We had our combined meeting, Advent celebration and potluck dinner on November 28th at the home of Dieter and Gisela Howald. Several of our members have had quite serious medical problems lately and couldn't attend, therefore it was a small, intimate gathering. Hildegard Sauter's son Eddie brought her, crutches and all, and she enjoyed herself immensely, especially when Eddie also brought her husband, Karl, after his dinner at the Home.
Advent and Christmas cause most people to become nostalgic, I think, and so it was with our little group. There were a few spiritual readings, some Advent songs, accompanied by Dieter on the guitar and Hildegard on the recorder, plus some reflections and reminiscences. Everyone went home happier and mellower from the delicious dinner and good wine, and with feelings of goodwill towards our fellow man.
Unfortunately, our small group has lost yet another member just before Easter: Bertha Wehnert, wife of Henry, was a loyal member of Kolping for many years. Henry had taken over the leadership of Kolping here in Kelowna a few years ago, and Bertha, bless her heart, faithfully took minutes at every meeting, even though she couldn't speak German (there are still several people who feel more comfortable speaking German in our group). However, between her and Henry, they managed to produce the minutes every time. Bertha had a quiet, sweet personality, and was an accomplished artist. We miss her already.
Gisela and Dieter are happy to report that, due to the generosity of some Kolping members, several Rotary clubs and other interested parties, they have collected enough money to feed the children at the Home of the Good Shepherd Orphanage for one year! Brother Prem, plus the little ones, are anxiously awaiting their arrival in Kampala, Uganda in October.
The Kampala Kolping Society is planning to build a computer training center for young people and have made up a "wish list" to help them get started. As well, the President of the Kolping Society of Kampala District, Joseph Endegeya, has made a request for some computers and science lab equipment, plus miscellaneous school supplies for a Catholic Girls' school in Entebbe. There is such great need, but even a small contribution can make a big difference in the life of a child. For them, we are trying to get some of the requested items into a Rotary container that is leaving for Uganda in June.
A comment to a popular misconception:
Kolping is dying in the developed world and is no longer needed; Wrong!!! We are needed! The underdeveloped world is very much looking to us for support on all fronts and we, as senior Kolping members, should encourage, educate and bring awareness of this fact to our parishes and their members. As members of Kolping we have the trust and support of our people here in Canada. We also have the expertise and know-how to help our underprivileged brothers and sisters in the world, just as Adolph Kolping did in his time. All we need to do is look around, identify a NEED and develop it. Try it, it can become habit-forming and you just may like it. Good luck in your search and your noble work.
NEWS FROM KELOWNA 
