Family Penance Service: Monday, March 16 at 5 p.m. in church

Monday, March 16 at 5 p.m. in church.  Celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation in a setting ideal for families with children and youth (grade 2 through teens)

Great Service Events for Middle School Youth: Sundays, March 8 & 15

Making Kits for the Homeless:  Sunday, March 8 at 6:15 p.m. in the PAC

All middle school youth are invited to help put together kits for the homeless on:

Sunday, March 8 at 6:15 p.m.
in the Parish Activities Center (PAC)

Please bring some or all of the items from the list below.  Items to be collected for care packages include:

Tooth brush
Tooth paste
small/trial size unopened soap
small/trial size shampoo  & conditioner
New socks in original packaging
hand sanitizer
foot powder
small/trial size lotion 

For more information, please please see our website at stfrancisa2.com/religious-education or contact Catherine Anderson at canderson@stfrancisaa.org or Andrew Kanitz at akanitz56@gmail.com or call the RE Office at 821-2130.  Sign up by showing up!

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The Stations of the Cross:  Sunday, March 15 at 6:15 p.m. in the PAC & Friday, March 20 at 7 p.m. in church

All middle school youth are invited to help with the stations of the cross on:
Sunday, March 15 at 6:15 p.m. in the Parish Activities Center (PAC)

Come help prepare the stations of the cross for presentation on Friday, March 20.  Middle School youth will be reading scripture and helping the younger children who will also have a part to read in the stations that Friday.  Youth work and volunteering to lead some of the stations all count for service hours.

On Friday, March 20 at 7 p.m. in church, join us as we pray the stations of the cross, led and presented by our youth and children of the parish.

For more information, please contact Catherine Anderson at canderson@stfrancisaa.org or Andrew Kanitz at akanitz56@gmail.com or for details on the stations activity and presentation, please contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org

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Thursday, March 12 Lenten Eve Prayer/Benediction, Dinner, & Talk

You are invited to:
 Lenten Evening Prayer with Benediction, Dinner, and a Talk on "How to Hear God's Voice" on:

Thursday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. (beginning in church).  

RSVP for dinner at ward@stfrancisa2.org with number attending.

Childcare is available.

Confirmation Meeting: March 11 & 15 for June 2015 Conferral

Confirmation Meeting for candidates (8th grade youth and older preparing for the conferral of the Holy Spirit this June) and their sponsors and parents

Confirmation candidates, sponsors (if available) and parents:   Please plan on attending one of the following meetings:

Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. or
Sunday, March 15 at 3 p.m.
in the Parish Activities Center (PAC).

The meeting includes a time of discussion with Fr. Tom/Fr. James, another look at the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of the candidate, activities on the Creed, information on the Mass with Presentation of Candidates, and sign up for interviews.  Mark your calendar for the Mass with presentation of candidates on Sunday, March 22 at 5 p.m. (please arrive at 4:30 p.m.)

Candidates:  Remember, to review the story of Pentecost and the main scriptures that reference the Holy Spirit as we presented at the last meeting.  Remember too that all of your Confirmation sponsor/candidate text chapters should be completed by the time of this meeting.  The Name Form (indicating the Name of your Saint/Holy person for Confirmation) is due by this meeting.  For information, please contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or call 734-821-2132.

Vacation Bible School: July 20-24, 2015

Set aside the week of July 20-24
for VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

What:  Vacation Bible School

Date:  Monday-Friday, July 20-24

Time:  9 a.m.-12 noon (longer on Friday for the picnic)

Who:  For children going in 2015/16 grades preK (4 yrs), and grades K through grade 5!

What:  The VBS Adventure for the summer of 2015 is  Son Spark Labs (a good mix of faith & science)

How:  Watch for Sign Up Forms in late May!

With:  Adult, High School and Middle School Volunteers!  We’ll need your help!  Please mark your calendars today!

Questions:  stfrancisa2.com (click on religious-education, then Vacation Bible School or contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or 734-821-2132.

How to Hear God's Voice: Thursday, March 12

Hearing God’s Voice on Thursday, March 12 from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.:  Enjoy the beauty of Lenten Evening Prayer with benediction (in church), followed by a simple, yet elegant dinner (in the PAC) accompanied by a talk on “Hearing God’s Voice” as described by some of the great Saints. 

We know that we should be lead by the Holy Spirit or listen to God’s voice.  Ever wonder what that voice is or how to discern the Holy Spirit in your life?  This workshop will explore the counsel of some of the great Saints and their stories of hearing God’s voice.  Their experience will prove beneficial to you as you seek to know God’s will for your life.

Child care is available.  RSVP at ward@stfrancisa2.org or 734-821-2130.

First Eucharist Preparation Meeting: March 22 & 25

The First Eucharist preparation meeting for parent and child is scheduled for (please plan on attending with your child one of the following meetings):

Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m.

or Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m.

in the Parish Activities Center (PAC)

Father James/Fr. Tom will speak to the children, the readiness interview will take place, and work will be done on the Communion banner.  Please contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or 734-821-2132 for questions.

Parent & Child First Eucharist Meeting: Sunday, March 1 & Monday, March 2

The first Eucharist parent and child preparation meeting is scheduled as follows:
(Parents, please plan on attending one of these meetings with your child).

Sunday, March 1 at 3 p.m. or
Monday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m.
in the Parish Activities Center (PAC)

The First Eucharist Registration Form handed out earlier is due by March 2.  Information on First Communion Masses and a participatory introduction to the Lord's supper will take place at this meeting.

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

Confirmation Meeting preparing for conferral this June: Wed, March 11 & Sun, March 15

Confirmation Meeting for candidates (8th grade youth and older preparing for the conferral of the Holy Spirit this June) and their sponsors and parents

Confirmation candidates, sponsors (if available) and parents:   Please plan on attending one of the following meetings:

Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30 p.m. or

Sunday, March 15 at 3 p.m.

in the Parish Activities Center (PAC).

The meeting includes a time of discussion with Fr. Tom/Fr. James, another look at the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of the candidate, activities on the Creed, information on the Mass with Presentation of Candidates, and sign up for interviews.  Mark your calendar for the Mass with presentation of candidates on Sunday, March 22 at 5 p.m. (please arrive at 4:30 p.m.)

Candidates:  Remember, to review the story of Pentecost and the main scriptures that reference the Holy Spirit as we presented at the last meeting.  Remember too that all of your Confirmation sponsor/candidate text chapters should be completed by the time of this meeting.  The Name Form (indicating the Name of your Saint/Holy person for Confirmation) is due by this meeting.  For information, please contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or call 734-821-2132.

Mardi Gras Sunday with Paczki this Sunday, February 15

If your plans include attending the 8:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Masses

 this Sunday, February 15, 

stop by the PAC afterwards and enjoy

 some Mardi Gras Paczki 

(over a dozen flavors)

freshly baked and driven in from Hamtrack!

Confirmation Meeting for those preparing for this June: Sunday, February 8 at 3 p.m. in the PAC

The rescheduled Confirmation meeting for youth (preparing for this June) and their parents and sponsors is this Sunday, February 8 at 3 p.m. in the Parish Activities Center (PAC).  The meeting will last a little over 1 1/2 hours.

Important Family Session A & B Information

Dear Family RE Session A & B parents,

A few notes and reminders:

1. We meet on February 8 for a combined A & B session.  As we normally do, families with children in grades preK-5 meet in the PAC and middle school youth in grades 6-7 meet in the music room with the 8th grade meeting in their normally scheduled rooms 7B & 8B. 

(The 8th grade Spirit Session meets in the PAC from 2 p.m.--3 p.m. and is the alternative to the morning Confirmation class.  The rescheduled Confirmation meeting will take place this evening, February 4 as originally scheduled, and this Sunday, February 8 at 3 p.m. in the PAC).

The adult session led by Billy Kangas, author and writer for Patheos, meets in the school music room at 11:20 a.m.  All adults are welcome.

2. Session A students generally meet in classrooms ending with A and Session B students generally meet in classrooms ending with B.  At 11:15 a.m. children proceed to their regularly assigned classrooms with three exceptions.

Three exceptions: 
1)  Sunday A grade K students who normally meet in the ESP room will meet in room 2A for Sunday, February 8 only.

2)  Sunday A & B preschool students will combine and all meet in the preschool room.

3) Sunday B grade 7 students who normally meet in the school library will meet in room 8A (located upstairs in the middle school, the elevator will be available for those unable to walk the chairs) for Sunday, February 8 only.  (Sunday A grade 2 continues to meet in the school library on Sunday, February 8).

BTW:   Don't forget, at our last Family RE session, the children in grades PreK-5, were asked to design a poster advertising, promoting, or encouraging others to know, experience, or follow Jesus, or the Faith, or God. (If youth in grades 6-8 also have posters, hand them in to me in the PAC).

Please encourage your child to complete this project and bring their finished work back on Sunday. Posters can be handed into to Ellen Ward in the PAC when you arrive.  We look forward to seeing you.

God bless you and keep you safe and warm!

Important Information for those Attending the Spirit Sessions

The Confirmation Spirit Session meets from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. in the Parish Activities Center this Sunday, February 8 followed by the Confirmation meeting from 3 p.m.-4:50 p.m.  Remember sponsors and parents are a part of the Confirmation meeting.

In order to complete the necessary requirements, we are also adding an additional session for youth in the Spirit Sessions to make up the missed time:  Please mark Palm Sunday, March 29 from 2-4:50 p.m. on your calendar for an additional Spirit Session.

The remaining Spirit Session dates are:

1. Sunday, February 8 2 p.m.-3 p.m. (followed by the Confirmation meeting)

2. March 8 Spirit Session 2 p.m.-4:50 p.m. (Daylight Savings Begin--turn your clocks ahead the night before)

+(Wednesday, Mach 11 at 6:30 p.m. or Sunday, March 15 at 3 p.m. Please plan on attending one of the Confirmation Meetings with parent and sponsor.

+(Sunday, March 22 at 5 p.m. in church is the Presentation Mass)

3. Sunday, March 29 Added Spirit Session 2 p.m.-4:50 p.m.

4. Sunday, April 19 Spirit Session 2 p.m.-4:50 p.m.

5. Sunday, May 3 Spirit Session 2 p.m.-4:50 p.m.

No Monday, February 2 Preschool Enrichment nor 4:30 p.m. RE classes Due to Weather

Cancellations for Monday, February 2:
St. Francis school is closed due to weather.
No Monday Preschool Enrichment classes.
No Monday 4:30 p.m. Religious Education classes.

Sunday Family A session for February 1 has been postponed due to weather

Sunday Family A session and Sunday preschool, originally scheduled for tommorrow, February 1 has been postponed due to worsening weather conditions.

Session A will meet next Sunday, February 8 in a double session.  Both A and B will meet next Sunday, February 8.

Confirmation Meeting on Sunday, February 1 has been delayed due to weather

The Confirmation Meeting for 8th grade (and older) youth and their parents and sponsors for Sunday, February 1 has been postponed due to worsening weather conditions.

Parents and youth (and sponsors), please plan on attending one of the following Confirmation meetings:
Wednesday,  February 4 at 6:30 p.m. or Sunday, February 8 at 3 p.m. in the Parish Activities Center (PAC).

Is there a Snow Day this Sunday, February 1?

What happens if the snow comes in as predicted for tomorrow, Sunday, February 1?

Watch this space...just in case, we're planning alternative dates for our Sunday activities...and will be watching the weather....and will let you know...

Ellen Ward
ward@stfrancisa2.org