December 17th, 2021

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Our local Knights of Columbus from Mater Dei Parish are preparing to go next week to Kentucky and Tennessee to the areas afflicted by the tornados last week. They have asked St. Basil’s to help collect both items (as per the list below) and donations. Donations can be given in cash or by check. Checks should be made out to St. Basil’s and then we will give the money collected directly to the Knights of Columbus. If you would like a tax paper for your donation please attach a note to your donation.

Lowell Schaper is our parishioner member of the Knights of Columbus Council. Please contact him with any questions at 682-305-6112 or by email at: [email protected].

List of items needed:

EMERGENCY LIVING

Inflatable mattresses
new/unused Sleeping bags
kerosene heaters
charcoal
Lanterns
Flashlights\batteries
Generators
Mops/Brooms/Dust Pans
Disinfectant Wipes

FOOD RELATED;

Foam Bowls
Disposable plates
Disposable cups
Plastic utensils
Napkins
Manual Can-openers
Zip-lock Baggies
Bottled Water
Gatorade

PERSONAL CARE

NEW/UNOPENED toiletry items (his & hers - including hair/skin care products of an ethnic variety, hair brushes & combs, hair ties, q-tips)
First Aid Supplies (Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Aleve, Neosporin, gauze, tape, etc. - please consider infant/toddler medications as well)
Baby wipes
NEW/UNUSED socks & undergarments for all ages & sizes
NEW/UNUSED winter coats & shoes for all ages & sizes
Phone Chargers
Puzzles/Board games
Raincoats/ponchos & rain boots

CLEANUP SUPPLIES

Industrial Trash Bags
Regular Trash Bags
WheelBarrows
chainsaw
chainsaw chains
Tarps
5-gallon buckets
Work Gloves Men and Women
shovels, rakes, brooms
extension cords
work boots all sizes
Gas Cans
battery powered tools (most needed drills)
Trash Cans
Duct Tape
Hand Tools – Hammer/ Pliers/ Screwdrivers/Saws
Gas cans full of gasoline

We will be accepting donations at St. Basil’s this coming weekend. The aftermath of these tornados has forever changed lives, destroying homes and memories, and taking the lives of fathers, mothers, friends, grandparents and even children, all this right before Christmas. Our small contribution can help to show our solidarity in this time of loss. Please see in your homes what you might have that could be donated. Thank you for your generosity.

OTHER REMINDERS:

On Saturday, Dec. 18, remembering the journey for Mary and Joseph, searching for lodging in Bethlehem, we will have a Byzantine Posadas, with our children re-enacting the principle roles, with a real donkey!!! As we walk we will sing and read the story, until they find lodging. Our celebration will continue with hot cocoa, spiced cider and Mexican sweets, and of course a Piñata! This beautiful tradition of New Spain (of which Texas was a part) begins at 1pm (concluding at 3:30pm)
During this season of preparation for the feast of the Nativity we are also urged to participate in the Mystery of Holy Reconciliation. Any time around the liturgical services, as well as by request, I am available.
There is one more Wednesday webinar this month on Dec. 22. The link to the webinar is included below. The webinar is seasonal and a good preparation for the celebration of the Nativity.
A part of our parish celebration of the feast of the Nativity is sharing the traditional Holy Supper of Christmas Eve together. This year Holy Supper will take place at 5pm with the parish providing some of the key dishes. We ask you to sign up in the Church / Hall to bring a side dish/salad or dessert. Please also let us know (on the same sign-up sheet) how many adults and children will be coming so that we can have a general idea of how many to prepare for. We will have extra, so no worry about last minute add ons. Holy Supper is primarily a fasting meal, with fish and oil, but no meat, dairy or eggs, since Christmas Eve is a day of fasting. Hence the sweets too should be simple and not rich. This meal shared is a celebration of faith as a family. Please join us ! The Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil for Christmas Eve follows at 7pm. This event begins our celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ!
Collecting non perishable food items for our local food pantries
- We also accept monetary donations. The crates for the food items are on the table in the narthex of the Church.

Care Bags for the homeless or those in shelters
- On Sunday, Dec. 12 we will be assembling care bags to distribute directly to the homeless or those in shelters. It is our hope to assemble 200 bags. Even though our winters are mild in comparison to the north, for those on the streets or in shelters, this is a difficult season. Below is the list of the items we need, all items that will be put into individual bags. These items can be found in dollar stores very cheaply or in bulk at Costco or Sam’s. Please bring whatever you are willing to donate to the hall on Sunday and then lend a hand in assembling the bags. If you are unable to purchase something, please make a donation and your donation will be used to purchase whatever we will need. Thank you to Kelly Askari for spearheading this project and for the children of our St. Basil homeschooling Co-op for their help and support.
- Items needed:
  - Scarves
  - Socks
  - Small pack tissues
  - Wipes
  - Gloves
  - Masks
  - Hats
  - Cough drops
  - Nutrition bars
  - Toothbrushes/toothpaste
  - Snacks (small packages, proteins)

Finally a couple of liturgical scheduling notes. The Divine Liturgy served at 9am on Christmas morning, Dec. 25, will be masked and distanced so that we may provide an opportunity for our parishioners who are at risk, to come and participate in the Divine Liturgy. Both Christmas Eve and Christmas morning Liturgies will be live streamed. If you are unable to come for Liturgy and would like to schedule a time to receive Communion, please let me know.
On Saturday, January 1, the Vigil Liturgy with masking and social distancing, will be served at 4pm (not at 6 as usual, because of the wedding)

I wish you a blessed preparation for the feast of the Nativity.

Fr. Elias