This year, we doing CFF in a whole new way. Not only are we meeting over Zoom, we're meeting every other week. And amazingly attendance has been better than ever before! Catechists have learned how to deliver lessons online and doorkeepers have learned a new technology. Children and youth are continuing to adjust to this new classroom environment. And parents have dug deep to find reservoirs of creativity and tenacity in the face of so much change and uncertainty. Surely signs of God's grace in our midst.

To make sure that your children get the most out of this Faith Formation year, please, if at all possible, engage with the lesson material before class. Below, you will find the chapter/pamphlet/other material that will be the foundation of next week's lesson, the lesson for November 22/24. If this just isn't the time to add one more thing to your to do list, of course your child is still welcome to join the class! However, the lesson might be that much more meaningful if you and your child are able to look at the materials ahead of time.

Thanks for your perseverance and patience in all of this!

November 22 - all classes except High School Confirmation

November 24 - High School Confirmation

December 6 - all classes except High School Confirmation

December 8 - High School Confirmation

December 15 - High School Confirmation (this is correct)

December 20 - all classes except High School Confirmation

The Winter 2021 Zoom calendar will be released in December.

Reflect upon your gifts and talents. Which ones are you using fully? Are there any that you aren’t using; and if so, why not?

In the midst of the pandemic and political situation in the country, what are your fears and concerns? Do you feel that you are holding back on any gifts and talents out of fear?

Then, read this Sunday's Gospel, the parable of the talents: Mattthew 25: 14-30

I was born in Italy in 1850. As a little girl, I wanted to go to China as a missionary. But when I grew up and became a religious sister, the Pope sent me to New York City instead! In the United States, I worked hard for the next 35 years. I founded schools and hospitals and orphanages and convents. Sometimes my work was very difficult, but then I prayed to God and he gave me the strength I needed to keep going. I came to Seattle in 1903 and it was here that I became a United States citizen. I often prayed in St. James Cathedral, built by my friend Bishop O'Dea.

Mother Cabrini's Feast Day is November 13. Learn more about her here.

Keeping our gaze fixed on the poor is difficult, but more necessary than ever if we are to give proper direction to our personal life and the life of society. It is not a matter of fine words but of a concrete commitment inspired by divine charity. Each year, on the World Day of the Poor, I reiterate this basic truth in the life of the Church, for the poor are and always will be with us to help us welcome Christ’s presence into our daily lives (cf. Jn 12:8)

Pope Francis in his message for the 4th World Day of the Poor, November 15, 2020.

Read this five paragraph article.

Explore pamphlets 3 & 4. Be sure to have someone help you with the back pages!

Choose one section of this short article to read.

Explore pamphlets 5 & 6. Be sure to have someone help you with the back pages!

Take a look at this page from the publisher.

Explore the Advent and Christmas mini-chapters at the back of the book.

Take a look at this page from the publisher: Grade 4, Grade 5.

Explore Chapter 8 and the mini-chapter on All Saints at the back of the book.

Choose one of these videos to watch.

Read the interviews on the color pages 25-32 in your Breakthrough! Bible.

Take a look at this page from the publisher.

Read the first three paragraphs of this.

Explore yellow pamphlet 5. Be sure to look up the Bible story on page 1459, too!

Read this one-page document about Chapter 3

Send an *annotated* copy of your child's baptism to me as soon as possible. If your child was baptized at St James, call Margaret at 206/382-4288 and ask her to put a copy in my box.

Choose up to two sponsors. This prayer can help you do that.

Holy Spirit, helper and guide,

give me wisdom as I choose my Confirmation sponsor.

Help me to choose a person of prayer

who will teach me also to be a person of prayer

who will support me in difficult times,

who will guide me to make good choices,

and who will challenge me when I do not.

Help me to choose someone who will love me and teach me to love Jesus.

Thank you for giving me a community of people around me to support and

guide me as I take this important step in becoming more fully a member of

your Church.