Appeal to benefit retired Catholic religious
OGDENSBURG — Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Ogdensburg will conduct the 21st appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious on Dec. 13 and 14.

Ninety percent of the proceeds from the collection will benefit the religious communities that serve in the diocese today and those that served it in the past.

Ten percent of the collection goes to the National Retirement Office for distribution nationally.

North Country Catholics gave a total $145,266 in 2007. A similar response is hoped for in 2008, says a press release from the diocese.

More than 37,000 Catholic religious are now past age 70, according to the release. More than 4,900 women and men require skilled nursing care.

While costs for care in a skilled-nursing facility in the United States average more than $55,200 annually, religious institutes have kept their average cost of skilled nursing care to $51,361.

The average Social Security benefit for religious women and men is about one-third that paid to the average U.S. beneficiary.

PeaceMeal to help lift financial burden
PERU — Hot food and warm fellowship will become a staple at Peru Community Church Fellowship Center on Saturday evenings this winter as the church kicks off a program called PeaceMeal.

The 5:30 p.m. meals are in response to the economically trying times and increased need.

For more information, call 643-8641.

Musical meditation to celebrate Christ
ELIZABETHTOWN — An Advent musical meditation will take place at the United Church of Christ in Elizabethtown at noon Friday, Dec. 19.

Russell Ames, pianist; Susan Hughes, soprano; and Mary Lu Kirsty, organist, will perform the short concert of music celebrating the coming of the Christ Child. The event is open to all, and admission is free, although donations will be accepted.