First Communion Retreat

 Our First Communion Retreat was held on March 25-26, 2011.  On Friday evening, the children stitched a red cross on their white garment.  The white garments were worn on Saturday afternoon following First Reconciliation.  They will also be worn at the First Communion Masses on April 30 and May 1.

Learning about Almsiving

What is Almsgiving?

• "Giving food and clothes."
• "Giving a home."
• "Giving toys."
• "Giving joy."
• "Giving love."
• "Giving hope."

             - responses from the children

Operation Rice Bowl

Operation Rice Bowl is Catholic Relief Services' Lenten program of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.  Tonight the children saw a 10 minute DVD that included an overview of Operation Rice Bowl from the perspective of young people, as well as information about our world community and the realities faced by many in our global family.
The children had an opportunity to assemble their own rice bowl to take home.  We are also sending home an information sheet on almsgiving, with a reflection on this Sunday's scripture reading and ways to continue to practice almsgiving at home this Lent.
One opportunity for your family is to help St. Joseph Emergency Shelter.   They need black dress pants, khakis and dress shoes for adults seeking employment.  Their director told me this week the adults who are looking for jobs will schedule an interview and do not have the appropriate attire.  Contact information for St. Joseph's Shelter is on the Almsgiving at Home sheet that was sent home with the childdren.
Rice Bowls can be returned to the Gathering Space at the end of Lent.

Overheard in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium:

The third and fourth grade children were reflecting on how the Kingdom of God is like the Parable of the Leaven:

J.     “The Kingdom of Heaven gets bigger everyday with more people.”

A.     “Yeast is better than just plain flour.  Heaven is better than earth.”

J.     “This is the person who believes (pointing to the risen dough).  This is the person who doesn’t believe (pointing to the flour mixture).”

Third and fourth grade Children reflecting on the City of Jerusalem and Jesus’ last days in Jerusalem:

V.   “Why would Pontius Pilate kill a holy man, when he was a holy man?”

C.   “What a nice place you had to live, Jesus.  I hope to visit Jerusalem someday.”

O.  “Did you need a pass to enter the wall?”

      V.  “Jesus, where was your favorite place to be?” 

      A few minutes later, V. asked, “Did you like where you lived or would you rather live  in Egypt?”

      Later, C. asked, “Where was Mary’s mom’s home?  Where was Joseph’s dad’s home?     
      When was Mary and Joseph’s anniversary”?

      V. wondered, “Jesus, have you ever seen the star that led people to you?”