Did You Know?

One of our parishioners, Ann Dickson, serves on the Foundation Board of the University! Bethlehem University has been called ‘an oasis of peace’ and its continued existence is vital for all who live in the Holy Land! And so, each year for the past 14 years, we have taken an annual Collection! This year we will have that Second Collection on the weekend of 10th-11th January!

This special Collection was initiated here at St. Andrew’s to honor our now retired Bishop Kicanas and gained wide support across our Diocese and by members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Because that Scholarship Endowment was fully funded, in 2021 we set up a new Scholarship: “St. Andrew the Apostle Parish Annual Nursing Scholarship”! This scholarship is for $4,000 a year for 4 or 5 years, depending on the specific course. We receive the name of the student and an update from the student on an annual basis. The Nursing Program at the University has existed for several years, however with the completion of the new hall, the University is able to accept additional students. As you might imagine, nurses and other health care professionals are in great demand.

Our Annual Collection has exceeded always exceeded $4,000 each year since we first began supporting Bethlehem University, so it is certainly very “doable” for our Parish to fund this Nursing Scholarship. When we read the news from the Middle East and hear of the collapse of tourism and basic income for many so many families - it is important that we do something to help build bridges of understanding and peace. Your support of Bethlehem University is building one very important bridge toward a future of peace for all of the peoples of the area – and, through this Nursing Scholarship, to extend our Lord’s ministry of healing!!

Can you think of a more fitting way to celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord? Please be generous in responding to the Second Collection next weekend! And remember to wear your “stars” for the Epiphany!!! Next Sunday, our Puerto Rican Community invites all to celebrate “Los Tres Reyes” (the “Three Kings”) with a special celebration in Kino Hall following the Noon Mass! We are so grateful to have this wonderful traditional celebration at St. Andrew’s! Please join us!

But wait. . .there’s more! Next Sunday afternoon at 2:00 PM, we will welcome back one of Europe’s premier young Organists, Adam Honti, for a free Concert – a perfect celebration of the Twelve Days of Christmas with music!!!