Dr. Elena Chermak, Director of Religious Education

Dear Fifth Grade Parent,

       Thank you for your participation in the  Parish Thanksgiving Day Mass on Thursday, November 22, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. Your child and the fifth graders are doing a wonderful job! Their presentation helps us to understand the importance of the first thanksgiving and the role of gratitude in our lives. Thank you for making this mass a part of your Thanksgiving day!

       The children should meet in church at 8:40 a.m. They will be seated in the front pews. To make things easiest, school uniforms are the dress code for this mass.

       We look forward to seeing you and your child on Thanksgiving morning. Thank you for your help!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Halloween is a favorite day for our students

2nd graders

From the morning P.A. Prayer:

“Today is October 31st, the Hallowed evening of the Holy day which is All Saints Day. Today is the exiting day we call Halloween.

Today we pray for all who help us to celebrate holidays and holy days, and for those who don’t have the opportunity to have candy and other things that we experience each day.

We thank God for the awesome gift of Halloween fun, and the gift of our compassionate hearts to help those in need.”

Here are some pictures to show the excitement of Halloween, and the 6^th graders’ All Saints Day mass preparation:

Our 6th graders celebrate Halloween, knowing they are preparing the All School Mass for All Saints Day on November 1st.

Sixth grade mass planning for All Saints Day:

Litany of the Saints Practice: Their "Faith Moved Mountains."

Halloween - 6th grade getting ready for All Saints Day Mass

Halloween: Kindergarteners, 3rd graders, with Father Ken, and even George Washington.

A hallowed evening to all!

As a school we strive to teach our students respect for people of all nationalities, religions and creeds. As Catholic Christians we join people of all faith traditions as we pray for peace and unity.

Our parish flag was at half staff following the terrible tragedy in the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Here is the p.a. prayer we prayed on Tuesday, October 30^th:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

On Saturday morning people were in a synagogue praying in Pennsylvania. They were mainly elderly people. As they were praying, 11 of the people were shot by a person who was filled with hate and anger, and who talked on the internet about harming people he disliked. The people in the synagogue were Jewish. One reason the mean person hurt them is because he disliked their religion.

Today we pray that people use the internet for positive reasons, and not for bullying or spreading hate. We pray for an end to gun violence. We pray that violent people will get the help they need, and never spread violence to others.

Our prayer is a Jewish prayer which is always included in prayers for the dead. It is a prayer first learned by our ancestors in faith.

Please listen as we pray this prayer for those who died and for those who mourn them:

Hear O Israel, the eternal one, alone, is our God.

Blessed is God’s glory forever and ever. Amen.

May we be God’s instrument of peace, help and love this day.

In the Name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Confirmation students had a great retreat with Father Tom McCarthy, O.S.A. on Wednesday, October 24th. Thank you, parents, for all the ways you encourage faith and good works in your homes.  Our partnership gives a great foundation for your children.

 Looking ahead, these are three dates to keep in mind: Sunday, November 18^th at 10:00 a.m. Confirmation Commissioning Mass for all students preparing for Confirmation. Please sit in the front of church with your 8^th grader and any other family members who are with you for mass.

Wednesday, February 6^th at 7:30 p.m. Confirmation prayer service and rehearsal for students, parents, and, if possible, sponsors.

Sunday, February 10^th at 12 Noon  Confirmation Mass for students, sponsors, families and friends. All are welcome. Bishop Andrew Wypych is our confirming bishop.  A reception will follow in Kane Hall.

Please continue to pray with and for all our Confirmation candidates.

See you on November 18^th!

Ps: A few people through the years have asked for Confirmation gift suggestions for their children. While looking for a keepsake for this commissioning mass (as we had for the First Communion enrollment mass) I came across many inspiring gifts on the MinistryoftheArts site.  The artwork and sayings are beautiful. Search Teens, Confirmation, Holy Spirit.

Our school will host a Veterans Day Prayer service November 9, 2018 at 1:15 p.m. in Church.

Veterans Day  - November 11^th - is a national observance to honor America's veterans and military personnel for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good: to preserve the liberty and freedom we hold so dear. Our veterans and current members of the military safeguard the founding principles of our country.

Veterans Day started after World War 1 and continued after World War 2 to the present day. On Veterans Day we remember and honor all who served - and continue to serve - to ensure peace and freedom.

This Veteran’s day is special because Sunday, November 11^th marks the 100^th anniversary of the end of fighting in World War I, long ago on November 11, 1918.

Our prayer service will include prayers and patriotic observances. We will honor members of the military from various branches of the armed services.

All are welcome to Church for this prayer service on Friday, November 9, at 1:15 p.m. as we thank God for all the blessings we enjoy in our country. We thank God for all who served and continue to serve.

Please join us.