Hi Families,

We are off this weekend for Fall Break (October 13), but, have a lot to share with you. Our bittersweet news is that Carolina Gallo, Administrative Coordinator, will be leaving our office to take on a new role in the diocese. She has been a tremendous support to the faith formation programs with all her help with registration and classroom contributions. Although she is leaving the office, she will remain with us as a volunteer on Sunday afternoons, so you will still see her around. Moving forward, should you have any questions or needs, please direct them to Joyce Blum, Director of Faith Formation.

All families are invited and encouraged to attend a Family Rosary in Archangel Hall (gym) starting promptly at 3 pm on OCTOBER 27. Bring your rosary and join in! Immediately following the rosary parents of children receiving First Holy Communion this year have a scheduled meeting in Archangel Hall. (Reminder: FHC Parent Meeting - October 27 from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm).

Finally, we want you to know we are aware of the traffic issues that have been occurring during the faith formation arrival time and are working with the parish staff in resolving this. Please be patient as we work to resolve this. As a reminder, class for Confirmation starts at 3 pm and the Elementary and Middle grades programs begin at 3:15 pm. You can begin dropping off 10 minutes ahead of the start.

Please let us know if you have any questions.

If you have particular questions about classes in Spanish, please contact Deacon Bert Chavez.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday - October 20.

Enjoy your weekend off.

Many fall blessings,

The Faith Formation Team

Pre-School - Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW): during the 8:30 am Mass

Elementary-Middle Sacrament Prep for Baptism, First Communion, Reconciliation: 3:15 – 4:30 pm

Middle Grades 3-8 - Challenge and Conquest Program (CC): 3:15 pm – 4:45 pm

High School - Confirmation: 12:30 pm – 2 pm or 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

CLOW has moved to the Liturgy Department!

You can find Megan Bash there: mbash@stmcary.org.

SEE THE BULLETIN FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CLOW AND THE SCHEDULED DATES

UPCOMING: PARENT MEETING - Join us at 3 pm in Archangel Hall (gym) for a Family Rosary, followed by the parent meeting from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm. Children will be escorted to their classrooms following the rosary. During the meeting we will cover the logistics of Reconciliation Day & the First Holy Communion Day and you will hear from Fr. Scott.

Required for First Holy Communion: Copy of Baptismal Certificate sent to Joyce Blum.

We may not meet this Sunday, but you can still support your child's faith journey from home! We hope you take advantage of our Family Catechesis resources below.

Would you like to volunteer with us? Sign up here!

October is considered the Month of the Holy Rosary. The rosary has a long history with its roots in the ancient prayer practice of using beads. The modern rosary began to take shape due to the efforts of Pope Gregory the Great who popularized an early version of the Hail Mary prayer. Many Catholics began to pray this repetitively using beads to track their prayers. Eventually, the Marian Psalter was developed. Composed of 150 Hail Marys, the Marian Psalter substituted Hail Marys for the 150 Psalms used in the traditional Psalter. This was especially used by those who were illiterate and could not read the Psalms. St. Dominic is generally believed to have initiated the development of the modern rosary after a vision from Our Lady. He incorporated mysteries and most importantly spread the practice. By the 16th century, the rosary was in its modern form. Since then, the Fatima prayer has been added at the end of each decade.

• Rosary Coloring
• Brother Francis Video - The Rosary: A Special Way to Pray

LOOKING AHEAD - OCT 20 WE ARE IN THE CONFERENCE CENTER-GALLERY!

Contact: Christina Dietzler (cdietzler@stmcary.org)

On Sunday, October 6th, teens will continue to discuss the Four Levels of Happiness as synthesized by Fr. Robert Spitzer, S. J. If you would like to read about the Four Levels of Happiness, you may do so at the following link: Fr. Spitzer's 4 Levels of Happiness (magiscenter.com) Reflection on the Four Levels of Happiness will serve as an introduction to the Beatitudes. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that "the Beatitudes respond to the natural desire for happiness. This desire is of divine origin: God has placed it in the human heart in order to draw man to the One who alone can fulfill it" (CCC, #1738). Fr. Mike Schmitz speaks more on this topic in the Catechism in a Year Podcast Episode 233 found at the following link: Day 233: The Beatitudes — The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) (youtube.com)

This is a faith-based group that focuses on Catholic formation, socialization, and service, for high school-aged youth. Eligible youth will be in high school or of high school age. High School Youth Group encourages youth to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ in a supportive community and empowers them to be leaders in sharing the Gospel. Through weekly meetings, youth share in fellowship with each other, pray with Sacred Scripture and work together to plan special events that help them to explore how their unique gifts can be used in the loving service of Christ and their neighbor.

Our next Youth Group meeting will be held on Thursday, October 17 from 6:30pm-8:30pm in the Parish Center. There will NOT be a Youth Group meeting on Thursday, October 31, 2024.

Contact: Christina Dietzler (cdietzler@stmcary.org)

We thank our many volunteers who come every week to share their gifts and talents with the youth of the St. Michael parish community. We welcome ALL parents, grandparents, and other adult family members to join us in this very worthy service to the parish.

WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

• Door Monitors
• Confirmation Small Group Leaders (12:30 and 3 pm)
• Classroom Assistants
• Substitutes

Prerequisite: A desire to share your faith and to become Safe Environment Certified (Level C).

It is never too late to join our volunteer team, contact Joyce Blum if you are interested.

JOYCE BLUM: Director of Faith Formation

MEGAN BASH: Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) Coordinator

DARA HADLEY: Challenge and Conquest Coordinator (Grades 3-8)

CHRISTINA DIETZLER: High School-Youth Minister (Confirmation & Youth Group)

BILL BURNS: Associate Director of Adult Evangelization and Formation

DEACON BERT CHAVEZ: Spanish Classes

WEEK 3: October 6, 2024

WEEK 2: Sept 29, 2024

WEEK 1: Sept 22, 2024

OPEN HOUSE: Sept 15, 2024

August_2024 / Welcome Back

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Email: faithformation@stmcary.org
Website: https://www.stmichaelcary.org/#
Location: 804 High House Road, Cary, NC, USA
Phone: (919)468-6100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelcary