Like many seasons and holy days that the church gives to us throughout the year, in November we are asked to honor and pray for those who have died and gone before us. There are a number of reasons why this is important for us and I will try to give a simplified one here.

We start off the month by celebrating All Saints Day (All Hallow’s Day) on November 1st. Not just another “typical daily” Mass celebration, but one that has been categorized as being a solemnity, to be celebrated with great reverence as it should be treated like a Sunday Mass with all its glory. Thus, it is also categorized as a holy day of obligation, a day in which we are obliged or expected to attend Mass, as there will be the full set of readings and the Mass will be accompanied with the full set of music throughout.

Why should such a day like this be so important when we celebrate different days throughout the year for many of our saints already? It’s because we understand and believe that there are many more of our brothers and sisters who have gone before us who are already waiting for us in our Lord’s Kingdom. And not just the saints we know by name, but many more unnamed saints who we may not be aware of. Note that even the calendar we use today has seen modifications made to it by the Church shifting saints around so that other saints could have a turn at being honored. Amazing!

Now the day after All Saints Day, we celebrate All Souls Day, where we are called to pray for all those who have gone before us, those who are still on their way to joining the saints in our Lord’s Kingdom in purgatory. This is the “place” where souls who are destined for heaven continue to be purified so that any remaining stain of sin on their souls can be removed and they can enter through those pearly gates where the saints and our Lord, Jesus, waits for them with joyful expectation! You can believe that!

And for us who remain, our duty is to continue to pray for those who have died but also to strive to live as saints here in this world, battling against the evil one and his minions, while lifting each other to Jesus.

This is an exciting month for all of us, dear brothers and sisters, as we are called to live as saints today in this world. To call upon those already in heaven, for their intercessions on our behalf, as we battle the evil one and his minions while lifting up in prayer our beloved dead and those who have no one to pray for them to heaven.

May Your Kingdom come and may the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.

All you holy men and women, saints of God, pray for us!

-Fr Peter

Reminder that our Sunday Faith Formation Program has begun! The first official class begins this Sunday after the 9:30am Mass in the Parish Center.

For students in Kindergarten through Confirmation (8th grade and older).

An adults segment will also be held simultaneously as the younger students and is strongly encouraged for FF parents and any adults who would like to continue to learn more about our Catholic faith.

Click here for more information and to download the registration forms and this year's calendar.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) begins this November 8th.

Do you, or someone you know, wish to join the Catholic Church and/or receive the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist for the first time as an adult or learn more about your Catholic Faith? Preparation for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults begins on November 8th.

Any adults who wish to deepen their Catholic faith are invited to join as well. A wonderful time to come together and ask questions to deepen your understanding of the faith.

Registration forms can be found here, on our website, or in the back of church. Contact Kay Mottaz at 651-842-6022 or email her at kmottaz@presentationofmary.org with any questions.

The Giving Tree is a Presentation of Mary ministry designed to help make Christmas special for those in need. We are honored to be able to offer this assistance again this year. Gift suggestions will be hung on our Giving Tree in the Kennard Street entrance beginning later this month. If you need assistance or you know of a school or parish family or an individual who needs assistance with Christmas gifts, please contact Kay Mottaz at 651-842-6022 or kmottaz@presentationofmary.org. Forms for families to fill out are available in the Kennard Street entrance and can be placed in the collection basket. All inquiries and requests are held strictly confidential and due for submission by November 15th.

 Ministry Highlight:

In September of 2015, the Presentation of Mary CCW was formed. Their mission is to provide a channel through which the women of Presentation of Mary can positively impact our parish and greater community. Central to their activities are the integration of three key pillars – Service, Social, and Spiritual. Their work has included: funding parish and community needs such as donating a new Lectionary to Father Peter for the church, hosting parish social events such as the annual Holiday Boutique, donating time and food to various community events, and coordinating Christmas giving projects and community service events. Meetings are held the first Thursday of each month from September-June at 6:30pm in the Conference Room of the Parish Center.

How Do I Join CCW? If you would like to join or have questions or need additional information about any aspect of CCW you may reach out to one of our members or send an email to: CCW@presentationofmary.org

To all men of Presentation: bring your concerns, cares, and ideas for Presentation School and Church to the next Men's Club meeting on November 7th. Meet in the garage behind the house at 2010 Sherwood Ave.

Presentation of Mary CCW is hosting a Holiday Boutique on Saturday, November 12th in the School Gym from 9:00am-2:00pm. Stop by to peruse craft and vendor booths. Breakfast and lunch will also be available for purchase. Interested in being a vendor? Registration forms can be found in the back of church as well as on our website at https://presentationofmary.org/ccw-holidayboutique/.

The Men's Club still has some Mini-Cad Raffle Tickets available for $50 each! The raffle drawing will be held Saturday, November 12th after the 5pm Mass during a social hour in Kenney Hall. Appetizers will be served and there is a $10 cost - RSVP required. Contact a Men's Club member or President Tim Kleiter at 651-428-1172 for more information or to RSVP.

Celebrate our Parish Feast Day in Kenney Hall after the 9:30am Mass on Sunday, November 13th with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Knights of Columbus. Tickets for breakfast can be purchased the day of, cash or check accepted.

Please mark your calendar for Saturday, November 19th for Turkey Bingo hosted by the Presentation Men's Club. Food will be served from 6-7pm and Bingo will run from

7-10pm in the School Gym. Pick up a flyer with coupon attached in the Kennard Street Entrance!

On Saturday, December 3rd, from 8:00 am—1:00 pm in Kenney Hall, Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the American Red Cross are hosting a blood drive. Please join our mission and schedule an appointment today! To make an appointment, visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/ or call Barb Swanson at 651-395-0453.

Appointments only. No walk-ins.

Daylight Savings ends on Sunday. Don't forget to set your clocks back on Sunday, November 6th!

All school and church events can be found on our live online calendar here - make sure to check it out to stay up to date on all the amazing things taking place around campus!

We need help covering Extended Care on the following dates: Friday Dec 2 in the AM & Monday Dec 5 in the AM. Please contact the school office at 651-777-5877 if you are able to help.

Please join us to learn more about our wonderful Preschool, Kindergarten, and Middle School Programs. Preschool/Kindergarten Information night is Wednesday, November 30th at 6:30pm and Middle School Information Night is Tuesday, December 6th at 6:30pm. Spread the word to your family and friends, we love meeting new people!

RSVP at https://presentationofmaryschool.org/information-nights/.

What an amazing evening of sheer fun! The excitement and energy these kids exhibited was a joy to behold. First, I'd like to thank Fr. Peter and Principal Lovegreen for their support of this Halloween celebration. Next, I'd like to thank the 30-plus people who made this event possible: parish/school staff, volunteers who signed up, volunteers who spontaneously lent their support, and those talented haunted house creators (our middle school students). Lastly, I'd like to thank all the parents/adults who brought their children to this party. I hope your family enjoyed themselves. Ultimately, this event could not have happened without both the volunteers and our families who attended. What a wonderful opportunity to showcase the warm and welcoming Presentation school community, which frankly knows how to have ALOT fun together. Please be on the lookout for future family-friendly events!!

-Vicky Boros, Parent volunteer

A note from the school: We want to extend a big THANK YOU to Vicky as well. Pulling this all together is no small job and she did a wonderful job of it.

We appreciate you Vikcy!

Do you or someone you know have an interest in being a substitute teacher at our school? We would love to have you! Anyone that's interested should contact Principal Sue Lovegreen at slovegreen@presentationofmary.org or 651-842-6032 to inquire.

Every time you save, share, comment, or like one of our posts or stories, more people get to see the great things happening at Presentation. So next time you're scrolling, make sure you take a second to interact with our posts and help us spread our community's story even further!

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Do you know anyone looking for a welcoming community and an excellent academic environment for their children? Presentation of Mary School welcomes children from infancy through eighth grade. Visit our website at presentationofmaryschool.org for more information.

The Loaves & Fishes Ministry provides hearty and nourishing meals to those in need at Dorothy Day. Contact the parish office if you would like to learn more about donating or volunteering with this ministry.

Protection of Youth: All employees, and volunteers who interact with minors, are required to complete and maintain safe environment credentials (E3) through the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. To ensure successful completion of these requirements or if you have any questions regarding our safe environment practices or would like more information on what is needed to volunteer, please contact our Safe Environment Coordinator: Kay Mottaz @ 651-842-6022 or email kmottaz@presentationofmary.org.

To learn more about reporting suspected abuse, please also visit: www.safe-environment.archspm.org/report-abuse/Report.