PM | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM | Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols with Eucharist | 9:00 PM | Thursday, December 25, 2014 | Christmas Day - no services
| | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | GA Meeting | 7:00 PM | Friday, December 26, 2014 | Vicar's Day Off | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | Saturday, December 27, 2014 | AA Meeting | 1:00 PM | Worship Service | 4:30 PM | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM | Sunday, December 28, 2014 | Worship Service | 10:00 AM | AA Meeting | 7:30 PM | Monday, December 29, 2014 | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM | Tuesday, December 30, 2014 | Vicar's Day Off | | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | AA Meeting | 7:00 PM | Wednesday, December 31, 2014 | AA Meeting | 12:00 PM | Choir Rehearsal | 6:45 PM | Al-Anon Meeting | 7:30 PM |
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