October 2017

You’ve likely heard the buzz (in some form) about “21

st-century

learning.” Instead of just memorizing facts, children are now learning how to think, critique, and synthesize (combine and apply) information. Collaboration and problem-solving are also key. These learning strategies can help kids grow in their Christian faith, too. Teaching abstract concepts to younger children can be challenging, but experts say certain techniques help preschool- and elementary-age kids move beyond concrete thinking. For example, sensory experiences, movement, interaction, and personal involvement all make concepts more real to young learners. Children hang new information onto previous bits of

knowledge called “mental hooks.” Kids need hands-on experience to build on those hooks. That’s why, rather than just call God a divine being; we also say he’s a father, friend, and provider. We “hang” God onto hooks kids can grasp. Then as children’s cognitive abilities develop, they’re able to use “mental operations”—letting them think more abstractly about relationships or patterns of objects without the actual objects present. Asking kids solid, higher-level questions further enhances their critical thinking about faith issues. As author Josh McDowell notes, “I needed to teach my kids to think, to think logically, and to come to their conclusions. Because, if there is always Dad’s answer, then they couldn’t develop convictions. … We need to put our children on a quest for truth.”

Help Kids Develop a “Thinking Faith”

POWERSOURCE ASK JESUS:

1. To help your children trust God,

not themselves, for answers.

2. To help you be a faithful

example of how to learn,

evaluate, and problem-solve.

3. To guide your kids to make wise,

God-honoring decisions.

SStt.. KKiilliiaann

CCoonnggrreeggaattiioonn

442288 FFoorreesstt SSttrreeeett

HHaarrttffoorrdd,, WWII 5533002277

Dennis Vlasak, DRE

262-673-4831 ext. 406 Attendance 262-673-4831 ext. 307

dre@stkiliancong.org

TEACHABLE MOMENTS

On the “Grow” With a marker, divide a sheet of poster board into four squares. Label the squares “Wisdom,” “Physically,” Friendship With God,” and “Friendship With People.” Read aloud Luke 2:52. Say: Jesus was a child once and grew up. Let’s play a game to think about ways we grow. Stand back from the poster and take turns throwing a beanbag at it. The “thrower” then acts out one thing he or she can do to grow in that area. For example, “Friendship With People” could be sharing a toy. Try to guess what’s being acting out—no talking! Afterward, ask: Why was it important for Jesus to grow in these four areas? How can Jesus help you as you grow in each area? What’s one area you can ask Jesus to help you grow in this week? Say: By strengthening your mind, your body, your friendship with God, and your friendships with people, you can grow up just like Jesus did! Close in prayer.

Living and Learning

As children grow and learn, they must solve problems along the way. Here’s how that happens—and how you can help as a parent. Birth to Age 2 Young children are sensory-oriented and learn by imitating. Offer choices and model different basic problem-solving techniques. Ages 3 to 5 Preschoolers are multisensory, solving as they touch and do. Allow time and space for problem-solving. Praise children’s efforts. Ages 6 to 8 Kids this age begin to learn in specific ways (visual, auditory, tactile, etc.), which also affects how they tackle problems. Ages 9 to 12 Preteens observe how peers solve problems. They want to be independent but may lack confidence. Tell kids you trust their abilities. Let them know failure is okay. Also be available to discuss problems.

“I pray that…you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and

blameless lives.” —Philippians 1:9-10

Mobile Learners Researchers agree that some of the most productive mental processing occurs when children are active and involved. So get up and discuss Jesus and faith while doing other activities as a family. The “I Can’t” Jar When children say they can’t do something, write down the problem and pray about it together. When the obstacle has been overcome, put the slip of paper in a jar as a reminder of what Jesus helps us accomplish. Apply Always While reading the Bible together, ask questions with specific applications; for example, “How can we serve our neighbors today?” and “What’s one thing you can do this week to show love?” Calm & Collected Model for children how to react to bad or scary news. Don’t use worst-case scenarios or exaggerate risks to make a point. Instead, provide accurate, age-appropriate information. Brainstorm solutions together to empower kids and to give them a sense of control. Wise Guys (and Gals) Ask family members what they’d wish for if they were granted one wish. Then read aloud 1 Kings 3:5-9. Make

booklets out of folded paper, stapling the folded edge. Fill them with wise sayings (or drawings) you can teach one another—anything from “Treat others the way you want to be treated” to “Don’t shake a bottle of soda before opening it.” Browse through Proverbs for ideas. Add pages and ideas throughout the school year. Twenty Questions Encourage interruptions and pause often while sharing biblical concepts with your kids. Let them share their thoughts and ask questions. You’ll discover whether they have adequate “mental hooks” (see page one) on which to hang new information. Be Strengthened Read aloud Isaiah 40:31. Say: “If we trust in God, he will give us new strength.” As a reminder to trust God when problems arise, take turns trying a cool trick. Stand in a doorway and press the backs of your hands against the door frame as hard as you can. Count to 25, then step away, relax your arms, and see what happens. Say: “You found new strength! When you stopped pressing so hard, your arms wanted to fly up. God renews our strength when we’re tired and when life gets tough. Always trust God!”

MOVIE Title: The War With Grandpa Genre: Family, Comedy, Drama Rating: Not yet rated Cast: Robert De Niro, Oakes Fegley, Christopher Walken, Uma Thurman Synopsis: When Peter’s grandfather becomes a widower, he moves into his grandson’s beloved bedroom. Peter plots outrageous schemes to try to get his space back, but Grandpa is very resourceful and has a few tricks up his own sleeve. Our Take: This film, based on a novel by Robert Kimmel Smith, explores the challenges of family life and change. Although the situation is played for laughs, the movie can lead to important discussions about respecting our elders, selflessness, and personal space.

MEDIA MADNESS

CULTURE & TRENDS

Recycled Clothes Some students headed back to school this fall in “green” clothing—of many colors. Retailers such as Target and J.C. Penney now offer jeans and shirts made from recycled fabric and even plastic bottles. Tags touting “Responsible Style” attract eco-friendly consumers. (AP)

The Honest Truth? Take note: The new app Sarahah (Arabic for “candor”) is exposing kids to online bullying. Known as the “honesty app,” it allows anyone to comment on a person’s social media posts and photos anonymously. Although Sarahah isn’t recommended for children, it has no age restriction. (commonsensemedia.org)

QUICK STATS

Older Is Better? Researchers say older mothers tend to thrive because they have more psychological and cognitive flexibility. A study of more than 4,700 families reveals that older mothers are less harsh regarding discipline, and their kids are less likely to have behavioral, social, and emotional problems. (nytimes.com)

Screen Danger A study of 4,500 children found that those who logged more than three hours of screen time per day had insulin-resistance levels that were 11% higher than those of kids who spent less than one hour a day in front of screens. (theguardian.com)

TV Title: Raven’s Home Network: Disney Synopsis: Raven-Symoné has returned to television, this time as a busy divorced mother of preteen twins. The title character, who starred in That’s So Raven 10 years ago, joins forces with her best friend to raise their kids. Raven’s son has inherited her psychic gift and must learn to cope with that power. Our Take: Be warned that part of the plot line revolves about visions and clairvoyance. The sitcom addresses a range of preteen troubles and explores different family structures and parenting styles. Preview the show to determine whether it’s a fit for your family. Geared toward ages 8 and up.

Games, Sites & Apps

Arms This cartoonish fighting game is for Nintendo’s new Switch console. Players use detachable motion-sensor joysticks and can brawl with a variety of offbeat items. In just four months on the market, more than 5 million Switch consoles have sold, earning comparisons to Nintendo’s last hit, Wii.

Switchzoo.com Kids can create their own unique animals, mixing and matching body parts, habitats, sounds, and more. Amid the fun, children also learn animal facts and explore topics such as diversity and species specialization. The site features 142 animals, as well as virtual field trips. Best for ages 5 to 9.

Thinkrolls: Kings & Queens This app from award-winning company Avokiddo features a variety of logic and physics-related puzzles. In a fantasy setting, young players learn strategy, problem-solving, and cause and effect. The app costs $3.99 and is designed for ages 3 to 8.

This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product. Our prayer is that

you’ll make informed decisions about what your children watch, read, listen to, and play.

October, 2017

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 26th Sunday in Ordinary

Time St. Therese of

Lisieux

2 Holy Guardian

Angels

3 4 St. Francis of

Assisi

5

6 7 Our Lady of the

Rosary 9:00 am 1

st

Reconciliation Parent Meeting

8 27th Sunday in Ordinary

Time 6:30 pm

Confirmation Parent Meeting

9 World Mental

Health Day Columbus

Day

10 6:30 pm 1

st

Reconciliation Parent Meeting

11 St. John XXIII

12 13

14

Trivia Night Fundraiser

15 28th Sunday in Ordinary

Time Grade 6 Gospel

Procession

16

17 St. Ignatius of

Antioch

18 St. Luke the Evangelist

19 Sts. John de Brebeuf &

Isaac Jogues

20

21

22 29th Sunday in Ordinary

Time

23

24 25

26

27

28 Sts. Simon &

Jude

29 30th Sunday in Ordinary

Time

NO RE Classes

30

31 Halloween

Nov. 1

All Saints Day (Holy day of Obligation)

Nov. 2

All Souls’ Day

Website has Answers

to Your Questions

Wondering when is the next week off from class? Wondering the date of that parent meeting? Our Parish web site http://www.stkiliancong.org/ has your answers. Click on the Religious Ed tab to see all the information about RE schedules, Sacraments, and the Mass. There is information to help your child(ren) with classwork or prayers, information about The Liturgical Year, Morality and Catholic Social Teaching. There is a page where you can find a copy of the Parent Handbook. Inside the handbook is a listing of Catechists and how to contact them. There are areas for the Morning Religious Education Program and also the Evening RE program. The Evening Program then breaks down into each grade level. Information and forms for each grade level will be found there as activities get closer.

ENJOY FALL!

Questions about the Catechism: A Continuing Series

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Donations to the Hartford Food Pantry continue to be needed. There are times

when the food supplies at the Food Pantry run very low. They are in need of

most everything including personal hygiene items and paper products. There is

a collection box in the Main Entrance to the School near the Holy Family Room

during both the morning and evening programs.

Please be generous!

17. Is the doctrinal authority of the Catechism equal to that

of the dogmatic definitions of a pope or ecumenical

council?

By its very nature, a catechism presents the fundamental

truths of the faith which have already been communicated

and defined. Because the Catechism presents Catholic

doctrine in a complete yet summary way, it naturally

contains the infallible doctrinal definitions of the popes and

ecumenical councils in the history of the Church. It also

presents teaching which has not been communicated and

defined in these most solemn forms. This does not mean that

such teaching can be disregarded or ignored. Quite to the

contrary, the Catechism presents Catholic doctrine as an

organic whole and as it is related to Christ who is the center.

A major catechism, such as the Catechism of the Catholic

Church, presents a compendium of Church teachings and has

the advantage of demonstrating the harmony that exists

among those teachings.

18. Is the doctrinal authority of the Catechism equal to the

documents of the Second Vatican Council?

Just as the Catechism contains the most solemnly defined

dogmas of the Church, it also contains the teachings of the

Second Vatican Council. The worldwide consultation of the

bishops that preceded the promulgation of the Catechism

gives it a collegial character. It is, as Pope John Paul II said,

"the result of a collaboration of the whole episcopate." It

would seem, however, that the Catechism did not have the

benefit of the complete exercise of effective collegiality that

accompanies the writing, disputation, revision, consensus,

agreement and eventual promulgation of documents of an

ecumenical council. But it must be noted that the form of a

catechism is distinct from the form of conciliar documents.

They are complimentary, but they are not identical.

St. John,

Confirmation Parent Meeting

An informational meeting for parents of RE students preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation will be held on Sunday, October 8th at 6:30 pm in the St. Theodore Room of the Parish Center. Students should report to their individual classrooms at 6:30 pm. Students will join their parents in the St. Theodore Room at 7:45 pm to fill out the Candidate Information Form. Important information will be given at this meeting regarding the Confirmation celebration, the Confirmation retreat and other specific requirements. Both parents are invited and encouraged to attend, but at least one parent is required to be present. Those parents and students not in attendance will need to meet with Dennis at another time outside of class time. Please make every effort to be in attendance on October 8

th. For

additional information regarding the meeting, please refer to the letter sent on September 14

th or direct any

questions to Dennis Vlasak in the RE Office, 673-4831 ext. 406 or dre@stkiliancong.org

We have received the date for our Confirmation celebration from the Archdiocese! The date for our Confirmation Liturgy is Sunday, June 3, 2017 at 2pm. The celebration will be held at St. Kilian Church. Confirmation students from St. John, Rubicon and St. Kilian, Hartford, as collaborating parishes, will celebrate the Sacrament together.

October At A Glance

Oct. 1 –10:00-11:00 am - Class – 4K-Grade 7

Oct. 1 - 6:30-8:00 pm - Class – Grades 8-11

Oct. 7 – 9:00-10:30 am –1st Reconciliation Parent Session - St. Theodore Room, Parish Center

Oct. 8 –10:00-11:00 am - Class – 4K-Grade 7

Oct. 8 - 6:30-8:00 pm - Class – Grades 8-11

Oct. 8 - 6:30-8:00 pm – Confirmation Parent Meeting - St. Theodore Room, Parish Center Oct. 10 - 6:30-8:00 pm –1

st Reconciliation Parent Session - St. Theodore Room, Parish Center

Oct. 15 – 9:00 am – Mass – All children are encouraged to attend. Sit together as a family

throughout the church. Children of the class scheduled to do the Gospel Procession will have pews reserved for them. Grade 6 – Gospel Procession – Meet your Catechist in the Gathering Space near the Sacristy before Mass. 10:00-11:00 am - Class – 4K-Grade 7

Oct. 15 - 6:30-8:00 pm - Class – Grades 8-11 Oct. 22 – 10:00-11:00 am - Class – 4K-Grade 7

Oct. 22 – 6:30-8:00 pm - Class – Grades 8-11

Oct. 29 – No Classes

1st Reconciliation

Parent Meetings

Parents of students who will be preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time are required to attend one of two informational meetings.

There are two meetings scheduled: one on Saturday, October 7th at 9:00 am, and one scheduled on Tuesday, October 10th at 6:30 pm. Both meetings

will be held in the St. Theodore Room of the Parish Center.

Both parents are invited to attend, but at least one parent needs to attend one of these First Reconciliation Parent Meetings.

As indicated in the letter sent on September 14th, please bring along the $20.00 fee and a copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate if they were baptized somewhere other than St. Kilian, Hartford, St. Patrick, Thompson, or St. John, Rubicon. We will be filling out the Information Form at the meeting. For additional information regarding the First Reconciliation Parent Meeting, please refer to the letter sent on September 14th, or direct your questions to Dennis Vlasak in the RE Office at 673-4831 ext. 406, or email dre@stkiliancong.org.

GREETERS – A

New Family Ministry

THE POWER OF A WARM

WELCOME!

A revitalization of the Greeter Ministry is

taking place at St. Kilian Parish! The

parish will be focusing on families in the

Greeter Ministry.

A Church Greeter is one of the most

important roles in the Church! Greeters

are the first people that parishioners and

visitors see. It is vitally important to be

welcoming – especially to our visiting

guests! The greeter may assist, and care

for the needs of, those entering for

worship. Following the example of Jesus

who welcomes everyone to the Table, we

too are called to offer hospitality and

welcome to everyone in the name of the

Lord.

Each Religious Education family is to

schedule six (6) Masses where the family

will be greeters at the doors to the

Gathering Space or the Breezeway.

Sign-up today! Greeter sign-up is all

completed on-line. To sign up for a

particular date and time, along with either

the Gathering Space entrance or

Breezeway entrance, please go to the

parish or RE website Greeter Ministry

page, or go directly to

https://tinyurl.com/ybhptsbm to sign up!

To have your questions answered, please

contact Dennis Vlasak at 262-673-4831

ext. 406 or dre@stkiliancong.org.

TRIVIA NIGHT

Please join the St. Kilian Staff and families (adults only!!), Saturday, October 14th for Trivia Night!

This is a St. Kilian School fundraiser. Each person is responsible for bringing his or her own drinks and appetizers. Teams are encouraged to dress in a theme and decorate their table. The cost is $80 for a team of 8 people. There will be a basket raffle. Each team is required to bring in a raffle basket valued at $50. Registration forms can be found in the Gathering Space or the Breezeway Entrances. Please send the registration form and money, to Jayne Steiner at St. Kilian School, by Wednesday, October 4

th. The first 30

teams to return both the registration form AND the money will be guaranteed a spot. If you have any questions, please contact Jayne at 99steinerj@stkiliancong.org.

The registration due date is October 4th!

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“Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience… Above

all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

—Colossians 3:12, 14

A greeter’s role at the parish liturgy is to greet people as they come into the church

and welcome them into the celebration about to take place. Great greeters are

those who can put others at ease and convey countless good wishes for those they

greet with a simple smile or “hello.” The primary role of the ministry of

greeters is to help people feel welcome as they gather for Mass. An

open door and the warm smile of greeters help set the tone for the

Eucharistic celebration, offering hospitality in the name of the Lord.

There are a few basic responsibilities of greeters:

1- Arrive at the church doors 20 minutes before Mass starts.

2- Be available before Mass to open doors and welcome and assist both

regular members and visitors with a smile. Be attentive, especially to

elderly, offer assistance with wheelchairs or walkers.

3- Provide directions to the restrooms, sacristy, gathering space kitchen,

ushers, etc.

4- Be present at the end of Mass to open doors and assist people as they

leave, wishing them a good week.

Additional Volunteers Needed!

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“I used to pray that God

would feed the hungry, but

now I pray that He will guide

me to do whatever I’m

supposed to do.”

-Saint Mother Theresa

Härmənē Men’s Choir

Benefit Concert

October 1, 2:00pm

St. Kilian is blest to offer an all-male

choir concert benefitting the

Hartford Food Pantry and the

Hartford Community Lunch program

Sunday, October 1 at 2:00 pm. The

concert will be held in St. Kilian

Church, 264 W. State Street,

Hartford. The group, named

Härmənē, will perform a variety of

musical styles that are fun,

reflective, inspiring, and emotional.

Some of the most talented voices

have come together for one

AWESOME ALL-MALE CHORUS

CONCERT. These men are brought

together not just by the love of

singing, but also by a desire to

benefit the communities in which

they live.

Mark your calendars. This is a

concert for all ages that you will not

want to miss! Please bring a

non-perishable food item. Free will

offering will be taken.

“Music is the expression of

harmony in sound. Love is the

expression of harmony in life.”

– Stephen Gaskin

The Religious Education Program continues to look for additional volunteers.

Please consider the following volunteer opportunities. We need everyone’s help in order to offer the children the quality programs that they deserve.

As required by the Archdiocese, all adult volunteers who have direct contact

with the children and youth are required to attend a “Safe Environment Education Program”, read the Code of Ethical Standards and Mandatory

Reporting Documents, sign and return the form that you have read the documents, and provide information for a Criminal Background Check.

Contact Dennis Vlasak to volunteer. dre@stkiliancong.org or 262-673-4831 ext. 406.

Attendance Phone Calls_ Grades 4K-7 (Sunday am)

__ Grades 8-11 (Sunday pm)

High Street (Library) Entrance Monitor __ Before Class (Sunday 8:45 -10:00am)

Gym Entrance Monitor ___ Before Class (Sunday 8:45 -10:00am) Substitute Catechist Grades 4K-7 (Sunday am) Grades 8-11 (Sunday pm) Hall/Door Monitor during Class Time. Includes checking all outer doors

throughout the school complex to assure that the building is secure. ___9:00-10:00 am ___ 6:30-8:00 pm

Keepin’ It Real: Why Sunday Mass is Important by RACHEL LEININGER- from LIFETEEN

Rule #3: “Remember the Sabbath day – keep it holy.”

That’s a commandment, ladies and gentlemen, straight out of the mouth of God to Moses on Mount Sinai .

And “keeping it holy” means not doing any work – resting, like the good Lord Himself did on the seven th

day in the creation accounts in Genesis. No one is supposed to work on the Sabbath – not you, not your son

or daughter, not your manservant or your lady -servant, not even your donkey or ox or Chia pet … nobody.

So that means you can (dare I say… should?) sleep until noon on Sundays, right? And if sleeping ‘til noon

means missing Sunday Mass, then God is cool with it , r ight?

SABBATH TIME

Not so much… Sunday Mass is a really big deal . Keeping the Sabbath holy isn’t just about rest. It’s about

so much more than that – it’s about giving the Lord the praise He is due, it’s about remembering all that

He has done for us, it’s about spending time with the family God gave us, it’s about making sure we keep

the Lord as God, and not work or money… it’s about a thousand or so wonderful things that Jesus has done

and wants to do in your life.

We refer to the Mass as the ‘source and summit’ of our faith ( CCC 1324) – the source, because everything

else flows from it, and the summit, because there’s nothing greater than it.

All that sounds really good – nice churchy talk, solid theology. But if we’re trying to keep it real, I know

that those reasons aren’t quite exciting enough to get most people out of bed in the morning…

So why go to Sunday Mass? Easy: because Jesus is there. For real.

REAL PRESENCE

A lot of people who are much smarter than I have written pages of solid theology on why we believe that

Jesus Christ is really present – body, blood, soul, and divinity – in the Eucharist. Our faith teaches us that

at every Mass, every drop of wine and every crumb of the host is 100% transformed into Jesus’ body and

blood. It happens in a way we don’t totally understand and can’t really explain, through the mysterious

power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God through the words of consecration. And the end result is that

we get to receive Him into our bodies.

If you’re looking to read some o f those great theological works… go find them. We’ve all been wrestling to

find the words to explain that Jesus meant it when He said, “This IS my body,” and “This IS my blood,” and

“DO THIS in memory of me” (I added the all-caps… because sometimes I wish the priest would shout those

parts at Mass to help people get it . But that wouldn’t really be super reverent. And Jesus probably didn’t

shout at the Last Supper).

I love how St. Paul – a guy who didn’t personally walk with Jesus while He was in the flesh, but had a

l ife-changing encounter with Him after His death and resurrection (hmm… sound familiar? Like, I dunno…

me? You?) – breaks it down for the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). They were struggling with coming

to Mass reverently (hmm… sound like anyone else you know?), and so as he calls them out in love, St. Paul

says that he is simply handing on to them what he had received from t he Lord: that at the Last Supper, the

night before the crucifixion, Jesus took bread and wine, told the disciples that it was His body and blood,

and commanded them to do the same, in remembrance of Him.

He didn’t say that Jesus said to play pretend. There was no talk of symbols or representations. Jesus said to

do the same, and St. Paul was simply following His lead.

REAL LIFE

I’ve been Catholic my whole life, which means I have literally been to Mass thousands of times. I’ve heard

those words, over and over again, in churches all over our country and even around the world. It’s an

amazing thing to still understand what’s happening at a Mass where you don’t speak the language. And

sometimes, once in a while, it feels like I almost get it.

Because I’ve also sat with Jesus, fully present to me in Eucharistic adoration, and have heard Him

whispering. Not out loud, and not the words of consecration – but a whisper, somewhere in my heart or mind

or soul, speaking to me. He has let me know that He really is there, that He loves me, and He will always be

there for me. And He isn’t just saying it to me… He says it to each one of us. If you spend that time with

Him in the Eucharist, I know that He’ll say the same to you.

THROUGH HIM, WITH HIM, AND IN HIM

Listen, I love sleep as much as the next person. It’s near the top of the list of my favorite things that exist,

alongside my faith, eating, Netflix, and America. I know that sometimes, Sunday mornings are a struggle.

It’s too early, or the music is rough, or the homily might not connect, or there’s a really cute baby screaming

its cute little head off from the next pew.

But I also know that, no matter what, Jesus shows up to every single Mass. He is really there, fully

present in the Eucharist. And not only does He keep His promise to show up there, but He keeps His

promise to show up in me, too. When I receive the Eucharist, I receive all of Him, and He gives me

everything I need to get through the week. Whatever comes my way – stress, family issues, friend

drama, any fears or anxieties – I know that I can survive it all… with Him.

I can’t make you want to go to Mass on Sundays. But so help me God, nothing could keep me from it –

because I know that when Jesus told the apostles, “I am with you always,” He m eant it (Matthew 28:20). He

is there, in the Eucharist, for you.

See you Sunday.

Living as Missionary Disciples

ST. KILIAN ATHLETICS Attention all parents of students in Grades 5-8!! Parents of students in Grades 5-8, who wish to participate in any of our parish-based Athletic Program offerings, you are asked to fill out the registration form found on the Athletics portion of the website here. Please, it is important to sign up as soon as possible! Here is the direct address if the click through link does not work: http://www.stkiliancong.org/school/athleticsonlineforms.cfm.

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Catechetical Sunday, with its 2017 theme of “Living as Missionary Disciples,” is

a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on why we do the challenging work of

catechesis. How do we live as missionary disciples?

Mission When I hear the word missionary, I think of a priest sailing to some far away and foreign land to preach the Gospel, armed only with

his crucifix and his conviction. We might think that the call to be a missionary is a special calling meant only for a few hardy souls;

we might be tempted to think, “Oh, I could never do that! Surely God is not calling me to be a missionary!” Yet that is exactly what

God is calling us to be. Our mission field is not a remote village in the Amazon rainforest, but in our homes, workplace or friend

circle.

Discipleship On the other hand, discipleship often calls to mind something comfortable and easy. We grew up hearing that a disciple is a friend of

Jesus. “Oh, yes,” we might think, “I am a disciple. I love Jesus. I go to church every Sunday. I pray. I listen to Jesus’ teachings.” But

when we stop and look at what Jesus actually required of his friends, discipleship takes on a whole new meaning. Have we really

“dropped our nets” and left everything behind to follow Jesus, just as St. Peter did? Are we really people of hope in the face of

suffering and persecution? Do we show the people in our family and our relationships how to love Jesus, or do we simply go through

the motions?

Missionary Discipleship We simply cannot be a missionary without being a disciple. If we want to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then we must have our

own intimate relationship with Jesus. Similarly, we cannot be a disciple without being a missionary. Our relationship with Jesus

propels us to share his love with others. There is no such thing as a static disciple. Our joy at knowing Jesus bursts forth in service,

using whatever gifts God has given us. A missionary disciple is someone who loves Jesus and wants to share this joy with others.

What does this mean for parents?

We are all in different stages of our faith journey; everyone has a unique relationship with Jesus. No matter where we are on our

journey of faith, we have been called to be missionary disciples. Rooted and empowered by our loving relationship with Christ, and

trusting that he will provide us all that we need, we can share his love in whatever mission field he sends us.

Reflection How do you see yourself as a missionary disciple? How can you share this call with your children and family?

Edited from an article by Darcy Osby is Director of Religious Education at St. Bernard Parish in Pittsburgh, PA.

If a student cannot be at a particular class,

please call the Religious Education

Attendance Line at 673-4831 ext.

307 and leave a message with the child’s

name, grade, and reason for the absence.

When leaving a message, please make

sure to use extension 307. If you leave

the message on the parish or school

secretary’s voice mail, we will not receive

the message until Monday morning.

Special Note: Parents are asked to call

both the Attendance Line with the absence

and their child’s Catechist to find out what

lesson is being taught that week so that you

can work through the lesson with your child

prior to the next class. All work needs to be

completed at all grade levels.

RE Attendance