Religious Education Newsletter
March 2023
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Message from the Director
Jessie Adrians, Director of Religious Education
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So when he had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you?You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.
Jn 13:12-15
Do you have a favorite day of the year? If asked, my guess is many people may identify special holidays where we gather to celebrate with family like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Others may list their birthday, and I have a sneaking suspicion that anyone ages 5-18 might say that their favorite time of the year is June, July, and August when school is out for summer.
And while I enjoy the special family holidays that the calendar has to offer, my absolutely favorite day of the year is three days long. Confused yet? I am talking about a tiny slice in the liturgical calendar that is known as the Easter Triduum. The summit of the liturgical year, the Triduum, starts the evening of Holy Thursday with celebration of the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, is followed by Good Friday which leads into the great Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday. The Triduum officially ends when our stomachs are full of jelly beans and chocolate on the evening of Easter Sunday.
And although I know that Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday are all one celebration, I do have a favorite "day." My favorite part of the Triduum by far is Holy Thursday. On Holy Thursday, not only do we recall the institution of the Eucharist, the priest also washes the feet of members of the congregation just as Jesus did for his disciples at the Last Supper. The foot washing symbolizes our call to serve others by dying to ourselves just as Jesus did as he willingly gave his life for us on the cross.
And while I am all about dying to myself in theory, it is much more challenging to do in practice. I came across such a challenge recently on a Monday evening. Andrew and I signed up to help deliver Easter flowers to parishioners who are residents at local nursing homes. On the day we were to deliver the flowers I was stressed to the max. I had a very busy weekend of ministry and in addition to that, there were several other factors eating away at my time: including grocery shopping so we would not starve and making sure Andrew made it to various appointments. When I picked Andrew up from school to deliver the flowers, I was not in the most charitable of moods and in my mind I was trying to calculate how much time I would have to check off all the boxes on my to-do list while delivering flowers to three different residents at two different locations.
It didn’t help matters that when we arrived at our first destination, we spent 25 minutes wandering a maze of hallways based on three different sets of directions, all of them leading us back to where we began. With the guidance of a very kind and helpful nurse, we finally found the person we were to visit first resting in a chair. My little six year old son wasted no time saying hello and sharing with her the amazing news that he had compasses built into his shoes. As he talked, she also shared a little bit about herself, and we discovered she was an excellent seamstress and a Marquette graduate. As we talked her face lit up in a smile with each random comment Andrew made and our time flew by. We said goodbye after saying a prayer together and we were off to our next destination.
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What followed is what I can only describe as the work of the Holy Spirit. Andrew and I were blessed to spend time with some amazing people and to make new friends. Whatever I had been stressed about before melted into the background and didn't seem to matter anymore .
At our second stop Andrew got to play with a cat to the delight of its owner and at our final destination we had the pleasure of visiting with a man who was not only a veteran but a former English teacher and a UW Madison grad. As we spoke with him, he pointed out a printed sign on his closet that said, “Don’t fall, call.” and told us the story of a couple incidents he had. He finished with, “You and the nurse are the only three people who know that happened beside me.” Sensing his fear and sadness, Andrew moved forward and patted him on the arm. We ended our time by praying together before we went our separate ways for dinner. As we pulled out of the parking lot Andrew commented, “Mama, I liked visiting our friend. We should visit him every week, not just for Easter.” My eyes filled with tears as I replied that I thought that was a good idea and that I’d look into the possibility of visiting our new friend more often.
Later that evening, I reflected on the day in prayer and thanked God for the many ways he patiently continues to teach and guide me each day, often through the words and actions of others, particularly my son. Lent is a time for repentance and renewal and the Lenten experience culminates in the celebration of the Triduum where we walk with Christ through his passion, death and resurrection, also known as the Paschal Mystery. The Paschal Mystery is a “church phrase” that is basically the process of dying and rising, death and new life.
However, if we only live the Paschal Mystery during the Triduum or even during all of Lent, we completely miss the point. The Paschal Mystery is all around us every day, and every day Jesus is calling us to follow him in dying to ourselves by loving and serving others and turning away from sin to bring new life to the world, not in some far distant past or future but RIGHT NOW. And even though I am the one with a masters in theology, Andrew understands this much better than me because his open and loving heart reflects the open and loving heart of Jesus.
As we approach Holy Week (April 2nd-April 9th) I would like to invite your family to join Andrew in I in walking with Jesus through his passion, death, and into his glorious resurrection. There are many ways to do this as a family, but here are three simple suggestions:
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Pray: Attend 1 (or all 3) of the Easter Triduum Liturgies. The liturgies are full of sights and sounds that engage youth of all ages. After attending, talk about the readings and what Jesus was trying to teach us about following him in each. Click here for the schedule of the Triduum Liturgies at St. Raphael.
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Serve: As a family sit down to talk about an act of service you have done during Lent. Then read Jn 13:12-16 and talk about how Jesus calls each of us to serve not only during Lent, but all year. Talk about a way your family could give time to others.
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Celebrate: If you are looking for ways to bring the Holy Week liturgies alive in your own home, click here for some suggestions for celebrating Holy Week at home that engage kids and also help them understand how to live out the Paschal Mystery throughout the entire church year.
However your family plans to observe the Easter Triduum, please know Josh, Andrew and I are praying for you. Please pray for us!
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Jessie Adrians
Director of Religious Education
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Family Outreach
Kathy Baehman, Youth Ministry Assistant & Family Outreach Coordinator
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The Easter Season
Did you know that Easter is not just one day? For Catholics, the Easter season lasts for 50 days.The Easter season comes after Lent and Holy Week are finished. Easter Sunday marks the beginning of the Easter season. Easter is our biggest celebration because we are remembering that Jesus died and rose again.
After the Resurrection, Jesus ascended into Heaven. Easter Sunday is considered the greatest of all Sundays in our church year. It is a season full of hope and happiness because Jesus rose from the dead and conquered sin, following God’s plan for us.
The name Easter comes from the Old English word for “East” because the sun rises in the East. The sun brings us light and warmth, which is a symbol of Jesus, the light of the world. A special candle is lit all throughout the Easter Season in the church. This candle is called the Paschal Candle. This special candle has been used for a long time since the early Christians began their evening prayers by lighting a candle. This candle also reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world and will always be with us.
Easter is a sign of new life and hope. Easter is also a time when we welcome new members into our parish family in a special way. We have 5 Children who will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil this year. Please join me in praying for them as they continue their faith journeys that they open their hearts to Jesus’ unending love for them.
Adrian Paez Lana Kelley Maia Kelley Autumn Merrick Vanessa Johnson
Know of my prayers for you and your families!
Kathy Baehman
Family Outreach Coordinator
Youth Ministry Assistant
kathy.baehman@raphael.org
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Sunday School
Gwendolyn Larsen, Sunday School Coordinator
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Hello Families!
I can't believe it's already mid-March! I hope you are all doing well. This month we have been talking about St. Patrick and his influence in spreading Christianity to Ireland. We also talked about the Holy Trinity, using a shamrock to help us understand 3 Persons in one God.
We will be talking about Jesus's last days in preparation for Easter coming soon. We will talk about the last supper, Jesus' journey with the cross and His sacrifice of His life so that we one day be with Him in Heaven.
How is your Lenten journey going? What are some ways you can prepare yourself and your family for Easter coming soon?
As we are getting close to the end of the school year, we are finishing up our Holy Alphabet books. I am excited to be able to share these religious books with the students' families very soon!
Have a wonderful day,
Gwendolyn Larsen
(gwendolyn.larsen@raphael.org)
Sunday School Coordinator PK/K
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Elementary School
Jenifer Jensen, Elementary School Coordinator
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God’s LOVE,GRACE, and MERCY
endures FOREVER!
Kiddos can often wonder, “Do I deserve this?“ They feel wronged or confused after receiving “unjust” or “unfair” treatment. On the other hand, they can become overwhelmed when they receive that undeserved favor that is clearly not earned.
Children love fairness, but the Lord’s grace and mercy are certainly not based on “fairness.” It is our responsibility to help our youth grasp God’s mercy and then to live out God’s grace bringing that much desired unconditional love.
Just how do we do that? Living out the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy is a fantastic start! I traveled to the classrooms these past couple of weeks of Lent to demonstrate how most kiddos are already living out these Works of Mercy in their everyday life, yes, I said everyday life. An example I gave was having students raise their hands if they help set table or prepare dinner at home. As the hands went up, I said with excitement, “ Look! You are Feeding the Hungry, a Corporal Work of Mercy. And you didn’t even know it!”. Then I asked for hands raised once again to show me how many prayed for someone that has recently passed away or has been sick. As the hands went up, I said with excitement again, “ Look! You are Praying for the Living and Dead, a Spiritual Work of Mercy. And you didn’t even know it!”. The rooms lit up with smiles of pride.
This demonstrated to me how much children need meaningful, shared-life relationships. I know I have stated it before, but these children of yours truly love to help others. When that can happen, God’s love, grace, and mercy is so visible and truly endures forever!♥
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Middle & High School Youth Ministry
Michael Wilms, Youth Ministry & MS/HS RE
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Praise the Lord!...Now and forever!!
The Lord is near! This week we celebrate Palm Sunday, a day when we welcome Christ into (Jerusalem) and into our lives as King. Less than a week after recognizing Jesus as Lord, we see him on the cross, abandoned, scourged and alone. In life there can be a temptation to follow Jesus when things are good, when everything’s going well and we “feel” His presence. When the times of hardship come, when we are burdened with our own cross it can be easy to step aside to focus on our own life, our own wounds. Putting Christ aside to take care of ourselves first, coming back to Him when it’s convenient.
As we close in on the last month of RE for the year, it can be easy to put God aside as our lives fill up with the next thing. We anticipate the freedom of summer and hopefully lighter schedules so we can finally have some “me” time. But, just like on Good Friday, the story doesn’t end here. We are invited to return to the Lord, receive His Victorious Love and participate in life in a more profound way on the road to Heaven. Have courage, the apostles weren’t perfect, several times they chose themselves or their problems over God. However, 11 of the 12 came back to Him, where they found the Risen Jesus with arms wide open ready to receive His dear children.
Yes, we wrap up Lent this week, but our deepened relationship with God doesn’t stop there. Rather, let it be the groundwork for a new life with Christ. If you had a rough Lent, or felt like you failed or didn’t make much progress, know that the Apostles too felt like that at times. How did they respond? With contrition and trust in the Lord. How will you respond, and how will you let the Lord transform you with His Victorious Love? Step one, ask, open the door to your heart and let Him in. He doesn’t care about the clutter. What He sees is His beloved, one who was fearfully and wonderfully made.
Upcoming Events and Retreats:
April 21-23: TEC Retreat. Join us and other youth from the Diocese as we go on this awesome retreat that uses witness, small groups, food and prayer to help us grow in our faith. https://anchorofhopetec.org/events/
April 21-23: Youth 2000 Retreat. Check out this awesome retreat (not overnight) hosted in Menasha with the CFR’s (Fransican Friars from New York) leading the retreat. Centered on the Eucharist, this is a great way to follow the Bishop’s invitation to go deeper in our Love for God. Open to participants 13-25 and chaperones. https://faithbringsmiracles.com/events/
June 11-14th: Love Begins Here (De Pere): Open to all middle schoolers (those who will be entering 6th grade to those who just completed 8th). Last year we had an amazing time hosting LBH! This year we will be traveling to De Pere for the first option of LBH this summer. St Raphael has reserved 20 spots, open on a first come, first serve basis. (Other dates are available if unable to attend this week) https://www.gbresources.org/lovebeginshere.html
Blessed Carlo Acutis…Pray for us!
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Michael Wilms (michael.wilms@raphael.org)
Youth Minister/Faith Formation
Grades 6-12
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Some content in this section may be from FORMED, a Catholic content digital platform that provides 24/7 access to video-based study programs, feature films, audio presentations, and eBooks. St. Raphael has a parish-wide subscription, so sign up for your FREE account by visiting formed.org/signup and searching for St. Raphael the Archangel in Oshkosh, WI.
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Formed video
Join Brother Francis as he celebrates the power and splendor of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in this moving and instructive animated presentation!
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Youtube
Brother Casey walks us through the “greatest show on earth”: Holy Week.
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Youtube
Holy Week is the biggest week of the Catholic liturgical year so we have a few tips on how to make it count. Drew and Katie Taylor share their favorite ways to celebrate Holy Week.
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Check the youth page on the St. Raphael website for calendar updates.
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Religious Education
920 233 8044
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