October 3, 2019
In this Issue

Change in class location this weekend
Class schedule for coming weeks
Junior High Update
El Rancho Festival this Saturday
Family Mass Oct 13
SJND Open House Oct 20
Sacrament Preparation news
"Gospel At Home" resource
Faith Formation for children with special needs
Formation opportunities for adults
Safety Information
Parish News
Classes in Marianist Hall This Sunday

On October 6, grades 1 through Jr High will meet in Marianist Hall, the high school building immediately behind the Basilica.  Use the entrance across the parking lot from the Elementary School.  PreK/Kindergarten meets in their usual room.  Classroom assignments are:  
 
FIRST FLOOR
PK/K :  Usual room (end of hall)
1st grade: 1st door on left (#106)
3rd grade : 2nd door on left (#105)
4th grade: end of hall, last door on left (#102)
 
SECOND FLOOR
5th grade: 1st door on left (#206)
Jr High: 2nd door on left (#205)

Please check with your child's catechists after class to see if they need help returning supplies to the Elementary School.  Remember NO FOOD OR DRINKS are permitted inside the school building.  Many thanks!    
Class Schedule for Coming Weeks

October 6        Class in Marianist Hall 
October 13      Regular class
October 20      Regular class
October 27      Regular class
November 3     Regular class.  Sacrament Preparation in Notre Dame Hall.
November 10   No class; Veterans Day holiday
November 17   Regular class.  Sacrament Preparation in Notre Dame Hall.
November 24   No class; AUSD Fall Break
December 1     No class; AUSD Fall Break

Classes are 10:45 to 11:45.  Your promptness is appreciated.  
Complete class schedule for Children's Faith Formation available on our parish website here, and for Sacrament Preparation available here.   

Junior High Update

A reminder that students for whom a permission form was submitted may sign themselves out at the end of class, but all students must still be signed in by an adult.  Thank you!

Our Junior High students are encouraged to participate in the 2019 Maryknoll Student Essay Contest on "Courageous Missionaries."  Details at www.MaryknollSociety.org/Essay.

Parent volunteers are needed at each class, since there must always be at least two adults present - and i t's fun to learn about our faith together!   Please consider joining us for at least one class this year.  You can use  the google doc to sign up for a class  here  or tell the catechist when you sign your child in.

El Rancho This Saturday

Don't miss out on the festival this Saturday (October 5) in St. Joseph Elementary School playground, from 11am to 7pm.  Kids' games, booths for all ages, international food, and raffle.  All funds support our parish school.  I hope to see you there!
St. Joseph Notre Dame High School Open House October 20

Families are invited to explore our parish's SJND High School campus, hear from current students and parents about their experience, attend information sessions, and much more!    For more information or to RSVP click www.sjnd.org/openhouse.
Sacrament Preparation

Returning second graders  and older students in their second year of preparation are reminded they can use the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies at home.  Most received the handbook on September 8, but many have not yet picked up the first set of Weeklies.  See me during CFF classes on Sundays, or contact me at afourre@sjbalameda.org to arrange to get them from the Parish Office. 

Our formal preparation begins with the 5pm Mass on Saturday October 26 followed by a potluck dinner in Notre Dame Hall, to which your whole family is invited.  Classes will be in Notre Dame Hall beginning Sunday November 3, with parents/guardians  teaching their children.  Details, including a sneak-peek at the guides the parents will be using each week, are available on our parish website at http://sjbalameda.org/page/guc/

The complete schedule is available here.
The Gospel at Home

The Gospel at Home from Pflaum's Gospel Weeklies provides a short description of each Sunday Gospel plus suggested activities and discussion starters for every age level. Enjoy easy-to-do ideas that can bring your family together to share what each member has learned about the Gospel that they heard on Sunday and studied in class.   The next two Sundays are available below; please let me know if this is a helpful tool you would like to receive regularly.

October 6 in English  or  Spanish
October 13 in English or Spanish
Family Mass October 13

Be sure to join us on October 13 for the Family Mass at 9:30.  Our new CIA: Christ in Action Performing Arts Ministry will make their debut, acting out the Gospel and joining with the Children's Choir for special music.   

Children are still welcome to join the Children's Choir (practice on Thursdays 4 to 5, information  here; or  CIA (p ractice on Tuesdays 4 to 5; information  here). 

More info on the monthly Family Mass available here.  If your family is interested in helping as readers or greeters please contact Tina at  teampetrich@gmail.com

Special Religious Education

Children's Faith Formation strives to accommodate special needs of children with developmental differences, but for some, a large classroom environment does not work.   For those who would benefit from spiritual formation designed especially for children with developmental disabilities, we're pleased to announce that a SPRED (Special Religious Education) group is forming at St. Barnabas for children age 6 to 10, starting October 17.  Download information here. 
 
Opportunities for Adults

Adult Confirmation classes start October 17.  Info here.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)  is available year-round for those who want to become Catholic or prepare for Reconciliation and Eucharist.  Info here .
Moms' Bible Study on Tuesday mornings.  Children welcome.  Info here.
Young Families Group for families with young children.  Info here.
Young Adult Group for those 20 to 39.  Info here.
 
Safety Information

Due to the large number of students and the busy parking lot, parents must sign their children into their classrooms before class each morning and sign them out at the end of class.  Junior high students may sign themselves out if the parent has signed a release. 
No food or beverages are allowed in the school building (Learning Center or classrooms), so please have your child finish any snacks before entering. 
More information here.
Parish News
View upcoming events on our website here, or better yet, sign up for the weekly Basilica E-News here.

If you do not wish to receive Faith Formation emails, please email me and I will remove you from this distribution list.  
Anne Marie Fourre, Director of Faith Formation
510-995-9409 | afourre@sjbalameda.org 
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