Advent Family Events

See more Advent Activities

Enter more deeply into Advent and be surprised by Joy as we discover Emmanuel, God with us!  Everyone is invited!

You and your family and friends are invited to:

 Living Nativity: Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

1.  The Living Nativity Procession and Children's Christmas
Festival on Sunday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m. beginning in Church.  The Nativity Procession re-tells the story of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ with song, narration, live animals, and a candlelit walk filled with scenes of wonder and joy.  The Children's Christmas Festival follows the procession with refreshments and plenty of games for the children.

St. Nick: Dec. 22

2.  If your plans include attending the 8:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses on Sunday, December 22, then stop by the Parish Activities Center (PAC) to enjoy homemade donuts and a visit with Saint Nicholas!  Simple gifts will be given to the children.

3.  Families are welcome to the Christmas Eve Children's Mass on December 24 at 5 p.m. in the main church.  See the full Advent and Christmas Mass schedule by clicking here!

All middle school youth are invited to:

Youth Group: Dec. 8 at 6:15 p.m.

1.  Second Sunday Youth Gathering on December 8 at 6:15 p.m. in the Parish Activities Center (PAC).  There will be plenty of fun faith activities, friendship, and food!  Middle school youth, please bring a bag of chips or your favorite Christmas cookies to share!  Sign up by showing up!  For more information, please contact Andrew Kanitz and Catherine Farrell at cfarrell@stfrancisaa.org or call the RE office at 734-821-2130.

2.  Youth are needed to help with the Nativity Procession & Children's Festival on Sunday, December 15.  Help is needed for setup at 4:30p.m. and at 6 p.m. (until about 8 p.m.) to help with the games.  Email Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or sign up to help with the Nativity/Festival by clicking here!

3.  Looking ahead:  Mark your calendar for Sunday, January 5 at 6:15 p.m. for an Epiphany party (3 kings)!  Bring a white elephant (an inexpensive gift that you desire to give away as part of the exchange game).  Sign up by showing up!  We'll supply the King's cake!

All High School youth are invited to a host of Advent activities at youth group!  Click here to see the High School page!

Upcoming November Middle School Events

November is a month full of activities designed for the middle school youth!  All activities listed count for hours of fun and service hours!

1.  Rake & Run:  Join in raking the leaves of our church neighbors this Saturday, November 2 at 1 p.m. (to 3 p.m.).  Meet to begin in the Parish Activities Center (PAC).  Sign up by completing the permission form at stfrancisa2.com (click on middle school youth) or go directly to:  https://stfrancisa2.wufoo.com/forms/2013-rake-run-field-trip  (Contact Catherine Farrell at cfarrell@stfrancisaa.org or akanitz56@gmail.com for questions).

2.  Giving Tree Ornaments:  Join in making the giving tree ornaments to benefit the less fortunate in our community on Sunday, November 10 at 6:15 p.m. in the PAC.  (Bring your favorite dish to pass!)  Sign up by showing up! (Contact Catherine Farrell at cfarrell@stfrancisaa.org or akanitz56@gmail.com for questions).

3.  Sing for the Nativity Program (Sunday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m.):  Practice is on Wednesdays, November 13 & 20 & 27, and December 4 with a final practice on Thursday, December 12 at 6 p.m.  All practices are in church.  Practice lasts about 45 minutes. Sign up by showing up!  For questions, contact Carol Fedewa at 734-821-2123 or liturgy@stfrancisa2.org or Kelly Hernandez at khernandez731@gmail.com or 734-904-3946.

4.  Thanksgiving Baskets:  Help make Thanksgiving baskets for the families of Perry nursery on Sunday, November 24 at 6:15 p.m. in the St. Francis school gym. (Contact Catherine Farrell at cfarrell@stfrancisaa.org or akanitz56@gmail.com for questions).

5. Toddlers & 2s:  Help with the Toddlers & 2s program during the 8:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses in the nursery of church.  Contact Kelly Hernandez at khernandez731@gmail.com or 734-904-3946 if you can help!

6. Children's Liturgy of the Word:  Help during the Children's Liturgy of the Word during the 8:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses.  Contact Cynthia D'Agostino at cynthia.dagostino@lafarge-na.com if you can help!

Happy Halloween and All Saint's Day!
BTW:  Join in gratitude at Mass celebrating All Saint's Day on Friday, November 1.  Masses for this holy day of obligation are at 7 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the church!

Religious Education events are for all parish, school, and guest families!

Have a safe and happy Halloween!
Ellen Ward
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
734-821-2132
ward@stfrancisa2.org

First Reconciliation Preparation: November 10 & 13

The concluding first Reconciliation parent and child preparation meeting is scheduled as follows: (Please plan on attending one of these meetings with your child).

 

Sunday, November 10 at 3 p.m. or

Wednesday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m.

in the Parish Activities Center (PAC)

Sign-up for Dec. 7 or Dec. 14 confessional times will take place at this meeting.  Fr. James or Fr. Bosco will be with us to answer questions, ask a few questions, and to teach us about this Sacrament.  The meeting will conclude with a communal prayer service and the children will receive their pins. For information, contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or call 734-821-2132.

Mass with 6th grade Bible Presentation: Sunday, October 27 at 5 p.m.

Traditionally, St. Francis Parish provides bibles to the sixth grade students enrolled in the School or Religious Education classes.  The bibles are presented to the students during Mass with a special blessing.

This year’s bible presentation and blessing for sixth graders will take place at the parish Mass on:

Sunday, October 27 at 5 p.m.

Sixth grade parents:  Please set aside this time, so that your student may receive the bible and blessing.  Family friends, siblings,  and relatives are invited to attend!  For more information, please contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or call 734-821-2132.

A Social of Pizza, Salad, and Pop (hosted by the middle school youth group) follows the Bible Mass in the Parish Activities Center (PAC).  After the 5 p.m. Sunday, October 27 Mass, all 6th graders and their families are invited to the Parish Activities Center (PAC) for a social of pizza, salad, dessert and pop.  A donation of $5/person ($20/family) at the door is appreciated.

Help us plan!  For the social, please RSVP Courtney Aymen at stfreled@stfrancisa2.org or call 734-821-2130 with number of family members attending.

Upcoming Events

First Reconciliation Preparation Meetings for Parent & Child

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 studied 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 7 and December 14.

The first parent and child meeting is scheduled for: (Please plan on attending one of these meetings with your child).

Sunday, October 6 at 3 p.m. or Wednesday, October 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Activities Center (PAC)

Please contact Ellen Ward 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 10 at 3 p.m. or Wednesday, November 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the PAC. I look forward to working with you and your children as they prepare to receive this Sacrament rich in God’s mercy.

Mass with 6th grade Bible Presentation: 

Sunday, October 27 at 5 p.m.

Traditionally, St. Francis Parish provides bibles to the sixth grade students enrolled in the School or Religious Education classes.  The bibles are presented to the students during Mass with a special blessing.

This year’s bible presentation and blessing for sixth graders will take place at the parish Mass on:

Sunday, October 27 at 5 p.m.

Sixth grade parents:  Please set aside this time, so that your student may receive the bible and blessing.  Family friends, siblings,  and relatives are invited to attend!  For more information, please contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or call 734-821-2132.

A Social of Pizza, Salad, and Pop (hosted by the middle school youth group) follows the Bible Mass in the Parish Activities Center (PAC).  After the 5 p.m. Sunday, October 27 Mass, all 6th graders and their families are invited to the Parish Activities Center (PAC) for a social of pizza, salad, dessert and pop.  A donation of $5/person ($20/family) at the door is appreciated.

Help us plan!  For the social, please RSVP Courtney Aymen at stfreled@stfrancisa2.org or call 734-821-2130 with number of family members attending.

 

Confirmation 2014 (for 8th grade and older)

We received word from the Bishop's office with the date for Confirmation 2014.

The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 2 p.m. in church.

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 choose one of these meetings to attend with your child):

Sunday, September 22 at 3 p.m.
or Wednesday, September 25 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. 11-13 and Nov. 15-17)

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 11-13 and Nov. 15-17 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 with credit card payment or can be downloaded as paper forms for October and November and from the Religious Education Office.  Retreat forms are due by September 25.  Please register early to ensure space in the weekend of your choosing.

Questions?  Please contact Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or 734-821-2132.

Children are Invited to Sing this Sunday, September 8 at the outdoor Mass!

Calling all children to sing this Sunday, September 8 at the 12:15 p.m. outdoor Mass!

"Trading my Sorrows"
Practice singing by hearing, "Trading my Sorrows."
"Lord, I Lift Your Name on High"
Practice singing by hearing, "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High."
"Shout to the Lord" 
Practice singing by hearing, "Shout to the Lord."

Children in grades 2-8 are invited to sing as part of the children's choir for the outdoor Mass this Sunday, September 8.  The Mass which precedes the picnic begins at 12:15 p.m.

Children desiring to sing are asked to arrive at 11:45 a.m. and meet Carol Fedewa near the big tent set outside on the lawn behind St. Francis school.  (The lawn between the parish offices and the rectory).

Sign up by showing up! 

The children will sing during Mass the following songs:  "Trading my Sorrows,"  "Lord, I lift your Name on High," and "Shout to the Lord."  Rehearsal and review of the songs will take place at 11:45 a.m.  (Practice singing the songs at home by clicking the links above).

All Nativity singers, VBS singers, other singers, and newcomers are welcome!  For information, please contact Carol Fedewa at liturgy@stfrancisa2.org or 734-821-2123 (or Ellen Ward at ward@stfrancisa2.org or 734-821-2132).

See you soon!