 |
|
St. Emily and St. Thomas Becket Parishes
October 2, 2018
|
|
Dear Families,
|
|
|
Second graders learn a lesson
about baptism.
|
Thanks for your cooperation in the dismissal and parking lot procedures. I think that everyone is getting the hang of it. Even if there are momentary delays or slight inconveniences, your help makes it as painless as possible for everyone.
 On
Thursday, October 4, the church celebrates the Feast of St. Francis. Fr. Presta will
bless any pets at 4:30 PM. Gather at the St. Emily statue in front of the church.
We would like to invite you to a Back-to-School night in Religious Ed on November 14. We will have 20 minute periods for you to observe what happens in your child's classroom (and enough time to circulate if you have more than one child.) We hope that you can join us and discover a bit more about what the kids are learning. Save the date!
October is also the Month of the Rosary. There will be a "Rosary Coast to Coast" event on October 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Fr. Rafal will lead the Rosary with hymns at 3:00 PM at St. Emily Church. Please join in the prayer!
|
In October, we will participate in the
annual Baby Bottle drive for Heather's House. Heather's House is about a mile to our east, on the Maryville campus. They provide support and short term housing for women in crisis pregnancies and after their child is born.
At the end of the month,
we'll also collect 'baby shower' items for Heather's House:
diapers (especially sizes 1,2,and 3), wipes (they are greatly in need of wipes in particular), baby clothing (especially 0-3 month clothing), pacifiers, teething rings, baby shampoo, diaper cream, onesies,and personal items for the mothers such as shampoo, conditioner, lotion, shower gel,etc.
You could also contribute a Wal Mart gift card.
I find that kids are enthusiastic about this project, as they like to help other kids.
|
Confirmation Program News
For candidates for Confirmation in 2019:
For candidates for Confirmation in 2020:
Your preparation will begin soon. There are orientation meetings on Thursday, October 11 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, October 13 at 9:30 AM. A parent must attend with the candidate.
An RSVP form was sent home last week.
|
Children's Choir Resumes
Begins this week - Wednesday, October 3
Your children are invited to join the St. Emily Children's Choir.
The choir will rehearse on Wednesdays at 5:15 PM in the school, beginning on October 3. This is a convenient time, right before our RE classes begin.
The sign up form and schedule for the year are here.
They sing at Sunday masses periodically through the year and also at Christmas. It is a wonderful opportunity for your child to learn music, be part of the parish music ministry and have fun, too!
For more information, contact Mary Caldrone, our parish Music Director.
|
Youth Ministry
Join in the fun
Middle School and High School
- Sunday, October 14 - 8th / 9th Grade Social Meeting. 7 to 8:30 PM in Hajdu Hall
- Sunday, October 21 - 6th / 7th Grade Social Meeting. 7 to 8:30 PM in Hajdu Hall
- November 3 - Pasta Dinner fundraiser
|
Join the St. Emily Women's Club
Meet friends and enjoy yourself
The St. Emily Women's Club is seeking new members. They have a full program of social, spiritual and service opportunities. It is a great chance to make new friends in the parish.
|
Living the Beatitudes
Small Steps Toward Holiness
Over the next weeks, I'll include a few thoughts from Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation,
Gaudete et Exsultate.
How do we take the small steps to becoming holy people?
To be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest or a religious. We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. That is not the case. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves. ... Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church. Do you work for a living? Be holy by labouring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain.
Let the grace of your baptism bear fruit in a path of holiness. Let everything be open to God; turn to him in every situation. Do not be dismayed, for the power of the Holy Spirit enables you to do this, and holiness, in the end, is the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life (cf. Gal 5:22-23). When you feel the temptation to dwell on your own weakness, raise your eyes to Christ crucified and say: "Lord, I am a poor sinner, but you can work the miracle of making me a little bit better". In the Church, holy yet made up of sinners, you will find everything you need to grow towards holiness. The Lord has bestowed on the Church the gifts of scripture, the sacraments, holy places, living communities, the witness of the saints and a multifaceted beauty that proceeds from God's love, "like a bride bedecked with jewels" (Is 61:10).
This holiness to which the Lord calls you will grow through small gestures. Here is an example: a woman goes shopping, she meets a neighbour and they begin to speak, and the gossip starts. But she says in her heart: "No, I will not speak badly of anyone". This is a step forward in holiness. Later, at home, one of her children wants to talk to her about his hopes and dreams, and even though she is tired, she sits down and listens with patience and love. That is another sacrifice that brings holiness. Later she experiences some anxiety, but recalling the love of the Virgin Mary, she takes her rosary and prays with faith. Yet another path of holiness. Later still, she goes out onto the street, encounters a poor person and stops to say a kind word to him. One more step. (#14-16)
|
- October 4 at 4:30 PM - Pet Blessing for the Feast of St. Francis. Fr. Presta will bless your pets. Gather at the St. Emily statue in the front of the church.
- October 11 and 13 - Confirmation Orientation Sessions for seventh graders and their parents. Details here.
- October 20 at 5:00 PM - Enrollment mass for candidates for confirmation in 2019, followed by a supper in Hajdu Hall.
- October 31 - No Class. As I said to the catechists, "We're not crazy."
- November 3 - Youth Ministry Pasta Dinner
- November 6 at 8:00 AM - Confirmation Pilgrimage for all students in the Confirmation 2019 group.
|
|
St. Emily Parish
Catherine Crino, DRE
847-299-5865
|
St. Thomas Becket Parish
Renata Sosin, CRE
847-296-9051
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
