Christmas Blessings!

May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you and your family with peace of heart, joy of friendship, love of God, and the gift of the Holy Spirit's presence and power in your lives!  Merry Christmas!

Middle School Epiphany Party on January 5 & Ask Fr. James Night on January 12!

All Middle School Youth (Grades 6-8) are invited to an Epiphany party (3 kings) on:

Sunday January 5 at 6:15 p.m. in the Parish Activities Center (PAC)

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!

Contact Catherine Farrell at cfarrell@stfrancisaa.org or Andrew Kanitz at akanitz56@gmail.com  or the RE office at 734-821-2130.

Then, looking ahead to Sunday, January 12 at 6:15 p.m.:  Ask Fr. James Night!

All middle school youth are invited to mingle with Fr. James next Sunday, January 12 at 6:15 p.m. in the PAC. 

You will have a chance to ask him questions about the Faith and he may ask you a question or two! 
We’ll have prizes (gift certificates to some of your favorite places) if you can answer his questions correctly!  Join us for a super fun faith-filled event.  

Bring your questions and bring a 2L bottle of your favorite pop or punch/juice! 

Sign up by showing up!

Nativity Procession is Still On! Sunday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m. in church!

The Living Nativity Procession is a re-telling of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ through song, narration, and scenes of wonder and joy! 

The Nativity begins this evening, Sunday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m. in church.

The Procession is followed by games and refreshments at the Children's Festival.

On-Line Family Advent Calendar

Xt3 On-Line Advent Calendar

Xt3.com (Christ in the Third Millennium) has a nice interactive Advent calendar at http://www.xt3.com/advent which includes videos and stories for children.

Xt3 is based in Sydney, Australia and contains Catholic resources on religious topics.  Perhaps you will find the Advent on-line calendar fun and informative for your family.
(The opinions of outside websites may not represent the opinions of St. Francis).

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.