Dear Altar Society members,
Happy New Year to each one of you! I hope your Christmas was filled with wonder and awe, and that you are hopeful for what God has in store for you in 2026.
I would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to the following members of the Altar Society who, through their hard work and dedication, made our Advent and Christmas seasons so festive and lovely. We are fortunate to be part of an enthusiastic, talented group of women who are committed to their faith and community.
Lauri Miller and Stephanie Strange for planning a verry merry Favorite Things party, and Jacquie O’Toole for hosting us all at her lovely home. We all enjoyed the fun, thoughtful gifts and lots of laughter. It was a great way to start the season!
Mary Louise Binning and Marti Burke for organizing the lovely Christmas Tea for our members, and Michelle Collins for hosting it in her beautiful home. It was an enjoyable afternoon for all!
Michelle Collins, Margret Collins, and all the little elves who volunteered countless hours to make our annual Angel Tree gift-giving event so successful. Thank you to each of you and to all our generous donors on behalf of Catholic Charities’ Brady Center, St. Joseph’s Residence, Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, St. Mary of Carmel School, and White Rose Women’s Center. As always, you showed up with incredible generosity, and it was greatly appreciated.
Jacqueline Mauer and her hardworking committee, including Denise Villani, Linda Collins, Jill Oborny, Sally Jilek, Marti Burke, Kai Morris, Andrea Norton, Bonnie Hamje, and Amy Hendricks, who went above and beyond to provide us with a delicious and beautifully presented Donut Sunday during the Angel Tree event.
Cindy Syler for “decking the halls” of the rectory and organizing the construction of the outdoor nativity scene at the church. The nativity scene, along with the Blessing of the Bambinelli and Christmas carols with Father Tony, is adored by parishioners of all ages.
Father Alex, Tina Noah, and Gina Rischard who, with the help of CKS Eighth graders, decorated the Parish Center for Christmas.
Marilyn Conrow, Gloria Erdman, Lourdes Stokes and their committee members for adorning the church and altar so beautifully for the Advent and Christmas seasons. It was stunningly gorgeous as usual.
Mary Smith and Camille Fournier for organizing families to light the Advent wreath at each mass. I loved seeing all the generations of families participating.
Aurelia Corbitt for writing no less than 16 thank-you notes in the last few weeks and Rose Hoff for keeping our prayer chain going. Their beautiful and heartfelt missives remind me of this quote from John Newton (of “Amazing Grace” fame): “That the power of God would set my heart and pen at liberty while writing, and fill your hearts while reading, that we may rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”
All who participated in these wonderful Altar Society and Christ the King Church events and traditions - you make our church community special.
Coming up:
New Member Welcome Reception on January 25th from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. in the Community Center Gym. Sherry Krawietz is planning this event for over 300 new families, and she needs volunteers. Please reach out to Sherry at tskrawietz@gmail.com if you are available to help on that day.
Bingo and Blooms Luncheon and Fundraiser underwriting letters are going out soon. Please consider being a sponsor and helping with this wonderful event on March 24th. Please contact Dianna Unis if you want to help at unis@swbell.net.
I look forward to serving with you in 2026!
With gratitude
Ana Yoder
Altar Society President 2025-2026