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Greetings as we journey through the season of Lent. Some quick housekeeping before we get through the packed month of March - The final unit of Gospel Weeklies are available for pick-up in room 105. Are you a home-taught family who has had trouble keeping up with the week's lessons? We are currently considering a summer in person 'catch up' for children who were unable to be in a class this year. If this is something you would be interested in, please drop us an email. Even though we have been blessed with a mild winter, we still have March ahead of us. As a reminder, anytime 3 Village is closed or has an early dismissal, we will be closed as well. Grade level offerings may be switched to virtual if feasible. Now - on to Lent........ As you know, the Lenten season is one of prayer, fasting and almsgiving (giving - see below for parish needs) and we have plenty of suggestions and opportunities for you to participate as a family. LENTEN SACRIFICES FOR KIDS Pray More Help them to memorize a new prayer and/or bible verse, read the bible together each night, create a prayer list with them or even pray the rosary. Think of Others Help them go through their closets and donate clothes that do not fit or they do not wear (this is a great time of year as the seasons change!) or have them slim down their toys and take them to a local charity. They could even help grandparents with small chores or make cookies for the neighbors. Show Your Love Help the kids write a letter to a family member or godparents. They will love putting together the letter and taking it to the post office! Have a family hug time! Have them list a trait they like about each of their siblings. Snuggle more! Be Kind Encourage them to leave a nice note for someone at school or in a library book, offer to do someone’s chore or volunteer at school or at home. You could get them out of their comfort zone even more and encourage them to play with someone new at recess once a week or sit with someone new at lunch. Physical Sacrifices We all know kids love their video games, electronic devices, and other toys. Ask them to limit them or give them up all the time. Giving up their bedtime snack or their favorite sugary cereal would also be great sacrifices for them. No candy until Easter would make the Easter Bunny’s visit extra special for them! Best Behavior Ask them to stop complaining. No more whining or begging. No pouting. Creative Habits Talk to them about reading more books or playing a math game each night. They could draw a new picture every day or color in a coloring book. Spark their imagination and ask them to write and illustrate new stories or to put on a play! Be grateful this Lent Let your goal during this season and any season in life be helping your kids to understand sacrifice and gratitude. FAMILY OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALMSGIVING College Care Packages - due Monday, March 20th 50 pens 50 Rice Krispie Treats 70 bags of chips 70 granola bars 70 packs of gum 70 packs of cookies 70 candy bars Hope Academy - due Sunday, March 26th (all Masses) Much like the "40 day" initiatives, this year we are encouraging our parish families to donate to Hope Academy. Hope Academy is a long-term, non-traditional residential treatment program, one of the programs run by Fr. Frank Pizzarelli's Hope House Ministries. As a family, come up with a way to collect funds using one of your Lenten fasting sacrifices (a swear jar, the money you'd put toward Starbucks, video games, etc.). To make it fun, decorate a small lunch size paper bag, fill it every time you'd spend money on something you've given up, and bring that bag with you to church on Sunday, March 26th (all Masses), and place it in the boat by the baptismal font. We have bags here if you need one. The boat is already up, so if you'd like to bring in a donation earlier, you can certainly do so. Upcoming Dates: 2/27 - 3/2 Level 1 Parent/Child Lenten Gatherings 5PM Room 101/102 (Monday A - D, Tuesday E - L, Wednesday M - P, Thursday R - Z) 3/4 5:00PM Level 7 Family Mass 3/5 9:30AM Level 5 Family Mass & Camino Cafe 3/6 5:00PM Level 3 Home Taught students via zoom (link to follow) 7:00PM Youth Stations of the Cross meeting via zoom 3/7 7:00PM Level 2 Reconciliation - Group I 3/9 3 - 8PM K of C Blood Drive 5:00PM Level 5 Home taught students via zoom (link to follow) 3/12 9:30AM Girl Scout Sunday & Camino Cafe 3/13 5:00PM Level 4 Home Taught students via zoom (link to follow) 3/14 7:00PM Level 2 Reconciliation - Group II 3/15 10:30AM or 7:00PM Level 1 Parent Mtg. via zoom (link to follow) 3/20 7:00PM Levels 4 - 8 Stations of the Cross 3/21 7:00PM Level 2 Reconciliation - Group III 3/22 7:00PM Youth Teen Stations rehearsal - Church 3/27 5:30PM Level 6 workshop - Parish Center 7:00PM Level 7 workshop - Parish Center 3/28 7:00PM Youth Teen Stations rehearsal - Church 3/30 10:30AM or 7:00PM Level 2 Parent Mtg. via zoom (link to follow)   Greetings -
I hope this finds everyone well. It's amazing how quickly January flew by. We were busy last week with virtual Bread & Banner workshops with the Level 2 kids, and with the start of Lent just around the corner (Ash Wednesday is on February 22nd) we have lots on the horizon. As always, the entire schedule for the year can be found in multiple locations, both in Digital Academy and on our website (see below). You can subscribe to it in either place. Things to look forward to - we celebrate our 25th Annual Mardi Gras on Sunday, February 19th immediately following the Level 1/Level 2 Family Mass at 9:30. Festivities are from 10:30 - 12:30PM in the Parish Center. Our last unit of the Gospel Weeklies are now available for pick-up in room 105 of the Parish Center. https://www.stjamesre.org/calendar.html UPCOMING DATES: 2/9 Level 5 HT 5:00PM Room 101/102 2/13 Level 4 Reconciliation Fair 5:30PM Parish Center 2/13 Level 8 Workshop 7PM Parish Center 2/19 Level 1 & Level 2 Family Mass 9:30AM 2/19 Mardi Gras 10:30 - 12:30PM 2/27 - 3/2 Level 1 Parent/Child Lenten Gatherings 5PM Room 101/102 As Catholics, we’re meant to spend this time preparing our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. But that’s easier said than done. At this time of year, our senses are bombarded with holiday noise on all sides.
And when Christmas comes and goes, we say it happened too fast and we didn't get to appreciate it. But it doesn’t have to be like that! As we continue the season of Advent, we have opportunities coming up to help us focus on the 'reason for the season' and enter into a prayerful place amid the holiday chaos that is all around us. So get out those advent wreaths and nativities and let's celebrate together. This Sunday Santa comes to St. James after the 9:30 Mass and will be here to greet the youngsters until 12:30. Pancakes are on the menu! Also, not to be missed is our Annual Christmas Pageant on Saturday, December 17th immediately following the 5PM Mass. IMPORTANT DECEMBER DATES Saturday, Dec. 3rd 9AM – 12Noon Pageant Costume fitting (everyone EXCEPT lambs & sheep) Saturday, Dec. 3rd 5PM - Level 8 Family Mass Sunday, Dec. 4th 9:30AM- Level 1 & Level 2 Family Mass Breakfast with Santa immediately following in the Parish Center Monday, Dec. 5th 5:00PM Home Taught Level 5 Room 101/102 Wednesday, Dec. 6th 5:30PM Level 3 & Level 4 Parent/Child in the Church Thursday, Dec. 8th Feast of the Immaculate Conception Holy Day of Obligation – Mass at 8:00AM & 12Noon Friday, Dec. 9th – 6:30PM Ladies Advent Tea in the Parish Center Monday, Dec. 12th – 5PM Pageant Narrator Rehearsal Tuesday, Dec. 13th – 5PM Choir of Angels Rehearsal in the Church Wednesday, Dec. 14th 10:30AM or 7:30PM (choose 1) Level 2 Parent Mtg. via Zoom 5:00PM Pageant Character & Narrator rehearsal Thursday, Dec. 15th 5:00PM Home Taught Level 6 Room 101/102 Friday, Dec. 16th 5:00PM Mandatory Pageant Dress Rehearsal for all in Parish Center Saturday, Dec. 17th 5:00PM Mass followed by the Best Christmas Pageant Ever!!! The office will be closed Monday, Dec. 19th through Monday, January 2nd. We will reopen on Tuesday, January 3rd. Happy Halloween!
It was wonderful seeing everyone at yesterday's All Saints/All Souls party. I don't know who had more fun, our little ones or our big helpers. Thank you to all of the Confirmation classes and their catechists for helping to make our party a success! On to our next big event - Sign ups have begun for our Christmas Pageant, held on Saturday, December 17th immediately following the 5PM Mass. Sign ups are below. College Care Packages It’s That Time Again!! We will be packing our fall college care packages on Friday, Nov. 4, 6:30 -8:30pm in Rooms 101/102 of the Parish Center. We welcome ALL to join us and we accept any donations for the boxes. Let’s remind our college students that their St. James Family is thinking about them! NEEDED -100 bags of chips 100 packs of individually wrapped cookies 100 boxes of raisins 100 pieces of candy 80 packs of gum 200 pens Please have donations to room 105 by noon time on Friday, Nov. 4th. This is the last week of Unit 1 for our Gospel Weeklies. Catechists, Level 1 families and all Home Taught families need to come in and pick up your next unit of materials. Please be mindful that we have classes that meet 4:30 - 5:30 and 5:45 - 6:45 Monday - Thursday. Clear your cache - If you are having trouble accessing Digital Academy, the answer may be as simple as clearing your cache. Read why it's a good habit to clear your phone cache once a month: Friendly Reminder to Clear Your iPhone Cache Every Month - CNET Upcoming Events - Tuesday, Nov. 1st 7PM-virtual Level 8 Parent/Child Confirmation Prep mtg. Group I Wednesday, Nov. 2nd 7PM - virtual Level 8 Parent/Child Confirmation Prep mtg. Group II Saturday, Nov. 5th 5PM - Level 7 Family Mass Sunday, Nov. 6th 9:30AM - Level 3 Family Mass Monday, Nov. 7th 5:30PM - Level 5 Parent/Child Workshop - Church Thursday, Nov. 10th 5:00PM - Level 4 Home Taught - Room 101/102 Monday, Nov. 14th 5:00PM - Level 3 Home Taught - Room 101/102 Tuesday, Nov. 15th 7:00PM - Level 2 Parent/Child "Meet the Presiders" - Church Thursday, Nov. 17th 10:30AM or 7:00PM Level 1 Parent Mtg. - virtual Thursday, Nov. 17th 5:00PM - Level 6 Home Taught Sunday, Nov. 20th 9:30AM - Level 2 Family Mass Monday, Nov. 28th - Thursday, Dec. 1st 5:00PM Level 1 Parent/Child workshops Monday, Nov. 28th 7:00PM - Level 7 Workshop - Parish Center Hall Tuesday, Nov. 29th 7:00PM - Level 8 Workshop - Church |
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