BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

We will resume Sunday School January 8th, 2006(the Sunday before vacation ends).
Please take time to read the Holy Father's Christmas message.

At Christmas we contemplate God made man, divine glory hidden beneath the poverty of a Child wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger; the Creator of the Universe reduced to the helplessness of an infant. Once we accept this paradox, we discover the Truth that sets us free and the Love that transforms our lives. On Bethlehem Night, the Redeemer becomes one of us, our companion along the precarious paths of history. Let us take the hand which he stretches out to us: It is a hand which seeks to take nothing from us, but only to give. With the shepherds let us enter the stable of Bethlehem beneath the loving gaze of Mary, the silent witness of his miraculous birth. May she help us to experience the happiness of Christmas, may she teach us how to treasure in our hearts the mystery of God who for our sake became man; and may she help us to bear witness in our world to his truth, his love and his peace. +

The Chronicles of Narnia - December 18

Hello everyone,
As you may already know, Miss Purcell's catechism class is invited to see the 'The Chronicles of Narnia,' next Sunday for a Matinee performance. Judging by the response of the class, many of them would prefer the later showing which would be around 3:00 or 3:30(you can check here). I will purchase the tickets ahead of time and am asking for $4 (since I have coupons that I must use soon). I will be able to transport only 7 students including myself but will come to some sort of arrangement with regards to transportation. After the film(it's 2hrs.20min.) everyone is welcome back to my home for pizza and dessert. Roughly the festivities should end around 6-6:30.

This is a great opportunity for young people, as they discern their vocation, to see a magnificent film with strong, Christian values embedded in it.

See you at the movies!

Week 10 - Confession

When an important guest comes to our home, we do our best to make our home look perfect and welcoming. We wear our best clothes and offer our best hospitality. In this special season, when we welcome Jesus into our hearts, we must go to confession in order that our soul may be beautiful for Jesus, our Guest. Read this description of confession:

The Sacrament of Penance Or Reconciliation
Jesus gave us the sacrament of Penance on the evening of the day he rose from the dead. When He first appeared to the fearful apostles, He said to them, "Peace be with you". They were glad that Jesus was with them once more. He again wished them peace and added "As the father has sent me, so i send you". Then He breathed on them saying, " If you forgive sins, they are forgiven; if you hold them bound, they are held bound". Centuries later, we celebrate the forgiveness of our sins in the same Sacrament of Pennance.
After we confess our sins to the priest, we express how very sorry we are for them. We also promise to do better in the future. The priest then forgives us in the name of Jesus. He gives us penance, something to make up for our sins( prayer or good deeds), because we have offended God.
Sometimes this Sacrament is called the sacrament of reconciliation. Through reconciliation, we are helped to make peace with God, our father, and with our brothers and sisters whom we may have hurt by our words or actions.

This week's definition:
CONFESSION: When we confess our sins to a priest. When we show true sorrow for sins Jesus grants us His forgiveness.

This week's prayer: ACT OF CONTRITION
my God, I am sorry and beg pardon for all my sins, and detest them above all things, because they deserve They dreadful punishments, because they have crucified my loving Saviour Jesus Christ and, most of all, becuase they offend Thine infinite goodness; and I firmly resolve, by the help of Thy grace, never to offend Thee again, and carefully to avoid the occasions of sin.
Amen +

Have a fantastic week everyone!

Week 9 - We believe in the Holy, Catholic Church

The Catholic church is the union of all baptized persons under the Holy Father, the Pope.The people in the Catholic Church have the same true faith, the same Sacrifice of the Mass, and the same Sacraments. Jesus started the Church to lead all people to heaven. Jesus started the Church by picking twelve apostles who were always with Him. Jesus gave His apostles the power to teach, to make people holy and guide them to God. Jesus gave special power to St. Peter by making him the head of the Apostles and the chief teacher and ruler of the Church. The Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome, takes the place of St. Peter today. The bishops of the Church take the place of the Apostles today. The priests help the bishops to take care of God's people. Jesus gave His Church the truths of faith and the seven Sacraments.

This week's definition:
Pope: The head of the church who lives in Rome and takes the place of Jesus on earth. Jesus gave a special power in His church to St. Peter, the first Pope, by making him the head of the apostles. The Pope is the successor of St. Peter.

This week's prayer: ACT OF FAITH
O my God, I firmly believe that You are one God in three Divine Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost; I believe that Your divine Son became man, and died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches, because You have revealed them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. Amen +

Have a great week everyone!

Week 8 - Advent

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan's ' tyranny; From depths of hell thy people save and give them victory o'er the grave. Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanual shall come to thee, O Israel.

SYMBOLS OF ADVENT
What is a Jesse tree? It is a small, leafless tree decorated with symbols portraying Jesus' spiritual heritage. It is a kind of family tree which was suggested by Isaiah's prophecy: "There shall come forth a shoot from the stub of Jesse and a branch shall grow out of it's roots."

The Advent wreath is a part of our long-standing Catholic tradition. The circle symbolizes eternity while the light from the candles signify Jesus - the Light of the world. The word advent is taken from the Latin word "advenio" meaning to come.

HOMEWORK: Students, this week please add daily to your Jesse tree. Write a 1 sentence description of the symbol for each day.

This week's definition:
Advent: The four weeks before Chistmas. Advent is a time of prayer in preparation for the birthday of Jesus Christ.

This week's prayer: Act of Hope
O my God, relying on Thy almighty power and infinite mercy and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Thy grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen. +

Week 7 - The Sacraments

Christ instituted seven sacraments. They are outward visible signs of God's grace given at special moments in a person's life. They help us live our lives more fully.

1.Baptism: Baptism is also called christening.

2.Confirmation: Confirmation bestows the special seal of mark of the Holy Spirit.

3.Holy Eucharist: Communion is often called the greatest sacrament because Christ himself is present in the consecrated bread and wine.

4.Reconciliation: The sacrament brings us God's forgiveness through the words of a preist.

5.Anointing of The Sick: The sacrament is for the seriously ill, the infirm and the very old.

6.Holy Orders: This sacrament gives priests the power to forgive sins, the power to anoint the sick, then power to change bread and wine into the blood and body of Christ, and the power to prepetuate Jesus' sacrifice, which is the Mass.

7.Matrimony: The sacrament is received when a husband and wife pronounce their marriage vows.

This week's definition:
SACRAMENT: An outward sign given by Christ to produce grace in the soul.

This week's prayer:
AN ACT OF LOVE
O my God, I love Thee above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because Thou art all-good and worthy of all love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of Thee. I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen +

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Week 6 - Suffered, died and was buried

When we say that someone does something with passion, we mean that they do something with great emotion and/or love. Someone might play the piano with great passion. Another might play hockey with alot of passion. When we talk about the passion of Christ, we mean that the suffering( all the humiliation and pain) He felt on the way to His death, was all done out of great love and passion for us.

This week's definition:
PASSION: The suffering and death of Jesus Christ. The Passion shows how much Jesus loved His father and us - enough to die and save us.

This week's prayer: THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Pictures do say a thousand words. When you walk through your church, reflect upon the images of the stations. Each station is a step leading to the death of Jesus. Let each picture guide you in prayerful reflection.

1. Jesus is condemned to death.
2. Jesus carries his cross.
3.Jesus falls the first time.
4.Jesus meets his afflicted mother.
5.Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry his cross.
6.Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
7.Jesus falls the second time.
8.Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
9.Jesus falls the thrid time.
10.Jesus is stripped of his clothes
11.Jesus is nailed to the cross
12.Jesus dies on the cross.
13.The body of Jesus is taken down from the cross
14.Jesus is laid in the tomb
15.The resurrection of Jesus.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Week 5 - Born of the Virgin Mary

This week we learned about Mary's gift to us. Yes, she gave us her Son Jesus but she also gave us her example. She said 'yes' to God's will which we must always strive to do, no matter how difficult it is to do so. We are asked to respond 'yes' to God in many ways. It could be to help a friend or stranger in need or to say a special prayer for the dead. We may feel lazy, afraid or unable. But if we say 'yes' as Mary did, God will give us all the graces we need to accomplish His work.

PRAYER TO MARY ASSIGNMENT
IN YOUR PRAYER:
1. CHOOSE THREE (3) ADJECTIVES TO DESCRIBE MARY
2. REMEMBER AN EVENT FROM MARY’S LIFE
3. RELATE THAT EVENT TO YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE
4. ASK MARY TO INTERCEDE FOR YOU
5. CLOSE THE PRAYER WITH ‘AMEN.’

This week's definition:
PRAYER: talking with God; lifting up the mind and heart to God.

This week's prayer:
Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love, commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard to rule and guide. Amen.
Have a great week everyone!!

Week 4 - All Souls Day

We read from the Old Testament (Ezekiel 37:1-9) of how Ezekiel was asked to pray over the dead that they may rise from their graves. The important tradition is carried on in the Catholic church today and remembered on All Souls Day(November 2). For this week, the students and teachers have the responsibility of praying for souls of the departed. We each wrote down names of those who have died on smalls slips of paper and randomly drew 2 names per person. We concluded with a Halloween party that was filled with much cheer and laughter. Some of us even dressed for the occasion(a guardian angel and St. Lucy complete with her eyes in hand). Have a great week and remember to pray for those souls who are in your care.
This week's definition:
PURGATORY: temporary state of a soul where we are prepared for life in Heaven.

This week's prayer:
Eternal rest, grant unto them O Lord.
And may perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.

Week 3 - The power of the Holy Spirit, John 7, 37-39

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit sanctifies(makes holy) our souls by grace. Just like a garden needs water, so do our souls need grace(life or living water).
Some symbols of the Holy Spirit are: 1) dove 2) tongues of fire and 3) wind, 'the breath of God.'

IN-CLASS PROJECT:
This Sunday our class made 1-decade rosary beads. It took us about 10 decades to make them but it was all worthwhile. Since they're made of natural fibres and wooden/plastic beads, they don't set off the alarm when you go through security. You can also truthfully claim to the security guards that they are weapons - against the Devil(thanks for that insight Grade 6/7)! As you can see, they are as wonderful as the students who made them. Great work!

Week 2 - Jesus Christ, His Son, Luke 1, 26-38

This is about the birth of Jesus. From this we know this:
*He shares our poverty to give us His wealth.
*He shares our suffering to give us His joy.
*He shares our weakness to give us His greatness.
He came to bring us to His Father in Heaven because He loves us.

This week's definition:
INCARNATION: The Son of God took on human nature; God made man.

This week's prayer: The Memorarae
Remember oh Most Gracious Virgin Mary
That never was it known that anyone who fled Your protection ,
Implored Your Help, and sought Your intercession was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, I fly to You O Virgin of Virgins, My Mother !
To You I come, Before thee I stand, Sinful and Sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate ! Despise not my petitions but in
Thy Mercy please hear and answer me. AMEN.

Week 1 - God the Father, Mark 4, 35-39

This passage is about Jesus calming the sea while his disciples were fishing. This reveals three aspects of God:

*He is all-knowing(He knew there was a storm)
*He can do all things(He stopped the storm)
*He is all-good(He did not want harm to come from the storm)

This week's definition:
YAHWEH: The Hebrew name for God which translates 'I Am Who I Am.'

This week's prayer: The Our Father

Welcome!

Welcome to the St. Mary's Sunday School Program, Welland. The Sisters of the Sacred Heart and lay parishioners of St. Mary of the Assumption Church have been teaching the Catholic catechism to children attending the public schools in Welland. We prepare children for the sacraments, working alongside our parish. Currently, we teach children ages 6 to 13. Feel free to visit our site often for information regarding our program. You can register anytime by phoning your local parish or by contacting me. God bless!!