Hello everyone,
I am sure I don’t have to ask if you enjoyed the gorgeous weather this weekend! We live in such a beautiful area of the country. I hope you all have a blessing filled week and take some time this week to thank God for the amazing earth He created. Thursday is Earth Day. Here is a link for a couple of fun ideas to celebrate earth day with your family: http://www.uscatholic.org/culture/social-justice/2009/04/some-bright-ideas-earth-day
PARISH PICNIC: This coming Sunday, April 24th at Pioneer Park our annual parish picnic will be celebrated. ALL are welcome. Bi-lingual Mass begins at noon followed by free pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs for kids, games & activities.
April is Child Abuse prevention month and each year our parish’s Safeguard the Children Committee sponsors an evening for parents focused on various strategies to keep our children safe. This year our event is NEXT Wednesday, April 27th from 6:30-8:00pm in the Parish Hall and our Guest Speaker is Sandra Brown, a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputy with years of experience in educating parents on a range of topics related to keeping children safe. Don’t miss out on this very informative talk. (This will be the final parent Faith Growth Opportunity for the RE year. Attending counts as a Faith Growth opportunity for RE parents of year 1 & year 2 Communion students. One is required each year.)
Year 2 Communion Student RETREAT: A BIG thank you to ALL of the parents who volunteered before, during and after the retreat Saturday to make it a beautiful success for the children!
First Communion DVD: The early discount deadline for the DVD of the First Communion Mass has been EXTENDED TO THIS THURSDAY 4/21@6:00pm. If you haven’t had a chance to order a DVD, you can still order for $20 (price increases to $30 after 4/21). I have attached the order form. PLEASE return to my office by Thursday for early discount.
1st Communion Rehearsal for Thursday classes: Thursday 5/5/16 @ 6:15-7:15pm in the church (during class time)
1st Communion Rehearsal for SLDM school: during school day the week of 5/2/-5/6/16 with Mrs. Fuller & Mrs. McLoughlin
1st Communion Mass for Thursday classes & school: Saturday 5/7/16 @ 10:00am in the church (children arrive at 9:00am)
1st Communion Rehearsal for Wednesday classes: Wednesday 5/4/16@4:00-5:00pm in the church
1st Communion Mass for Wednesday classes: Saturday 5/7/16 @ 1:00pm in the church (children arrive at noon)
EARLY REGISTRATION TIME for Religious Education classes & Junior High group: Parents can register their children early for the 2016-2017 classes which being after Labor day. Registering early makes it easier to choose the day of week you want your children to go to classes, gives you one less thing for your summer to do list and you receive an early bird discount of $5.00. The last day for early registration discount is June 3rd. The RE Office is open for registration every Tuesday from 4:30-6:30pm, Wednesday from 3:00-5:30pm and Thursday from 5:00-8:00pm. If you have questions, contact kelly@sldm.org
Vacation Bible Camp: Registration has begun for this summer’s VBC “A Radical Ride on the Wings of Prayer”. Camp will be held the week of July 18th-22nd from 9:00am-noon each day and is open to children from 4 years old through entering 6th grade. Volunteers are needed to support this awesome event, to register a camper or volunteer please contact kelly@sldm.org Volunteer registration form available by email.
Thought for the week: “A parent’s love for a child reflects our Father’s love for us.” –Amy Boucher Pye
Tip of the Week: Whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye. –Zechariah 2:8 “A friend’s baby was suffering seizures, so they sped to the hospital in an ambulance, her heart racing as she prayed for her daughter. Her fierce love for this child hit her afresh as she held her tiny fingers, recalling too how much more the Lord loves us and how we are “the apple of His eye.” Hebrew scholars suggest the phrase from Zechariah 2 shows one’s reflection in the pupil of another’s eye. So with eyes being precious and fragile, they need protecting, and that’s how the Lord wants to love and protect His people- by holding them close to His heart. The Lord who dwells in our midst pours out His love on us- even, amazingly, far more than a loving mother who does all she can for her ailing child. We are the apple of His eye, His beloved.” (reflection by Amy Bourcher Pye in Our Daily Bread)
Blessings to all,
Kelly
Kelly McLoughlin
Director of Religious Education
Junior High Ministry
St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church
Proud member of NACYML www.nacyml.org
And NCCL www.nccl.org