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Did you know you can register your Kroger Plus card online and link it to St. Christopher’s non-profit organization (NPO) number F079 to help StC’s earn a portion of your purchase? Every time you make a purchase using your Kroger Plus card, St.C’s will benefit! Find the online registration site here.

We are following the recommendations of WPAFB as local guidance for our own parish protocols. Currently the base is at Health Protection Condition Level Bravo, which means that masks are now optional except at the Hospital. So following their practice, we are not requiring masks at this time, and we are holding coffee hours. We do ask that if you are feeling unwell, please refrain from attending parish events. And we encourage everyone to take advantage of all vaccines and boosters as they become available.

It’s that time of year when winter storms and freezing conditions can make travel hazardous. Here is where you can check to see if we have decided to close or cancel an event.

WHIO.com and WDTN.com are websites where our notices will be posted. (Please note that our membership size is too small for our closings to be posted in the scrolling news feeds on the TV stations.) Both WHIO and WDTN have news and weather apps for Apple and Android phones that list closings.

We will also attempt to send an email no later than 9 pm the night before a cancellation or closing.

It goes without saying (but we will say it anyway), if you have any doubt about your safety (steps, walks, sidewalks, driveway, roadways), please do not venture out. Your well-being is of paramount importance.

Wishing you many blessings and the confidence that God loves you!

Do you know about Lent Madness? It is an online Lenten devotion, a fun, engaging way for people to learn about the men and women comprising the Church’s Calendar of Saints. The format is straightforward: 32 saints are placed into a tournament-like single elimination bracket. Each remains open for a set period of time and people vote for their favorite saint. 16 saints make it to the Round of the Saintly Sixteen; eight advance to the Round of the Elate Eight; four make it to the Faithful Four; two to the Championship; and the winner is awarded the coveted Golden Halo. The first round consists of basic biographical information about each of the 32 saints. Things get a bit more interesting in the subsequent rounds as quotes and quirks, legends, and even saintly kitsch is offered.

Though we are still more than 12 weeks away from Lent and Lent Madness 2023, it is time to think about preparing. To subscribe to the mostly weekday Lent Madness posts or to learn more about Lent Madness, visit the Lent Madness website here. To order a Bracket Poster or a Saintly Scorecard to record you favorite saints in this wacky online devotion, visit the Lentorium (Lent Emporium) here.

We are preparing to have our church door locks re-keyed. Over the years keys were given to church members and others who needed regular access to our building. Unfortunately, the records are incomplete, some folk have died or moved, and keys haven’t been carefully monitored. Therefore, we are uncertain who has a key, who does not, and where all the keys have gone.

To correct this situation, we plan to have the doors re-keyed and new keys made. The keys will be numbered to better enable record keeping. This is in no way an attempt to prevent appropriate people from having a key if needed.

To facilitate this process, we are asking folk who need to have a key to request one. There is a sign-up sheet in the parish hall for that purpose, or you can call the parish office and register your request with Parish Secretary Kay Mitchell.

The Church Insurance Company and the Diocese of Southern Ohio require that all people who possess a church key to have completed Safe Church training. You can do this online at the this link. (See note blow.) The training is free, takes between 1.5-2 hours, can be done all at once or spread over several sessions. When you complete it, please print a copy of your certificate and bring to the church office.

When the re-keying is scheduled, we will give you plenty of notice so that you can pick up your new key.

Fish is a community supported non-profit organization that supports people in many ways, but the primary need to which Fish responds is for food for those facing food insecurity.

• Fairborn FISH is located at 480 West Funderburg, Fairborn (the former Wright School building)

• For a current list of Food Needs, click this link.

• FISH always needs SEALED packets of plastic ware that sometimes are delivered with carry out meals. Nothing loose or in unsealed packaging.

• Perishable items can be donated to FISH! Any perishable foods being donated to FISH should be placed in the refrigerator or freezer. A note to the FISH delivery person should be placed in the FISH wagon detailing what the items are, and where they are to be found.

• Monetary donations to FISH Fairborn can be made through the St. Christopher’s online giving site here, or sent to FISH Fairborn, P.O. Box 1484. Fairborn, Ohio 45324. Of course, anything you can give helps. More information about Fish Fairborn can be found at: www.fishfairborn.com.

• Persons with CareSource insurance, can call their insurer and request free transportation to Fairborn FISH. Other insurance companies may have a similar program. If you know anyone that uses the Fairborn FISH services, this is another resource for them. Help spread the word!

• A signup sheet for FISH DELIVERIES is in the Parish Hall, please prayerfully consider joining this important ministry. Donations to FISH can be delivered Tuesdays or Fridays, noon to 4pm.