First Reconciliation Parent & Child Meeting: Sunday, October 14 at 3 p.m. or Monday, October 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Dear parents of children preparing for First Reconciliation,

    “...for with the Lord is unfailing love…”—Psalm 130:7 

Preparation for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation (also called Confession or Penance) is normally celebrated in the second grade prior to First Communion.  Preparation for the Sacrament consists of participation at the scheduled parent and child preparation meetings and educational material to be reviewed during classroom times.  For children older than second grade, please request the preparation textbook at the meeting.  Preparation meetings are designed for both parent and child.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be celebrated on Saturdays, December 1 and December 8.

The first parent and child meeting is scheduled for: (Please plan on attending one of these meetings with your child) this coming Sunday, Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. or Monday, Oct. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Activities Center (PAC).

Please contact me at 734-821-2132 or ward@stfrancisa2.org if you are unable to attend the preparation meeting.  (Sibling are welcome at the meetings).  For your planning, the second and concluding parent and child meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 4 at 3 p.m. or Monday, November 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the PAC.  Click here for a look at the calendar of First Reconciliation or First Eucharist dates.  I look forward to working with you and your children as they prepare to receive this Sacrament rich in God’s mercy.

In Christ,
Ellen Ward
Director of Religious Education
St. Francis of Assisi Parish

Welcome to the Start of RE Classes!

Welcome to new and returning families in Religious Education (RE) classes!

The class topic schedules for each session/grade are now online for Sunday Preschool and Elementary (grades K-5) Classes, and Middle School (grades 6-8) Classes.

Please also note that the RE calendar including class dates, meetings, and events is also on-line.
To download specific dates into your electronic calendar:  1) click on the link, "To See the Full RE Calendar," then 2 ) click the drop-box of interest groups, located on the top-right of the calendar and choose the interest group of your choice, then 3) click the ical button (and adjust the choices if needed in the pop-up), and 4) voila, just the dates of your chosen interest group will download.

Do you have suggestions on information you would like to see on the Religious Education website?
Let me know at ward@stfrancisa2.org

A blessed and happy year!

Religious Education Classes Start Sept. 23

Dear RE parents,

Welcome to a new year of formation in the Catholic Faith!  Religious Education classes begin this coming week. 

For families registered, please refer to the email sent earlier for your child's classroom assignment.

Start of Religious Education Information follows:

For the Sunday 10:30 a.m. Preschool program beginning this Sunday, Sept. 23: 
    Preschool classes begin at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 23 in the lower elementary wing of the school.  Please drop off and pick up your preschool child from the classroom.  Please sign up with the teacher to periodically bring the snack during the year.  At the end of class, please remain upstairs until the ending time of 11:45 a.m. so that your young child and their classmates do not become distracted by seeing you outside the door.

For the 10:20 A.M. Sunday Family A session beginning Sunday, Sept. 23 in the PAC:
    Please meet with your children in the Parish Activities Center (PAC) on Sunday, Sept. 23 following the 8:45 a.m. Mass.  Please help yourself to donuts and coffee.  The Family program begins in the PAC at 10:20 a.m.   The middle school youth (grades 6, 7, 8) will join in the PAC on Sept. 23 for the opening and then proceed to the music room (6 & 7 grades) or school library (8th grade). After the family session is concluded, the grade appropriate classroom sessions begin.  While your child is in the classroom, you are invited to the adult session in the music room, located at the end of the 2nd/3rd grade wing.  The session ends at 12:10 p.m.
   
For the 4:30 P.M. MONDAY classes beginning Sept. 24:  A GATHERING in the PAC 
For the 6:30 P.M. WEDNESDAY classes beginning Sept. 2:  A GATHERING in the PAC
    For the first Religious Education class, parents please meet with your child(ren) in the Parish Activities Center (PAC) for Monday and Wednesday classes.  We’ll begin the year in prayer and friendship, hand out your child’s class schedule, introduce events in the program, and provide you an opportunity to meet your child’s catechist.  After the gathering, children will begin their lessons in their classroom until the end of the session time.  Monday classes begin at 4:30 p.m. and end at 5:45 p.m.  Wednesday classes begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 7:45 p.m.

For the 10:20 A.M. Sunday Family B session beginning Sunday, Sept. 30 in the PAC:
        Please meet with your children in the Parish Activities Center (PAC) on Sunday, Sept. 30 following the 8:45 a.m. Mass.  Please help yourself to donuts and coffee.  The Family program begins in the PAC at 10:20 a.m.   The middle school youth (grades 6, 7, 8) will join in the PAC on Sept. 30 for the opening and then proceed to the music room (6 & 7 grades) or school library (8th grade). After the family session is concluded, the grade appropriate classroom sessions begin.  While your child is in the classroom, you are invited to the adult session in the music room, located at the end of the 2nd/3rd grade wing.  The session ends at 12:10 p.m.
       
    We look forward to working with you and your children during the coming year.  Please feel free to reply to Courtney Aymen, Secretary at stfreled@stfrancisa2.org or 821-2130 or myself at ward@stfrancisa2.org or 821-2132 for questions or more information.  See you soon!

God bless you!
Ellen Ward, DRE
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
2150 Frieze Ave
Ann Arbor, MI   48104

RE Teachers Needed Update

Volunteer teachers and aides for Religious Education are still needed in the following classes:

Sunday Family A:  RE teacher needed for Grade 2 (begins Sept. 23)

Wednesday 6:30 p.m. aides/substitutes for grades 3, 5, 6, 7 (begins Sept. 26)

Sunday Family B:  RE teacher needed for Grade K and Aides/substitutes needed for grades 1, 3, 6, 7 (begins Sept. 30)

If you can help, please contact the Religious Education Office at 734-821-2132 or email Ellen Ward at stfreled@stfrancisa2.org

RE Teachers Needed

We are still in need of volunteers to teach Religious Education classes in the following sessions:

Sunday Family A (begins Sept. 23):  grade K, 1, & 2 and teacher/aide for grade 6 & 7.

Sunday Family B (begins Sept. 30):  grade K & 3

Wednesday 6:30 p.m. (begins Sept. 26):  grade 1

Co-teachers and aides needed in various sessions & grades

If you can help, email Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or call 734-821-2132.

Confirmation Meeting (for 8th grade) September 16 & 19

Confirmation Meeting September 16 & 19 for Spring 2013 Candidates (8th grade or High School), Parents, and Sponsors

Preparation for the  Sacrament of Confirmation normally begins in the 7th grade and is celebrated in the eighth grade at St. Francis.  The preparation meeting for 8th grade students, (or High School), their parents, and sponsors (if available) is scheduled for (please plan on attending one of these meetings with your child):

Sunday, September 16 at 3 p.m.
or Wednesday, September 19 at 6:30 p.m.
in the Parish Activities Center (PAC)

This parent and student meeting will review the requirements for Confirmation, provide Confirmation preparation materials, including the “Celebrating our Faith” Confirmation book, and present information on completion of the book.  If your youth’s sponsor is able to attend the meeting, please invite and encourage them to come along with you and your son or daughter.

Retreats (Oct. 19-21 and Nov. 16-18)
The retreat experience is a key part of the preparation for Confirmation.  We are again fortunate to be able to schedule overnight weekend retreats at Bethany House in DeWitt.  Modeled after a well-rounded youth ministry program, the retreats are scheduled for the weekends of October 19-21 and Nov. 16-18 and will allow for a fuller experience of faith and relationships of trust with God and with one another.  The focus of the retreats is the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Retreat forms are available on-line (Please refer to your email or call 734-821-2130 or email ward@stfrancisa2.org for the password to use the on-line form) and from the Religious Education Office.  Retreat forms are due by September 19.  Please register early to ensure space in the weekend of your choosing.

Questions?  Please contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or 821-2132.

2013 Confirmation Date: Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m.

We just received word from the diocese that the date for the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation for St. Francis of Assisi Parish is Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m. (church).