All Confirmation Candidates: Sunday, January 11 at 2 p.m.

St. John Paul’s Theology of the Body:  For High School Youth and all Confirmation Candidates, and Middle School (grades 7 & 8):  Sunday, January 11 (2 p.m.-4:50 p.m.) in the Parish Activities Center

In  1979, Pope John Paul II begin a series of Wednesday audiences about the Catholic vision of the human person and love between spouses.  133 Wednesdays later, the Pope had completed a well developed but not quite yet understood philosophy on a sacramental view of all of life, especially relationships.  30 years later, the world has begun to revisit what is now considered a masterpiece where matter, creation, the body, everything in the universe is a metaphor for communicating something about God.  Our relationships reflect the love of a personal God for us and not simply a legal view of rules.  The theology of the body, matter and spirit, created and valued by God, is a beautiful Catholic vision of life.

We will be exploring this masterpiece , John Paul’s Theology of the Body, especially for 8th grade and High School Youth.  This workshop is diocesan led.  All Confirmation candidates, please set aside:

Sunday, January 11

2 p.m.—4:50 p.m.  (all Confirmation Candidates)

(High School youth are invited for the 3p.m.-4 p.m. talk)

In the Parish Activities Center (PAC)

For more information, please contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or 734-476-5640 (cell).

Have a Joyous Christmas!

Thank you for the many blessings you have given this year through your kind words, mighty deeds, and loving commitment to sharing and living out your faith with the St. Francis of Assisi Parish community.  Have a blessed Advent and Joyous Christmas!

St. Nick and Homemade Donuts: Sunday, December 21

If your plans include attending the 8:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Masses on Sunday, December 21, then stop by the Parish Activities Center (PAC) for:

A Visit from St. Nicholas (with a small gift for the children)

and homemade donuts, courtesy of John and Cici Miller (our bakers)

A Blessed Advent!

St. Nicholas this morning after the 8:30 a.m. Mass!

Important Religious Education Class & Sacramental Dates

Sacramental Dates (for Religious Education & St. Francis school children):

Upcoming Confirmation (8th grade) meetings:  Sunday, September 21 at 3 p.m. or Wednesday, September 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Activities Center (PAC)

The Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation:  Sunday, June 7 at 2:30 p.m.

Upcoming First Reconciliation parent & child meeting:  Sunday, October 5 at 3 p.m. or Wednesday, October 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Activities Center (PAC).

The Celebration of First Reconciliation (also called Confession or Penance):  Saturdays, January 10 & 17 ( 9 a.m.-12 noon)

The Celebration of First Holy Eucharist (Communion):  Saturday/Sunday, April 25/26

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RE Class Dates:

Family Religious Education Sunday A 2014-15 dates are: 
September 21, October 5 & 19, November 2 & 16, December 7, January 4 & 18, February 1 (& 15), March (1 & 15) & 29, April 12, and May 3.

Sunday Preschool 10:30 a.m. classes begin September 21.

Toddlers & 2s (nursery, during the 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses) begin Sunday, September 21.

Family Religious Education Sunday B 2014-15 dates are: 
September 28, October 12 & 26, November 9 & 23, December 7, January 11 & 25, February 8 (& 22), March 8 & 22 & 29 April 19, and May 3.

Monday 4:30 p.m. RE classes begin September 29 with a parent and child gathering in the Parish Activities Center (PAC)

Wednesday 6:30 p.m. RE classes begin October 1 with a parent and child gathering in the PAC.

Confirmation (8th grade) Meeting, September 21 & 24, & Retreat

Youth preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring of 2015:

1. Youth, parents, and (sponsors, if available):  Plan on attending one of the following Confirmation meetings:  Sunday, September 21 at 3 p.m. or Wednesday, September 24 at 6: 30 p.m. in the PAC.

2.  Sign up now on-line with credit card payment for either the (Friday-Sunday) October 10-14 or November 14-16, 2014 retreat!

2.  If you have not already done so, download, fill out, and return the 2014-15 Confirmation Registration Form to the RE office (or fax at 734-821-2102 or email at stfreled@stfrancisa2.org)

2.  Work on your service hours!  (Recorded 10 hours due ASAP; 20 hours due by September; and a total of 30 hours by January 2015).  Fill out and return service hour forms as you complete them.

3. For youth not attending St. Francis school, please register now for 2014-15 Religious Education classes.

(High School youth desiring to prepare for Confirmation, please register for classes on-line at the link above).

For youth, (not attending St. Francis school,) entering 8th grade, St. Francis offers 3 choices for classes:

1) Wednesday weekly classes meeting from 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m. beginning October 1.

2) Sunday A classes, meeting twice monthly from 10:20 a.m.-12:10 p.m. beginning September 21. (Family Religious Education Sunday A 2014-15 dates are:
September 21, October 5 & 19, November 2 & 16, December 7, January 4 & 18, February 1 (& 15), March (1 & 15) & 29, April 12, and May 3).

3) New this year, Confirmation Spirit Sessions meet once a month on Sundays from 2 p.m.--4:50 p.m.  These monthly youth convocations offer presentation on the faith, discussion, outside speakers, and worship experiences.
Sunday dates for the 2014-15 Confirmation Spirit Sessions are:   September 28, October 26, November 23, December 7, January 11, February 8, March 8, April 19, and May 3.

For information, please contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or call 734-821-2132.

Mary on Tuesdays beginning August 12

For Adults:

Explore & Enjoy the Study of Mary in our St. Francis parish:

Home-Brewed Theology on Tap on Tuesdays, August 12, 19, and 26  

7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. in the St. Francis Parish Activity Center (PAC).

In this three part series, through presentation and discussions, we’ll be looking at 1) Mary in Scripture;  2) Mary as image of the Church;  and 3) Mary as Model of Faith, Hope, and Love and Mother of Believers. 

As part of a “home-brewed” theology on tap, we’ll have wine spritzers and cheese, beer and chips (along with various sodas and juice).  A free will donation is appreciated at he door.

This 3 part series is led by Ellen Ward, (MAPS Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit).

For information, please contact Marty Lucas at mlucas@stfrancisa2.org or 734-821-2125.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) with MOSES

Thank you to all those who participated during VBS this past July 21-25!  Your good deeds, kindness, and presence were greatly appreciated!  VBS 2014 stats are:  265 PreK-5 children and 17 tots in the nursery; plus 76 middle school youth and 63 High School Youth volunteers (leaders and helpers); and 43 young adults and adults!  Enjoy the pictures and take the Moses quiz!  Answers are given at the end of this post!

 Q1. Why did the king of Egypt put the children of Israel into bondage:  a) He hated Jacob and all of his family;  b)  He wanted to show the children of Israel that his gods were more powerful than the God of Israel ; c) He wanted to keep them from multiplying; he feared that they could overtake the Egyptians.

Q2. To what tribe did Moses belong? a) Judah; b) Benjamin; c) Levi.

Q3. Who found and claimed the baby Moses, drawing him from the waters of the Nile?  a) Pharaoh’s daughter; b) Pharaoh himself; c) Pharaoh’s wife

Q4. Who is the sister of Moses? a) Ruth; b) Naomi; c) Miriam.

Q5. Who is the brother of Moses? a) Aaron; b) Joshua; c) Nadab.

Q6. Where did God speak to Moses for the first time? a) Near the Nile River; b) At a burning bush; c) Giza.

Q7. When Moses asked about God’s name, what response did God give (Exodus 3:14)? a) God; b) “I AM”; c) AdonaiQ8. What is the number of plagues? a) Six; b) Twelve; c) Ten;   Bonus:  Name the plagues!

Q9. Through which body of water did the children of Israel pass safely? a) The Red Sea; b) The Sea of Galilee; c) The Nile River.

Q10. What was the name given to the fine, white, flaky substance, provided in the desert, that was like coriander seed, and tasted like wafers made with honey? a) Cumin; b) Manna; c) Rue.

 Q11. How many commandments were given by God? a) Seven; b) Ten; c) Fourteen;   Bonus:  Name the Commandments!

Q12. Moses was not able to enter the promise land.  Who was Moses’ successor? a) Joshua; b) Caleb; c) Aaron.

For more picture, click here...

God bless you!  Ellen Ward & Carol Fedewa

QUIZ ANSWERS:  MOSES (Take the Moses quiz on the VBS page)

“Since then no prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders the LORD sent him to perform in the land of Egypt (Dt 34:10)” 

Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain...Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.  A bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.  Listen to him! (Matthew 17: 1-5)”

Answers:  1c;  2c; 3a; 4c; 5a; 6b; 7b; 8c bonus: water into blood, frogs, lice, flies, diseased cattle, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, death of firstborn; 9a; 10b; 11b bonus:  No other gods except the Lord God; Do not take the Lord’s name in vain; Keep holy the Sabbath; Honor your mother and father; Do not kill; Do not commit adultery; Do not steal; Do not bear false witness against your neighbor (Do not lie); Do not covet your neighbor’s wife; Do not covet your neighbor’s goods; 12a.