FROM OUR BISHOP

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! In the Christmas Season we come to know the personal story of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ and the journey of his parents. It is a story that began over 2,000 years ago and continues with the blessings we experience in the lives of our children.

In this edition of our BAA newsletter, we offer to you the faces of the children of our Special Learning Centers who experience the incarnation of our Lord through the reenactment of the Christmas story. May their faces brighten your start to this New Year.

Thank you again for your continued generosity and support of the BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL. I wish you a new year filled with faith, hope and charity.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Edward P. Cullen, D.D.
Bishop of Allentown

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CHILDREN WITH UNLIMITED ABILITIES SHARE THEIR CHRISTMAS GIFTS
By Sr. Janice Marie Johnson, R.S.M.

Students from John Paul II Center for Special Learning and Mercy Special Learning Center offered a special Christmas gift to all who were fortunate to witness them share their unique talents through singing, dancing, tone chimes and rhythm instruments presentation. The culmination of these Christmas performances was the Nativity scene which highlights the true meaning of Christmas. Those who attended left filled with the true Christmas Spirit. Unfortunately weather prohibited St. Joseph Center for Special Learning from having their show on its scheduled day. It will be held after the publication of this newsletter.

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PRIME TIME CLUBS ANNUAL MEETING
By Robert Olney of Catholic Charities

Over 3,000 older adults are members of the Prime Time Clubs of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown. Currently, 26 Clubs receive BAA funding and support from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown. Each Prime Time Club is unique. Many offer a variety of activities including education, entertainment, trips, games and other activities.

In November, Club officers gathered and shared their successes and challenges with representatives of Clubs from around the Diocese. “The Annual Meeting provides the Clubs an opportunity for networking, additional training, and the opportunity to renew and/or start new relationships,” shared Robert Olney, Program Administrator.

For more information about the Prime Time Clubs, please contact Robert Olney at 610-791-3888 ext. 304.

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CATHOLIC CHARITIES HONORS UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS
AT ANNUAL GALA

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown will honor Very Rev. Bernard F. O’Connor, O.S.F.S., President of DeSales University and Dr. Thomas F. Flynn, President of Alvernia University at the Second Annual Catholic Charities Gala on Sunday evening, February 22, 2009 at the Holiday Inn, Fogelsville.

Presented in this photo (left to right) are Dr. Thomas F. Flynn, Terri Bishop (co-chair), Most Rev. Edward P. Cullen, D.D. (Bishop of Allentown), Ray Bishop (co-chair) and Very Rev. Bernard F. O’Connor, O.S.F.S.

To receive an invitation, become a sponsor, or place a patron or business advertisement in the program, please contact Lynne Shampain at Catholic Charities 610-791-3888, ext. 310.

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