Fr. Patrick Render, C.S.V. Pastor September 15, 2019 |
Dear Friends,
Today the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates “Catechetical Sunday”. It is a day when we acknowledge and bless all those who have committed themselves to the faith for-mation of others. The word “catechetical” comes from a Greek word that means to echo or re- sound. Catechists are those who echo the teachings of our faith and bring them to others. Theword “catechism” is familiar as a compendium of our Catholic teachings and beliefs. All of usare called to catechize others, to share our faith, to assist others in developing their faith, and to witness to our faith by the example of our lives (evangelization) Parents, especially, have this role and responsibility for their children. Teachers in St. Viator School, Catechists in our Religious Education programs and those who volunteer in our Children’s Liturgy assist parents in this role by their work as educators and as youth ministers.
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Religious Education classes here at St. Viator begin today. Children report to the school build- ing by 8:45 a.m. where they meet their catechists and report to their classrooms. At 10:15 clas- ses end and students are brought over to the church where they join their parents at the 10:30Family Mass. Participating in the Mass together with their parents and all the other families is an important piece of the catechetical process. Children learn from what they see and experi- ence, from example and from formal instruction, and so joining with their families and others to celebrate Eucharist is a vital piece of the faith-formation process. Praying together, learning together, sharing Eucharist together is at the heart of what it means to be a Catholic and a mem- ber of a faith community. We sincerely hope that all parents of school age children and teens will see the 10:30 Mass as an important catechetical experience every week. Today our Youth Group will lead the singing and will proclaim the Word of God during this Mass. These teens meet every Sunday after the 10:30 Mass for their Youth Group formation sessions.
RCIA and RICA are also an important part of our parish catechetical program. These classes are for adults and younger adults who wish to join the Catholic Church or to complete their sac- raments of initiation into full membership in our Church. These sessions take place on Sunday mornings and continue until Holy Saturday when the candidates will be fully received into the Catholic community. Sessions in English begin at 8:45 a.m. and include the 10:30 Mass; ses- sions in Spanish begin at 10:00 a.m. and include the 12:30 Mass. (Anyone who might like to take advantage of these adult sessions should contact Fr. Moises for more information.) All of the adults who work with these candidates are Catechists and today we bless them and com- mission them for their ministry.
RCIA and RICA are also an important part of our parish catechetical program. These classes are for adults and younger adults who wish to join the Catholic Church or to complete their sac- raments of initiation into full membership in our Church. These sessions take place on Sunday mornings and continue until Holy Saturday when the candidates will be fully received into the Catholic community. Sessions in English begin at 8:45 a.m. and include the 10:30 Mass; ses- sions in Spanish begin at 10:00 a.m. and include the 12:30 Mass. (Anyone who might like to take advantage of these adult sessions should contact Fr. Moises for more information.) All of the adults who work with these candidates are Catechists and today we bless them and com- mission them for their ministry.
Saint Viator Feats 10/21/2018
Last Sunday’s celebration was a great success! I hope that all of you who were here had a goodtime and enjoyed all the food, the music and the entertainment. I know that the children enjoyed the piñatas and the cotton candy; you could tell by their faces! Thanks to everyone who brought food or made donations for the event. Special thanks are due to all the members of the Pastoral Council who planned and worked to make it such a great occasion for our parish community to come together. The church was full for our liturgy and my thanks to all the visiting priests (and one bishop) who came to join us for the Feast of St. Viator. The bilingual liturgy was a wonderful way to recognize all the diversity among us and yet our unity in Christ which we experience through the Eucharist.
Thanks to the choirs, the cantors, the lectors, the Eucharistic ministers, the ushers and all who shared in that special Mass. We owe Fr. Moises a special word of gratitude because he is the one who worked behind the scenes to prepare the liturgy. A special guest on Sunday was Mr. John O’Malley who was one of the first children baptized in the new church and who faithfully participated and served this parish during most of those ninety years. He is a living witness to a great portion ofthe church’s history and came back to join us from his retirement.
Thanks to the choirs, the cantors, the lectors, the Eucharistic ministers, the ushers and all who shared in that special Mass. We owe Fr. Moises a special word of gratitude because he is the one who worked behind the scenes to prepare the liturgy. A special guest on Sunday was Mr. John O’Malley who was one of the first children baptized in the new church and who faithfully participated and served this parish during most of those ninety years. He is a living witness to a great portion ofthe church’s history and came back to join us from his retirement.
Adopt a Family Event 2018
Adopt a Family would like to extend 101 Thank You’s from our 101 Families who enjoyed an afternoon full of presents and treats! Thank You to our generous shoppers, bakers and elves who pitched in to make this a special day for local families in need of help. An extra thanks to our Youth Group, Teen Club, Girl Scouts and Parent Association! Merry Christmas!