ASHEVILLE — Jesuit Father Joseph Koterski, a philosophy professor from Fordham University, will speak on "The Daily Examen – An Ignatian Tool for Praying Daily with GRACE" on Thursday, Aug. 25, during two programs in Asheville sponsored by Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte:
— 1-2:30 p.m. , at St. Lawrence Basilica's Laurentine Hall, 97 Haywood Road. A light lunch will be provided.
— 7-8:30 p.m. at St. Eugene Church, 72 Culvern St. This is a bilingual event, offered in English and Spanish.
RSVP by Tuesday, Aug. 23, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For details about both events, go to www.ccdoc.org/education.
SAPPHIRE — Father Francis Xavier Arockiasamy, parochial administrator of St. Jude Mission in Sapphire, recently presented a $5,000 check to Dr. Marilyn Chamberlin, associate professor of sociology at Western Carolina University and coordinator of the Christmas Connection of Jackson County. The donation was awarded on behalf of the Diocese of Charlotte in the form of a grant applied for by the church.
There are nearly 2,000 children below the poverty level in Jackson County. Last year the Christmas Connection provided new toys and clothing to more than 1,000 children. They hope to exceed last year’s goal this Christmas season together with this grant and the generosity of Jackson County residents, volunteers and businesses.
In 2015 St. Jude parishioners sponsored close to 100 children through their generous donations. Sponsors were given the children’s information and wish lists, then shopped for the requested items. Parishioners will sponsor children again this coming Christmas season to help the Christmas Connection meet the need in Jackson County.
The Christmas Connection has no paid staff and relies on volunteers to run the organization so that all donations can go directly to providing the children with gifts. Children are referred from schools and social service agencies, cannot receive gifts from other organizations, and must meet an income requirement.
— Rena Ezzell