S.M.A.R.T. NEWS Saint Mary s Active Religious Teens September 2017 Web Site: http://youth.icstmary.org Dear Friends, Have your ever heard of the Crossfit program? Well, here s a brief definition: CrossFit is constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity. All CrossFit workouts are based on functional movements, and these movements reflect the best aspects of gymnastics, weightlifting, running, rowing and more. These are the core movements of life. Intensity is essential for results and is measurable as work divided by time or power. On September 14 th, the Catholic Church celebrates its own Crossfit - The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: the discovery of the True Cross by Saint Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, in 320 under the temple of Venus in Jerusalem, and the dedication in 335 of the basilica and shrine built on Calvary by Constantine, which mark the site of the Crucifixion. However the Feast, more than anything else, is a celebration and commemoration of God's greatest work: His death on the Cross and His Resurrection, through which death was defeated and the doors to heaven opened. The entrance antiphon for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is: "We should glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for He is our salvation, our life and our resurrection: through Him we are saved and made free." Jesus s crucifixion was a tortuous, painful exercise - and certainly not to get HIMSELF into shape, but rather to get US into spiritual shape for the glories of heaven. So the next time we see or hear the word Crossfit on television or computer or in a magazine, let us be reminded of Jesus s excruciating physical activity for us and ask ourselves: Are WE fit to carry the cross? Patti McTaggart "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23
THANKS SO MUCH! A HUGE Thank You to all the youth and/or adults who helped serve Free Lunch in August. Your helpful hands and smiles were definitely appreciated by all! 2017-2018 CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES A Confirmation Information meeting will be held for all St. Mary s youth in grades 9-12 who would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2017 on Tuesday, September 19th, 2017 at 7:00PM in the church. At least one parent must also attend this meeting. VOCATION PRAYER O Lord, my God, You renew the Church in every age by raising up priests and religious outstanding in holiness, living witnesses of Your unchanging love. In Your plan for our salvation, You provide shepherds for Your people. Fill the hearts of young men and women with the spirit of courage and love that they may answer Your call generously. Give parents the grace to encourage vocations in their family by prayer and good example. Raise up worthy priests for Your altars and ardent, but gentle servants of the Gospel. Give the Church more priests and religious and keep them faithful in their love and service. May many young men and women choose to serve You by devoting themselves to the service of Your people. Amen. CHASTITY PURITY DISPLAY IN THE PARISH HALL Be sure to check out the Chastity/Purity Display in the parish hall. There are great resources CD s, pamphlets, etc. for young people. A big thank you to Sheryl Schwager and Johnson County Right to Life for donating this display! God bless your good works!
SEPTEMBER 6th Adult/Youth Choir 6-7PM in the balcony 13th Adult/Youth Choir 6-7PM in the balcony 14 th Youth make casseroles for Free Lunch 3:30-4:30PM in the parish hall. 19th Confirmation Meeting for 2016-2017 candidates for Confirmation and their parents. 7:00PM in the church. 20th Adult/Youth Choir 6-7PM in the balcony DO YOU LIKE TO COOK? On the third Thursday of every month, join other youth from each high school and junior high as we collaborate together in St. Mary s parish hall and make four or five casseroles and four dozen cookies for the Free Lunch program. This month s cooking class will take place on Thursday, September 14th from 3:30-4:30PM. The casseroles and cookies created will be served the next day, Friday September 15th, at the Free Lunch program. All youth are invited to participate!! All youth interested in becoming ministers in the parish! Would you like to become one of the following ministers? Minister of Hospitality (greeter/usher) Reader/Lector Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion (must be confirmed) An evening of ministry training will take place in September/October. Watch the SMART News and parish bulletins for ministry and parish commission sign-up opportunities!
Sing a New Song Unto the Lord Do you like to sing? Would you like to share your gift of music (given to you by God) with others? The St. Mary s Choir would LOVE to have you! All youth in grades 7 through 12 are welcome! Rehearsals begin SEPTEMBER 6th in the balcony of the church. The choir sings both contemporary and traditional hymns of the Church and the music is beautiful. Come meet our choir director, Nathan Gibbs, and join in the fun!
LIVES OF THE SAINTS By Jacinta Hamilton, 11th Grade, Home-School September 29th is the Feast Day of the Three Archangels, Saints Raphael, Michael, and Gabriel. The Archangels Raphael, Michael, and Gabriel hold a special place among the seven choirs of angels in Heaven. St. Raphael the Archangel is mentioned in Tob 3:17; 12:15. St. Raphael, who we read about in the book of Tobit was sent by God to heal Tobias of his blindness. He led Tobias son Tobias to safety on his long journey. St. Raphael also freed Tobias the youngers wife Sara from the devil. He was sent by God for these special missions. The Archangel was God s legate. He carried out God s plan acting as an instrument of Divine Providence, and Divine Goodness. St. Michael the Archangel is mentioned in Dn 10:13, 21; 21:1; Jud 9. St. Michael, who we read about in the Apocalypse in the Bible, written by St. John, led the good angels in thrusting Satan and his devils from Heaven. St. Michael was totally obedient to God and refused to give into the sin of Satan and disobey God through pride. For this God greatly rewarded St. Michael and made him the leader of the good angels. St. Michael s famous words after Lucifer s sin were Who is like God. St. Michael has a famous prayer that many of us pray and I encourage you to do so if you are not already familiar with it. St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. In this prayer, we are asking for spiritual protection from the temptations and evils of the Devil. St. Michael thrust Satan out of Heaven and is most definitely at our side when we need help dealing with some spiritual warfare of our own. St. Gabriel the Archangel is mentioned in Dn 8:16, 9:21; Lk 1:19. St. Gabriel who we read about in the book of St. Luke was the angel who appeared to the Blessed Mother and gave her the message that she was to be the Mother of God. Saint Gabriel also known as God s messenger was given the enormous task of asking Mary to be the Mother of Jesus, God, the Redeemer. St. Gabriel told Mary not to be afraid and put her at ease that he was a messenger, an angel from God and that what he had to say was from God himself. St. Gabriel was also the angel that foretold to Zachary the birth and ministry of John the Baptist. Like St. Michael may we always say, Who is like unto God and be the faithful servants of God. St. Gabriel known as the strength and power of God, the herald and servitor of Divine almightiness was the mediator between God and man. The message he relayed to Mary carried the weight of the human race s Redemption. Like St. Gabriel may we always strive to do our best in everything we do and to do things with humility. St. Raphael known as the healing of God and the curer of human infirmities is the perfect saint to pray to for those who are sick. He is also a great saint to pray to for spiritual infirmities and temptations since, by God s power, he rid Sara of the devil. He is also the patron saint of travelers, so that they may be safe. St. Michael the Archangel Pray for Us! St. Raphael the Archangel Pray for Us! St. Gabriel the Archangel Pray for Us!