Upcoming Events and General Announcements
Support Holy Family’s College Care Package Ministry! Holy Family is excited to announce an opportunity to support its College Care Package Ministry, which sends a variety of holiday cards, birthday cards, and small monetary gifts to students from the congregation. Your financial contributions will help cover the costs of purchasing these items. Donations can be made through the offering plate (memo: Care Package Ministry), through the church website, in-person at the church office, or by mail. For more information, please contact Ruth Everett, youthministry@hfec.org. The next gift will be given at finals, just before students return home for Christmas. Thank you for your generosity and support!
Share Your Thoughts! Holy Family has created this survey to collect parishioner feedback regarding the current and future congregation needs as the church grounds are redeveloped. The Stewardship Committee identified seven outdoor venues that will need to be relocated/changed because of the land sale. Your feedback and thoughts on the priorities are important. Please rate each venue and provide any comments, ideas, or insights you may have. The last question is open-ended for you to insert other suggestions you would like the committee to consider. Questions can be directed to Ben Paden at treasurer@hfec.org.
Bible Study : Holy Family’s Bible Study group meets in the conference room on 9 AM each Sunday morning. The topic for this study is the Gospel of Luke. View the lesson schedule HERE. Please direct questions to Stephen and Kristine Canter via the church office. admin@hfec.org
Christmas Greens Donations: You are invited to make a monetary contribution toward the cost of greenery used to decorate the church during the Christmas season. Envelopes are on the welcome desk, or you may make a donation online.
Diocesan Reunification Parish Reflection Sessions: On Sundays, December 22nd and January 5th at 9 AM in the parish hall, Father Bruce will lead discussion questions provided by the Diocese about the upcoming reunification of the Diocese of Northern Indiana and the Diocese of Indianapolis. Duplicate information will be presented at both sessions, and the results will be shared with the Diocese. More information can be found HERE. Questions can be directed to Father Bruce. bgray@hfec.org
Christmas Sweater Sunday: You won’t find it on any liturgical calendar, but Christmas Sweater Sunday is a fan favorite at Holy Family! You are invited to wear your shiniest, dangliest, most festive Christmas sweater, vest, jacket, leggings, tie, scarf, hat, headband, jewelry, or whatever you like on Sunday, December 22nd. Let your light shine!
Greening of the Church: On Sunday, December 22nd at 4 PM, the church will be decorated for Christmas during Holy Family’s annual Greening of the Church. Children are welcome to attend and are expected to remain with their parents and help decorate. There is no childcare provided for this event. Following the decorating, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew will host its annual spaghetti dinner as a thank you for your hard work. All are welcome! bgray@hfec.org
Music & Meditation – Special Guest: You are warmly invited to a special offering of Music & Meditation on Sunday, January 5th at 7 PM. Jeff McLaughlin, a local musician, teacher, and mindfulness meditation practitioner, will lead an evening of guided meditation with musical accompaniment. Jeff will guide a 20-30 minute meditation with an ambient music soundtrack. Don’t miss this opportunity to slow down and refresh after the busy holiday season! Questions may be directed to Joel Bruns via the church office. admin@hfec.org
Game Night: The next gathering of Game Night is on Friday, January 3rd at 7 PM. Feel free to bring games you are interested in playing. Please contact Fred Naatz through the church office for more information. admin@hfec.org See you there!
Prayer Group Meeting: Holy Family Prayer Group meets from 6:30 – 7 PM on the second Monday of the month. The next gathering is on January 13th. All are welcome to come and join in prayer. Contact Kristine Canter or the church office for more information. admin@hfec.org
Prayer Shawl Ministry: The Prayer Shawl Ministry is open to anyone who has the skills or desire to knit or crochet. Additional hands are always needed, and teachers are available! Prayer Shawls begin with the shawl maker saying prayers for the recipient. Prayers are continued during the creation of the shawl and shawls are blessed by the priest before they are given as gifts. Meetings are held in the Narthex of Holy Family at 7 PM on the second Monday of the month. The next gathering is on January 13th. Please contact Kristine Canter or the the church office for more information. admin@hfec.org
Book Club: Reading the World book group will not meet in December, but the book for January is chosen and just waiting to be read! The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot, written by Marianne Cronin, is the story of 17 year old Lenni, who is living in the terminally-ill ward of a Scotland hospital, who meets 83 year old Margot (who loves fruitcake!). An unusual friendship forms, and the two women (whose combined ages equal a full century) undertake a century-defining painting project. Both tears and deep-hearted smiles are guaranteed! Join the conversation on Wednesday, January 15th at 3 PM. Contact Fr Bruce for Zoom information for this meeting. bgray@hfec.org
Missionaries of Charity Collection: Holy Family is actively collecting donations of new or gently used coats, hats, gloves, scarves, sleeping bags, and blankets for the guests at Missionaries of Charity shelter in Indianapolis. Please drop off donations in the basket in the Narthex. Thank you for your support and keeping our neighbors in need warm this winter! Please direct questions to the church office. admin@hfec.org
Brain Food – UPDATED LIST! Students at Fishers Elementary need individually wrapped (nut-free) snacks: Pretzels (Rolled Gold, Pepperidge Farm, Herr’s), Popcorn (Skinny Pop, Smartfood, Utz), Cheez-Its, Teddy Grahams, Veggie Straws, Pepperidge Goldfish Crackers (Plain, cheddar, pretzel), Animal Crackers (Barnum, Austin Zoo), Pirate’s Booty, Nilla Wafers, Raisins and other dried fruits. Questions can be directed to the SATS team via the office. admin@hfec.org
Township Food Pantry: The food pantry has asked for the following items: sugar, oil, flour, juice, peanut butter/jelly,
spaghetti sauce, rice, dried beans, canned fruit, crackers, oatmeal, cereal, household cleaners, laundry detergent, bleach, personal hygiene items. This list includes suggestions, but any canned or nonperishable item is gratefully received.
Sunday School Registration: Please follow this link to register your children and youth for childcare, Sunday school, and other activities this school year. Great news! There is a “shortcut” version that skips having to fill out your address, emergency contacts, etc. for multiple children in one household. Please complete the form fully once for the first child, then select the shortcut version for additional children. https://tinyurl.com/CMYG2024. Jolene Johnston, PreK-6th grade jjohnston@hfec.org Ruth Everett, 7th-12th grade youthministry@hfec.org