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Grand President'S Message by Michael Rossi Advent is upon us and Christmas draws near. It is the season of the birth of our Savior. Soon darkness will recede as our world welcomes the Divine Light. It is a time of rebirth and renewal for us and our Federation. Think about it. It is a time of renewal for districts and branches when new officers are elected and we start a new year. Our leaders are encouraged to bring new life and ideas each year. Be sure to have active committee chair people. Begin now to create an exciting program for your district and branch in the coming year. Make an annual budget, too. Soon Installation ceremonies will be upon us in January and February. I look forward to installing your new officers as they begin to fulfill their mission for the Federation. We have just finished celebrating many Bishop's Days throughout the Federation. In a way, we are promoting the renewal of our Church as we support and pray for vocations, especially our seminarians. Please continue your support of our Church in the coming year. The Federation continues to renew by supporting our branches and looking for growth opportunities in Arizona, the Reno area, and San Diego. At the Convention in Scottsdale, we received many good leads on possible branches in Arizona. Our Field Operations Director, Josephine Arieta, resigned her position with the ICF and will no longer be working for us after November 30. We wish her well. Be assured that the Executive Committee of the Federation will follow up on all work that Josephine was doing. Please pray that we are successful in helping troubled branches and in opening new branches. Christmas celebrations are a renewal of our family and friendships. Our tradition of New Year's resolutions is a renewal for us. Let us remember these good times, the good wishes, and the friends we have, and build on that strong foundation. With a strong Federation filled with family and friends, we can do so much good for our Church, our community, our families, and ourselves. Remember, we are so much stronger when we work together. Christmas is a time of rebirth. We are comforted by images of the Holy Family. But Christmas is also a challenge. If God enters the world among the ordinary and common, then we too can be the means by which God works. Each year we pray that peace, joy and generosity of this season might endure for the year to come. Marcie and I wish all of you the best Christmas blessings and a very happy and prosperous New Year. Grand President's calendar: Dec. 4 Task Force committee meeting Dec. 9 Reno Bishop's Day Dec. 14 Executive committee Christmas dinner Dec. 19 ICF staff Christmas lunch Jan. 5 Santa Clara installation of officers Jan. 6 Stockton installation of officers Jan. 11 Executive Committee meeting Jan. 12 San Gabriel installation of officers Jan. 13 San Francisco installation of officers Jan. 14 Task Force Committee meeting Jan. 19 San Mateo installation of officers Jan. 20 San Diego installation of officers Jan. 26 Central Coast installation of officers Feb. 2 Santa Rosa installation of officers Feb. 9 Central Council Meeting Feb. 10 Fresno installation of officers Feb. 12 Las Vegas installation of officers Michael Rossi Grand President Italian Catholic Federation, 675 Hegenberger Road, Suite 230, Oakland CA 94621 tel: 888/ICF-1924; 510/633-9058; fax: 510/633-9758; Email: info@icf.org Website designed by HYPERSPHERE