STATEMENT OF GIVING FOR INCOME TAXES: If you wish to receive a statement of your financial contributions to St. James Church for 2006, please indicate this on your Sunday offering envelope so that we can assure confidentiality. RESPECT LIFE COLLECTION: This Monday marks the 34th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which legalised abortion on demand in our nation. Thirty four later, society continues to ignore the dignity and sanctity of all human life. As Catholics we are proud to be a people of life and for life in all of its stages. Bishop Cunningham has authorised a Respect Life Collection, which will take place in all the parishes of the diocese the weekend of January 27-28. Money collection will be disbursed in the form of grants to local organisations active in pro-life ministry. A DAY FOR MASON: Mason Snyder, born January 1, 2005, son of Evan and Stacy Snider, members of St. James Parish, has been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoid Leukemia. A benefit Spaghetti Dinner and Jamboree will be held for him at Assumption of Mary School, Redford on Sunday, January 28 starting at noon. Take out meals are available by phoning 293-7328. EVERY DAY ACTS OF COURTESY COUNT: Say ‘Please.’ ‘Thank you.’ ‘Excuse me.’ ‘I’m sorry.’ If you are walking with someone who can’t keep up with your pace, slow down. When somebody impresses you, pay an honest compliment. Keep your curiosity in check. Don’t ask pointless personal questions. Greet people you don't usually take the time to acknowledge. Listen. People appreciate it when you pay attention. Watch your language. Off color remarks, curses, crude or ethnic jokes are neither mature nor appropriate. Keep radios, phones, etc. low enough not to bother others. Send a thank you note to recognise someone’s good deed or act of kindness. Thank God for food, clothing, shelter, family. For a new day. For life. WEDDING GIFTS: The Lord likes weddings. The Gospel presents Jesus as a bridegroom delighting in his bride: At Cana, Jesus, his mother and his disciples were guests at the wedding. When the couple needed help, Jesus creatively showed his glory. The last wine turned out to be the best God’s spirit shares gifts with us for very good reasons. We receive the gifts with joy and use them for salvation. Being a guest at this great wedding can change everything. WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY: The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins on Thursday, January 18, and continues through Thursday, January 25. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity gives Christians an annual opportunity to de-emphasize their many divisions and to praise God in the Holy Spirit for the unity they already share in Christ By participating in it, Christians plead with God to fulfil the prayer of Jesus, the Son of God, that they all may be one.(John 17:21) The Week, first observed in 1908, also affords Christians the occasion to evaluate how far the ecumenical movement has come in ending the divisions among Christians. Jesus invites: OPEN OUR EARS AND LOOSEN OUR TONGUES. (Mark 7:31-37).