Celebrate Eucharist

Thank you so much for bringing your children to class each week.  I know what a struggle this can be.  However, many teachers tell me their students are not attending mass on a regular basis.  If your life is so busy that you can only get your child to faith formation class and not mass, then I would ask that you take them to mass only.  The faith we are teaching them about in class will only mean something if it is nurtured by the Eucharist.  Sunday mass is the source and summit of everything we do as Catholics.  There is absolutely no better place to be on Sunday than in church-it’s where we figure out who we are and what we are to be-Jesus for the world. 

Helping Hands Day

This is an annual Helping Hands Day.  During the day some time your family will do a project with your child’s class to help out someone in our community.  At the end of the day, we would like all the families to come to the 4:30 Mass which will be followed by a simple spaghetti dinner in the hall.  Please do not make other plans for this day.  Ask your child's teacher what their class is doing.  

Lenten Project

 Also, as our Lenten project this year instead of collecting rice bowl money, we will be collecting household items to give to a few homeless families.  If you have not received a notice for this ask Mrs. Tomsic as we have already begun collecting items.   

Vacation Bible School

 The theme is “Lava, Lava Island, Where the Love of Jesus flows.  We need children, teens, and adults to join us.

LENT 

Believe it or not this is one of my most favorite seasons of the year.  Yeah Christmas is great, but Lent (and subsequently Easter) is totally spiritual.  It invites us to really look at our lives, repent, and figure out where we can do better.  The word lent comes from lencten, which means springtime.  It’s time for some spring cleaning in our lives!  Let’s get rid of what’s not helpful so the good in us can bloom.  Traditionally, the church teaches the best way to do this is through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. 

 

          As parents, I believe Lent is the easiest time to pass on our faith to our kids.  I invite you in your home to totally embrace this season.  If it is your goal to raise a catholic child, then you must raise them in a catholic home.  My invitation to you during lent is to make your home catholic-do all the lent stuff.  Decorate your table –purple, dead branches, candles, sand-be creative.  You could even put a bowl of water out to remind everyone we are preparing to renew our baptism.  Take ideas from what you see at church.  If you have palm branches from last year, burn them and leave the ashes out in a dish.  Eat a few simpler meals and put the money you saved in a box to give away (especially for the family your child’s faith formation class is sponsoring).  Don’t just fast from candy and food but from T.V., Nintendo, or computer –use the time saved for something productive.  And most importantly,  PRAY, PRAY, PRAY as family.  In the envelope for the family I’ve included a book that your family could use daily at prayer time.  It includes a scripture passage, reflection and a seek and find for each day of lent.  Get your bibles out and read the passage(If you don’t have a bible, please see me immediately, and I will give you one). Afterward, talk about the reflection.  Don’t just do the puzzle, but talk about what it means.  This book is not just intended for the little kids.  If your children are older, spend more time discussing the meaning of the passage for our lives today.  Although it is tempting, don’t find all the items at once.  Just do one a day so there is something to look forward to and a reason to pray each day.

 

          This is a big chance for you to make a difference in the lives of your children.  We have them for an hour and a half a week.  You have them everyday.  Make everyday count.  Take this opportunity to raise your children catholic.  Be sure you celebrate mass each Sunday as a family.   God bless you All.