St. Francis Xavier Religious Education

Weekly Update

September 21, 2024


Dear 2024-2025 Religious Education Families,


I hope this newsletter finds you and your families well and that you are enjoying this warm summer weather on our last official day of the summer season. Please make sure to read through the entire email as there is important information every week.

MASS GOOGLE FORM


Below you will find a link to the Mass Google Form for this weekend. You will receive this email with a link every week. We ask that each family fill out at least two per month as a way to promote conversation about the liturgy with one another. It is a great "Car Ride Home" activity on your way home from church.


Mass Goggle Form Link: Weekend of Sept. 21-22, 2024


OPTIONS FOR MASS ATTENDANCE


1) In Person (which we recommend in you can). For your convenience here is the parish Mass Schedule:


Saturday: 5:00 p.m.

Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

2) If you chose to attend Mass virtually, you can watch Mass online via our website or our facebook page: Click Here



3) Or if you chose to watch it on TV, ABC7 will televise Sunday Mass from Holy Name Cathedral every Sunday at 9:30am.

MAKE UP PARENT ORIENTATION MEETING INFORMATION


If you were not able to attend the mandatory parent meeting on the 8th or 11th, we will have a Make Up Meeting on Sunday, October 6th at 9:15AM in the gym for all programs (Sunday, Wednesday, and Online). Please make sure to attend so that your child/ren get credit for the first class that was missed and doesn't get an absence mark against them. (Online and Wednesday families only one parent needs to be present, children do not have to accompany parents. Sunday families you can drop off your child/ren as they have class that day and then head to the gym.)

TUITION STATEMENTS


If you still have a balance with with us, you will receive your first statement on Monday, October 2nd. Payments can be made in cash or check or online. All tuition must be paid in full no later than December 1, 2024. If you are having financial difficulty please contact me directly at the office at 708-352-4555.

IN PERSON RE


Class #2 is this week! (Class #1 was Orientation)

 We will be in the classroom on

Sunday, September 22nd and Wednesday, September 25th.

Please make sure your children are present for class.



Some Important Reminders:


RE class entrance and exit -


Sunday Classes:

Please park in either the parish or school parking lot and stand on the South Side of the Orange cones to get your children. All students will enter and exit through Religious Education Main Doors (next to the small tan shed) in the School Parking Lot off of Waiola. When driving in and out of the parking lots please we mindful and watchful of any children around and follow our Safety Patrol's instructions.


Wednesday Classes:

 Please park in either the parish or on Waiola (no double parking on the street allowed) and stand on the North Side of the Orange cones to get your children. All students will enter and exit through Religious Education Main Doors (next to the small tan shed) in the School Parking Lot off of Waiola. Please we mindful and watchful of any children around when leave your parking spot.


Attendance:

Catechists are not responsible to report your child's absence to the office. It is the responsibility of the parent to email: sfxreligioused@sfxlg.org or call 708-352-4555 to report your child's absence and the reason for the absence.


Absences:

Please remember that we are only allowing 3 absences throughout the school year since we are only in classroom learning for 14 of them. Missing 3 classes is missing a month and a half of material. If you feel that your child will be missing more than 3 in person classes due to sports or other extracurricular activities, we recommend that you have them do the online program which give more flexility to busy families.

ONLINE RE


Your children will receive their 1st virtual lesson (class #2) tomorrow, Sunday, September 22nd, 2024 at 8AM. Please make sure the lesson is completed and the Google form is summited by Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024. Class #3 will be posted on Sunday October 6th, 2024. If for some reason you do not receive the email with the links, please email the office so we can make sure we have your correct email on file.


The lesson emails go to the main email (1st email) on your parish account. If you would like a second email added to the Constant Contact Online Class list please let us know and we can add it for you.

FOSTERING STEWARDSHIP IN OUR CHILDREN

Grades 1 - 8 should have picked up their Offertory envelope box in their classroom at Orientation and we hope you had a chance to read the letter inside. Those that registered after Orientation will receive their envelopes in class this week.


What we are asking of our parents:

During each week

Encourage your children to think about how they express who they are and how they wish to act as God’s Hands.


Some examples are:

•Invited my grandpa to worship at our church while he was visiting my family

•Lead my family in prayer before eating dinner

•Walked our neighbor’s dog

•Contributed a portion of my babysitting money to the church

•Helped my brother who was hurt

•Helped my friend with math in school


On the weekend

Children will place their offertory envelope in the offertory basket as it is passed around church, with their message of time or talent written on there.

Once a month

Look for the Stewardship article in the bulletin that includes examples of children’s offerings from the previous month.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES

Our Parish has teamed up with HALLOW, the #1 Catholic Prayer App and as a parishioner you can get it for $1 for the whole year. Follow the instructions below and let's begin praying together. If you have any questions please email our Pastoral Associate, Maggie McMahon at mmcmahon@sfxlg.org.

2) If you’re a man looking to be a better husband, father, Catholic – TMIY is for you. This group meets on Tuesday Evenings.


3) If you want to better understand the Bible and how it all fits together in God’s incredible plan for humanity, Bible Timeline is for you. This group meets on Thursday Mornings.


4) If you have big questions, doubts, or feel like you need to revitalize your faith: Alpha is for you. This group meets on Mondays and they serve dinner.


5) If you are thinking about becoming Catholic, or still need to complete First communion or Confirmation, Adult Sacramental Prep is for you. Please email Maggie McMahon for more info on how to begin your prep.


6) If you are thinking about enriching your faith we will offer the Parent Drop Ins to discuss the Wisdom Series on Sundays during the same time as RE classes with David Becker and Maggie McMahon: Click HERE to see of preview of Wisdom.

ATTENTION ALL HIGH SCHOOL TEENS

Are you looking to grow stronger in your Faith? Are you looking for ways to navigate the challenges and complexities of your high school years? Do you wonder how our Faith fits into a world which often seems to dismiss or be disrespectful to our Faith? Please join a group of like-minded teens to explore these issues at Crossroads. We will meet twice per month on Sunday nights to explore faith, build community, and share perspectives. We will also have some outreach/volunteer opportunities.


Our next meeting will take place Sunday, September 29th in Unity Hall from 6:00-7:15pm (following the 5:00pm teen mass). ALL meetings will include dinner. This program is in its second year at St. Francis Xavier, and we are excited about being able to support the faith journey of our teens.


We welcome all high school students regardless of faith/ parish, so bring your friends. Please use link: https://bit.ly/SFX for more information including dates and details and to sign up! Crossroads Questions? Please reach out to Laura and Greg Ozark at greg.ozark@gmail.com

Weekly commitment:

• Grades 1 – 3 - Tuesday rehearsals 3:40 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

• Grades 4 – 8 - Thursday rehearsals 3:40 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.


Choirs will sing monthly at the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Mass


Register on-line with this link:

https://forms.gle/FK8arxGT4VB2NfK9A


Rehearsals just started last week, but there is still time to join. If you have any questions please contact: Mr. Allen Sterwalt, Director of Music Ministry at asterwalt@sfxlg.org 

HOW TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH WHAT IS

GOING ON AT THE PARISH



Parish Weekly Bulletin

The Parish Bulletin is emailed weekly to all registered families. You can find another copy by clicking here.


Stewardship 

Stewardship is an attitude that leads to the devotion of time, the sharing of our talents, and the giving from our treasures so that we bring the Gospel to life in word and action. If you are not able to come to mass in person, please consider making your weekly donation online through Give Central. You can set it up for an automatic withdrawal by clicking here.


Parish Instagram and Facebook Accounts

The parish has a social media presence and is on Instagram. Like and follow for updates on SFX happenings, upcoming events, and more @sfxlg_parish or follow us on Facebook here.


Thank you for being a part of the SFX Religious Education Family.


Peace and Blessings,

Elis Guidice

Director of Religious Education

St. Francis Xavier Parish

Connect with us
Facebook  Instagram