Saint Joseph Parish: $1,511.00 from the Sunday envelopes; $210.00 from the second collection (plate); $234.00 from the Dues envelopes; $141.00 from the A.D Times envelopes; $79.00 from the loose. Thank you.

Saint Vincent DePaul Parish: $798.00 from the Sunday envelopes; $89.00 from the second collection (plate); $10.00 from the Building Maintenance envelopes; $357.00 from the loose. Thank you.

1. Church and Rectory is newer.
2. Big yard.
3. More parking.
4. We won’t have to move.
5. Rectory is in better shape.
6. Rectory seems to use less energy.
7. Garage is attached to rectory.
8. Not in severe debt.
9. Church is handicap accessible.
10. Has a parking lot (but mostly only neighbors park in it regularly).
11. More Bathrooms in Rectory. Including 1 half bath, and 3 full baths. 2 bathrooms on 1st floor.
12. Church is connected to school.

1. Church is smaller.
2. No door from outside to get into sacristy (but can go though school).
3. Sacristy is smaller.
4. Garage is smaller.
5. Only 4 bedrooms.
6. Rectory is smaller.
7. School is not in good condition.
8. Rectory is not connected to church.
9. Parking lot needs to be fixed.
10. Less seats in church.
11. Balcony in church is smaller and has only a few seats (but there is room for more).
12. Church is connected to school.

01. Rectory is big.
02. Church is big.
03. 3-car garage.
04. More parishioners.
05. Church has more seats.
06. Eight bedrooms in rectory.
07. More living space in rectory.
08. Rectory is connected to church.
09. Door from outside in sacristy.
10. Sacristy is bigger.
11. Office is bigger.
12. Kitchen is bigger.
13. Chapel has air-conditioning.
14. School is bigger.
15. School is in better shape.
16. Front and back stairs in rectory.
17. Chapel is newer.
18. Balcony in church is bigger and has more seats.
19. Enclosed back porch in rectory (but the walls are gone).
20. Historical.

01. Rectory is old.
02. Church is confusing to get around. especially for people new to the church.
03. Rectory basement is in bad condition and also it floods.
04. No bathroom on 1st floor in rectory.
05. Wiring is too old (which would mean that it can be unsafe or circuit might often overload). Sometimes the lights in the rectory blink when the refrigerator turns on. (Not a good sign!)
06. Garage is old.
07. Yard needs to be cleaned up.
08. Less energy efficient.
09. Most outlets in rectory are not grounded. This is annoying for things that need to be grounded, like washers, refrigerators, air conditioning, etc.
10. Garage is not connected to rectory.
11. School roof leaks.
12. No parking lot.
13. A few rooms are falling apart in rectory.
14. Neighbors are very close to rectory.
15. Financial troubles.
16. Yard is smaller.
17. We will need to move.
18. Rectory needs lots of repairs/ needs to be renovated.

WE SHARE THE MAIL

Note: The incident referred to in this exchange of emails occurred during the 11:30 am Mass at St. Joseph Church on Sunday, 11 January. Curiously, this was the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord — which, when you think about it, also had a lot to do with water.

From:     Annetta Yackenchick
Sent:       Sunday, 11 January, 2009 10:08 PM
To:         Rev. Edward B. Connolly
Subject:  Niagara Falls in Girardville!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Padre,
I am very sorry for the disturbance that Madalyn caused today during Mass!! I was trying to take Nathan and her out of the church because they were so wild. I thought I could hang out in the vestibule where they could move around a bit. I was trying to listen to the homily through the doors when behind my back Madalyn tipped over the Holy Water container. It came down very loud and made quite a mess all over. It basically flooded the vestibule and water went under the door unto the rug of the church. Some went down the steps etc. The kind men in the back of the church came running, so did the poor organist from the balcony. They got a mop from somewhere and cleaned it all up from what I understand. Madalyn was in a state of shock!! Nathan was glad he didn't do this one!!! I was never so embarrassed in all my days of motherhood!!! I high-tailed it out to the big white van with the little buggers, because we caused enough of a scene for one day.
So very sorry for the occurrence Father!!
I hope I am still your favorite parishioner!!!!!
Miss Annetta

Dear Miss Annetta:
Have no fear! Your standing as all-time, undisputed favorite parishioner is secure.
Notice I said "YOUR" standing.
I did not say "HER" standing.
By "HER", I mean the naughty little girl with the big, beautiful eyes who flips multi-gallon cylinders of holy water onto the floor, sending poor old priests and other delicate creatures into cardiac arrest!
At this early stage, I cannot say with certainty whether or not Madalyn will be excommunicated. First thing tomorrow morning, I shall be discussing the matter with His Excellency, the Most Reverend Bishop of Allentown. It is my guess that the Bishop will refer the matter to Rome. It will take a while, I think, before Pope Benedict makes a final decision as to Madalyn's standing in the Catholic Church. I am fairly certain that Rome considers it a sacrilege to wash a floor (even a church floor) with holy water.
The question that will occupy the canon lawyers in Rome is this: Is it possible that a child like Madalyn, who is a tad less than 22 months old, could possibly have formed the intent to commit sacrilege?
His Holiness, His Excellency and yours truly will get back to you with the final decision as soon as possible. Meanwhile, tell Madalyn to cross her fingers and make a good act of contrition.
Miss Annetta, if God thought you couldn't handle eight children, he would have blown the whistle on you after seven.
God bless you!
EBC

Benefit of:         Trinity Academy
When:               Sunday, 25 January
                         8:30 am to 12:00 noon
What:               All you can (reasonably) eat: eggs (laid by happy hens); potatoes (from deep, rich                         American soil); bacon (from pampered pigs); sausage (likewise); pancakes (hot from the                         griddle); French toast (likewise), and more!
Where:             Trinity Academy
                        233 W. Cherry St.
                       Shenandoah, PA
Price:               Adults $6.00
                       Children (under 12) $3.00
                       Includes table service!