April GIFT Follow Up

April GIFT Follow Up Email

Thank you for attending our April GIFT Gatherings: Living as a Disciple – and finding out about what your banana is!  If you were not able to attend the GIFT sessions this month, please click the link here  to download the PowerPoint presentation from the event. Fr. Craig showed a video in which Cardinal Sean O’Malley talked about being a disciple, sharing our talents and faith with others, and outreach to others. There is a movement drive by Pope Francis I to look outward and be missionaries, rather than staying within our parish walls and maintaining what we already do. Fr. Craig used this talk to highlight plans we have in the parish to begin a long-range planning process – this process will begin with our

PARISH CONVOCATION ON MAY 18^TH FROM 11:30-4:00 PM please mark this date on your calendars and plan to attend. We will be offering child care for those who need it. The process will examine seven areas of parish life – everyone will be asked to participate in the areas that are of interest to them. Even if you are new to the parish, we want your input! Watch the bulletin and parish bulletin boards for more information!

At this month’s gatherings, the Catechists led the K-4^th grade children through chapter 20 in their books. Please work through the remaining chapters in Unit 7 with them before the 1^st week of May, chapters 19 & 21. The website for the text is http://calltofaith.osv.com which is where you can download the home lessons for chapters 19 & 21.

The 5-8^th graders talked about how God calls us. Sometimes through prayer, sometimes through other people, and sometimes through our own feelings. I asked the kids pay attention to what happens in their daily lives – when someone gives them a complement, thank God for it. When someone acknowledges that they’ve done a good job – thank God for it. When they feel good after helping someone or doing something nice – thank God for it. Those feelings, blessings and the gratitude they feel are ways that we discern what our gifts are. Sometimes we don’t recognize our own gifts, but others do. I shared a story about how when I was younger, I never thought about being a teacher. In fact, I disliked babysitting and being around younger children. Now, however, I know that this is what God has called me to do!

All of the grade levels talked about Holy Week. This celebration of Jesus’ last days, culminating in the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.  If you are in town this week, I would encourage your families to attend the Holy Week celebrations. A few of the kids in attendance at GIFT seemed as if they have not ever attended these important celebrations – which are key to our faith lives and what we believe about Jesus. From the time Jesus entered Jerusalem to cheering crowds on Palm Sunday to the first time He celebrated the Eucharist with the disciples on Holy Thursday and washed their feet – modeling how important being of service to others is as Christian disciples. To honoring his time on the cross on Good Friday, praying with Him and recognizing the sorrow and anguish of his mother, Mary and the disciples to Easter Sunday morning when the women find the empty tomb and discover that Jesus had RISEN. These events are what our faith is based upon and are so important to obverse. So, here’s my challenge – even if you are travelling this week, attend the Holy Week celebrations in the nearest Catholic parish (use google to find one!) – come back to St. Matthias and let us know what you experienced. Pay attention to how the church is decorated, are there any cultural things that you notice, how is the congregation engaged, what’s the same or different about what we do here at St. Matthias? Finally, bring back a bulletin from the parish you visited! Happy Easter!

Other Resources:

Pinterest –

April Family Faith Ideas http://www.pinterest.com/smff2013/april-family-faith-ideas/

Lent/Easter/Pentecost Ideas  http://www.pinterest.com/smff2013/lent-easter-pentecost/

Vibrant Faith @ Home – www.vibrantfaithathome.org

This is a great resource – even has a iPhone app – which offers short 5-10 minute long activities that families can do at home to explore or teach faith topics.

Sabrina’s Blog – Do you children ever ask you faith related questions that you are just not sure how to answer? Or do really cool things related to their faith that you want to share with the community? If so, follow the blog http://faqsfaithandquestiosn.blogspot.com

Attached are the Taking Faith Home handouts for each week until we meet again on May 4^th & 7^th   for the May GIFT sessions: Acting in Justice - Peace

Announcements:

·         Our LENTEN SERVICE PROJECT, a coin collection for Catholic Relief Services (Rice Bowl) will be due at the May GIFT sessions. Please let me know if your family uses any of the resources that CRS provides!

·         Thank you to all who supported our Pasta Dinner – we raised $966 for the Mission Trip. After Easter we will have collection boxes set up for soccer uniforms and other items, please stay tuned for more information.

·         Also, please make a note on your calendar and celebrate Triduum with the parish community. These three “high Holy Days” in the Church year commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper, washing of the disciples’ feet (Holy Thursday), the crucifixion (Good Friday), and Resurrection (Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday). Holy Week is April 13-20^th this year.  Schedule is posted on the parish website and in the bulletin. Participation at these Holy Week services helps bring the message of our salvation to life! *****

·         High School Youth Ministry (HSYM) will meet Sunday, April 13^th from 5-7pm at St. Matthias for an Easter Party.

·         Middle School Youth Ministry (MSYM) will meet Wednesday, April 16^th from 6-8pm at St. Matthias for their Easter Party. All 5-8^th graders are welcome to attend.

·         We will hold a Confirmation Informational Meeting on April 30^th from 6-8pm, please RSVP if you are interested.