NEWSLETTER Snows Women’s Auxiliary December 2019

Snows Women’s Auxiliary– Formed November of 2012

We are a service and social organization existing so that the women of Our Lady of Snows

Catholic Church can be involved with assisting others while enjoying social activities.

Officers Effective Sept. 1, 2019:

President: Susann Boley

Vice Pres: Ann McCarthy

Rec. Sec: Barbara Reyes Treasurer: Cindy McLaughlin Corr. Sec: Sandy McClure Sgt at Arms: Betty Mullins Newsletter Editor: Barbara Reyes

Snows Women's Auxiliary Mission Statement:

Promote sociability among members and fellowship among the church’s congregation.

Promote charitable service to the church with activities each year, such as but not limited to, money for Christmas cheer, scholarships, help to needy families, donation of clothing, food for the poor and needy, and any other such activity approved by the members.

Assist in promoting and supporting the members of Snows Women’s Auxiliary and the Knights of Columbus, Council Number 4997.

SWA December, 2019 Newsletter President’s Article

Hi ladies, As we begin this Advent season, we are all hustling and bustling around finishing up Thanksgiving and realizing Christmas is only 3 weeks away! Let’s remember to take some time to enjoy the entire season. We celebrate Advent as the season of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas, and also to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas. I hope you all enjoy a great Advent in anticipation of the beautiful Christmas season. At this time of year as we write our Christmas messages to one another, we once again remember those whom we have lost this year. As we do that, let’s offer another prayer in thanksgiving for having them in our lives and a prayer of strength and healing for our loved ones’ families. Our next regular meeting is on January 7th. I look forward to starting the new year 2020 with all of you. God’s blessing be with all of you and your families. Have a blessed Advent and Christmas. Love & Peace, Susann

Calendar of Upcoming Events

On-going – The SWA Knit and Crochet group meets every other Tuesday in the Parish Center from 10:00 am -1:00 pm. Future meetings will be on Dec. 10 and 24. For more info, please contact Pat at 786-5066.

Tuesday, Dec. 3 – SWA Christmas Party in lieu of our

meeting, at Macaroni Grill starting at 6 pm. Dinner incudes salad, entrée and dessert. Price is $39. Limited seating – SWA members only! Pay in the Parish office by 3 pm on Monday, Dec. 2. Your payment is your reservation. See notice below for more info.

Friday, Dec. 13 – Parish Christmas Dinner Dance at the Peppermill Hotel Casino Resort starting at 6 pm. Tickets are $45 per person, purchase in parish office. See ad on last page for more info.

Tuesday, Jan. 7 - SWA Meeting. Bring a sweet or savory treat to share. Rosary is at 5:30 in the Chapel; Social Half Hour is 6:00–6:30 pm; meeting is 6:30-7:30 pm.

Add Excitement to Your Life - Join a SWA Committee! Chairwomen listed in Bold above member names.

Funeral Service Committee Ongoing

Sandra Gerhardt-Carroll & Cindy McLaughlin

772-2103 or 826-3689 750-7867

Ann Steckline Lottie Wilson

Barrie McKay Jean Sokol

Barbara Clark Madeline Zunino

Barbara Reyes Marie Sanchez

Betty Mullins Nancy Piercy

Diana Perez Nelda McGee

Ellie Lawson-Gilgovan Sandy McClure

Lorie Johnson

Bingo Committee Ongoing

Mary Francis 691-1697 or 329-5802 Betty Mullins Lorie Johnson

Cindy McLaughlin Lottie Wilson

Debbie Sotero Madeleine Zunino

Delores Harvey Sandy McClure

Ginny Motola Sharon Cortez

Gayle Carlson Theresa Kristynik

Bunco Committee Ongoing

Lottie Wilson 322-3520 Gayle Carlson Betty Mullins

Ellie Lawson-Gilgovan

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Saturday, March 14, 2020

Chairwoman Needed!

Spring Fashion Show Committee Saturday, May 4, 2019

Denise Topoian 544-4191

Making a Difference Awards Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Sandy McClure 233-5359

3rd Annual Community Yard Sale Saturday, June 1, 2019

Belinda Preston 828-4096 or 815-1509

Craft Fair & Bake Sale Saturday, October 26, 2019

Cindy McLaughlin 750-7867

Raffle Committee for Snows Parish Christmas Dinner Dance

Friday, Dec. 13

Sandy McClure 233-5359 Ginny Motola

An Informative Visit to the St. Vincent’s Warming Center

A group of 9 SWA ladies visited the St. Vincent's Warming Center at Catholic Charities at 325 Valley Road on Tuesday, Nov. 12 to take a tour. The SWA recently donated $1,000 to the Warming Center, which opened November 4th to provide a warm, safe haven for people who are homeless. The Warming Center is open Monday-Saturday from 6:00 am until 9:00 am to provide homeless individuals with a light breakfast and coffee prior to the main St. Vincent’s kitchen opening at 9:00 am. Jennifer Hill, Chief Development Officer for Catholic Charities and the St. Vincent’s Programs, took the SWA ladies through the facility and explained its daily operations. By the time the tour started at 8:00 am, the Warming Center had already served 226 people and this was on a day when the sun was out. One can only imagine how many the Center will serve on a cold or snowy day! Jennifer described other services provide by St. Vincent’s, such as handing out warm clothing and providing resources to help homeless people cope with the challenges of their everyday life.

From L: Virginia Loza-Lee; Barrie McKay; Lorie Johnson; Deb Van Keuren; Denise Enright; Betty Mullins; Cindy McLaughlin; Phyllis Paydo; Lottie Wilson

Center Bottom photo: Tracy Queen-Dunn and her husband. Tracy used to work for Our Lady of Snows in the Adult Faith Formation Dept.

Photo and Story Credit: Cindy McLaughlin

YOU ARE INVITED!

The SWA is having a no-host Christmas Dinner/Party at Romano’s Macaroni Grill in lieu of our regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. The party starts at 6 pm.

Price is $39.00 for a 3-course meal with a

choice of one each- Salad, Entrée and Dessert. Tax, gratuity, coffee, tea and fountain soda included. Cocktails and

wine will be on individual checks; please add a separate gratuity to your individual

check. You will make your choices for dinner at the restaurant. Three entrees

will be available – choose chicken, fish or vegetarian.

Space is limited.

1. Members only - unfortunately no family or friends.

2. Sign up and prepay at the Parish Office by MONDAY, Dec. 2

Instead of a gift exchange, it is optional to bring a

grocery gift card for Sr. Carmen's Food Pantry.

SWA Ladies’ Luncheons Complete for 2019

The third gathering of the SWA Ladies’ Lunch Group was held at the Rattlesnake Club on Friday, Nov. 2. Once again, a fun time was had by all!

There will be no December luncheon. The January luncheon is planned for Wednesday, January 15, 2020. Deb is contacting Josef’s Vienna Bakery & Café to see if they can accommodate our group and will confirm soon.

Organizer Deborah Van Keuren always welcomes your suggestions on where to dine, so be sure to chime in with any congenial restaurant suggestions! Deb can be reached by email at woodsvan@sbcglobal.net or on her cell at 775.224.1733.

Christmas Raffle Committee Needs Your Help!

The SWA Raffle Committee, headed by Sandy McClure, will be preparing baskets for the Silent Auction and Raffle fundraiser to be held at our upcoming Parish Christmas Dinner Dance on Friday, Dec. 13 at the Peppermill Hotel Casino Resort.

They are in need of the following items:

Empty Baskets

Completed Baskets

Holiday Ribbon and Raffia

Shreds for filling baskets

Small decorations for baskets

Donations of wine

Gift cards

Please bring your donations to the SWA meeting on Nov. 5 or you can drop them off at the Parish Office. Thank you for your support!

Advent Starts This Sunday

The first 24 days of December fall into the liturgical season known as Advent and are represented by the liturgical color purple. Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") encompasses the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. The remaining days of December mark the beginning of the Christmas season. The liturgical color changes to white or gold representing joy, purity and innocence. The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas). Perhaps the best-known of all Advent symbols is the Advent wreath. The round shape of the wreath represents God’s eternity and the evergreens boughs used to make it are unchanging, like God. The wreath holds four candles, three purple and one pink, arranged in a circle, often with a fifth, white candle in the center.

The purple candles represent the penitential nature of the season and correspond to the the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sundays of Advent.

The pink candle signifies the respite of Gaudete Sunday, the 3rd Sunday of Advent. (Gaudete is Latin for "Rejoice".)

The white candle, when used, represents Christmas.