On the weekend of Sunday, February 5, 2006, you listened to Fr. Bernard speak about the current conditions within the faith community he leads at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in New Orleans. You found a tile drive Sackstapled in the weekly "Forum."   Extra Tile Drive Bags (made of brown paper) can be found at the entrance of the Church. 

As a part of our commitment in developing a twinning relationship with St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church and in preparation for the upcoming Lenten season, our faith community is participating in a TILE DRIVE. This will help us pray, fast, learn, and give in solidarity with the catholic community of St. Paul the Apostle. 

All Tile Drive Bags should be returned to church on the weekend of Sunday, March 12, 2006.  Notice the special Tile Drive Idea Calendar to encourage fun participation! 

The brown paper Tile Drive Sacksymbolizes the hardships that people are facing in the renewing and the rebuilding of the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina and the breaching of the levees. Its simplicity also represents our desire to devote as many resources as possible to this TILE DRIVE effort. Remember to use your Tile Drive Bags for collecting your monetary offerings from savings by preparing simpler meals or making other sacrifices for those who are less fortunate. 

Learn more about St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church: www.stpaulapostle.org

Collect each day’s contribution in your Tile Drive Sackand then return it to church on the weekend of Sunday, March 12, 2006.    Funds will purchase tiles and labor for St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.  Thank you in advance for your generous donations. 

Think about all the ways that we are blessed: our St. Francis community members, our buildings and facilities, our places of employment, our homes, neighborhoods, and families. Now think about some or all of these blessings being taken away and being left with little or nothing. How is Jesus calling us to serve those in need?   What would you sacrifice to give ‘new life” to our twin, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church of New Orleans? 

2006 Tile Drive Idea Calendar 
FEBRUARY
Sunday 2-12     Learn more about this symbol and deposit $1. 
 

GYE NYAME  'except for God' 
This is a symbol of the supremacy of God.  God is regarded as the creator of the world and humanity and therefore must be revered and worshiped.  The symbol reflects the supremacy, power, and dominion of God over all situations and creations.  He is therefore regarded as the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent.

Monday 2-13      If you have a range, deposit $.25.
Tuesday 2-14      If you have a dry place to sleep, deposit $.50.
Wednesday 2-15  For each TV, deposit $.25. For each VCR and/or DVD add $.25.
Thursday 2-16    If you have air conditioning, deposit $1.
Friday 2-17         If you ate at a restaurant this week, deposit $.75.  Add $1 if you have a washing  machine. 
Saturday 2-18     If you have a pantry, deposit $.50.  * Try this Praline Recipe and deposit $1.
PECAN PRALINES II
A tasty treat when pecans are in season. . .
Submitted by Maw Maw from Kaplan, LA
www.realcajunrecipes.com
¾ c. white granulated sugar   ¼ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
¾ c. evaporated mile    1 c. pecans, coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine   1/8 tsp. salt

Line 2 cookie sheets with waxed paper and set aside.  In a large teflon-coated saucepan, combine sugars and evaporated milk. Cook over medium heat until boiling, stirring constantly. For richer flavor, you can roast pecans 3-4 minutes in a microwave.

Stir in pecans and cook until mixture reaches soft ball stage, 235-240 degrees. Remove from heat and add butter and salt. Stir vigorously until mixture starts to thicken and become cloudy. Immediately drop rounded tablespoonfuls onto the lined cookie sheets.
Let pralines stand until set, about 2 hours. Peel pralines off paper and store in an airtight container with waxed paper between layers. Makes about 2 dozen pralines. 
 

Sunday 2-19     Learn more about this symbol and deposit $1. 
 

AKOMA  'The heart'
This is a symbol of patience and tolerance.  The heart is believed to be responsible for a person's emotions, for example anger, hatred, love, joy, grief etc.  A person is said to 'have a heart in his stomach', when that person is very tolerant.  The symbol teaches the importance of tolerance in the face of provocation.  It also stresses the need for patience in all endeavours of life.
Monday 2-20     For each computer in your house, deposit $.50. 
Tuesday 2-21     For each light switch in your house, deposit $.25.
Wednesday 2-22     If the roof over your head does not leak, add $.50. If it leaks, add $.25.
Thursday 2-23     Have a  fireplace? Add $1.  *Try this Bread Pudding Recipe  and deposit $1.
DELORES’ NEW ORLEANS STYLE BREAD PUDDING
A true Cajun classic. . .
Submitted by Delores Mire McGee
www.realcajunrecipes.com

1 loaf French bread (stale bread is good)  2 qts. milk
4 eggs      1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar     2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon     ¾ tsp. nutmeg
1 c. raisins     ½ c. chopped pecans
¼ lb. melted butter 

Tear bread into pieces then soak bread in milk for 15 minutes.  Crush and mix with hands until well masked and crumbled. In another bowl, beat eggs, gradually adding the sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, and pecans. Stir well. 

Pour butter into shallow 3 quart baking dish or pan.  Add egg mixture to the bread and milk blending well together. Then pour into baking dish allowing butter to rise to the top.
Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until pudding is firm and lightly browned.

LEMON SAUCE FOR BREAD PUDDING
Submitted by Nana

1 c. sugar     1 tsp. cornstarch
2 c. boiling water                  4 Tbsp. margarine or butter
2 Tbsp. lemon juice    1 Tbsp. grated lemon rind

Mix the sugar and cornstarch in a 2 quart saucepan.  Stir in the boiling water gradually.  Place over medium heat and bring to a boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Stir in the margarine, lemon juice, and rind.  Serve over warm bread pudding.
Friday 2-24         Do you compost your garbage? Yes, add $5. No, add $2.50.
Saturday 2-25     Do you recycle? Yes, deposit $3.00. No, deposit $1.50.

Sunday 2-26     Learn more about this symbol and deposit $1. 
 

NKONSONKONSON 'chain link'
 This is a symbol of unity and human relations.  A chain is made up of several individual metal units linked together.  The strength of the chain depends on the individual units.  When one unit becomes weak, it causes a break in the chain.  This symbol signifies the strong bond between people of common blood relations which is difficult to break apart.  This belief also includes the ancestors who are constantly protecting the living.  The symbol reminds everybody to give a helping hand to strengthen the community in which he or she lives.  It also encourages the veneration of the ancestors in order for them to keep in touch with the living.  It teaches that in unity lies strength.
Monday 2-27     If you have a fence around your yard, deposit $1.00.
Tuesday 2-28     Deposit $.75 if you have a clothes dryer. Try CAFÉ DU MONDE STYLE BEIGNETS. Add $1. 
CAFÉ DU MONDE STYLE BEIGNETS
A New Orleans tradition is to top off a night out (or start a morning after church) 
with a visit to Café du Monde for café au lait and beignets.
Submitted by Marge Zernott

1 loaf frozen bread dough     Flour for rolling out
Fat for deep frying     Powdered sugar

The night before they are to be served, take the bread out of the freezer and put it on the kitchen cabinet under a large bowl. The next morning, roll it out using plenty of flour and cut into pieces about 1½“ by 2½“
Let rise under damp dish cloth for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the fat to 375 degrees. Fry until golden.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
MARCH
Wednesday 3-1     If you went grocery shopping last week, add $1.00.
Thursday 3-2     Add $.25 for each smoke detector in your home.
Friday 3-3     Did you eat out this week? Deposit $.50.
Saturday 3-4     For each water faucet in and outside your home, add $.20.
 

Sunday 3-5       Learn more about this symbol and deposit $1. 
 

FIHANKRA 'house/compound' 
This is a symbol of security and safety.  This typical Akan architecture normally has only one main entrance, which serves also as an exit.  This symbol reflects security, safety, solidarity and communality enjoyed in the company of family members who live in a compound house.  The symbol stresses the need for people to live together and serve as each others keeper.  It also fosters cordial relationship.
Monday 3-6     If you have a dishwasher in your house, deposit $.50. 
Tuesday 3-7     For each refrigerator in your home, add $.50
Wednesday 3-8     If you have a vegetable garden near your home, add $1. If not, add $1.50.
Thursday 3-9     If you use a microwave oven, add $1.
Friday 3-10     Do you have a freezer? If yes, add $1. If no, add $.50.
Saturday 3-11     Try SHRIMP-OKRA GUMBO and deposit $1.
SHRIMP-OKRA GUMBO
Submitted by Marge Zernott

1½ lb raw shrimp, shelled and deveined   1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb package frozen sliced okra    1 Tbsp. cooking oil
2 cans Rotel tomatoes & green chilies   1 qt. water

Saute onion and okra in cooking oil until onion is limp and okra is well thawed. Add tomatoes/chilies and sauté until okra is no longer slimy. Add water and bring to boil. Add shrimp and boil just until pink (not more than 10 minutes). Season to taste with salt. Serve in soup bowls over cooked rice. Serves six as first course or four as entrée. 

Sunday 3-12     God in heaven is our hope. Praise the Lord! 
Tile Drive Ends. Return all bags during mass. Pray for our brothers and sisters of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in New Orleans.
 

 NYAME BIRIBI WO SORO 'God is in the heavens'
 This is a symbol of hope.  This symbol signifies the belief in the sky as God's dwelling place.  God's abode, therefore, has all the blessings that he offers to those who request for them.  There is therefore the belief that God is good and has the ability to answer prayers.  This symbol encourages the requisition of favours from God through prayers and faith.  It also stresses the need to be optimistic and positive minded.