Our Place/Chez Nous Christmas Dinner

"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist.... Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus." - Francis Pharcellus Church

On Saturday, December 17th at the Vineyard Church on Main Street, there were abundant signs of Christmas spirit through “love, generosity and devotion”. The 23 volunteers from Our Place/Chez Nous hosted a Christmas dinner for the homeless people who visit them throughout the year. The change of venue from the regular location allowed increasing the number of guests from around 100 to 150. The delicious dinner consisted of ham, meatballs, perogies, coleslaw, buns and cake for desert.

The Parish of Our Lady of Victory paid for the dinner as well as donated $5 towards the purchase of a gift for everyone. The present consisted of a warm hat and a pair of gloves that were wrapped in a fleece neck warmer. The material for the neck warmers was provided by St. Charles Parish and they were sewn by volunteers from the St. James - Assiniboia Catholic Women’s League.

A festive atmosphere was created by the Christmas tree and festive music as well as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause circulating among the guests.

Bake Sale Thank You

A big thank-you to the members of the St. Charles Ladies’ Association who donated the baking and to the parishioners who purchased the baking. The Bake Sale raised $616 which was donated to the North Point Douglas Women’s Center. Pictured above are volunteers Joan Chase and Stella Ryan.

Advent Chalice Campaign

Our Advent Chalice fundraising campaign was another huge success! This year, 40 donation order forms were filled out for Chalice to purchase 75 gift items worth a grand total of $3,490. These gifts go a long way to improve the lives of many needy families in third world countries. Thank you St. Charles Parish for making Christmas a little more special for so many people around the world.

Thank you to Walter, Madelaine and Luke Kotowich for organizing the Advent Chalice Campaign.

Women’s Centre Guest Speaker

The St. Charles Ladies’s Association held its Christmas Pot Luck on Wednesday, December 14th in the church hall. There were 27 members present.

Following the meeting was a video presentation on the North Point Douglas Woman’s Centre. Elaine Bishop, Executive Director, spoke on the activities and work of the Centre. Ms. Bishop was presented with a cheque for $616 which was the profit from this year’s bake sale. The ladies attending the dinner also donated a number of items from the Centre’s wish list including tissues, toilet paper, laundry detergent, garbage bags, office supplies and craft supplies.

Ms. Bishop expressed her sincere gratitude for the generosity of the ladies attending the meeting.

Rossbrook House Donation

Rossbrook House co - executive directors receive mitts, hats and

neckwarmers from St. Charles parishioners.

Some St. Charles parishioners have been busy knitting and sewing to provide warm clothing for the children who attend Rossbrook House. One of our parishioners knitted 77 pairs of mittens while she was recovering from hip surgery and several others met for two days making over 65 neck warmers. When the articles were delivered the co-executive directors Phil Chiappetta and Sister Maria Vigna were overwhelmed. Phil said,”When we have outside activities some of the kids show up without suitable clothes, so this will really help”.

Founded in 1976, Rossbrook House is a neighbourhood centre for children, youth, and young adults who in Winnipeg’s inner city. It offers a constant alternative to the destructive environment of the streets. The operational philosophy at Rossbrook is based upon two fundamental principles: self-help and self-referral. Rossbrook staff are drawn from the community of regular attenders, allowing for realistic understanding of the needs and aspirations of the participants. The hopes, dreams and ideas of the youth are what determine the programs and direction of the centre. All those who come to Rossbrook House make a free choice; an alternative choice to the destructive life of the streets.

A Successful Retreat

The St. Charles Ladies’s Association advent retreat was well attended by parishioners as well as guests from all across Winnipeg. Fr. John Kracher lead the retreat and the participants were able to spend a day reflecting and being with the Lord. A big “Thank You” to the youth who helped prepare the snack and meal and did the entire cleanup. Pictured above is Chris Souce introducing Father Kracher and members of the youth group.