Recently during Sunday Mass, our priest held a ceremony called "scrutinies" for six people. There are to be two more. Can you explain what these scrutinies are?

The Second Vatican Council called for the restoration of the adult catechumenate, that is, an process of Christian formation for those preparing for entry into the Christian faith. In 1974, the Holy See promulgated the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), which contained a series of rites in preparation for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist. In 1988, a second edition was published.  

The baptism and confirmation of adults, and their first reception of the Eucharist, normally takes place at the Easter Vigil. In preparation for these sacraments, a series of preparatory rites are prescribed, among them scrutinies, which normally take place during Mass, after the homily, on the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent. The scrutinies are usually celebrated during the same Mass each week; so, it is possible that those who attend other Masses may never have observed them. 

The ritual book for the RCIA describes the scrutinies as follows: 

"The scrutinies, which are solemnly celebrated on Sundays and are reinforced by an exorcism, are rites for self-searching and repentance and have above all a spiritual purpose. 

The scrutinies are meant to uncover, then heal all that is weak, defective or sinful in the hearts of the elect [those preparing for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist]; to bring out, then strengthen, all that is upright, strong and good. 

For the scrutinies are celebrated in order to deliver the elect from the power of sin and Satan, to protect them against temptation, and to give them strength in Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life. These rites, therefore, should complete the conversion of the elect and deepen their resolve to hold fast to Christ and to carry out their decision to love God above all" (No. 141). 

Essentially these rites are composed of prayers of intercession and the laying on of hands so that the Holy Spirit may be invoked and the spirit of evil cast out. They are celebrated purposefully at Mass, so that the whole congregation is given the opportunity to pray for and support those preparing for the Easter sacraments and to make the point that conversion is not only a personal matter but a communal commitment. 

The scrutinies follow the Cycle A Gospel readings for the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent.  Those readings are from John's Gospel - the woman at the well; the man born blind; and the raising of Lazarus. It has been the tradition at St. Joseph Church (and my other parishes) to always use the Cycle A readings for the 3rd-5th Sundays of Lent because they build upon each other and on the lenten theme of self examination, conversion, and renewal. Those themes speak us all during this holy season, as well. 

For the next two weeks I will offer some questions to ponder for personal spiritual growth as we walk with these biblical characters in their journey of faith with Jesus. Read the questions a few times prior to hearing/reading the Gospel passage; use your imagination as you enter into the story as it unfolds. Place yourself into the scene either as an observer and later as you re-read and consider the implications, as a participant. Take your time. Relax. Close your eyes as you recall the story as best as you can. Use all your senses. What stands out? What is new to you? What is God shining the light on in your life through this story?

The Woman at the Well -  John 4:3-42

Why did the Samaritan woman come to draw water at noon, the hottest time of the day?  

Did she want to avoid the times the other women in town came to the well?  

What are the places in my life where I am embarrassed, where I avoid interaction with others?  

What are the noon day wells of my life?  

Can I imagine Jesus approaching me there?

Jesus tries to reveal his thirst to her - perhaps his thirst for deeper intimacy with her - but she puts him off.  She's not worthy. It won't work.  When he offers to satisfy her thirst, she puts him off.  He can't satisfy what she needs, at least with this well, and without a bucket. 

How do I put Jesus off, with excuses, with problems, with barriers?  I don't have time; I haven't done this before or I have and it didn't work; my stuff's too complicated; I don't know how to find you in this mess.

When he shows her that he knows her, she knows she's in the presence of someone special - perhaps the one she has thirsted for all her life. 

Do I let Jesus show me that he knows and understands me?  

Can I find the words to say he is the one I have thirsted for all my life?

The grace will come when I see that I have been at the well a long time and have long been thirsty.  When I can name the new thirst, the Water that now satisfies that thirst, I can overcome  my remaining resistance to trust.  

When I see that Jesus reveals himself to me by revealing me to me, thereby showing me my need for him as Savior, I will rejoice and tell the whole world, too. I won't be able to help it.

Observe how her attitude changes as their conversation (and her conversion) unfolds .... humility is critical for true faith in Jesus.

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The Scrutinies will be celebrated for our RCIA Catechumen (those receiving all three Sacraments of Initiation) and Candidates (already baptized and completing Eucharist &/or Confirmation) at the 11:00am Mass for this weekend and the following two weekends. I hope and pray that you will participate with them as they enter more deeply into this experience of reflection and self examination.

WEEKLY TASK FORCE UPDATE:  FEBRUARY 26, 2018 Task Force and Sub-Committees Update As the Task force enters its final week of planning for the March 7th parent meeting, we thought we would share a few decisions that we will be presenting. Each of these will be presented in more detail at the meeting: Governance St. Joseph School will transition to the Academy model, a model that is currently in place in several of our schools in the Diocese of Bridgeport. This model is a two-tiered model in which the Bishop is the corporate MEMBER and there is a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors are representative of the community and appointed by the Bishop, and will be responsible for the oversight of the school. The school will be known as St. Joseph Catholic Academy. School Leadership We have appointed Mrs. Mary Maloney, President of Immaculate High School, as the  Head of School  for St. Joseph Academy during the time of transition. Mrs. Maloney has been part of the task force and will provide vision, leadership, continuity and stability as we move into this new school model. Mrs. Maloney will be at the school on a part time basis and will support the local school leader. Once a board of governance is seated and ready to assume oversight of the school, at the end of next school year, Mrs. Maloney will continue to provide leadership as a board member. Additionally, the principal position will be eliminated for next year and will be replaced by an  Education Director who will report to Mrs. Maloney. He/she will deal with the day to day issues and teach a few classes during the day. We will begin a search for this position immediately and the Director will start  July 1, 2018. Mrs. Monti will remain as principal until  June 30, 2018. Program Funding/Support As part of a much larger funding grant given to the Diocese, we have earmarked over $200,000 to support the roll out and two years of technology and programming support for the school. In addition, the Diocese is hiring a  Personalized Learning Coordinatorto ensure that the new programs initiated at St. Joseph, and five other schools, will be implemented effectively. Finally, a coach will be hired to support the teachers at St. Joseph School as they begin to implement the new model. Tuition While we are still finalizing a few details that will ultimately determine tuition, we know that it will definitely be kept under $6,000 and we hope to be able to reduce fees. We are still developing new and more robust preschool offerings; therefore, we cannot give those rates out yet. Please expect a follow-up "snap shot" survey in the next couple days to help us gauge potential enrollment. Sub-Committee Meeting Update The Task Force Sub-Committees will not be meeting  on Tuesday, so that the task force can finalize the presentation to parents on  March 7. Please remember if you have questions, at any time, the hotline is always available, 203-209-2894. If someone does not answer, leave a message and your call will be returned promptly.

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RE-POSTED FROM LAST WEEK'S eNOTE

Saint Joseph School is in the process of considering a new model of Catholic Education for the coming 2018/2019 academic year. New to us, but not new at all to academia.  It is simply making a resurgence with the advent of the internet, laptops, tablets, iPads, smart phones and the ease of accessibility to excellent digital learning content. 

These models have been referred to by many names (multi-age education, blended classrooms; stages not ages, and others) because each school that employs these models of education targets, adapts, and adopts components that best suits the needs and abilities of their individual student population. 

Traditional education for over the past 125 years has separated children by ages and grades because it was the most efficient way of organizing the children under the assumption that age was the best indicator of ability.  We have come to understand over the years that although this model is efficient, it is not always the most effective way to teach children for many reasons - mainly, that not all children of similar ages learn the same way.  To be effective, a teacher needs to endeavor to make the most amount of students in his/her class proficient in the subject matter designed for that particular grade level. 

So a teacher in the traditional system needs to teach to the middle range of the class or from the center - out, to be most effective.  That tends to leave the advanced children unchallenged and bored and the ones who need more assistance grasping the content, lost and frustrated.

This new model of education that St Joseph School is considering will reconsider the age/grade system and adopt a banded system of cohorts.  So if you were looking at our school as it is this year of grades K-8, possibly next year, the grades would be banded by K1&2; 3&4; 5&6; 7; 8 - this is a model I'm using for purposes of example only.

In these bands or cohorts, at the beginning of the school year, each child would have their own teacher developed folder/portfolio tracking their particular academic path for the upcoming year based on proficiencies, interests, and needs. Throughout the year, the teacher then groups his/her children based on the content to be covered and particular proficiencies of each students for that topic and then provides learning opportunities for each group to master the content. It is stylized, particular, and individualized learning for each student. It also affords the teacher two years to to really get to know the student and to nourish and cultivate the their abilities. 

The religious education of these students will remain the same insofar as the curriculum and the Friday morning teaching Mass for the entire community - however, we will also be introducing a video based Bible study program to allow them to learn the Bible from Genesis through the Acts of the Apostles via over 50 short story videos. (see below)

Below are videos of how this type of model works in a Charter School in Wisconsin.  Again, this is their model for the needs of their school.

Below is an example of the educational curriculum programs available for multi-age classrooms

So, at the request of Bishop Caggiano, a project task force was assembled comprised of Dr. Stephen Cheeseman - Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Bridgeport, diocesan school officials, clergy, teachers and parents.  

This task force was then further broken down into 4 sub-groups to address education/curriculum, finance, marketing, technology/infrastructure. 

The sub-group committees meet on Tuesday evenings to develop their programs and strategies etc. and then all reconvene on Saturday mornings for several hours to discuss progress in each area. 

Great progress is being made as the entire group prepares to make a comprehensive presentation to the parents and families on March 7th to showcase the new model for St Joseph School for the 2018/2018 academic year and address any questions or areas of concern.

As pastor and spiritual director of St Joseph School, I am extremely excited about this new program.  In retrospect, I wish this style of learning was available when I was in school because I am certain I would have benefited from it greatly.  It is a win/win/win and I agree with Bishop Caggiano in that it was divinely inspired at the behest of our Blessed Mother. 

Please pray for the teachers at St Joseph School because they are the ones who work so hard to educate each of our children - and by their example, these selfless professionals, love the faith of Jesus Christ into the little hearts of our children. The stellar quality of a Catholic Education has never been in question here at SJS and I know because of the quality of our teachers and this new model, it will remain so for years to come.

Please pray for the parents and children of St Joseph School during this time.  There are many decisions that will need to be made by each family which will effect these children for years to come.  Allow them to be open to God's will for their child going forward.

Please pray for the task force committees as well, as they work to create a model of education that will address the needs of all our children so that each one may blossom at their own pace and to their fullest potential. 

Finally, please pray for our Bishop Frank, who as our prayerful shepherd was open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and our Blessed Mother Mary to cast his vision in just one more direction for the future of St Joseph School. He is deeply committed to Catholic education and desires so deeply to allow it to grow and thrive.

Our journey of realizing and fulfilling our motto, " Education in the context of Faith is Wisdom" continues.  With the help of St Joseph Church's prayers and continued support, we believe that St Joseph School, which has been serving our community for 60 years, will continue to serve Brookfield and the surrounding years for many years to come.

God's continued blessings on us all.

Fr O'Neill

Sunday March 18 

12noon until 3:30pm 

The Second Annual San Giuseppe Festival

HELP!!!!!!!!

SIGN UPS FOR COMMITTEES WILL continue  THIS WEEK AFTER MASSES

S aints Perpetua and Felicity's Story

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Reflection

Let us pray for those in our parish who were recently welcomed through 

the Sacrament of Baptism

Skyler Elizabeth Candela

and

James Vincent Candela

May their lifetime journey in faith sustain them and light their way.

Let us pray for those in our parish who have entered into their eternal rest...

Carol Ronan

May he rest in peace.

Let us celebrate with great joy those within our parish who have recently joined hearts and hands in the most sacred union of Holy Matrimony.

May God continue to bless them and keep them in his watchful care for the rest of their lives as the two of them became one in their new seamless union of love.