Almighty God, Our loving Father, thank You for the opportunity to celebrate this memorable event of our organization, the DPD. We thank You for giving us fifty long years…united, growing, and in service to our most vulnerable brothers and sisters. We thank You for Your guidance in times we needed You most . As we move forward, bless us Lord with will power and determination so that we will continue to serve with passion and confidence in your guiding hand.
AMEN




✙ Gracious God, please pour your love upon those who have asked to be
remembered in our prayers:
John Nick, Jr. - for healing and strength in his suffering.
Family of Mark Meeks – nephew of Sister Joan. May God be with them in a special way during this time of loss.
Anthony - a young man of 23 whose lungs are not in good condition, may God draw him near as his final hours approach and for comfort for his loving family.
Rosa Bascietto – Mother of Joanne Rossi. That the love and respect of her family helps to sustain her and bring her joy.
Donald – Son of volunteer Barbara Mahler, may God watch over him during his illness
Bob Craig – Long time art teacher/volunteer as he prepares to undergo back surgery.
Tavia - Great grandmother of Ashley Hidalgo. May God ease any pain and comfort her in knowing that she
has lived a good and productive life.
Mr. Adapla – Brother of volunteer Vimala for peace and courage during his illness
Roberta Levinson – for patience and endurance as she helps her parents during this stressful time.
Lou Tatti –for patience as he works to regain his strength after knee surgery
For Sixta, mother of Lourdes Torres. May God in His good time, restore her to health.
For the Amadio Family and their son Nico who is 8 years old and has a brain bleed.
Mabel Robbins for continued healing.
Colette – Sister of Julie Tatti for strength in suffering and improvement in health
Jennifer – Niece of Sister Joan.
Donald Smitheman – to regain his strength and a return to health and home.
Michael Renaldo, longtime dedicated volunteer in “People Need Friends” for continued recovery to health.
Frank Pinter - for strength in suffering.
Benefactors and friends of the DPD


Sandy Pittman – longtime member of the DPD family
Eleanor Siegrist – longtime member of the DPD family
Mark Meeks – nephew of Sister Joan
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✙ July 14 - Saint Kateri Tekakwitha ( 1656 – April 17, 1680)
Kateri was a Mohawk Indian born in what is now Auriesville, New York. Her mother was a Christian Algonquin Indian, and her father was a pagan Mohawk chief. Her parents and a brother died of smallpox when she was only four. Kateri recovered from the disease, but it left her eyes weak and her face scarred. Orphaned at the age of four, she was raised by her uncle, the chief of the Mohawk village. When priests came to the village, Kateri was drawn by their teachings, and converted at the age of 19, heedless of the anger of her relatives. Because she refused to work on Sundays, she was denied meals that day. Finally, a missionary encouraged her to run away to Montreal, Canada, to practice her faith freely. She followed his advice, and lived a life of extreme prayer and penance, taking a vow of virginity. Kateri died when she was 24 years old. Almost immediately all the pockmarks from her disease disappeared leaving her skin smooth and unblemished. She canonized on October 21, 2012.

✙ July 15 - Saint Bonaventure - Bishop and Doctor of the Church (1221 - July 15, 1274)
Bonaventure was born in Italy, not far from Naples. He was baptized John. The story is told that when he was about four years old, he was deathly ill. His mother begged Francis of Assisi to come and cure him. Francis touched the boy, and he was cured instantly. He received the name of Bonaventure in consequence of an exclamation of Saint Francis when, in foreseeing the future greatness of the little John, cried out "O Buona ventura"-O good fortune! As an adult, Bonaventure entered the Franciscan order. He went to Paris, where he met Thomas Aquinas. They both studied at the University of Paris. Bonaventure became the head of the Franciscan order. He was appointed a cardinal shortly before his death in 1274. After Bonaventure’s death, it was reported, “At the funeral there was much sorrow and tears; for the Lord had given him this grace, that all who saw him were filled with an immense love for him.”
July 18 – Eid al-Fitr
This is the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal. It marks the end of Ramadan, which is a month of fasting and prayer. Many Muslims attend communal prayers, listen to a khutba (sermon) and give zakat al-fitr (charity in the form of food) during Eid al-Fitr.

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Christine, Sal and Pete enjoying the 50 ^th Anniversary festivities.