FEP NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2016 www.allsaintschurch.com/fep See inside for news about CGS Spirit Kids EDGE Chosen page 3-4 Lenten Activities page 5 Summer Programs page 6-7 Adult Education page 8 Youth Ministry events page 9-12 Lenten Reflection By Theresa Kuhn During Lent, I feel a little nostalgic, thinking back to my childhood memories. I distinctly recall my sister and me always starting off with the silly little jokes about what we planned to give up: school, broccoli, the newspaper. Then it evolved into what little we could do to get by: chocolate, one random act of kindness, perhaps not complaining when our mother asked us to do the dishes. Then, as I got older, I realized the importance of these conversations: it was an individual journey, but there were elements of it that made my sister and I part of each other s journeys. We both cared about what place we were at in the beginning of Lent and who we wanted to be at the end. Throughout the long weeks of Lent, my sister would playfully needle me: how s that Lenten resolution going for you? Did I see a chocolate wrapper on your floor? I appreciated this needling, because it illustrated her desire for me not only to keep my promise, but ultimately to make me into a better person than I was at the beginning of the journey. As someone who is now is a mother, and clearly responsible (thanks, God) for five other souls (oh and they are responsible for mine as well), it s important that I not only think about who I want to be at the end of my Lenten journey but more importantly, how we want to be as a family at the end of our Lenten journey. Just like before confession, I reflect in the same way now before Lent: what is keeping me and us as a family from becoming saints? What does God desire most from us in our fami- ly life? How are we living out the will of God? Are we keeping our marital promises in raising our children to be Catholic not just in word but in action? In many decisions, great and small, I thank God for my husband and children who have saved me time and time again to be brought closer to the side of Jesus. Continued next page
Lenten Reflection Continued Around this time last year, we went on a retreat to discuss intentional changes we wanted as a family: we created a Family Saint Builder Plan. Believe me, when I say this was one of the most life-changing events for our family. We asked ourselves and each other how we could become saints: we are not just responsible for making sure we get to heaven but our family as well. Being the good man that he is, my husband suggested many radical changes that needed to be initiated in our family: spending, prayer, volunteering, and vacations. As a vacation suggestion, he stated that a family pilgrimage to Catholicfest in Wisconsin would be a great option for our family to be brought closer to Jesus. The tropical vacation fantasy bubble in my mind popped and was replaced by mosquitos, outhouses, cooking over a fire, and a tent. This sounds like Lent, right? It was a sacrifice of comfortable surroundings. But when you strip the excess of our lifestyles away, it brings us to the simplicity of Jesus. During our time at Catholicfest and two beautiful shrines, I was amazed at how rejuvenating it was: being able to see my kids celebrate their faith with enthusiasm and wonder, disconnect from the distractions of the outside world, and just be present to each other. I was able to, in the middle of the night, visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. This brought me back to a conversion moment in my early 20s: meeting Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration. This could not have been possible if I would have been thinking individually about my journey. This was about our family journey and what God wanted to do in our lives. I wish this would have happened earlier in my life: that desire to do what God wanted for me. I suppose that is the beauty of grace. It enters into our lives at the right time, if only we allow it. Never have I had such a strong desire to invite God into my life to do what will make me the person He desires me to be: a mother, a wife, and a Catholic woman responsible not just for myself, but for others on their journey. I strongly encourage you, as families, to have those radical conversations about what God wants to do in your lives as a family. Lent is a beautiful time to be nostalgic and contemplative about what you would like to do individually and as a family in order to be changed. Theresa Kuhn is a mother of four and teacher at AVHS. She is actively involved in various ministries at All Saints. The formation staff of All Saints invites you to join other families February 21 for our Family Lenten Retreat, 12:15 to 4:30pm. The retreat is centered around the family as a place of mercy and will provide opportunities for your whole family to journey more fully together through Lent.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Jesus said, Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. Matthew 19: 14 It is not the will of your heavenly Father that one of these little ones be lost. Matthew 18:14 Let us bring the children to Mass. Do your best to get them there. If you have to run (after) for a child, do so. God in His infinite mercy may give the light and grace to that child s soul because of all the trouble you took. Never lose sight of the mercy of God. Take the trouble to help the children to love the Mass, to know the meaning of the Mass, to join in the Mass through simple prayers and hymns. Be careful of the attitude you take while minding the children during Mass The children will do exactly what you do. - Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta Spirit Kids Not Enough Time! Parents, we know how busy you are; there are just so many hours and so much to do. FEP can seem like just one more thing on your schedule. Our hope is that you ll look beyond the weekly time crunch and keep the greater goal in sight. FEP is a time during your child s week when he or she can gather with other children to focus on what it means to be Catholic, to be a follower of Christ, and to learn about our Church and Jesus teachings. Showing interest in what your child has done in class each week lets him or her know that FEP is important and it shows your support for your child s catechist. Ask to see the With My Family page that is sent home each week. Check out the family resources on the Be My Disciples website: www.bemydisciples.com. Visit with other parents while you are waiting for pick-up at FEP and share ideas about forming faith in the home.
For EDGE: Wednesday, February 17 th EDGE Retreat 6:30-8:30pm Thank you for your sacrifices to help your middle schooler to be present! We look forward to this special time with them and the LORD! Wednesday, March 9 th - The final Prayer Goal for the year for those participating in EDGE (all 6 th, 7 th and 8 th graders) will be March 9 th. Please check out the parish website for the details: www.allsaintschurch.com/fep May we all grow closer to the Heart of Jesus through the beauty of these prayers! We are half way through the semester. I am very excited to spend the next semester with our Confirmation Candidates as they continue to prepare for the great Sacrament of Confirmation. Lent is a great time to grow closer in our faith and to Christ. I pray that you and your families have a fruitful Lent. As a reminder, Confirmation Mass is May 15 th, 2pm, at the Saint Paul Cathedral. God Bless, Michelle Neitzke
Did you know? Catholic Relief Services changes lives around the world. Motivated by the example of Jesus Christ, CRS work reaches communities in more than 100 countries. CRS Rice Bowl is a way for Catholics in the United States to live Pope Francis call to end world hunger. CRS Rice Bowls will be distributed at Masses on Ash Wednesday. The 2016 Lenten Calendar included with the Rice Bowl provides daily reflections to guide your Lenten journey. Your Lenten sacrifices may be turned in to All Saints the 1 st Week of Easter. Collections will be taken near the Information Desk on Wednesday 3/30, Thursday 3/31, Friday 4/1 and the weekend of April 2/3. LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS All are invited to join us on the Tuesdays listed below for a Soup Supper in Murphy Hall at about 6:35 PM, following the 6:00 PM Mass. (We d love to have you come for Mass, too!) Free-will offerings will go to support the groups hosting. Feb. 16 - Hosted by Youth Ministry Feb. 23 - Hosted by Women s Emmaus Mar. 1 - Hosted by Steubenville Pilgrimage Group Mar. 8 - No Soup Supper because of Parish Reconciliation Day Mar. 15 - Hosted by Mexico Mission Group
All Saints Vacation Bible School June 13-17, 2016 9:00 am-12 noon Vacation Bible School is for children who will be 4 years of age by June 1 (one year before Kindergarten) through 5 th graders (2015-2016). Children who are 3 years of age AND have attended a year of preschool are welcome to attend. The fee is $45.00 per child. Registration opens Wednesday, March 2 nd at 5:00pm and ends May 16 th. Extreme Faith Camp Monday-Friday June 27-July 1 Camp Courage! Mass, Adoration, Reconciliation Great music! Ropes courses, gaga ball, combined with other churches water activities (tubing, swimming, canoeing-fishing-paddle boats) mini-golf, air hockey, pool, fishing, fantastic food Indoor gym and outdoor courts for basketball Beautiful cabins and lodging incredible site! Small group activities Multiple Catholic churches all coming together for a life-changing and inspiring week! Expect to encounter Christ in powerful ways. Extreme Faith Camp is a partnership between Catholic churches and has been happening with huge success for over 10 years! Cost is $295 for first 15 participants (includes lodging/meals for 4 nights and 5 days of camp). Open to current 6-8 graders. All Saints has limited spots. $100 deposit. Final payment due June 1. Scholarships and financial assistance available. Register online or at parish office. Chaperones and senior high teens at discounted price of $200. Training for senior high teens/chaperones Saturday, June 11 from 8:30am-12:30pm.
Summer Stretch What is Summer Stretch? A week long service retreat and recreation summer program that seeks to form disciples and challenges youth to live out their faith within the community. Who is it for? Summer Stretch is open to all students who have completed grades 6-8 in the 2015-2016 academic year. Senior High teens also participate as small group leaders. The Details (NEW START TIME) Summer Stretch Monday-Friday, July 11- July 15, from 7:30 am 5:00 pm. Days will include Mass, prayer, service, fun games and activities, small group discussion, lunch, and an afternoon of fun! Small group leaders start one day before participants. Dates Mondays: Participants: July 11-15 (15 th is Valleyfair Day). Mondays: Peer Leaders: July 10-15 (15 th is Valleyfair Day). Cost $130.00 participants/$70.00 peer leaders. This fee covers the weekly afternoon activity, T-shirt, transportation and Valleyfair admission. Financial assistance available. Hot lunch available $3 per day. How do I Register? Registration will be available during FEP times (see FEP brochure for specifics) beginning Wednesday, March 2 at 5pm and then in the office. Spots limited after May 1. Volunteers Make it Happen! - Please see summer mailing for all Volunteer opportunities. Family Pilgrimage July 2-5 CatholicFEST Last year was our first family pilgrimage and we have decided to return to CatholicFEST because of the wonderful family environment and outstanding Catholic culture! Families will be able to celebrate the good, true and beautiful through music, film, literature, and art following Saint John Paul s vision for cultural renewal. At CatholicFEST you can directly intersect and interact with artists whose craft is engaging our culture with a new method, ardor and expression. Held in beautiful Door County, WI, CatholicFEST is located directly on the shores of Kangaroo Lake and is THE PLACE 2 engage the arts! www.catholicfest.org For more information contact Chris Kuhn 952-469-6466 ckuhn@allsaintschurch.com
CELEBRATE YOUR MARRIAGE! CANA DINNER SAT., FEB. 27, 6:15-9:30 PM BRACKETT'S CROSSING Enjoy an evening of celebrating your marriage with other couples from All Saints. The three-course dinner is accompanied with ample time to visit with others, a marriage blessing and an entertaining speaker, Dale Ahlquist. Dale Ahlquist is President of the American Chesterton Society, and Publisher of Gilbert Magazine. He is the creator and host of the EWTN television series, The Apostle of Common Sense. He is the author of four books, a regular columnist for The Catholic Servant, and is co-founder of Chesterton Academy. Dale has given hundreds of talks, delighting audiences all over the world. Registration will be after Masses on Feb. 13/14 plus in the Parish Office and at allsaintschurch.com. The cost is $28/individual or $56/couple. ADULT ED. SESSIONS IN FEBRUARY Come to any or all on these Monday evenings led by Mike Vievering, 7:00-8:30 PM in the Library Feb. 22 Church History Part 2 - Key Insights from our second 1000 years. Feb. 29 TBA - Watch for details. No pre-registration. Free-will offering. Childcare for those who contact nursery@allsaintschurch.com by preceding Fridays. TERESA PETERSON IN CONCERT Sunday, March 13 7:30-8:30 PM. Teresa, a former All Saints parishioner, a Catholic Singer/Songwriter and Worship Leader, will be performing in concert at All Saints. All are welcome!
ALL SAINTS YOUTH MINISTRY www.allsaintschurch.com for more information (*-asterisk indicates event needs permission form or online registration) See below for time and online for specific themes and details. All Saints Youth Group @ymallsaints February South Metro FMSC packing options online. (Feb. 2, 4, and 6 Parish dates) 3 DOXA 6:30-8:30pm (No MOVE) 5 FUSION Minute to Win It 6 *Lifeline Mass 10 Ash Wednesday No Activities 12-14 Senior High Winter Retreat, Camp Wapo, WI 13 SSSD: Cheerful Givers 17 MOVE (S.H.) 19 FUSION 20 Beloved/Brotherhood 21 Family Retreat (12:15-4:30pm) 24 MOVE (S.H.) 24 Apologetics 27 *Puzzle Room Challenge 28 Gaga Ball March 2 MOVE (S.H.) 4 FUSION Scavenger Hunt 5 *Lifeline Mass 5 SSSD FMSC (times online) 6 Family Adoration (4:30pm-5:15pm) 9 MOVE (S.H.) 13 Gaga Ball 14 Special Event: Culture Project 16 MOVE 16 Apologetics 18 FUSION 27 Easter! (No activities 21-27 th ) 29 Beloved/Brotherhood 30 MOVE (S.H.) April Peer Ministry Applications accepted 1 FUSION (M.S.) 2 *Lifeline Mass 6 MOVE 9 Special M.S. Event: Ignite (6pm-9pm) 10 Gaga Ball 13 MOVE (S.H.) 15 *Endurance Overnight Lock-in 20 MOVE (S.H.) 20 Apologetics 22 FUSION (M.S.) 23 SSSD: Area Cleanup 23 Beloved/Brotherhood 27 MOVE May 1 Gaga Ball 4 MOVE (S.H.) 6 LAST FUSION 7 LAST *Lifeline Mass 7 SSSD: Lewis House 11 MOVE (S.H.) 15 Confirmation @ Cathedral 18 MOVE (S.H.) 18 Apologetics 20 Messy May (5:30pm-7:30pm. $5) 21 Beloved/Brotherhood 22 Brunch for Grads (10am-11am/RSVP) 25 LAST MOVE 27 *Comedy Sportz
Special Upcoming Events: Register Online Pump It Up In the Heart of Jesus- Winter Retreat Senior High Retreat-Save the date! February 12-14, 2016. "Pump it up in the heart of Jesus!" We head to Camp Wapo in Wisconsin with St. Joe's parish. This is a new opportunity we are super excited about for Senior High teens. $100. Sign Up and Registration Forms online. Puzzle Room Night Feb 27 For older teens that can handle the challenge! Do you like mystery, figuring out the clues? Of course you do because we are made for mystery! Small group are challenged to escape a room within an hour by figuring out the clues using their wits and teammates. Register online for this fun event! Mass, fast food stops in Apple Valley, and puzzle room. $30 includes transportation and admission to puzzle room. Financial assistance available. Ignite April 9 th Endurance April 15-16 Senior High Overnight Lock-in. 7pm-6:30am. $35 Dakotah Sport and Fitness. More details and online registration coming soon! Comedy Sportz May 27 More details and online registration coming soon! Open to middle/high school. Other Opportunities We have DT groups and small groups available for teens that want to journey closer to Christ in a small group setting. We make groups based on age groupings and existing friendships or by mixing those teens interested in making new Christ centered friendships. Peer Ministry is a servant leadership ministry model we use for teens grades 8-12 interested in shaping, supporting, and doing Youth Ministry at All Saints. We currently have around 30 active teens supported by various adults planning and implementing regular youth ministry events and gatherings, for example; MOVE for Senior High teens, FUSION for middle school teens, Super Saturday Service Day, Apologetics, and a 6 th grade girls small group. These teens are super fun and love Jesus!
FUSION MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH NIGHTS YOUTH ROOM @ ALL SAINTS CHURCH 1 st and 3 rd Fridays (some dates changes-see below) FROM 6:00 pm 9:00 pm Games and activities, short talks, new Life teen curriculum, Snacks, prayer, friends! Feb. 19 What Would Jesus Do March 4 Scavenger Hunt March 18 Turning the Other Cheek April 1 Back to the Beach (dress for the beach!) April 22 A Friendship Indeed May 6 Donuts. MOVE Senior High-all welcome! Senior High- All welcome! Wednesdays 7pm-8:30pm Youth Room 7pm Evening Focus Youth Room 8pm Prayer/Encounter 8:20 Social with treat February 17 Ashes to Ashes: Lent happens every year because God wants to do something new in your life! If you want something different come and find out how Lent can make it happen. 24 Minute to Win It: Fun minute to win it games with friends. March 2 Ask, Seek, Knock: First of a two-part series. The first night helps us understand the necessity of a prayer life as the lifeline to God. You will also learn simple prayers you can use throughout the day and learn how to build prayer into your day. 9 Wii Love Jesus 16 Ask, Seek, Knock: On this second night on prayer we will look at the challenges and successes teens face in prayer. 23 Spring Break- No MOVE 30 Easter Party: Celebrating the Lord s resurrection! Easter games and fun.