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Good afternoon, Communion Families! Our photos have been posted to a special "GROUP" on Facebook. If you do not have a Facebook account, you will need to contact me for another option.
Here's what you need to know: 1-Once you are in the group, you will remain there until January, at which time I will remove you from the group. 2-When you enter the Group, you will land on the DISCUSSION Page. Take a moment to read the only announcement there. 3-The quickest way to find your photos is to go to the MEDIA Page, then click on ALBUMS. Find the album labeled with your last name. You should also look at the album titled "Communion 2023 Group." 3-Download the photos to your device, then upload them wherever you'd like. 4-It might be difficult to email them to people. This is where I got into trouble (my email address was labeled as spam), and why I had to open the Facebook Group. The photos are "too big" because they are professional grade. You will be asked three questions in order to enter this private, by invitation only, group. Follow the directions in my text to enter the group. Enjoy!
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We are really looking forward to the First Holy Communion Retreat tomorrow, Saturday, May 6, 2023! Remember, attending this retreat is a requirement of the Bishop of the Diocese of Palm Beach and attendance will be taken. Please arrive sometime between 8:20-8:25am (no earlier than 8:15, as we will not be here!). Go into the church and look for your catechist. Children should wear comfortable clothing. We will spend some time outside, but we will not be painting or another other crafting that might damage clothing. Parents are invited to stay for Mass. In fact, parents are invited to stay the entire retreat! If you choose not to stay, please return no later than 11am so you can participate in rehearsal and see where your child will be sitting. After the 11am rehearsal, kids and their catechists will be invited to eat lunch together and then gift bags will be given out. Our goal is to finish the retreat by noon, but we will definitely be finished no later than 12:15. Gift bags:
There are multiple "photo opp" stations set up today -- be sure to take your child's photo with his/her friends! Sacrament of Reconciliation: Tuesday, May 9 Ms. Veronica's class: arrive by 5:30pm Dr. Julio & Ms. Myrta's class: arrive by 5:45pm Parents (and other family members) STAY for this event. All persons in the church must use appropriate behavior:
Sacrament of Holy Communion: Sunday, May 14, from 11:30am to 1:15pm
If you missed the shopping list post that was shared on 3/27 and 5/2, here it is: http://www.holyfamilyccpsl.com/upcoming-family-activities/communion-schedule-spring-2023
Good afternoon, Confirmation Families! Our photos have been posted to a special "GROUP" on Facebook. If you do not have a Facebook account, you will need to contact me and then wait until June for me to help you. (Sorry, but Communion's keeping me busy to mid-May then I am going to visit my parents out of state.)
Here's what you need to know: 1-Once you are in the group, you will remain there until Confirmation next year, at which time I will remove you from the group. 2-The Group contains albums labeled with your last name and "Bishop" and "Whole Class." 3-Download the photos to your device, then upload them wherever you'd like. 4-It might be difficult to email them to people. This is where I got into trouble, and why I had to open the Facebook Group. They are "too big." You will be asked three questions in order to enter this private, by invitation only, group. Follow the directions in my text to enter the group. Enjoy! Thank you to all parents of First Holy Communion Candidates who came to our required parent meeting on March 14, 2023. I so much appreciate your attendance at these meetings because it respects my time and it guarantees that everyone is hearing the exact same information. If you missed the meeting, I have summarized the discussion of our meeting below. If you attended the meeting, please read on for expanded details. If any of you have ANY questions or concerns, please reach out to me! I am here to support you. Thank you for being the awesome parents that you are!!!
Blessings, Mary Acevedo, Director of Religious Education IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCHEDULE OF REQUIRED EVENTS - no absences permitted for these events! Sunday, March 26, 2023, 12:00pm noon Mass Parents and children attend this Mass and then pass out their "pray for me" cards after Mass to random parishioners. These "pray for me" cards are not meant for relatives, catechists, or friends -- those people will already be praying for your child. These cards are meant for Holy Family parishioners who have watched your children grow up here at the parish. Saturday, May 6, 2023, 8:15am - 11:30am Retreat & Rehearsal
Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 5:15pm-6:45pm Sacrament of First Reconciliation
Sunday, May 14, 2023, 12:00pm noon Mass Sacrament of First Holy Communion
SHOPPING LIST The proper dress code for boys:
The proper dress code for girls:
**Shop for outfit:
**Shop for gifts that reflect our Catholic faith! LOCAL St. Martin de Porres St. Lucie ONLINE Holy Land Art Company Autom: Reconciliation and Communion The Catholic Company: Reconciliation and Communion Catholic Gifts and More: Reconciliation and Communion Good morning, Favorite Families!
Last night during class it was brought to my attention that there will be some construction along Floresta Drive beginning Monday, January 16, 2023, and continuing through August 4, 2023. To clarify, construction will be along Floresta Drive (from PSL Blvd. to Thornhill Dr.) to expand a small bridge along that stretch. PSL Blvd. will not be closed, nor will any bridges on PSL Blvd. be closed. For details view this Facebook post or read this article. I know how difficult it is being a parent on the Treasure Coast. Getting one child to his or her activities is stressful; getting multiple kids to multiple activities can be a nightmare, even on a good day with no traffic on the streets. What we're going to do is the best we can do. I want you to know that I know there are potential traffic slowdowns for you in the remaining months of the program. While accurate and factual attendance records must still be kept (recording present on time, tardy, or absent), I understand you are doing the best you can. We will continue with our soft start at 5:15 in the church with attendance taken at 5:30 at the start of class. Please do not drop your children off earlier than 5:10. And for each and every one of you: I know that you and your family have prioritized your faith by seeking out our program and enrolling your kids in it year after year. Father Tri and the Program staff recognize and acknowledge that. We pray for you, and particularly for your driving safety at this time. See you in class next week, in the midst of the Holy Spirit, Mary Acevedo, Director of Religious Education 337-4313 PS: Keep going to Mass! 😊 Work of Mercy Project #1, Faith Formation Levels
Twice a year, kids enrolled in the Holy Family Religious Education Program, Faith Formation levels, work on a “Work of Mercy” or “social action” project. The works we perform will change annually and will be directly related to the works defined by the Holy Catholic Church. All works will be interpreted and tasks will be age appropriate. This portion of our program is described in the Faith Formation Parent Handbook with the white cover as well as in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2447. Corporal Works of Mercy:
In the fall semester 2022, the staff, volunteers, and families in our program will minister to the families of the victims of the May 24, 2022, mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. We will send a perpetual Mass intention to each of the families. This act alone encompasses bury the dead (for the victims); pray for the living and the dead (for the victims and their loved ones); and visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and comfort the afflicted (for the families and friends of the victims). It is an act of love to show respect for the bodies of the dead, since during life, they were temples of the Holy Spirit and received the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. Further, we are called to minister to the victims' families, letting them know that we haven't forgotten them or their loved ones. In this work, we will:
Parents’ Role in this Project Your children will hopefully share with you what we are doing during class time. This may bring up some questions. Please note that we are not going over any of the events during our classtime. We feel this event happened long enough ago that the story has been discussed in their public school classrooms and at home. Instead, we are focusing on what a work of mercy is. We read the Scripture passage Matthew 25:31-46 to begin our conversation. How do families explain school shootings to our kids? Jane Ripperger-Suhler, a child psychiatrist at Seton’s Texas Child Study Center, Gary Steck, the chief executive officer and a marriage and family therapist at Wellmore Behavioral Health, and Julia Hoke, a psychologist and the former director of psychological services at Austin Child Guidance Center, had this advice for parents about how much we should say about a mass shooting: Check in with yourself, and prepare your talk and your answers Not all parents are able to have a conversation on this topic with their kids, and that’s ok. If they need, parents can talk with a friend, pastor or mental health professional before talking with children. Parents will want to not only discover their own thoughts and feelings but will also be ready to express them with precise language that kids will understand. Be ready to talk but be ready for your child not wanting to talk. Don’t force them to talk about it. Remember that many kids already will know what is happening because schools will be talking about it, their friends will be talking about it, and they have access to social media. They are looking to their parents and teachers to reassure them. Your goal in talking to your child is making sure they are feeling safe. Start the conversation First, check your emotions before you talk to them. Remind yourself of the facts and how you will state them. The conversation can start by asking the child what they already know and gently correcting any misinformation. You can ask things like: “What do you think about this?” “What questions do you have?” Gauge if they want to talk about it, knowing that they might not want to talk about it. Don’t force them to talk about it. If your child does want to talk, listen to what a child has to say and be attentive to their concerns. It may be easier for young children to have a tough conversation if they’re doing something they enjoy such as playing outside, taking a walk, or coloring, while they are talking. Let your children know that there are many people who love and care for them. Let them ask questions Children may have questions about what happened in Texas. Experts say you should answer those factually, honestly, directly, clearly, and simply. The amount of information a child needs to know will vary based on their age and even between children of the same age. An example of what you could say is: “A kid walked into a school and shot students.” Kids don’t need to know every detail of a tragedy, particularly if they don’t ask about it. Don’t go into graphic or gory details. Even with older kids, you don’t want to overshare. Very young kids might not need you to say much of anything. Make sure children know they can ask questions later. Reassure them Remind your children again that they are loved and that the adults in their lives are doing everything they can to keep them safe, every day. Depending on your child’s age and level of understanding, some specifics about safety measures, such as door monitors (here at Holy Family we call ours “the God Squad”) and police officers at school, door locks, catechist and teacher skill and expertise, and practice drills might help reassure some children. Most importantly, remind your kids that you—as their mom and dad-- will keep them safe. Remind them that, as a family and as a parish community, we stick together. Remind them that if they see something strange/odd/unusual with one of their friends or classmates or are concerned about one of their classmates, they should tell an adult immediately. We have to work together to stay safe. Be a role model Parents can tell their children how they’re feeling using age-appropriate language and in age-appropriate ways. You can model that it’s OK to have certain feelings (sad, scared, angry, etc.). You can focus on how you are feeling, that you’re upset and that you also don’t understand why this happened, but be careful about how you are reacting. Stay calm when you talk; don’t become worked up and frantic. You want to be authentic and genuine, but you have to put up a wall and not show them the true depths of your own fear or anxiety. Watch for long-term effects Kids might react to the shooting at different times and in different ways, so parents should keep communicating and monitor their kids for long-term mental health effects. Some of those symptoms include changes in appetite, sleep, behavior, moodiness, or excessive worry. In young children, symptoms may manifest in persistent headaches or stomach aches. Early on, those symptoms aren’t likely a cause for concern, but if they’re having continual symptoms over a longer period of time, parents should seek professional mental health help. Sources https://www.statesman.com/story/news/healthcare/2022/05/24/texas-school-shooting-uvalde-robb-elementary-school-talking-to-kids/9916475002/ https://ctmirror.org/2022/05/25/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-the-texas-school-shooting/ Hello New Religious Education Families! We are so happy that you have joined our Religious Education Program here at Holy Family. We are excited about our start -- in about one month! I just want to take a moment to remind everyone that your children are not to receive Communion. Your children are preparing for this beautiful privilege, but they are not to receive right now. 1-When you approach the Blessed Sacrament, please have your children walk and stand in front of you. 2-Their arms should be crossed over their chest in a position we call "pretzel arms." It looks like this:
3-The kids will receive a special blessing. The Ordinary or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion will likely hover his or her right hand over the child's head and whisper a very short blessing. Some may touch your child's head or forehead; some will hover over the head. Your children do not have to respond, but they can say, "Amen" if they want to. The blessing will look like this:
4-You will then be given Communion, which you may receive either in the hand or on the tongue. Please practice the Sacrament of Reconciliation by going to Confession; we suggest at least twice a year, once before Christmas and once before Easter.
5-If you receive in the hand, please take a side-step toward your pew and place the the Host in your mouth while you are facing the altar. Then turn and walk to your pew. Under no circumstances will you or anyone else share the consecrated Host with your children who have not formally received the Sacrament. Please share this information with other family members who go to Mass with you. If your child is crying, begging, or otherwise "offended" that you are not sharing: do not share! Please teach your child that this is a very special communion with God that s/he needs to learn about first. Very soon, s/he will be able to receive and it will be a celebration. Until then, s/he needs to be patient and pray to Jesus that that fervor remains. It might be good to learn about and talk about Saints like St. Tarcisius, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Gemma Galgani, and Blessed Imelda Lambertini. 6-Don't forget to have your Mass Signature Card signed -- we'll be collecting June, July, and August's cards in September. Thank you for following this extremely important protocol. If you have any questions, please leave a voice message and we will return your phone call after we get back from vacation in very late August/early September. We hope you have a fun start to the public school new year! See you soon, Mrs. Acevedo, DRE
Hello Favorite Families!
This program year has gotten off to a strong start despite all of the uncertainty. I want to thank you for following the mask policy. We continue to keep class sizes quite small for the space while utilizing the air purifiers and air conditioning in every room. We've had a higher number of absences this semester, but it's because we are all following the "out-of-an-abundance-of-caution" mindset. No one has been out due to COVID-19, thanks be to God. For those who are approaching 3 absences already, catechists will be sending home assignments to help your kids keep God at the forefront of their minds, building the habit of trying to see God in the events of their day. Speaking of habits... kids are challenged to remember appropriate classroom behavior both in the schools and here in our parish program. Home-life and school-life can be so different! We've had to institute a cell phone use policy, effective immediately. Please review this with your children who bring phones to class. 1-Volume on phones will be turned to off so that we cannot hear any notification sounds between 5:10 and 6:30pm. 2-During class, phones will be kept in pockets or purses-- out of sight.
This has never been a real problem before; I'm sure it's just part of the transition from pandemic school-at-home to post-pandemic school-in-classrooms. Thank you for encouraging your children in this self-discipline. And a high-five goes out to the vast majority of kids who don't use their phones during class time! Great job!! Mary Acevedo, Director of Religious Education Fifth Decade: The CrucifixionThe Crucifixion Giotto di Bondone (1304-1306) fresco, Large: approximately 6.5 feet high by 6 feet wide Currently located in Cappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua, Italy  Let's just take this in. Take a deep breath in, nice and slow; breathe it out, nice and slow. Move your eyes over the painting. What do you see? Giotto's painting is divided into three distinct scenes with Jesus on the Cross in the center.
Let's stop for a minute and use our eyes to re-trace our study. We started with the angels, then we looked at Jesus' feet and St. Mary Magdalen, then we looked at the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints with her, then we looked at Jesus' garment and the soldiers who are arguing. The complete image is below. Look at it one more time, paying attention to the shape your eyes are making: angels, feet, Virgin, soldiers. What shape did your eyes make? Isn't the artist Giotto clever? He helped you pray while you looked at this painting of a holy scene.
First Sorrowful Mystery: Agony in the Garden Second Sorrowful Mystery: The Scourging Third Sorrowful Mystery: The Crowning of Thorns Fourth Sorrowful Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross Now, with The Crucifixion in our imagination, let us pray.For families with very young children, or for families new to the Rosary, simplify by only praying the Sign of the Cross, the Lord's Prayer, and the Hail Mary. These prayers are inside the front and back covers of your child's workbook. Follow the graphic:  For families ready to push it forward, add in one new prayer each week until you have a complete decade. Follow the outline: Hold the Crucifix in your right hand. Make the Sign of the Cross properly, using the right hand only. Still holding the Crucifix, state what you believe as a Catholic by saying the Creed. Move to the first bead. Pray one Our Father. Move to the next beads. Pray the Hail Mary three times, once on each bead. Move to the next bead and pray one Glory Be. Stay on the same bead. Announce the Mystery by saying these words: The Fifth Sorrowful Mystery, The Crucifixion. For three hours our dear Lord hung on the cross. He was taking on Himself the punishment for our sins. After some time, He knew that God had forgiven our sins. Once more, we had the right to enter Heaven. So He dropped His head and died. God, His Father, allowed this punishment. We praise and thank Jesus and God our heavenly Father for the glorious victory the Christ gained for us through His death and resurrection: Father, although this glorious triumph was completed more than 2000 years ago, it is still as potent and powerful in the lives of believers today as it was when the angels declared, "He is not here - He is risen." Keep me ever looking to Jesus, knowing that this glorious victory has not lost any of its ancient power, but is the single means of overcoming the world, the flesh and the devil. I pray that I will run the race that is set before me looking to Jesus, and that I may finish the course that You have given to me, as I yield through word and deed to the working of the Holy Spirit within. This I ask in Jesus' name, Amen. (Source) Stay on the same bead. Pray one Our Father. Move through the next ten beads, praying the Hail Mary on each one. Move to the next bead. Pray one Glory Be. Stay on the same bead. Pray the Fatima Prayer. Make the Sign of the Cross using the Crucifix. AMEN! Lenten ApplicationDear holy families,
Through your meditations of the Sorrowful Mysteries over the past five weeks, you have encountered the Passion in the Scriptures several times. On Palm Sunday, we will participate in the Gospel reading that recounts the events of the Passion, Mark 14: 1 through Mark 15: 47. Starting with Mark 15: 34, we are told that Jesus speaks while He hangs on the Cross. I invite you to use this resource to meditate on the Seven Last Words of Christ, words of great meaning that I want you to know. This devotion may be spread out over a week, commemorating one of the Seven Last Words each day (different links are available for each day), or you may pray it as a whole devotion in a single day. As always, you choose what is best for your family, but I encourage you to participate fully. Please, bless your Lent with prayer and meditation. In Christ's Love, Mary Acevedo, Director of Religious Education |
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