The Pope Francis Fund – Application Process is Open The Pope Francis Fund has opened the application process for grants to be distributed in 2021. Last year nine organizations received funding and this year a total of $42,500 is available. The application process and criteria are at this link. The list of 2020 recipients, including stories about they put their funding to use, is at this link. Pastors are encouraged to announce the following when livestreaming Masses over the coming weeks: “Organizations are encouraged to apply to the Pope Francis Fund for grants for charitable works that help the poor. Application details and criteria are available at ww.dol.ca.” The application process closes on February 28.

The members of St. Helen's CWL would like to thank our entire pastoral team for the wonderful job you have done keeping us informed, safe and sacred. Membership fee of $25.00 for 2021 is now due. New members are always welcome. Members receive a monthly newsletter and a National magazine published quarterly. They also have many opportunities to serve our church and community with helping hands and prayerful hearts. Please call or text our membership convener Linda J. Van Raay at 519-868-5936 for more information. We wish everyone a new year filled with faith, hope and love.

For those who use Offertory Envelopes and have not yet picked them up, we need to hear from you. Do you still need them? Please advise Maureen Marcelissen if you would like to continue with envelopes by calling 519 631-3640 ext 241 or by email at mmarcelissen-hnm@dol.ca . Arrangements for getting the envelopes will be made at a future date. Instead of Envelopes You have a couple of options. i) Pre-authorized Debit (PAD) We can set up automatic withdrawals from your bank account with the frequency and amount. If you want proceed with this option, please contact Maureen Marcelissen. ii) You can use our online payment system - Pllenty. You have the option of using your debit or credit card to make one-time payments or recurring payments. To take advantage of this option, please go to our Family of Parishes website - eglinrcparishes.ca , click on 'DONATE' and follow the instructions. Although are churches and offices are closed at the moment, your financial support is very much appreciated to continue to pay for heat, hydro and other expenses that continue during shutdown. We continue to pray that COVID-19 will end so that we can get back to our churches. Bob Bray Business Manager 519 631-3640 ext 240 elginrcparishes.ca

Catholics and all people of good are asked to make their voices heard in opposition to legislation before the Parliament of Canada, Bill C-7, which expands access to euthanasia and assisted suicide. This Bill removes, among other things, the requirement in the law that a person’s death must be “reasonably foreseen” and extends the provision of euthanasia and assisted suicide to those who are not dying. Catholic teaching upholds the inherent dignity of each and every person and affirms that it is gravely unjust to enact laws legalizing practices, such as euthanasia and assisted, that permit the taking of innocent human life. The Diocese of London is joining with faith-based groups and all concnerned Canadians to oppose this legislation

Holy Angel's C.W.L Membership Holy Angels' is now accepting new and renewal memberships for 2021. Annual dues are $25.00. Because of the Covid-19 situation your membership can be mailed or dropped off in my mail box at 11 Circlewood Dr. St Thomas, On. N5P 0A6. Arrangements can be made to have your membership picked up by calling 519-637-1584. Please provide your name, address, phone number. Make your cheque payable to Holy Angels' C.W.L. If you have any question Louise Perrier 519-637- 1584.

Virtual Marriage Preparation Weekends in 2021 will be offered for couples in Ontario on Feb 20-21, April 16-18 and June 11-13. The cost is $150.00. Engaged couples can view the CEE program website and register at this link.

The Catholic Women’s League of Canada calls its members to grow in faith and to witness to the love of God through ministry and service St. Anne’s C.W.L. is now accepting new and renewal memberships for 2021. Any ladies 16 years and older are welcome and encouraged to join. Annual dues are still $20.00. Membership can be mailed to Melinda Hoare 230Centennial Ave, StThomas, N5R 5B2 Please provide your name, address, telephone number and email address if available. Cheques should be made payable to St. Anne’s C.W.L. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy DeCorte at 519-633-6379.

In order to continue to keep our places of worship open, safe and sacred it takes many resources, willing hands and hearts to make this happen. The exterior protective glass for 5 of the beautiful the stain glass windows at Holy Angels’ are cracking and pieces are coming loose. There have been plans for several years to replace all of the protective glass because it is not properly vented and can cause damage to the stained glass over time (because of drastic heating and cooling without proper venting.) Because of the cracked exterior glass, need to preserve the stained glass from the elements and safety concerns, we need to replace the cracked glass. The replacement of the cracked panes will occur this month. This is a temporary measure until we can install new, vented storm windows and paint the window frames for all the windows in the church. On another note, the front steps of the church will require extensive funds to be raised before we can begin work to replace them. We cannot yet set a timeframe for the completion of this work. Minor repair work on the side sacristy steps, deteriorating because of salt has been repaired by very skilled parishioners. Thank you for your generosity! We are all thankful for everyone’s continued support to keep the church safe, sacred and fully operational.