StM Faith Formation Newsletter 🍂

Hi Families,

We are back in session this weekend, October 20.

During the month of the rosary, all families are invited and encouraged to attend a Family Rosary next Sunday - October 27 - in Archangel Hall (gym) starting promptly at 3 pm. Bring your rosary and join in, even if you arrive after 3 pm, please come to the gym as we will not open the school doors until we finish. 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 - see flyer below).

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.

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: Next Sunday - October 27 - PARENT MEETING - Join us next Sunday at 3 pm in Archangel Hall (gym) for a Family Rosary, followed by the parent meeting from 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm. Parents will have time to take their children to the classroom before the meeting. This is the first of two required parent meetings for the reception of First Holy Communion. 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 and Data Sheet sent to Joyce Blum. If your child was baptized at St. Michael, you do not need to submit a certificate as we have that on file already.

Please plan to attend a brief meeting on Sunday, October 20 at the beginning of class (3:15 pm) in Room 216. This is for the parents and children seeking to be baptized and/or become Catholic. We will share with you important upcoming dates and information about the formation year.

• As a reminder, many of our groups use other locations during class--some moving to the fields, gym, or playground for activities, prayer, or demonstrations. We kindly ask you to arrive on time in case your child's class plans to move.

• G4 MESSAGE: Just a reminder that Challenge Group 4 will be meeting in Rm 311 moving forward

• We are always looking for extra hands! Whether you can commit to one Sunday or multiple, we would love to have you join us. You can sign up HERE.

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

Contact: Christina Dietzler (cdietzler@stmcary.org)

To keep prayer at the heart of preparation for Confirmation, candidates will reflect on the following questions at our meeting on October 20th: What is prayer? How does prayer relate to Jesus and my search for ultimate happiness? At the last meeting, we watched a video clip from The Chosen of Jesus describing the Beatitudes as a map for how to find Him. While the Beatitudes and Sacred Scripture can be likened to a map with guideposts to encounter Jesus and live like him, prayer can be likened to the calibration of our hearts and minds, our interior compass to navigate the lifelong journey toward deeper friendship with Jesus. Confirmation candidates will also learn about Visio Divina and experience that method of prayer during the meeting.

If you want to reflect more on the topic of prayer, you are invited to listen to the following episodes from the Ascension Press Catechism in a Year Podcast:

• Day 329: The Gift of Prayer — The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) (youtube.com)
  
• Day 346: Meditation and Vocal Prayer — The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) (youtube.com)
  
• Day 347: Contemplative Prayer — 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.

Youth Group will meet on the following evenings in October and November from 6:30pm-8:30pm in the Parish Center:

Thursday, October 17th

Thursday, October 24th Firepit with S'mores, Outdoor Rosary and Visit from Deacon Bert

Thursday, November 7th Witness Talk on the Power of the Holy Spirit

Thursday, November 14th Friendsgiving Dinner

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

Fall Break: October 13, 2024

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