Good Bye October, Hello November

I can not believe that this week is our 8th week of classes already. Time is flying by and it has been amazing to see how our students have been growing in knowledge.  At last count, we are blessed to have 430 students in our Religious Education program in Grades K-8. We have 35 wonderful catechists and 16 youth aides, who are sharing of their time and talent to help the children of our parish to grow in knowledge and to grow in God's love.

Our Confirmation Program is also in full swing. Our 53 Candidates, will meet twice a month on Thursday evenings to better understand more about the Holy Spirit and how they are called to be disciples of Christ in today's world.

We ask that you pray for the Holy Spirit to be with all of our students, parents and catechists, that they may be open to where the spirit of God may lead them and that they will open their hearts to receive the peace, joy and love that Jesus has to offer each of us.

Some highlights of October include:

• 14 students attending our 1st Children's Choir meeting and rehearsal
• Children's Liturgy of the Word is growing each week as more and more young people join us to hear God's Word
• Our Family Gathering Event, where more than 50 children and their families attended and made over 70 autumn wreaths for the senior residents of Nutley
• Our 2nd Grade students going on a field trip to see our church and chapel and to learn more about what happens at Mass
• Our Confirmation Rite of Welcoming Mass on Sunday, October 26, where each candidate received their own Bible, signifying that they are ready and open to receive God’s Word and to share the Good News with the world.  

Coming up in the next few weeks:

No Religious Education Classes on Tuesday, November 4. We will be closed for Election Day.

Please pray for our leaders that they may turn to the Holy Spirit for guidance as they do their best to work for a more peaceful world.

Confirmation Class on Thursday, November 13th and Thursday November 20th from 7:00-8:30pm.

Family Gathering Event on Sunday, November 16 following the 10:30am Mass

We will create Thanksgiving Day cards for the homebound members of our parish and for the senior residents of the town. We will have treats for all to enjoy.

Join us for some fun this Sunday!!!

We hope you can join us on Sunday, October 19 after the 10:30am Mass for our next Family Gathering Event. We will be designing some Fall and Halloween decorations for the senior residents of Nutley. There will be donuts, cider,  hot chocolate and coffee available for all to enjoy!  

Sacrament of Confirmation

We will begin our program with a Parent and Candidate Meeting on Thursday, October 9 at 7:30pm in the Church. 

During this time we will talk about the Sacrament of Confirmation and provide you with the details of the program. 

At the 2013 World Youth Day in Brazil, Pope Francis put forth this challenge:

Jesus is calling you to be a disciple with a mission!

Today, in the light of the word of God that we have heard, 

what is the Lord saying to us? 

Three simple ideas: Go, do not be afraid, and serve.

Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation will focus on helping our teens to build a relationship with Jesus and helping them to grow into a people of faith who live and carry the Good News of Christ throughout their life. Through our class times, service opportunities, youth ministry nights, prayer services and retreat, we hope to provide them with the opportunity to develop a lasting relationship with Jesus which calls them to live as "disciples with a mission."

If you have not yet sent in your Confirmation registration, please bring it with you to the meeting.

Confirmation Registration Form

Feast of St. Francis of Assisi

Take a few minutes to watch this video about St. Francis with your family. 

Share it with someone who you think could use a laugh and some inspiration.

The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is October 4.  As the patron saint of animals, St. Francis had a special connection to these creations of God, the Father.
Fr. Rich will give a special Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, October 4 at 1pm on the steps of the Church. So, pack up Fluffy and put a leash on Spike and bring over your pets to be blessed.

Joyful Noise Children's Choir

We will have our first meeting for the Children's Choir this Sunday. 
Children in Grades 4-8, who are interested in singing are invited to come with their Parents at 9:00am (during Religious Ed class) to the Chapel located in the Parish Center, where you will meet with Bruce Mauro, our Music Director. 

The children will be dismissed from rehearsal to class at 9:30am.  There will be a brief presentation and Q & A with the parents as well as an exchange of pertinent contact information.

The schedule for this Sunday is as follows:

9:00 a.m.       Parent and child come to chapel

9 - 9:30 a.m.  Children dismissed to Religious Education

9:30 - 9:45     Parents' meeting

***  The rehearsal scheduled for Monday, Oct. 6th has been changed to Tuesday Oct. 7th from 3:45 -4:45.  The other two Monday dates will be discussed at the parent meeting.

He who sings prays twice. 

St. Augustine of Hippo