NEWS FROM THE KOLPING SOCIETY OF WINNIPEG

Greetings to all Kolping members across the miles, from Winnipeg.

Our Schlachtfest in October was again a huge success, with a full hall and declicious food, a band that did not want to stop playing and people who did not want to go home! Once again we were all completely exhausted and many muttered about that being the last Schlachtfest as far as they were concerned, etc. etc. It really is getting harder and harder for all of us, but then we start to think what it would mean if we were to stop. Events in the German community in this city are becoming fewer and are less well attended, and if we - Kolping Winnipeg - stop, it will make a huge difference in the overall picture. (An example: On Sunday, Dec. 11th, a formerly powerful German group in Winnipeg held its annual Christmas party. There were only nine children. 80% of the emceeing was in (very bad) English; a brass band played songs and marches for 40 minutes, then 5 minutes of Christmas carols, one verse of each. Santa Claus was just pitiful hanging there in his chair, with a his strong German accent, and with his moustache and beard stuck underneath his lower lip. He appeared a little too happy, with a lot of inside jokes and annoying remarks to his 'helper' who wasn't all that steady himself. (Could they perhaps have dipped into the Gluehwein?) On each table there were two paper plates with what worked out to two pitiful store-bought cookies and one slice of Stollen per person. While the coffee was being served, the children were urged, no, begged, to come up for their free drink and a hot dog. Hot dogs, at a German Weihnachtsfeier! A local German choir more or less saved the afternoon.)
We, in Kolping, try a little harder. We have music (piano, accordion, guitars, reed instruments), poems and readings from people of all ages. Our ladies bring a container of their own Chirstmas baking. There are white table cloths, candles and other beautiful decorations, and we sing our favourite carols. We have a nice St. Nikolaus and there are presents for all the children (brought by the doting grandparents), plus a bag full of goodies for each. Several generations always show up, including several great-grand-parents now. Arranging this is hard work, but it is so rewarding. And it's wonderful to have our young people help serve the wine and coffee and to clear the tables when it's all over; the kitchen is full of buzz and happy laughter. For many of us it is the best of all of our functions.
Our Adventsfeier on the 6th was well attended. Among other things we watched a video about Christmas in Germany, and a 20-year old film of one of our last German midnight masses, celebrated by Fr. Otterbach, with the full choir at its best. We all looked amazing, and so young!!
It is now the 23rd of December, and today the forecast here in Winnipe is for a high of plus 5. Let us rejoice and be glad!
Our annual General Meeting will take place on the 8th of January, after a Mass and luncheon. In the meantime, we wish all Kolping members, their families and friends a peaceful and blessed Christmas, and health and happiness in the coming year.

Treu Kolping - Hans Kessling/Regina Knoll