June 19th, 2020

Dear Families,

I am happy to be able to send the students their July MagnifiKids.  They can use them to prepare for Sunday Mass as well as use them during Mass.

We are still waiting on receiving directives from the  Diocese for the upcoming year for religious education classes.  As stated in my last letter, my desire, prayer and hope is that we can start in person classes in September.  And I  have to believe being small is an advantage for us.

It seems as though lots of things have changed for all of us in the last 3 months (I do not like the term “new normal” probably anymore than you!).  I have to remind myself  often that our Catholic faith has not changed nor will it.   As everything seems so crazy, I am even more blessed and thankful for my Catholic faith; and that I am able to convey the truths of our faith to my own children.  Fr. Tim’s Wednesday night homily really struck home to me - the Gospel reading was familiar - the same we read on Ash Wednesday about almsgiving, prayer and fasting.  Fr. Tim mentioned that it is not so important in how successful we are in doing these 3 things, but that we are striving to do them.  I think the same applies as we attempt to pray with our kids and work to create a domestic Church in our homes.  It is not so important that we are successful; but it is SO VERY important we strive to pray with our kids and make our homes a domestic Church.  As I have said  before - keep trying - I am!!

 I hope your family has a wonderful summer.  I will stay in touch.  It has been so nice to see some of our families back in the pews for Sunday Mass.  Our doors are open for ALL of you.

 You all continue to be in my prayers,

Leslie Reagle
Faith Formation Director

Episode 16: Be Not Afraid: The Primacy of Parents as Pastors
https://youwerebornforthis.fireside.fm/16
Episode 18: Be Not Afraid: The Importance of the House Church
https://youwerebornforthis.fireside.fm/20

1657 (Catechism) It is here that the father of the family, the mother, children, and all members of the family exercise the priesthood of the baptized in a privileged way "by the reception of the sacraments, prayer and thanksgiving, the witness of a holy life, and self-denial and active charity."170 Thus the home is the first school of Christian life and "a school for human enrichment."171 Here one learns endurance and the joy of work, fraternal love, generous - even repeated - forgiveness, and above all divine worship in prayer and the offering of one's life.

Faith Formation is a term that envisions a process of formation in faith from birth to death.  It is a lifelong process.  Faith Formation encompasses all ages - infants, children, youth, young adults, adults, elderly.  It brings all participants into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ by bringing all the faithful together to learn, share and participate in the Catholic Church.  Faith Formation means that we are always learning through the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, prayer, liturgy and God’s presence in our lives.

https://faithmag.com/wild-goose-loose-sarah-and-jeffs-life