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A Sampling from our last Newsletter
T.O.R.C.H. of Chester County, PA
Holy Family Chapter
October 2001
This quarters newsletter is being brought to you by the very low tech Carla C.
Laurie, Bob and family are trying to settle in to their new home, and they don't need this extra job. This is a scaled down version, as I can't do all the graphics that Laurie can that makes the newsletter so attractive. But I am hoping to have all the current, time sensitive items. I will also be trying to send this via e-mail, to see how that goes.
THANK YOU:
Thank you all for your response to the membership dues letter sent in September. As of this writing, we have 28 new or renewing members. I will keep our dues info in each newsletter for the benefit of any new members, and as a reminder to us all. I hope that by having a group renewal every September, it will make renewal easier to remember.
MEMBERSHIP POLICY:
In order to participate in any TORCH activity, whether there is a fee involved for the event or not, you must be a current, paid member of both our Local and the National TORCH groups.
The combined annual dues are $18.00. We will collect both dues in September of each year. The National dues will be forwarded on in the beginning of October.
Those joining partway through the year are still required to pay the $18.00 dues, renewable the next September.
TORCH of Chester County, Online
I have set up a very basic website for our TORCH group. It isn't linked to many browsers, but I am trying to list it with as many homeschool support group listings as I can find. If you know of any listings we can be added to, please let me know. It's not a great address, but it is free. That's why listing it with as many support group listings would be helpful. Our site also contains the Archdiocesan guidelines for receiving the Sacraments as pertains to homeschoolers.
What is Armata Bianca?
By Patty M.
It is a wonderful gift from God to our children and to the world. Where else can you find young children praying together? Just children 12 and under, so pure and precious before God praying for the conversion of the world…praying in unison the prayer of Our Lady. Would there be abortion, violent crime and destruction of the family if more children prayed before God in the Blessed Sacrament?
Jesus said "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these." The Kingdom of God is here on earth! Heaven reaches down and gently touches the earth everywhere the Tabernacle of Our Lord is Praised and Honored. Here our children worship their Creator and giver of eternal life. Here our children are the closest to Peace, Love and Everlasting Joy…for Jesus is the Lord of Peace and the source of all Love and Joy.
Their experiences with God are personal, perhaps even private and silent. Here the Lord touches them, moves them, empowers them to go forth to do His Will so that ultimately they obtain the graces to enter eternal life with their Heavenly Father and Mother. Isn't this what we all desire for each of our children? Isn't this our every prayer and sacrifice of love devoted to?
I invite you to come and give your children the greatest gift of love here on earth….Exposition of Jesus Our Savior, and the Rosary, the mysteries of our Redemption.
Is there anything else in our schedule more important or more everlasting? How wonderful it would be for our children to pray together once a month in the Home of Our Lord!
May our Merciful God Bless you and your family for striving to be His Life, His Truth and His Way.
Mark your calendars - Monday Exposition begins in October!
October 1st (St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Doctor of the Church)
November 5th (Sts. Zachary & Elizabeth, Parents of St. John the Baptist)
December 3rd (St. Francis Xavier)
Just a little note: There is a little room for little ones at St. Joseph's. I have volunteered to stay with little ones who are "too little" to sit and pray. The little ones are welcomed to run around in the little room only.
Co-Ops
 TORCH Co-op, call Marianne B. or Nancy L.
 Our Lady of Light Co-op, meets Mondays at Cindy O.
 Science class, meets Fridays 10 AM to 12 PM at Sue G., class filled.
ONGOING GROUPS:
Boys of St. John Bosco
 Day group, First Fridays, call Mary Jo.
 Father/son evening group, third Fridays, 10/19, 11/16, 12/21, 1/18 from 8:00 to10:00 PM.
call Kevin Q.
Little Flowers:
 Day Group, First Fridays, call Lori G.
 Evening group, second Mondays, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, call Becky.
Armata Bianca:
 Children's Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament, First Mondays, St. Joseph's, 2:00 PM. 10/1, 11/5, 12/3, 1/7.
Weekly Rosaries:
 Every Monday (except firsts, see Armata Bianca) at Arlene Q's.
 Thursdays, Mother/child Rosary group at S.S. Simon & Jude, after 9:00 AM Mass.
St. Joseph's Covenant Keepers
Men's meeting on the 4th Monday of each month, 7:30 PM at St. Joseph's, Downingtown. Call Bob L.
NEW GROUPS
"Keepers of the Home " type group
Interested in finding ways to cut back on the costs of groceries? Interested in sharing ways to organize your home to save time? I would like to start a new group for Mom's to share recipes for alternatives to boxed mixes, store bought laundry detergents and cleaning supplies, and any other ideas to save money and time. Would be nice to meet once a month, day and time to be decided based upon response. Call Carla.
An Example:
Bis-Quick-As-A-Wink Mix
Can be used in any recipe calling for Bisquick.
8 cups flour
1 1/4 cups nonfat dry milk powder
1/4 cup baking powder
1 TBS salt
2 cups shortening
Combine flour, dry milk, bak. powder & salt in a very large bowl. Cut in shortening until it resembles coarse cornmeal. Store in a tightly closed covered container in a cool place.
Yield: about 10 cups
Older Boy's group
Alternating "class" days and retreat days, First Fridays.
This group is intended for boys 10 and up, although if there is a younger sibling who would like to come with his brother to the non retreat days that is fine.
Our first meeting will be on October 5th from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at our house.
Father Robert and Brother Kyle from the Legion of Christ will come on alternate first Fridays to hear Confession, say Mass and talk and socialize with the boys (Except in November, their schedule worked for the second Friday, Nov. 9th). The hours for the retreat days will be 12:30 to 4:30 PM
Fr. Romano, of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Coatesville, has allowed us to use their church for Confession and Mass. After which, we will bring the boys back to our house for one on one talks with the Legionaries and socializing time.
Cost for this group is:
$20.00 total, for the 4 "class" days, due on the first day.
Free will offering ($5.00 per boy or more) for the retreat days, bring on each retreat day. Call Carla C.
Doll Class
The first classes start Sept. 5th and 6th (We have two different times scheduled, but the classes will be the same). They will run every other week for a total of four classes. This first doll will be a simple "cookie cutter" style doll to introduce basic techniques. Based on interest, the classes may continue, progressing on to different types of dolls. The fee for this first session is $5.00 per doll. Fees for any other sessions will be determined based on the type of doll. Call Carla.
Creative Writing:
Fridays, at 2:00 or 3:00 PM, at Arlene Q's, to meet bi-weekly. Four children have signed up, but we need ten for the class. Girls and Boys are welcome. A Chester County Librarian will teach group. Fee for teacher is $30.00 per class divided amongst # of students. Call Arlene Q.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
October:
Pee-wee soccer and older kids hockey. Thursdays, September 20th to Oct. 25th 2:30 to 3:45 PM at Bell Tavern Park. (Behind Jeff D'Ambrosio's Dodge, on Rt. 30, in Downingtown)
 Pee-wee soccer from 2:30 to 3:00
 "Older" group, ages 6+ soccer
 Roller hockey group in rink. ALL HOCKEY PLAYERS MUST WEAR HELMETS! Don't have to have roller blades, but need to bring stick and helmet. If you have any extra skates or equip., please bring to share.
Moms need to help with their young children for soccer. Please bring small size soccer balls, and cones for goals. Hockey game will not be directly supervised. Call Arlene Q.
Father Chako, from Incarnation Church in Philadelphia, is an Indian Missionary priest who is coming to St. Joseph's Church on October 1, 2001, to see the children pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament at Armata Bianca. Hopefully many families can attend to meet Father Chako. We are planning a trip to East Brandywine Park after Armata Bianca, so Father would have an opportunity to speak about his missionary work with lepers in India.
East Brandywine Firehouse, Open House, Oct. 9th at 6:30PM
Covenant Keepers Meeting, 4th Monday, Oct. 22, 7:30 PM, at St. Joseph's, Downingtown . Call Bob L.
All Saints Party Thanks to Becky D. our All Saints Party is scheduled for November 2nd, 6-9 PM. Call Becky for more info.
November:
Field trip to Bethany Farms (across from St. Peter's) to watch the evening milking. Day and time will come through the e-mail loop.
Covenant Keepers Meeting, 4th Monday, Nov. 26, 7:30 PM at St. Joseph's, Downingtown. Call Bob L.
Fall book sale at the Chester County Library is scheduled for November 2-4, 2001.
Friday, November 2 (Members only sale) 6:00 P.M.-8:30 P.M.
Saturday, November 3 (public) 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Sunday, November 4, 1:00 P.M. - 4:00P.M.
December:
Mom's Christmas Party
Tuesday December 18th. 7:00 PM Mass at St. Joseph's, Downingtown, followed by party in meeting room. Bring food and drink to share. Bring a nice gift ($15.00 limit, hand made or purchased) and a silly one from around the house for a "Chinese Auction". This was a lot of fun last year! Call Arlene Q.
Christmas/New Years Family Gathering. Susan V. has volunteered to plan this, and is currently working on it. If you would like to help, please give her a call.
Parish Happenings:
SS. Simon & Jude, West Chester:
 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, every Tuesday after 9:00 a.m. Mass, until 9:00 p.m.
 Mother/Child Rosary group, see under Weekly Rosary heading.
St. Patrick, Malvern:
 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Wednesday, after 9:00 a.m. Mass, until 7:00 p.m.
St. Agnes, West Chester:
 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, every Wednesday 9:00a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
 Daily Masses 6:30 a.m., 8:00 a.m., and 5:15 p.m. in the chapel.
St. Joseph, Downingtown:
 Adoration every Monday after Mass, 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
 Daily Masses 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 7:00 p.m.
Our Lady of the Rosary, Coatesville:
 All day Exposition last Monday of each month.
 Daily Mass 8:00 a.m.
St. Cecilia, Coatesville:
 Daily Mass 7:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.
St. Isaac Jogue, Valley Forge:
 First Friday, "Night of Devotion" every month from 7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Mass for Immaculate Heart, Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Confession, break for social time and snack.
 Daily Masses 8:00 a.m. and 12:05 p.m., with Confession following 12:05 p.m. Mass on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
 Perpetual Exposition in the Chapel
SS. Peter and Paul, West Chester area/ East Goshen:
 Adoration on First Fridays.
St. Peter, Glenmoore:
 Adoration every Tuesday, after Mass, until 8:30 p.m. Children's Hour 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
 Daily Mass at 8:00 a.m.
Our Lady of Consolation, Parksburg:
 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament every Friday following 9:00 A.M. mass until 12:30 P.M
Personal Ads
Members may place personal ads at a cost of $1.00
 Laurie L. provides monthly Scholastic book flyers for discount prices for all ages. Call or send a SASE for flyers to Laurie L.
 If you would like Irish Dancers to perform at an event, call Laurie L.
THE PICTURE PLACE
Andrew B., Professional Photographer
Weddings, Children, Family, First Communion portraits, in your home and outdoors, painted backdrops, color, black/white and sepia.
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