January, it’s the start of a New Year, new beginnings and new opportunities.  The family is the smallest but most fundamental unit of society. It is in the family that we experience love, forgiveness, community and relationships. But we also experience loss, hurt, pain and suffering. As parents, as mothers and fathers God has blessed you with your children and with the awesome responsibility of teaching your children. There is so much to teach your children! You teach them to take care of their bodies, provide schooling so they are educated, and teach them about our loving God and the Catholic faith. While you are teaching all these things, your children are watching you and your actions, and they are learning so much by them. Do not be discouraged in this task God has given you, for God does not call the qualified but qualifies those called. As a parish we are here to help one another to grow in love and faith. If things have seemed overwhelming at times, call on the help and support of others. This is a new year, a new beginning, a chance to start a new tradition, to learn something new as a family. Below is a link to Fr. Mike Schmitz’s video on sticking to a New Year’s resolution…enjoy! and Happy New Year!
 
https://blog.ascensionpress.com/video/the-secret-to-sticking-to-a-new-years-resolution/?utm_source=Ascension+Press&utm_campaign=6618a37d8b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_10_11&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e09e12a778-6618a37d8b-351487865&mc_cid=6618a37d8b&mc_eid=38549a1101
 
Homework for students in grades Kindergarten (Lesson 23) and First through Sixth Grade (Lesson 15) is due the first RE class of the New Year, January 5 ^th.
 
January 12 ^th is the Baptism of Jesus and ends the Christmas season.  We are then in ordinary time until Lent begins on February 26 ^th – Ash Wednesday. 

Perfect Attendance
Preschool/Kindergarten – Amelia McClellan, Grace Pinter, Alaina Stache
1^st grade – Ivy Elmer
2^nd grade – Thomas Nestler, Ryan Todorov
3^rd/4^th grade – Lily Nestler, Rowan Stache
5^th/6^th grade – Katelyn Liszka, Lola Robertson, Nathan Stache
7^th grade – Dawson Stache
8^th grade –
High School – 

Last month was a busy one for the youth of our parish.  Saturday morning, December 7^th was First Reconciliation for eight students.  We had a wonderful service, received reconciliation, and had a small reception afterwards.    Thank you to Fr. Bergschneider, Msgr. Tierney, catechists Kelly Nestler & Tom Liszka, St. Anne’s CCW for providing the meal and all who helped make this a special day.
 
The Third & Fourth Grade RE students sang Christmas songs to the residents at Medina on December 22 ^nd. The students and residents all enjoyed it. Check out photos on the parish website.
 
Thank you! We were able to contribute 14 hats, 4 gloves/mittens, 4 hat & glove sets, and a pair of socks to the Durand Ecumenical Council that was included with the Christmas giving program. Thank you to the KN class for sponsoring this and to all who made donations, your generosity is amazing!
 
Kindergarten Students
The Kindergarten RE class will sing a song of Christmas just prior to the 10:30 a.m. Mass today
 
Altar Server Training
Altar Server training will be held this month. Students who signed up to serve should continue to work on their prayers as we will review with them during Religious Education class time.  Training for new altar servers will be held on Sunday, January 12^th from 11:45-1:45 a.m.
 
Confirmation Class
Confirmation Class will begin this month. Please watch for more information.
 
First Eucharist
A meeting will be held on Sunday, January 12^th at St. Mary Church, from 9-10 a.m.  This meeting is for parents of students preparing to receive their First Eucharist.
 
Adult Education
This Lent the parish will be offering opportunities for adults to learn more about their faith. Registration will begin in February .  Watch the bulletin for more information.
 
Souper Bowl Sunday
Saturday and Sunday, February 1^st/2^nd, before and after all Masses the Eighth Grade students will be collecting non-perishable foods and monetary donations to benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.  Show your support by placing your donation in the “soup pot” for your favorite NFL team to win the Super Bowl or SVdP (All food and money collected will be donated to St. Mary/St. Patrick St. Vincent de Paul Society).

Scout Sunday
February 2^nd is Boy Scout Sunday.  Boy Scouts who participate at Mass on February 2^nd/3^rd should receive a Scout Sunday patch from their Pack or Troop. If your son is a Boy Scout and would like to participate in the weekend Masses, please call Terry Cravens at 248-2490.  (Girl Scout Sunday is March 8^th).

 
Totus Tuus
Our parish will be applying to host the Totus Tuus program again. There was a great response from both the students who attended as well as their parents. Totus Tuus is a week-long “parish mission” for Catholic youth entering grades 1^st – 12^th. It is dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, apologetics, Christian witness, the sacraments, Marian devotion, and Eucharistic worship. Totus Tuus calls upon college students and seminarians from the Rockford Diocese and across the United States to carry the mission to every young person they encounter. Please send me the best weeks this summer for your family to attend by January 10^th.  The Program usually runs for six weeks and going off last year’s schedule here is my guestimation: June 7-12; 14-19; 21-26; July 5-10; 12-17; and 19-24. More information will be available in the near future. Want to learn more about this program? Check out the following YouTube video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGJTSiSmJkg
 
St. Agnes (died circa 304)
Feast Day: January 21
Patron of: Girls
Also called Agnes of Rome, she was a virgin and martyr. There is not documented evidence about her martyrdom, but several suggestions of beheading, burning and strangulation. Agnes was very young when she died, 12or 13. Legend says Agnes was a beautiful girl whom many wanted to marry.  One who was refused turned her in as being a Christian.  She was arrested and placed in a house of prostitution.  While there she remained unharmed and a man who looked upon her lustfully was blinded only to have it restored by her prayer. She was condemned, executed and buried near Rome. Another version states she was standing unharmed in flames and was then decapitated. During the reign of Emperor Constantine I, a basilica was built over her grave in her honor. Agnes is often shown in art in flames with a sword at her feet.
 
Agnes is a symbol that holiness does not depend on length of years, experience or human effort. It is a gift God offers to all.

St. John Bosco (1815-1888)
Feast Day: January 31
Patron of: Boys, Editors, Youth
John Bosco was born in Becchi, Piedmont, Italy, where he began studies for the priesthood at the age of sixteen.  Many young people were attracted to his chapel services and evening classes.  Along with his mother he re-opened a boarding house for apprentices and later taught useful trades.  Inspired by St. Francis del Sales, John gathered 17 men and founded the Salesians in 1859.  Later, he founded the Daughters of Our Lady Help of Christians, to assist girls. John believed in education of the whole person – body and soul, along with the importance of job training and the self-worth and pride that come with talent and ability.
ookies, breads, pies etc. Please have your donations brought to the Parish Center Friday, December 13^thor on Sunday prior to the sale.  The class is raising money to donate to Habitat for Humanity- “ Our program is dedicated to building homes, neighborhoods, and lives through improved housing opportunity. We build simple, decent, affordable homes to be sold to families currently living in substandard housing.  Rockford Habitat is for families who are ready to make a life-changing commitment to become homeowners. Families are selected on the basis of need for adequate housing, ability to make mortgage payments, and willingness to become partners in the program.”
 southwest of Hong Kong.  His body was taken to the Church of Good Jesus in Goa, where it remains today.

* Information on saints taken from www.catholic.org and OSV’s Encyclopedia of Saints.