Faith Formation Family News for August 22, 2013 CONTENTS: * Little Ones Cartoons * 1. The Importance of Faith Formation 2. Archdiocesan Youth Day (September 21) I Need Your Registration Forms by This Monday! 3. Get Involved in St. Gabriel s [Upcoming Activities] Church Clean-up Day Saturday, August 31 St. Gabriel s Fall Festival September 6, 7 & 8 (Just around the corner!) 4. Prayer of the Week Blessing for Meals 5. Articles for Parents from At Home with Our Faith Don t Skip Meals, Especially Sunday Mass, Part 2 6. The New Faith Formation Calendar for the 2013 14 Sunday Evening Program 7. Rediscover: Faith Why is Confirmation important? What effect does it have on me?.... and Listen to the new song Rediscover 8. Sunday Morning Preschool Is Coming Soon? [Hey Mom & Dad - sign me up!] 9. Battles We ve Won (or Lost): A One-Minute Meditation 10. News from The Catholic Spirit 11. Videos With a Message Adrift Speed Painting of Our Savior Go Out and Tell 7 Billion Others And at the end of this email: 12. Fun Animal Captions (Humor)
1. THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH FORMATION At the baptism of their children, parents promise to raise their child in the practice of the faith. Our parish cannot do this for them, however we are here to assist parents in this important task. While parents can help their children learn follow the way of Jesus in their homes, families, schools and community, St. Gabriel s can assist parents by presenting formal instruction to the children in the important aspects of our Catholic faith, with suggestions for living that faith in today s world. Our parish expects parents to allow us to team with them in the Faith Formation of their children by enrolling their children in either Notre Dame Academy (or another Catholic school) or in our Parish Faith Formation Program. Families that seek alternatives to these options (such as Home Schooling, or participation in another Catholic Parish program) need to seek approval from Fr. Liekhus. Children s formation in faith works best when the children are involved EACH YEAR, from preschool through high school. We look forward to working together with all our parents by their involvement in our Catholic school or Faith Formation Program. Together we can help you fulfill the promise you made at your child s baptism. 2. ARCHDIOCESAN YOUTH DAY (September 21) I NEED YOUR REGISTRATION FORMS BY THIS MONDAY! This is for teens going into Grades 9 12. THIS IS YOUR ABSOLUTE LAST CHANCE TO SIGN UP. So do so immediately! I have to turn in your completed forms by Monday, August 26. IT S FREE, so the price is right! Date and Time: Saturday, September 21, 2013. 2:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Holy Family Catholic High School in Victoria, MN Kick off the 2013 school year by joining together with other youth in the spirit of faith. Please contact a friend and register NOW by calling the Faith Formation Office 952-935-5536. Join Archbishop John C. Nienstedt in a special event just for high school age Catholic youth (9 th 12 th Grade in Fall)! Date and Time: Saturday, September 21, 2013 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (registration opens @ 1:00) Location: Holy Family Catholic High School 8101 Kochia Lane. Victoria, MN 55386 THEME: We too believe and therefore speak. 2 Cor. 4:13 Archdiocesan Youth Day 2013 will bring together teens from around the archdiocese for a day of faith formation and fun! Kick off the 2013 school year by joining together with other youth in the spirit of faith. Come celebrate the truth and joy of our Catholic faith so that you can speak of Christ s love! Full day with Archbishop Nienstedt Emcee Dave Rinaldi Keynote Sean Forrest (International Catholic speaker, performing artist, author and retreat leader) Mass Opportunities for Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration Music by Sonar and more!
3. GET INVOLVED IN ST. GABRIEL S (Upcoming Activities for Families) CHURCH CLEAN-UP DAY (Saturday, August 31) HELP CLEAN-UP THE GROUNDS AT ST. JOSEPH S CAMPUS TO PREPARE FOR THE FALL FESTIVAL Saturday, August 31, from 9:30am to Noon. Bring your gloves and a few garden tools, as we weed, rake, sweep and otherwise tidy up where our food & music tent and cake-walk will be. If you can t come the entire time, just come when you can. Questions: Contact Romaine at (952) 988-0955. ST. GABRIEL S FALL FESTIVAL (September 6, 7 & 8) Our FALL FESTIVAL is a great community builder. There s something for everyone that weekend at BOTH CAMPUSES. We hope to have EVERY FAMILY participate in some way. See the sheets in the pews for: Times of events Lists of donations needed Whom to call if you want to sign up to help. Great opportunity for young people to get involved: Confirmation Candidates, get a head start on your Service Projects for this year! All other young people help out just for the FUN of it! We especially need your help with CHILDREN S GAMES. Help with food or other shops is appreciated too. Parents and youth can work side-by-side or in separate areas!
4. PRAYER OF THE WEEK. Blessing for Meals Blessed be you, Lord, Who have fed me from my youth And give nourishment to all flesh. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness That we may always have what is necessary And may abound in all good works, In Christ Jesus, our Lord. Through him, glory to you, Honor and power, for ever! Amen The Apostolic Constitution (ca. 380 a.d.) 5. ARTICLES FOR PARENTS from DON T SKIP MEALS, ESPECIALLY SUNDAY MASS, part 2.
Dealing with: The importance of making Sunday Mass attendance a family habit. How Sunday Mass is like a family meal. Excuses to avoid. Take a look at some of the common excuses we may find not to attend Sunday Mass regularly, and watch what happens when we apply them to family dinners. We don t get anything out of it. Before you claim this excuse, check if it s really true. Even the worst family meal is rarely all bad. On the same night that Teenasia makes a face at the broccoli, Liam has seconds on the mashed potatoes. So, yes, maybe the homily did lack focus, but the Communion song was beautiful. Maybe you didn t really understand the first reading, but your daughter recognized the second one from something she learned in religious ed. While spectacular Masses exist (four-star dinner at a fine restaurant), most Masses are more like a normal family dinner not everyone likes everything, and that s OK. I should go because I want to not because I m obligated. True enough. Jacob loves tomatoes and eats them because he wants to. Five years ago, though, when Jacob was 9, he ate the tomatoes in his salad only because he was obligated to before he could have dessert. Eating tomatoes regularly even though he didn t always want to helped him to acquire a taste for them. The church s obligatory Sunday Mass can work similarly. At times in our lives, we go simply out of obligation. From our obligation, God graces us with a true desire to attend. By Annemarie Scobey, from the pages of At Home with Our Faith, Claretian Publications print newsletter for parents on nurturing spirituality in the home. Winner of the Best in Class award in 2013 from the Associated Church Press, as well as a First Place General Excellence award from the Catholic Press Association for the past four years running.
6. THE NEW FAITH FORMATION CALENDAR FOR 2013-2014 For Sunday Evenings We re still juggling a few dates, but this is accurate enough to give you an idea of what the year will look like: FAITH FORMATION: 2013 2014 CALENDAR Preliminary Calendar Watch for updates! ALL CLASSES ARE ON SUNDAY EVENINGS 6:00 to 7:30pm September 29 Community Room St.Gabriel s All Family Dinner: 6:00 to 7:30pm - St. John s 2013 at St. John s Campus: October 6 Session 13 Session 20 NO SESSION (MEA Break) 27 Session November 3 Session 10 Session 17 Session 24 Session December 1 NO SESSION (Thanksgiving Break) 8 Session [Including First Reconciliation for Grade 2 and others preparing.] 15 Session 22 NO SESSION (Christmas Break) 29 NO SESSION (New Year s Break) 2014 at St. Joseph scampus: January 5 Session 12 Session 19 NO SESSION (Martin Luther King Day Break) 26 Session February 2 NO SESSION (Break for Super Bowl) 9 Session 16 NO SESSION (President s Day)
23 Session March 2 Session [5 Wednesday Ash Wednesday] 9 Session 16 Session 23 Session 30 NO SESSION (Spring Break) April [5 Saturday CONFIRMATION 10am Basilica of St. Mary] 6 Session 13 Session 20 NO SESSION Easter Sunday 27 FINAL SUNDAY EVENING SESSION OF THE SCHOOL YEAR May 4 First Communion at the 10:30am Mass 7. REDISCOVER: FAITH Last Updated August 22, 2013 Want to learn more about your faith? Check out http://rediscover-faith.org/ for their large collection of answers to questions of importance to all of us. Here s a sample of a short answer to the question: Why is Confirmation important? What effect does it have on me? http://rediscover.archspm.org/belonging/topic.php?id=7531
LISTEN TO THE NEW SONG REDISCOVER Click here to hear a preview sample of the new song Rediscover, written and performed by the songwriter Eliot Morris: http://rediscover.archspm.org/resources/au dio-file.php?id=9238 Here are the complete lyrics for the song: Rediscover By Eliot Morris Only Love can tear down these walls we ve built Only grace can wipe clean the stain of guilt Turn the earth inside us Till the soil and shape these dreams we dream Till your love defines us, and reminds us Life s like a symphony All for one and one for another With the name of Love above all others Every faithful heart or fallen brother can rediscover Rediscover Only hope can find life inside a loss Only faith can find grace inside the cross Mend the ties that bind us Fan the flames and shape the lives we lead Till that fire defines us, and You find us In life like a symphony All for one and one for another With the name of love above all others Every faithful heart or fallen brother can rediscover Rediscover And the glory of God Is man fully alive Yeah, the glory of God Is man fully alive All for one and one for another With the name of love above all others Every faithful heart or fallen brother can rediscover Rediscover
8. SUNDAY MORNING PRESCHOOL IS COMING SOON! "Hey Mom and Dad - sign me up!" That s what our 3, 4 and 5 year olds would say! Our Sunday Pre-School will begin in October and we are planning activities now! You can choose between the 8:30am Mass at St. Joseph Campus and the 10:30am Mass at St. John's Campus. We want to know how many will be attending the 8:30 am Session at St. Joseph Campus and how many at the 10:30 am Session at St. John's Campus. Please call the Faith Formation Office! Kathleen & Jenni look forward to spending time with your children! 952-935-7004. Nursery for Infants and Toddlers We also offer a Nursery for children under the age of 3 at the 10:30am Mass at St. John s. We ask parents who sign up for this service to also assist in the Nursery one Sunday each month. 9. BATTLES WE VE WON (OR LOST): A One-Minute Meditation Battles we've won or lost Even as we enjoy progressing in our spiritual journey, we still can sometimes fall into a trap we seem to set for ourselves. At times, we can find ourselves in the foolish game of continuing to fight battles we've already won or lost.
One losing battle is the attempt to win the approval of someone who has always disliked us. That person may be gone, but we still fight - and lose - the same battle when we find ourselves in a similar situation. We also may have won some battles without knowing it. This can happen when we've set our goals unrealistically high. We may be fairly successful in our work, for example, but still feel that we have failed because a high goal we set eluded us. That goal, however, may have been all but impossible to attain, and while we mourn our perceived failure, we ignore the successes we may have achieved in the meantime. Consequently, we should never let any of these battles interfere with our course of spiritual growth. Our relationship with God must remain our highest priority. This day, I'll not strive to impress people who may always disapprove of me. I will also accept my successes even if they fall short of my highest dreams. You are reading an adaptation from the Hazelden book: Walk in Dry Places by Mel B. 10. NEWS FROM The August 16 edition: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=qpa4ffcab&v=001htnolehhu4ckrcm5euwjdg6641p 96TpWBvqJcGtDyjRA5BRdLvfADztSfw5U9bEktEka-LPwvZaTCeyVbdPpJmffOcFaPxOjBqisikrXBxgEVrPwnQvW2s0lr6AoI5UT-lv2f7IAx8GGzMsSaqnxVvmLAzonJdzLJdKnxuJi6dhvYccgj4g6g%3D%3D 11. VIDEOS WITH A MESSAGE ADRIFT Fog Rolling In and Out Of San Francisco Bay This is a beautiful time-lapse video by Simon Christen of fog rolling into (and out of?) San Francisco that was shared on the blog People for Others by Paul Brian Campbell, SJ. It can put you in a meditative state and be a lovely invitation to prayer. 4:35 minutes. Watch it at http://vimeo.com/69445362
SPEED PAINTING: PORTRAIT OF JESUS Speed Painter David Garibaldi Creates an Image of Jesus This is a pretty amazing five (5) minute video of speed painter David Garibaldi creating an image that is very moving and blessed. It s hard to see what it is until almost the end. Watch it now at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3kwpmvhrpw. GO OUT AND TELL (A between Sundays reflection from THE FIVE LOAVES.) Jesus tells the disciples, "Some are first who will be last, and some are last who will be first." Clearly, the rules of heaven are not the same as those on earth. When we Tell the Stories of Grace and Blessing we give witness to way God continues to act within our lives and proclaim this Good News. Our guest presenter is Greg Hadley, spiritual writer and former NCAA umpire. Got you curious? Check out Greg's excellent reflection on this week's scriptures and Visio Divina featuring Bobby's Fisher's classic song, Go Out and Tell: Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News. -Psalm 117 8:00 minute video: http://www.thefiveloaves.com/ [The video changes each week, in preparation for the upcoming Sunday s readings. Click the Playlist tab to view videos from previous weeks.] 7 Billion Others There is nothing particularly religious or spiritual about this video but it does remind us that we are citizens of the world and that the Roman CATHOLIC (universal) Church is open to all peoples of this world. This video helps us to see the different faces that belong to the body of Christ. If interested in watching this ten (10) minute video, then click on http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=4061. Here is a short description of the piece: We share this planet with seven billion others. What is our relationship with them? Are we a single unity? Do we belong to one of many tribal divisions? Are we individuals in a planet full of individuality? There is, of course, no single answer to these fundamental questions. Our
sense of identity and diversity depends on context. But the way we conceive of our place among the people of the world has profound social, environmental, political, and ethical implications. The Good Planet Foundation asked people from all over the world a series of standard questions about the things they value. The survey examines their hopes, dreams, fears, and grounding principles. In bearing witness to the answers, the project allows us to explore the depth of our human commonality against the superficial visual and linguistic signs of difference. These sound-bites provide points of connection between ourselves and others. 12. FUN ANIMAL CAPTIONS (Humor) Please go back to the original email to see this photo collage.