St. Francis Xavier Religious Education
Weekly Update
September 28, 2024
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Dear 2024-2025 Religious Education Families,
Happy Autumn! I hope this newsletter finds you and your family well. Please make sure to read through entire email as there is important information every week about our Religious Education Program and the Parish.
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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. 28-29, 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.
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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.)
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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.
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IN PERSON RE
It was wonderful to see all the classrooms full with our RE students and catechists this past Sunday and Wednesday. Please remind your children of appropriate behavior in the classroom to one another and to the shared space they are using. We are all looking forward to a great year!
Remember no class this week!
We will return on
Sunday, October 6th and Wednesday, October 9th for Class #3.
Some Important Reminders:
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.
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ONLINE RE
Thank you to all students who have already turned in Class #2 (Remember Class #1 was the parent meeting and meet and greet). Just a reminder that the Class #2 Google Form is due on Wednesday, October 2nd. If your child has not turned it in, they still have time, but don't have them fall too far behind. Class #3 will be sent out on Sunday, October 6th.
Please contact us via email at sfxreligioused@sfxlg.org and state your child's name and grade in the email if you have not yet received the Class #2 email. The lesson emails go to the main email on your parish account. If you would like a second email added to the Constant Contact list please let us know and we can add it for you.
OUR ONLINE CLASSES ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR
REGISTRATION UNTIL NOVEMBER 30, 2024 AT MIDNIGHT.
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SAVE THE DATES
FOR RE EVENTS
| FOSTERING STEWARDSHIP IN OUR CHILDREN |
Grades 1 - 8 should have picked up their Offertory envelope box in their classroom at Orientation or at their 2nd class and we hope you had a chance to read the letter inside.
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 in their home and community.
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 the envelope.
Once a month
•Look for the Children's Stewardship article in the bulletin that includes our 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.
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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
| 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
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October 4th is the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, who preached by his life God’s call for us to care for all of creation. His feast day comes at the beginning of a month in which we pray for a deepening commitment to healing our planet from the effects of climate change and a deeper respect for the sanctity of human life, from conception to natural death. The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi also has been a time when we offer blessings to pets and renew our commitment to be good caretakers. St. Francis Xavier Parish will offer a Blessing of Pets on Saturday, October 5th at 10AM. We will gather on the Spring Avenue lawn across the ramp from the Mary Garden. Pets of all types and sizes are welcome. (Speedy plans to attend.) Pass the word to friends and neighbors.
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In celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, parishioners and members of the community are invited to gather outside with SFX students, faculty and staff to pray the Rosary. Monday, October 7, 2024 at 9:15 am following the morning Mass (weather permitting) in the St. Francis Xavier School Parking Lot.
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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
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