September 2023
 

As the new Religious Education year begins, I want to remind parents that you are the primary teachers of the faith to your children.  Children learn so much more by watching their parents practice their faith, by regular reception of the sacraments and attending Mass, than by what they hear.  As a parish community we are here to help support parents in this job of passing on our faith to the youngest members of the church.

The parish website www.stmarystpatrick.org and Flocknotes will be the places to go for updates and information on Religious Education and parish life. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at the office: 815-248-2490, [email protected] or text/call my cell phone 815-543-5627.

Registration
If you haven’t returned your RE registration form, please do so ASAP. We need to have this on-hand in order for your child(ren) to attend class.  If you are not sure if you returned it, just call the office. You may also bring the registration to the first Family RE class Sunday, September 17^th at 9am.

Sunday, September 10^th

• Jesus & Java (or Juice) for students in grades 7-12^th, 9:00-10:15am at the Parish Center. We will have breakfast and talk about all things Catholic, current world news, local news, and how to stand strong in our faith despite living in a secular world.

• Women at the Well is an opportunity to meet other women, share your wisdom, seek advice and grow together in our faith – all in a  fun and relaxed social setting. They meet monthly on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30pm, St. Mary Church Hall. This evening we will talk rosaries and even make one.

• St. Anne’s CCW will meet at 10am in the St. Mary Church Hall for their monthly meeting. All women of the parish are encouraged to attend as they are all members. St. Anne’s acts as the hostesses for parish functions provide meals for funerals, organize the Christmas & spring banquets for women, and provide support to the parish and charities.

• Last week was the first That Man is You meeting. Did you miss it? No worries it’s not too late to join Deacon Mike and men of the parish at 6am this morning at St. Mary Church Hall. The theme is becoming a man after God’s own heart, the vision of man fully alive. Beginning at 6am with greeting & coffee followed by a presentation, small group discussion, and concluding at 7:10am. As one participant said “Very impressive, I can’t wait to see what the next one will bring.” Any questions, call Deacon Mike at 630-269-7508.

• Religious Education Family Classes begin today from 9:00-10:15am. Families will meet in St. Mary Church Hall and start the year with a Potluck Brunch. Each family is asked to bring something to share (breakfast/egg casserole, fruit, muffins, donuts, yogurt, bacon or sausage, etc.) Tableware and drinks will be provided.

• Parent & Student Reconciliation Class for students in second grade preparing to receive the Sacrament in December. We will meet from 9-10:15am, St. Mary Church Hall.
• Annual Pie and Dessert Auction/Social will be held at 11:30am, St. Mary Church Hall. We will auction off pies, desserts, sweet rolls, and more to support the Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford. We will also serve pie/dessert and ice cream for those who may not want to bid in the auction, but want to come and socialize, support the cause, and enjoy the exciting bidding. Please call Renae Pinter 608-630-6139 with any questions or to donate a baked good for the auction/social.

• The Hike for Life annual fundraiser for the Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford. Participants may register at friendsofthepcc.org. The hike takes place at First Free church in Rockford. Registration begins at 8:45am and students will be leaving from St. Mary’s at 8:00am. Call Renae Pinter 608-630-6139 with any questions.

• Religious Education Family Classes will be held today from 9:00-10:15am with peer breakout sessions.

• What are the reasons why we do what we do during the Mass? Where do the congregation’s responses and the postures they assume come from and what do they signify? Join us as Father Bergschneider and Deacon Mike Alber lead A Walk Through the Mass at 6:30pm, St. Mary Church. This presentation will give us the “why’s” behind all the “what’s.”

RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation
Have you or someone you know been baptized Catholic but haven’t received Holy Communion or Confirmation? Are you, a family member or friend interested in learning more about the Catholic Church and possibly becoming Catholic? Do you have questions, misunderstandings or hurts that you need to discuss with others? Then the RCIA program is for you! Please give the office a call at 815-248-2490, join Deacon Mike and discover if God is calling you to be a full member of the Catholic Church. By attending the meetings you are not committed to entering into the Church.

Religious Medals
Religious Medals are one way your Girl Scout or Boy Scout can learn more about their Catholic faith.  Anyone interested in earning a Religious Medal should contact Terry Cravens at 248-2490, by September 30^th.