St Robert Bellarmine Parish School of Religion January 2013 Important Days this Month 1 Feast of the Solemnity of Mary (holyday of obligation) 2 Classes Resume 8 Confirmation Sponsor Meeting 9 ACRE grades 5/6 and 8 13 Faculty Meeting at 10:30 a.m. 15 Parent Meeting for First Communion 7:00 p.m. 19 First Communion Retreat/ Enrollment Mass2:00-6:00 19/20 Pro-Life Baby Shower 22 Advisory Board Meeting 23 God s Own Making grades 5-8 27 Open House for Adult Daycare 30 God s Own Making grades 5-8 Jesus arrives powerless as an infant in our world and he dies powerless on a cross; it is in these two very powerless acts that the world is forever changed. No one can deny the power of a baby to capture the attention of a room; its slightest whimper causes all ears to listen and most adult s to move into action. It would seem that the death of Jesus on the cross would have put an end to his mission but it stirred his followers into action and fired them with unshakable faith. If we resolve nothing else this year, let us be moved by the faith given to us. Behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, Where is the newborn king of the Jews? Act of Faith O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the holy catholic Church teaches, because in revealing them you can neither deceive nor be deceived. Amen.
Confirmation Sponsor Meeting All Confirmation sponsors will meet on Tuesday, January 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room. When many of us were confirmed, the sponsor s role was to show up at the ceremony bearing a gift. Today the sponsor is an integral part of the process and needs to know what is expected. If a sponsor is out of town and/or unable to make any meetings/activities, it is the parent s responsibility to step in or to have another practicing Catholic step in to fill the void. Parent Meeting for First Communion Parents of all second grade students, whether in the regional school, home school, or Parish School of Religion, as well as parents of children in the sacramental preparation classes that meet on Tuesday afternoons will be expected to attend a meeting in the church on Tuesday, January 15 at 7:00 p.m. to learn of the process of preparing for First Communion. This meeting will cover the meaning of the Eucharist for the benefit of any parents who might need to understand it. We will offer suggestions for the whole family s work in preparing the first communicant for the very special day as well as the dress for the event, family participation, reception, and photography. First Communion Parent/Child Retreat and Enrollment Mass On Saturday, January 19 all First Communicants and at least one parent will be expected to attend a short time with God to begin preparing for the day when they can come to the Big Table. The retreat will include a tour of the church with Father Ryan explaining the various things used in celebrating the Mass and prayer and activities to help children understand what it is that God wants to do for them now. The retreat itself will last from 2:30 4:30 p.m. and will be followed by Mass at 5:00 p.m. where the children will be introduced to the assembly and make their statements promising to study and pray for a closer relationship with Jesus and the congregation will promise to keep them and their families in prayer. Sacramental Preparation Classes Children beyond second grade who are preparing to receive First Communion will meet on Tuesday afternoons from 5:00 6:00 p.m. beginning January 8.
ACRE/ Assessment of Catechesis/Religious Education ACRE is a standardized test given across the United States each year and administered in the Archdiocese of St Louis in the month of January to all students in fifth and eighth grade. This test tells us how well we are doing as faculty and programming to ensure that we giving the children in our care the optimum ability to know God and his Church. Since we are now ordering the individual student results each year we are able to share with parents how they can further help their children to learn at home and to concentrate on areas of weakness. The test will be administered at St Robert s on Wednesday, January 9. There are two parts to the test: The first portion is an assessment of knowledge concerning doctrine, liturgy and sacraments, church history and tradition, prayer and religious practices, Scripture, Catholic faith literacy, and morality. The second portion allows students to make affective statements concerning beliefs, attitudes, practices, and perceptions. We do not see the individual statements made by our students on the second half of the test but do receive a composite that gives us a pulse reading for the entire group, telling us how important prayer is in the family routine as well as attendance at weekly Mass, attitudes about our relationship with God, and attitudes affected by the culture in which we live. There is no real preparation for the test other than coming to class regularly and absorbing as much as possible over the years here and family prayer and devotion coupled with participation in the Eucharist and parish life. Students will need to be sure to eat dinner before they arrive and it is crucial that they arrive on time for class. Scoring is done by an independent company in Lawrence, Kansas; results should be in by the end of February, allowing us to report to you at some time in March. Pro-Life Baby Shower It has become a St Robert s tradition to hold a baby shower in January near the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision made in 1973. Our eighth grade students will be making phone calls to parishioners asking for their support of the unborn, especially those whose mothers are in crisis situations. We are looking for new or gently used baby items, formula, and nursing items for mothers. All items and money collected are donated to a pro-life agency in the area. This year as last, Our Lady s Inn at Defiance will be the recipient agency. Women and their children receive care, education, and love throughout a crisis to help them move on in the world equipped with the skills needed to thrive as a family. Mothers who have chosen life are aided in finding employment and stable housing. They may remain in support groups for several years after leaving the shelter. The goal of Our Lady s Inn is to rebuild lives... one mother, one child, one family at a time. Since many of the mothers have other children, we will be happy to accept any gently used clothing to size 10. Our shower will be held the weekend of January 19/20.
Pro-Life Baby Shower January 19-20 Keeping a tradition here at St Robert s the eighth grade Parish School of Religion students will remember the anniversary of Roe v Wade by hosting a baby shower for mothers in crisis. Please help us with your donations of: Nail clippers Diapers Teething Rings Diaper Rash Rattles Onesies Baby Powder Ointment/Cream Bottles Clothing Baby Lotion Vaseline Pacifiers Blankets Baby Oil Shampoo Formula Sleepers Tables will be set up in the hallway outside the church after all Masses to receive these and any other items for babies and new moms. The eighth grade class thanks you in advance for your loving support of the unborn. We are also happy to accept any monetary donations in our over-sized baby bottle. All items and money received are donated to Our Lady s Inn at Defiance. Thanks for your help!
OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, JANUARY 27 10:30 A.M. 1:30 P.M. ST ELIZABETH ADULT DAY CARE LOCATED AT ST ROBERT BELLARMINE PARISH 1424 FIRST CAPITOL DR SOUTH ST CHARLES MO 63303 636-724 724-2110 2110 LICENSED BY STATE OF MISSOURI MEMBERS OF ALZHEIMER S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS FOUNDATION RECIPIENT OF PARKINSON S FOUNDATION FUNDS GRANT RECIPIENT OF MID-EAST AREA AGENCY ON AGING OFFERING DOOR-TO TO-DOOR TRANSPORTATION NUTRITIOUS MEALS SOCIAL ACTIVITIES MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS PERSONAL CARE SUNDAY & OVERNIGHT RESPITE CARE www.seadcc.org
Service Project The Parish School of Religion will be welcoming St Elizabeth Adult Daycare and assisting with their Open House on Sunday, January 27 from 10:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. Children in grades 1-6 will be making placemats in their classes. Students in seventh and eighth grade are invited to help as hosts/hostesses serving refreshments to visitors. In addition, we are asking each family to donate two dozen cookies or brownies for the event. These may be brought to PSR on Wednesday, January 23 or when the family comes to Mass on the weekend. ᴥ ᴥ ᴥ Please respond whether or not you will be able to help: Family Name will bring cookies or brownies will be unable to help this time, a seventh/eighth grade student is willing to help from 10:30 a.m. noon noon 1:30 p.m.