Jan. St. Mary s Church Family Connection January 16, 2019 RE Office: 402-291-7222 Vol. 14, Issue 15 Elizabeth Tomaso, DRE. etomaso@stmarysbellevue.com Parent online support: Grades 1-5: bemydisciple.com I miss our talks. -God Calendar 15-Adult Faith Formation The Prophets, 1pm St. Mark s Adult Faith Formation begins The Fourth Cup-6:30 Dominican Center. 16 Religious Education resumes 4:30 or 6:30pm 17 Adult Faith Formation The Bible Timeline 1pm-St. Mark s 19-Safe Environment Training, 9am-12noon Parish Center 22-Adult Faith Formation-The Prophets, 1pm-St. Mark s Adult Faith Formation The Fourth Cup-6:30pm Dominican Center 23-Religious Education 4:30pm or 6:30pm Server Training 4:45pm or 6:45pm Church. First Reconciliation- January 26 th - 10:30am First Reconciliation will be held Saturday, Jan. 26 th at 10:30am for our 2 nd grade students. Please check in with Mrs. Tomaso at the front entrance of the Church no later than 10:15am. All are welcome to attend and participate in this Sacrament with our 2 nd grade students. A reception of celebration will be held after Reconciliation in the Parish Center. We ask that you keep this students and their families in prayer as they prepare to receive their Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist this spring. FORMED.. You have heard about it, now you can access it! What is FORMED? FORMED On Demand is a subscription service offering access to thousands of studies, films, audios, and ebooks. Discover great digital media from over 40 of the best Catholic content producers including the Augustine Institute, Ignatius Press, the USCCB, Catholic Answers, EWTN, St. Paul Center, Marian Press, Sophia Press, Knights of Columbus, FO- CUS, and many more. Through its online platform and free mobile apps for ios and Android, FORMED has helped individuals and communities know, love, and share their Catholic faith. FORMED has something for everyone in the family. You may access FORMED though the St. Mary s subscription of: stmarysbellevue.formed.org Rachael Tomaso, RE Assistant rachael.tomaso@stmarysbellevue.com Parent online support: Grade 8: Dynamiccatholic.com First Communion Parents/Child retreat, Feb. 6th from 5:30pm-7:15pm at the Parish Center. Your child does not prepare for Sacraments by themselves, the family is also preparing to share in this gift of Communion. We have developed activities for the family to work on together to help prepare to receive Communion for the first time. Parents will also receive vital information regarding First Communion. This is a required meeting to help prepare your child for their First Communion, we ask all parents/ guardians to attend. If you are unable to attend, please contact the RE office. A light snack will be offered. Calling all of St. Mary s 1st grade students and parents We need your help! We are asking the 1st Grade families to help us provide cookies and volunteers for the reception on Saturday, Jan. 26th for the 2nd grade First Reconciliation Reception. We d appreciate if each family could contribute 2-3 dozen homemade or store bought cookies and we will need adults to help serve cookies and punch during the reception. Please deliver your donation the week of January 14th through January 25th. You may drop off cookies through the school, RE, or the marked bin in the main entrance of the church during the week. If you are available to help with the reception, please contact the RE office. Time required for the reception is from 11:00am-2pm. You may volunteer for the prep, serving or clean up (or for the entire event). Thank you for helping provide a wonderful reception for our 2nd grade students. Questions, contact the RE office.
Tweet from the POPE! Let us look at our hands, often so empty of love, and today let us try to think of some gifts we con offer freely. Jan. 14, 2019 For more quotes from Pope Francis, follow him on Twitter. Prayer for the Week-Angelus Suggestion: May be used as a family prayer. V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary, R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R. Be it done unto me according to Your Word. V. And the Word was made flesh, R. And dwelt among us. V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord, Your Grace into our hearts; that as we have known the incarnation of Christ, your Son by the message of an angel, so by His passion and cross we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen. Saints for the Week Jan. 16 St. Berard and Companions 17-St. Anthony of Egupt 18-St. Charles of Sezze 19-St. Gavian 20-St. Sebastian 21-St. Agnes 22-St. Vincent of Zaragossa 23-St. Marianne Cope Want to find out about these saints and more go to: www.franciscanmedia.org Catholic Daughters Arts Contest Every year the Catholic Daughters sponsors an Art Contest, this year the theme is: Whatever You Do For the Least of My Brethren, You Do For Me or Helping the Needy Where I Live. Divisions: Grades 4-5 you may do the following: Essay, Poetry, Art, Computer Art Grade 6-8 the list above and Music, Photography Grades 9-12 select any from above. For guidelines see additional information listed in an attachment. Deadline for turn in to school or RE office is Feb. 15th. We encourage all RE students to participate in this contest. Mass Trivia- Symbols & Images Wine and Cup In the ancient Middle East, water was often scarce and also not the cleanest of human consumption. Since planting grapes seemed to work with the soil composition, the cultivation and harvesting of grapes and then wine was a natural outcome. Wine could be stored, easily taken on journeys, and one did not need to drink lots of it to satisfy thirst. Question: What kind of wine is used at Mass? Can it be dandelion wine, cherry wine or a wine cooler? Answer: The major requirement for wine at Mass is that it be undiluted and grape, either red or white, with a certain alcohol content. Circle of Grace In January the students will be presented lessons from the mandated Archdiocesan program, Circle of Grace. This program helps students identify a trusted adult as a safe person, understanding of their personal space and what to do if that space is violated. It goes beyond stranger danger, but teaches our students that God is there also to help them at all times. If you are interested in viewing the curriculum, prior to the lessons, please contact the RE office. Ablaze Worship Night Jan. 25th We are excited to welcome ABLAZE Worship Ministries to St. Mary s on Friday, Jan. 25th from 7-9pm. Fr. Michael Voithofer and his team will lead us in prayer, music, and worship inspired by the words of Jesus in Luke 12:49 I have come to set fire to the earth and how I wish it were already ABLAZE! All ages are encouraged to come. RE students who are interested in becoming an Altar Server. RE students will complete their server training on Jan. 23 rd during their scheduled RE session. If your student is interested in the ministry of Altar Serving, and they have not taken the first training, (a total of two trainings are required) please contact the RE office for the next available date. Students currently 4 th through 12 th grade are eligible for this ministry Sacrament Dates: First Recondition January 26 th First Communion Parent/Child retreat- February 6th 5:30-7:15pm 8 th Grade Rite of Enrollment April 6 th at 5pm or April 7th at 12:30pm
St. Mary s Adult Faith Formation Studies Spring 2019 The Prophets: Messengers of God s Mercy presented by Sarah Christmyer and Thomas Smith. Facilitated by Linda Lee, Tuesdays at 1pm at St. Mark s. Who were the prophets, what was their message and what do they have to do with? If we consider that God is the Divine Bridegroom and the Church is his Bride, then the prophets can be seen as spiritual marriage counselors. In The Prophets: Messengers of God s Mercy, you will: Discover who the prophets were, what their message was, and why they are important to us. See how God is constantly calling you to a deeper relationship with him. Discover the areas in your life that prevent you from drawing closer to God. Understand how the central message of the prophets is one of love, proclaiming the mercy of God for his children. See how their powerful words speak to us today, shedding light on our faith and our lives. Discover the ways you are called to be the voice of God to others and join us in our wonderful discussions. The Fourth Cup Unveiling the Mystery of the Last Supper and the Cross by Scott Hahn. Facilitated by Dave Garrison Tuesdays at 6:30 located in the Dominican Center. Dr. Scott Hahn explains Christ's Paschal Sacrifice on the cross as the fulfillment of the traditional fourth cup used in the celebration of the Jewish Passover meal. He draws a symbolic parallel to the Last Supper and Christ's death on Calvary. Through his scholarly insights and important biblical connections, Mass will come alive for you as never before! Catholicism The Pivotal Players -By Bishop Robert Barron. Facilitated by Deacon Chuck and Claire L Archevesque. Starting Wed. Jan. 30 th from 1-3pm at St. Mark s Hall. Join Bishop Barron on the journey to unlock the truth behind the most influential people of the Catholic Church. You'll discover the places where St. Thomas Aquinas lived, learned, and wrote. Visit the countryside where St. Francis gathered a group of friars and revived the Church. See the places where St. Catherine of Siena ministered and prayed. Trek through England to where Bl. John Henry Newman and G.K. Chesterton left their mark and sparked an English Catholic revival. And through unprecedented HD footage, marvel at the extraordinary art of Michelangelo, from his David statue in Florence, to the Pietà at St. Peter's, to the Sistine Chapel. Cost: $25 for all materials. Quick Bible Timeline - by Jeff Cavins & Sarah Christmyer. Facilitated by Linda Lee on Thursdays afternoons from 1:00pm-2:30pm at St. Mark s. This 8 week study makes the complex simple. It helps you uncover the story woven throughout Scripture, so that you can get the big picture of the Bible and understand what it is all about. The Bible is a story about the Father s unfailing love for us, a love that we are called to share with others. You will make sense of the Bible and see how it relates to your everyday life. Discover the remarkable connection between the Old and New Testaments. See how the sacraments, the Church, and our entire Catholic Faith are rooted in Scripture and so much more. How to Grow in Holiness by St. Francis de Sales. Facilitated by Deacon Gary Bash-starting on Thursdays, Feb. 7 th through April 11 th. 6:30pm at the Dominican Center. Most of us grow up knowing that we are supposed to get to heaven and that God loves us and wants us there. We know that we are all called to holiness, but that how to grow in holiness is not always clear. St. Francis de Sales has been helping people grow in holiness for over 400 years! St. Francis de Sales assembled his spiritual direction letters into a book called Introduction to the Devout Life. Since its first printing in the 1600s it has never gone out of print. St. Francis de Sales offers some practical ways for us to grow in holiness within our busy lives. Come to one or all of the sessions as your schedule allows There is no cost-the book is free online, copies of the letters will be available or you can request the book for $10. For more information you may contact Deacon Bash at 402-614-1274 or the RE For Information on these and future Adult Faith Formation studies contact the RE office at 402-291-7222 or etomaso@stmarysbellevue.com
Catholic Daughters Art Contest Themes: Whatever You Do For the Least of My Brethren, You Do For Me or Helping the Needy Where I Live. The themes selected for the contest encourage lively imagination and freedom of thought when student talent and application go hand in hand. Divisions: 1 Grades 4-5 Essay, Poetry, Art, Computer Art 2 Grades 6-7-8 Essay, Poetry, Art, Computer Art, Music, Photography 3 Grades 9-10-11-12 Essay, Poetry, Art, Computer Art, Music, Photography Categories with description: Essay: Typed only, not to exceed 500 words. Poetry: Any style of poetry, typed, not to exceed eight (8) lines Art: Size: 8 1/2 x 11 No Lettering (your art carries the message). Do not put your name on the Art. How the theme is carried out in Art will be part of the judging, in addition to artistic talent. Medium: Crayon, markers, ink, paints (water color, acrylic, oil), charcoal, pencil (black or colored), pastels (chalk) and duck tape. Computer Art: Size: 8 ½ x 11 or 8 X 12, No Lettering. Art must be artist s own creation and should fill the majority of the page. NO clip art or images imported from web sites. Music: Lyrics and notes must be on professional music score paper (melody, harmony and accompaniment, all of which must be notated accurately), and must be contestant s own creation. Please use composition music paper. CD (no Mp3, MIDI, or other electronic formats allowed) of the performance must accompany the entry using the music score paper. While the composition must be the contestant s own creation, the performer of the composition does not need to be the composer. No DVD. Photography: Size 8 X 10 picture depicting the theme. Do not add matting. Picture must have been taken by the contestant. May not be a computer downloaded image or a picture of a picture. Can be color or black and white. Cannot be a collage. Contact Cathy Braxton for more information at cathy.braxton@stmarysbellevue.com 402-291-1694 fax: 402-291-9667