November 11, 2020

Good Day dear People of God of the Religious Education Department of St. Clare of Montefalco.

I hope you have taken time to enjoy our spring weather in November and Praise and Thank God for all His wondrous deeds.  May you be full of Awe and Wonder. In this Thanksgiving time, I want to tell you how grateful I am for your support of me personally and as the person responsible for your child’ faith formation-along with you the parents. You have a special place in my heart.  Thank you.
 
A couple of things:
#1 - For in person learners:
With the COVID-19 Pandemic seeming to rear its ugly head, we need to be especially cognizant of safety.  For the in-person learners, if your child is expressing any of the signs of COVID-19, (fever, cough, loss of smell/taste, fatigue) please keep them home.  During the class time, the students have been great about wearing the masks.  We just must get them to speak a little louder so the catechist can hear and understand them!  We are doing our best to keep the children 6 feet apart and hand sanitizers are with every group and the spaces are cleaned after each class.

With construction taking place by the social hall bathrooms, it is impossible to get downstairs using the portico door.  Therefore, if you are not attending the 9:00 Mass, your child will need to enter via the door directly across from the school door.  I will open it up when we dismiss from the church.  Your child will need to be picked up at that door also.  7 and 8 will continue to dismiss by the Whittier door.

#2 - ADVENT
Advent for the Children: There will be no class on Sunday, November 29 because it is Thanksgiving Weekend.  But it is still The First Sunday of Advent.  So, get your Advent Wreath ready. Come to Mass or view it on one of your devises.

We have purchased some Advent Calendars and an Advent Activity Book for your children.  They will be distributed to the in-person learners on November 20th.  Online learners will receive them by auto messenger!

Advent for the Adults:  As I have been mentioning in the bulletin we have purchased a CD with an online code so you can listen to some Advent music and hear a talk by Fr. David Pavonka, each Sunday of Advent. We would like all parishioners to participate in this program.  Online will be great, but if you do not have access to online programs, I hope you have a CD player around to use.  No one should be left out!

Also, you can sign up for Best Advent Ever from Dynamic Catholic. Their theme is Let Your Soul Shine.  Emphasis will be on the Gospel Reading. Go to dynamiccatholic/bestadventever2020

Advent Penance Service:  We will have a special penance service as part of the Liturgy of the Word, the weekend of December 12 and 13.  I am asking in person learners to be present at the 9:00 Mass that day and online learners to be at the 9:00 Mass, via the St. Clare Facebook or website page.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there will not be individual confessions, but we will have a penance service to express sorrow for our sins and resolve to do better.  Individual confessions are offered most Saturdays from 2:30-3:30, half an hour before every Mass or by appointment with Fr. Andrew.

#3 - Grade 2, 7, 8 SAVE THE DATE:
This year we will be combining grades 7 and 8 for Confirmation.  There will be a Rite of Election on January 8 at 6:30 PM or January 9 at 10:00 AM.  Choose one.  There will be plenty of Room for social distancing.  Candidate, parents, and sponsors (if available) are to attend.

No date has been sent to us from the Archdiocese yet.  We will be asking for a Baptismal Certificate and 5 Service hours.

#4 - First Communion
First Communion Rite of Election for our Second-Grade students will be on Friday, January 22 at 6:30 PM or Saturday morning, January 23 at 10:00 AM. Candidate, parents, and Godparents (if available) are to attend.

Date for First Communion is May 2 at 11:00. We will need a Baptismal certificate.