A few updates

Hello Everyone!

I have a few updates for you as Easter and the First Communion Masses approach! We are not too far away now! First, Thank you to everyone who came down for Coffee Sunday last week, especially those who brought food. Hopefully you were able to talk with some other families and parishioners and share your experiences this year and enjoy some wonderful goodies. St. Augustine holds regular Coffee Sundays every last Sunday of the month, so you will have a chance to share in our great parish community even after the Communion Masses are over.

1. On the volunteer list for the Masses, I forgot to add a space for a Eucharistic Minister. We need one adult volunteer for each Mass to help Fr. Paul distribute Communion. You do not need to be a regular Eucharistic Minister to volunteer. Moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles--all are welcome to volunteer. Let me know if you are interested ASAP!

2. Children attending St. Rita and St. Augustine have been learning a song to sing for their parents at the First Communion Mass. It is called "His banner over me is love" and I know the kids and teachers have put lots of working into preparing this part of the celebration. For kids who do not go to either school, I am posting a youtube video of the song so you can become familiar with the tune and lyrics. The lyrics may differ slightly, but the tune is the same and so is the chorus. When the children are called up to sing their song, your child can choose to join in and sing along as they go, or they may wish to remain in their seats--whatever they feel more comfortable doing.

3. There will be no Children's Liturgy on Easter Sunday. Please enjoy this beautiful Mass celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus as a family. Children's Liturgy will resume the following week. 

4. The Holy Week schedule for St. Augustine is as follows: 

• Holy Thursday: Mass at 7:30 pm 
• Good Friday: Stations of the Cross at 11:00 am, Good Friday Service at 3:00 pm
• Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil Mass at 8:00 pm, followed by the Easter Vigil Party (food & fellowsip) in the parish hall (see the bulletin if you would like to contribute)
• Easter Sunday: Mass at 9:00 am & 10:30 am

Thank you for your continued support throughout the year! I hope you have a very meaningful and prayerful Holy Week! 

As we are nearing Holy Week, here are a few fun images you might enjoy! Hopefully they will spark some fun conversations with your kids. 

Hope to see you all Sunday at Coffee Sunday after the 10:30 am Mass 

(which is also Palm Sunday)

And to carry you through the week, here is a blog with a photo story of Holy Week. The age-old phrase says that a picture is worth a thousand words, so why not use these photos to talk about Easter in your house this week and see how many words you can come up with

http://beinglds.blogspot.ca/2011/04/walking-children-through-holy-week-by.html

Hello March!

Can you believe February is almost over? Personally, I found this past month just flew by and March is coming a lot faster than I thought it would. It seems like not too long ago we were welcoming February and anxiously awaiting the news from one of the many famous groundhogs and now we are counting down the days until March break (well, at least the kids are). But, despite the extra few minutes it takes to get over the astonishment of how quickly time flies, this new month brings us many new possibilities. For starters, March typically brings the beginning of spring and the days of freezing cold temperatures and mountainous snowfalls become fewer and fewer. Spring represents a season of renewal, of growth, of new beginnings after a winter of hibernation. March is also the only month that is fully within the 40 days of Lent. Both February and April have Lenten days at the end and the beginning, but March begins within our Lenten journey and ends just before the last few days leading the Easter. March is great time to really dive deep into our spiritual growth this Lent after the getting our feet wet in the last few weeks in February. March also gives many of us March break, and although it can often seem like just a daycare headache, or a break from our comfortable routine, it also gives us a special week to spend time as a family. Whether it means a family vacation, a few special daytime activities, or even just homework-less evenings, March break offers a great chance for new memories. March is also a busy month for our journey towards First Communion. There are three Discovery sessions (March 1, March 22, March 29) and the last parent meeting (March 8). In addition, on the last Discovery session, which lands on the last Sunday of the month, we are hoping to 'host' the coffee Sunday after the 10:30 a.m. Mass for the parish. The children at children's liturgy will be making a few decorations and we will be asking parents to donate a few food items (baked goods, sandwiches, veggies, etc.) to help feed the crowd. Anyone who wishes to help set up or clean will also be welcomed from the Coffee Sunday committee with welcome arms! In the next few days, I will send out more info and a sign up sheet for food donations.

All this being said, March will certainly be a busy month. But, throughout all the changes, my hope is that March will not fly by as February did. Sure, the time will go fast and before we know it, April and Easter will be upon us, but that does not mean that it needs to 'fly by.' Months that fly by, like this past February in my calendar, are months that pass by without much time spent interacting with the special days and special moments throughout the month. They are months that are spent always waiting for the next month, the days 'when it won't be so busy,' or 'when the weather will be warmer.' They are the months that on the last day, we can look back and think, 'where did the time go?' or 'what did I do this month?' and even after much thought, we cannot remember where the time did go, or what we did do. By the end of March, even though the time may pass quickly and every day will be a busy one, I hope that I can look back and say 'this is what I did,' or 'this is where the time went' and that those memories, those hours and days, will have been spent growing in faith, spending time with special people, preparing for Easter or for First Communion. By the end of March, when we meet on Coffee Sunday, our last Discovery session, I hope we can all look back at the past month and think what a great month is was! What great things we did, or learned, or experienced this month! It may still seem like it went by way too fast, but what a great time we had, and just think how often we will look back on these days with fondness, or in awe, in deep reflection, or even just with a smile. February may be almost gone, but March is here, and so are we.

To get you started with your journey this month, here is a fun crossword puzzle the kids will love! It has some of the important feast days of Saints throughout the month and provides a great introduction to learn more about the Saint this month. Some are familiar names, others not. Once you are done the puzzle, check out one of the websites below to learn more about the Saints listed (and those who are not in the puzzle)--they are great examples of holy men and women living a faith-filled life within the realities of our world. 

Enjoy this last day of February and the first one of March! 

Puzzle: http://www.reallifeathome.com/march-saints-and-feast-days-word-search-printable/

Websites for more info on the Saints: 

http://www.loyolapress.com/saints-stories-for-kids.htm?cId=402682#MAR

http://www.catholic.org/saints/fun_facts_arch.php

http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/kids/saints/march.asp

A few videos as we begin Lent..

Here are a few videos you might enjoy as we beginning our Lenten journey. Some are informative, some are reflective, and some are just plain fun (scroll through the entire post!). Have a great weekend!

"So What's the Story with Lent?"

Fr Barron on Lent

*If you enjoy Fr. Barron's explanations, there are many videos on youtube 

providing information, or answering common questions*

Lenten Song

The Summons

"Did you mean me?" Todd Agnew

Finally, these ones are not Lent-specific, but talk about self-regulation, resisting, and patiently waiting rather than selfishly wanting things now--all things that we become aware of during Lent. But also, they are just plain fun! Enjoy!

Cookie Monster learning the word 'resist' and then practicing resistance. 

The First Day of Lent

Today is the Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. This day marks the beginning of the 40 days of this penitential season meant to prepare us for the death of resurrection of Jesus. There are many ways we can observe Lent as individuals, as families, and as a larger community.

As a community of Catholics, we are called to certain observances throughout Lent, which were published in last week's bulletin. Here is the recap:

"NORMS FOR LENTEN OBSERVANCE The liturgical season of Lent begins February 18. The following are guidelines of Lenten observance for the faithful in the Archdiocese of Ottawa. • Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence. • Fridays are days of abstinence. Fasting binds all persons who have completed their 18th birthday through those who have completed their 59th year, unless prevented by poor health. On days of fast, one full meal is allowed. Two other meals, sufficient to maintain strength, may be taken according to one’s own needs. Eating between meals is not allowed although fluids may be taken. Abstinence binds all persons who have completed their 14th birthday, unless prevented by poor health. In the Archdiocese of Ottawa, the consumption of meat is not allowed on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent. The Archbishop mandates this observance for the spiritual well-being of the faithful. Lent is a penitential season and, as such, religious practices such as daily Mass, the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Stations of the Cross, works of charity and justice, and acts of self-denial are highly encouraged."

As individuals and families, there are lots of resources out there and you can choose the traditions or activities that will work best for yourself and your family. The main idea is that you choose something or a few things that will help you and your family grow spiritually. Do not choose the things that seems the easiest, or the most convenient, or the same thing you did last year, or the same things as your neighbours. Choose the activities that will challenge you to grow, that will encourage you to follow Jesus more closely and to develop a deeper relationship with God. Everyone has a unique relationship with God as we are all unique individuals, so don't be scared to do something different and to try something new. 

Here is a link to a few great suggestions from one of the my favourite blogs. I like that this post is broken down into the different stages of Lent (i.e. Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week, etc.) so it is quite easy to follow: http://www.catholicicing.com/lenten-activities-for-children/

There are also two great resources (I am sure there are more, but these are the ones I stumbled upon. If you found others on your own, please let me know so I can share them with the group) to help adults and kids in this Lenten journey. 

For adults, I encourage you to check out this initiative from Matthew Kelly (a great Catholic author) called 'The Best Lent Ever.' My husband and I are taking part in this program this year and are very excited to see where it takes us. To take part, you need to sign up with your email and you will be sent an email everyday with either a video, a quote, a scripture reading--something to help you in your spiritual journey.Take a peek at the video at this website to learn more and sign up: http://dynamiccatholic.com/bestlentever/#signup

For kids, there is a similar program called 'Lenten Journey' at Holy Heroes. There is also an intro video, and all you need to do is input your email and you will emails throughout Lent to share with your kids: http://www.holyheroes.com/Holy-Heroes-Lenten-Adventure-s/37.htm#roadmap

ALSO, a reminder that St. Augustine will celebrate ASH WEDNESDAY with the distribution of ASHES tonight at 7 pm in the Church. 

I hope you find these helpful in your Lenten journey! Please let me know if you have any Lenten activities to share with the group!

Reconciliation Videos

Hello!

I have a few videos to share with you about Reconciliation. If you have time before the Reconciliation tonight, they would be great to watch as you prepare for this Sacrament. But, if you don`t get a chance tonight, they are still worthwhile to watch at a later date as Reconciliation is not a one-time Sacrament. We have the opportunity to celebrate Reconciliation on a regular basis (Fr. Paul offers Reconciliation every Saturday before the 4:30 pm Mass and other parishes usually post times for Reconciliation on their website or in their bulletin). After the Reconciliation videos are a few songs I found that you might enjoy following the theme of Forgiveness and Reconciliation.

See you all tonight for 6:30 pm!

Matthew West, "Forgiveness"

Kevin Levar, "A Heart that Forgives"

Matt Maher, "Lord, I Need You"

Reminder: Parent Meeting Feb 1

Hello,

Just a quick reminder there is a short parent meeting this Sunday, Feb 1 after the 10:30 am Mass. We will be going over information for the upcoming Reconciliation on Feb 12.

Also, if you still need to bring a photocopy of your baptismal certificate, please bring it with you to the meeting.

Thanks,
Alyssa