Jan. 8^th, 2021: Within a day of the Feast of the Epiphany (Jan. 6^th), those remaining “miles” came in! The parishes, together, “arrived” in Bethlehem! Thank you  for participating!  Gratefully, Peggy, Polly and Michele

Jan. 3, 2021:  The parishes, together,  gained 2,250 more “miles” since New Years Eve.  New Total: 5,543 “miles”. We are now within only 897 “miles” of our destination!

Dec. 31^st:  LATE ENTRY- Mary, Mother of the Church parish AND St. Matthias the Apostle parish are teaming up to complete this journey. Thank you to a parishioner’s “epiphany” to combine efforts of parishioners from both parishes participating. NEW COMBINED TOTAL “miles”: 3,293 as we enter the NEW YEAR. There are “only” 3,147 more “miles” needed. This places us nearly over the continent of Africa. Although plan B was considered in the last entry (Dec. 27^th), we “press on” as a team of 2 parishes, Mary, Mother of the Church and St. Matthias the Apostle!
Tuesday, Dec. 29^th: Thank you for contributing 110 more “miles” since Christmas Eve. Our total: 1,062 “miles”, thus far. May I ask for a few more days of participation, ending Sunday, Jan. 3^rd on the Feast of the Epiphany- this time, with  “plan B”, so to speak? Plan B:  If we receive enough to “head back to the states”, we can end our journey in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Perhaps this just wasn’t the year to trek across oceans to arrive in Bethlehem, Israel!  God bless you and Thank you.  Michele

Thursday, 12/24/20- Our “virtual journey” has been moving along, slowly and surely. May I ask folks who have been sending their “virtual miles” to (314) 315-5816  to re-text them to (314) 315-5806. I am sorry- I just discovered the error on the pamphlet. Thank you and perhaps we are actually further. The # “miles” I can report TODAY for the Fourth Week of Advent are:  615 “miles”.  TOTAL  952 “MILES”. We are now over the North Atlantic Ocean. We will extend “our journey” with hopes to  complete by the end of our liturgical Christmas season, the  Feast of the Epiphany.  Blessed and peaceful Christmas to All! Michele

Tuesday, Dec. 15th: Thank you, Mary Mother parishioners. An additional 288 "virtual miles (as the crow flies)" has been added to our journey, getting us very close to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Many "miles" are still needed to get to one of the international airports in New York. Can you help us get there? 

Monday, December 07, 2020:  After the first week of Advent, 30 “miles” of exercise, prayer and/or charitable works have been reported to get us on the way toward Bethlehem, Israel (6,440 miles).

Sometimes journeys begin slowly and this has been a tough year! Together, we can do it. We, the Health Ministry Commission are grateful and welcome everyone to join in at any time.

Remember: If it strengthens the body and/or the spirit, It counts!  

Gratefully, Michele Venable, your Faith Community Nurse