St. Paul Religious Education

2020 Autumn Newsletter

Dear Parents,

As we enter week 8 of religious formation, there is much to be

thankful for here at St. Paul…We are thankful for you and your

family! This newsletter will hopefully provide helpful information

about upcoming events and opportunities. Please know that you

and your children are a blessing to us, and that we are on this

journey together. Know that we keep you in prayer and wish nothing

but the very best for your family as we prepare our hearts for the

upcoming Advent and Christmas seasons.

The St. Paul Religious Education Team,

Tricia, Donna, Christi and Amy

Reconciliation (Grades 3-8) will be offered for both students and parents on

Monday, December 7th from 4:00 – 5:30 pm and 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Parents will

remain in their cars, unless also receiving the sacrament. Volunteers will greet

the children at the gathering space driveway and direct them into the church

where they will wait until a priest is available. There will be multiple face-to-face

stations set up with proper social distancing. Following confession, the children

will exit from the front entrance of the church, where volunteers will be stationed

to ensure safe travel back to their vehicles.

A guide to open communication with younger children, at

mealtimes, before nighttime prayers, in the car…

An Examination of Conscience for Older Children Using the 10 Commandments 1. I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me. Have I wanted more things, making things or money more important than God? Have I made an idol of sports or entertainment figures? 2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Do I use God’s name carelessly? Do I use God’s name in anger? 3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day. Did I attend Mass on Sunday? Did my behavior make it difficult or impossible for my parents to get to church on time? Have I remembered to pray daily? 4. Honor your father and your mother. Do I obey my parents? Have I done my chores without complaining? Do I do my chores without being reminded? Have I been disrespectful to teachers, coaches or others in authority? 5. You shall not kill. Do I keep my patience or do I lose my temper? Do I hold grudges and try to get even with others? Have I been unfair to others, especially those who are different than I am? 6. You shall not commit adultery. Do I show respect for my body? Do I respect the bodies of others? Do I avoid harmful things like drugs, tobacco and alcohol? 7. You shall not steal. Have I taken something that belongs to someone else? Have I “forgotten” to return something that I borrowed? Have I used money responsibly? 8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Do I play fairly or do I ever cheat at school or games? Have I been honest or have I lied? Have I hurt someone by what I have said or done? Have I copied someone else’s homework? 9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. Have I been jealous of the friends that someone else has? Have I tried to be kind to others? 10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods. Have I been jealous of the things that my friends have? Have I nagged my parents into buying things because my friends have them? Have I helped others when they needed help? Taken from Seven Frequently Asked Questions About Children and the Sacrament of Reconciliation,

written for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Kathleen D. Beuscher, 2010gh 14.

HOW TO MAKE A GOOD

CONFESSION

1) First ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you examine your conscience; feel sorrow for your

sins; resolve to change your life.

2) Go into the confessional and begin by making the sign of the cross saying “In the name of the

Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.”

3) Explain to the priest how you have sinned, if you are not sure if something is a sin, ask the

priest. Be sure to tell about any serious sins.

Talk about your troubles, open your heart, be

sincere. If you have questions about your Faith

or how to grow in your relationship with God,

ask his advice.

4) Listen to what the priest tells you. He will talk with you and then give you a penance, which is

to help you begin anew.

5) Pray the Act of Contrition.

6) Listen as the priest prays the Prayer of Absolution. Leave the confessional knowing

that God has forgiven you and freed you from

all your sins. God loves you and desires to have

a deeper relationship with you.

7) Do the penance that the priest gave you. Be sure to thank God for what He has done for you. His mercy is forever!

Our God, you bless everyone whose

sins you forgive and wipe away. You

bless them by saying, “You told me

your sins, without trying to hide them,

and now I forgive you.” Psalm 32:1-2

Act of Contrition

“O my God, I am heartily

sorry for having offended

Thee, and I detest all my

sins, because I dread the

loss of heaven, and the

painsof hell, but most of all

because they offend Thee,

my God, Who art all good

and deserving of all My

love. I firmly resolve, with

the help of Thy grace, to

sin no more and to avoid

the near occasions of sin. PLEASE TAKE THIS TWO PAGE WORSHIP AID ALONG WITH YOU TO CONFESSION. WHILE

WAITING YOUR TURN PLEASE REFLECT UPON THE

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE AND REVIEW

HOW TO MAKE A GOOD CONFESSION.

WORKS OF MERCY AND CHRISTIAN SERVICE OPPORTUNITES

MAKING A DIFFERENCE, SERVING FROM A DISTANCE

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020

The Gospel call to serve others fosters love, encourages kindness and builds community! This list has a variety of opportunities for youth, individuals and families to make a difference, while serving others safely and remotely from a distance. Please follow the simple instructions included in each project description. If you have any questions concerns about any of the projects, please contact Tricia Kesteloot for assistance at (313) 885-7022, ext. 122 or tkesteloot@stpaulonthelake.org

STEP 1: SELECT AND RESERVE YOUR PROJECT KIT: Visit this SignUpGenius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA5AA2CA4FE3-stpaul

STEP 2: PICK-UP YOUR KIT/INSTRUCTIONS on one of the following dates: Wed., December 2 (4:00-6:00 p.m.) OR Thurs., December 3 (8:00-10:00 a.m.)

STEP 3: RETURN YOUR COMPLETED KIT on one of the following dates: Wed., December 16 (4:00-6:00 p.m.) OR Thurs. December 17 (8:00-10:00 a.m.)

IMPORTANT: Completed items will not be collected prior to the designated drop-off dates, due to a lack of storage space and current COVID restrictions. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

MAKE A WARM FLEECE-TIE BLANKET: We are blessed by our partnership with the local

charity, Blanketed with Love. Students and families have the opportunity to assemble a cozy blanket (at

home) for someone in need. Blankets will be donated to St. Aloysius Parish, Gianna House and The

Pope Francis Center. The kit includes instructions; sharp scissors are required but will not be provided.

Volunteers are encouraged to make a $15-20 donation to offset the cost of the fleece. Please specify how

many blankets you wish to complete when visiting the SignUpGenius link.

LUNCH BAG ART…SHARING A SMILE ONE MEAL AT A TIME: This project is ideal for children and artists of any age. Each kit contains a designated number of large brown lunch bags and

markers to use. Just let us know how many you would like to pick-up! When you sign-up, please

specify 25/50/100 bags.

mailto:tkesteloot@stpaulonthelake.orghttps://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DA5AA2CA4FE3-stpaul

DELIVERING CHRISTMAS CHEER: The St. Paul Bereavement Ministry Group is looking for high school students, adults or families interested in delivering Christmas plants (plants provided) to

those parishioners who have lost a loved one this year. This committee assists those in the parish who

have experienced death in their family or the pain of loss. Students will need to have a parent or adult

driver to deliver the plants. All deliveries will be made to the front entrance of a recipients’ home within

our local communities, and proper social distancing is required. FLEXIBLE DATES FOR PLANT

DELIVERY ARE SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19 OR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20.

SHOP AND PACK SENIOR GROCERY BAGS FOR SENIORS IN NEED: St. Aloysius Parish has a food pantry program that benefits senior citizens in need of food. Volunteers or families are

encouraged to shop and fill one or more Senior Grocery Bags for those in need. There is no kit for this

project, but we encourage you to still sign-up so we have an estimate number of bags expected for

delivery. See the enclosed checklist for suggested items.

CHRISTMAS CARD MAKING: Volunteers are needed to make Christmas cards that share a message of love, hope and kindness for the St. Paul Bereavement and Homebound groups, and a

community of Felician Religious Sisters. Spread some Christmas cheer to a member of our own

parish family that has recently lost a loved one or is not able to leave their home during the

pandemic or holiday season. Materials for card making will be provided.

BLESSING BAGS: Volunteers are needed to pack and prepare bags filled with basic necessities and non-perishable food; including warm gloves, hand warmers, granola bars, socks, etc. Bags will be given

to homeless men and women in need by St. Aloysius Parish and St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen. There is no kit

for this project, but we encourage you to still sign-up so we have an estimate number of completed bags.

See the enclosed checklist for suggested items.

WRAP AND ROLL FOR THE POPE FRANCIS CENTER…SILVERWARE KITS: Another great project for volunteers of all ages. The Pope Francis Center will continue to serve a hot

meal every day during the winter months (over 200 meals per day) and needs volunteers to individually

wrap plastic silverware. Each kit contains plastic silverware, napkins, non-latex gloves, return bag for

items and a simple instruction sheet. When you sign-up, please specify 100/250/500 pieces.

PROJECTS AT THE HELM: (formally known as Services for Older Citizens) cares and

assists the elderly living in our local communities. Volunteers are needed for several outdoor

activities including yard work, shoveling snow or special projects. If you would like to

volunteer, please contact Heidi Uhlig Johnstone at (313) 649-2107 or email her at

huhlig@helmlife.org.

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as

faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” 1 Peter 4:10

mailto:huhlig@helmlife.org

St. Aloysius, Neighborhood Services CHECKLIST FOR SENIOR GROCERY BAG CONTENTS

All items should be placed in a sturdy paper grocery bag, and everything should be sized for

ONE OR TWO PEOPLE. PLEASE NO #10 SIZED CANS

Fruit: 1 or 2 cans Vegetables: 2 cans Soup: 2 cans Juice: 1 can or 2 juice boxes Meats: 1 can of one of the following – Tuna, Chicken or Beef Cold Cereal: 1 box Hot Cereal: 1 container Oatmeal or Grits Dry Items to include: 1 bag of dried rice 1 bag of dry beans 1 box of macaroni and cheese 2 boxes of different of pasta or noodles 1 desert/brownie or cake mix 1 sleeve saltine crackers Sauces: 1 can spaghetti sauce OR 1 can of tomatoes Instant Potatoes: 1 box or can Milk: 1 package dry milk Canned Meals: Spaghetti O’s, Beef Stew, Chili, Pork & Beans, etc.

CHECKLIST FOR BLESSING BAGS

Please place the following necessities in a clean gallon sized Ziplock bag, along

with a note of encouragement:

Hand-warmers (2-3)

Thick socks (1-2 pairs)

Winter gloves and hat

Hand sanitizer

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Small container or bag of Q-Tips

Individual pack of baby wipes or wash cloth

Chap Stick

Band-Aids

2 Granola or energy bars (All kinds)

Boxes of bags of trail mix, or raisins

Chewing gum or hard candy

Beef Jerky sticks

Travel-sized First Aid kit (OPTIONAL)

Bag or roll of quarters for laundry (OPTIONAL)

Calling All Artists! Announcing the Annual Keep Christ In Christmas Poster Contest sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 12121 and St. Paul Catholic Church.

Gift Card Prizes will be awarded to the winners in 3 of the following age groups; ages 5 through 7, 8

through 10, and 11 through 14.

RULES

1. Poster must reflect the theme of Keep Christ in Christmas.

2. Each poster should be the individual work of a single person.

3. Each poster must contain an appropriate slogan.

4. Each entrant should have their name, catechist and grade on the back of the poster.

5. Posters can be done in any media (if chalk the work should be laminated) and should be rendered on plain white paper 8 ½’ by 11’ or ideally 11’ x 17”.

Posters will not be returned. The winners will go on to compete at the district level. Points for each

poster will be awarded in the following 3 categories; Slogan (30), Visuals (30), Overall Impact (40).

Completed posters should be turned into the parish office by Friday, December 11th.