Catholic Faith Enrichment for Adults - the hope for the future

I am so pleased with the outcome of our evening Cafe. So far, each evening gathered over 75 people - not only parents but other adults learning along with parents that have children in our program - this is amazing. We are also taping the session and will make a plan as to the availability of these CD.s.



Our Day Cafe also respond to the needs of the home parents - a different experience but of extreme value as well.



If you have not joinled us please keep in touch. We have just published our first newsletter to keep you up to date on our events called CAFE Expresso - . This Newsletter will be e-mailed on request - so please do not hesitate to make the request which will let you know what is coming up soon.

Faith First Classes have begun!

We had our first gathering of Level 2 & 5 students. We have 3 groups of Level 2 which are preparing for First Communion and another 3 groups who are in pre-confirmation. One our catechists helpers will be a bsent for a while since her husband is waiting for heart surgery soon. Romana we will keep your family in our prayers. We miss you and wish you well!

As usual we offer pick-up at Westpark school. This year we have a new twist as we have a young man who has offered to help us in this area for his School community project. The Level 2 kids were thrilled to have a new monitor walking them to the parish Thanks Alex! It really frees up myself or Mrs. Aitken.

Our first gathering went quite well! Just a reminder to the parents, please come in by the door of the parking lot - we feel that it is safer for your child.

Looking forward to Saturday - our groups are a little bit bigger but hopefully all will run as smoothly as today.

I am back! I hope!

Wow! my last blog was in February .... probably about the time when Wendy found out that she had cancer. It`s been a long and a short spring and summer. Although we had to alter our way of doing things - the most important things were completed. It`s amazing how that happens.

Now that fall is here, we are excited about a full program with about 400 children so far in the English program and another 60 in French. Our adult education program called CAFE (day and evening events) is quite exciting. Over 25 workshops will be offered.. Father Mike's Shaw workshop attracted over 75 adults of all ages. "Why are we afraid of death ?" was the question he explored. From the book of genesis, beginning with Adam and Eve, he explored humanities relationship with God. We are very much looking forward Father Raymond Lafontaine"s workshop at the end on the month where we will look at the "New and Improved sins???? " Check out http://www.faithed.cjb.net/ for our Cafe Flyer (dates and times of events are listed.

On another note, Wendy has completed her chemo and her hair is coming back in. She looks great as a blond but apparently wigs are not very warm.

Already our childrens programs are in full swing.

Children's liturgy has begun. We took the opportunity to bless the children and their school bags as the year begins.

The Confirmation candidates have examed 2 of their confirmation themes such as " We gather" and "The Word of God". The latest gathering included 3 of our young people who shared their experience with the candidates and their parents. I thank Anne-Marie Bagshaw - Patrick MacAnany and Carly Forward for accepting the challenge.

Level 4 attended the first of their Pastoral activity. They took the time to learn how to search their bibles - explored the Old and New Testament - created book marks to help them remember where their favorite passages are located and learned about the different translations of the bible over the years.

After Thanksgiving, our parish program - level 2 and 5 - begins. Thank you to the many catechists who again this year will pick up the challenge of sharing their faith with our young people weekly. However, I am still short 1 or 2 catechists. We recognized the ministry of our catechists by blessing the catechists on Catechetical Sunday earlier this month.

This summarizes our most recent activities - Hopefully, I will be able to check in - and share thoughts and activities on a more regular basis.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

How are you kicking off your Lenten season????

This Wednesday is our “season opener” as Catholic Christians. That’s right.

Ash Wednesday is when we kick off our season of Lent, and just like the first game can set the tone for the entire sports season, so our approach to this special day will determine how seriously we enter into this season of conversion and renewal. Consider the next couple of days as our “pre-season”.

What will I do differently this Lent? How is Jesus calling me to a deeper relationship? How will I recognize and invite Christ into situations that I’ve taken for granted in the past?

The time and prayer and reflection I dedicate to these questions will make all the difference. What will my Lenten “practices” of fasting be? How will I get into my spiritual training? What kind of almsgiving drills will I commit to? God is calling us to a championship season of Lent, to spring us into our Holy Week playoffs, and to celebrate Easter as the Superbowl of our faith. Don’t spend this one on the sidelines—get in the game!

Couplehood evening

Last Friday evening, 14 couples gathered in the parish hall.

We had couples that were still in their first years of marriage and others who had been married for many more years. Nevertheless, the evening was appreciated by all. Animated by Tony and Cathie Rettino, they led us through prayer, reflecfion and laughter as a couple. Thanks to the Youth Group, parents with children were able to relax given that their children were being well taken care off right at the parish.

It is my hope that this will lead to other couplehood evenings.... in fact I hope we can repeat this evening and call it Intro to couplehood and then have follow up evenings on different topics. Topics such as time management for catholics could be a possiblity. If anyone has any ideas as to what topics they might be interested in looking into as a couple, don't hesitate to contact me or leave a message on the blog.

If you missed this evening and would be interested to take part in another one, call me at the parish and I'll start making a list and when we have 12 couples, we'll start planning. (514-683-4941)

So, don't miss this opportunity for a tete a tete with your spouse....Give your couplehood the gift of time.....

It's been along time!

Someone was asking recently! I don't think I have access to your blog anymore, because I'm still reading stuff from last Easter!!!!
Blogging is great! It takes time and energy and apparently I ran out of steam!

I also probably was not sure how helpful it actually was to anyone!
But it's a new year, and even though I know I cant' keep it up daily, (I was never good at keeping dairies) I will try to update it at the end of the month. Reflecting on the events that we shared at the parish. Already January is promising! A great evening was held with the Confirmation classes and their parents - then we had Deacon Gerry Turpin - challenge us parents and offer us hope in our most demanding JOB - which is raising our children - then coming up this Friday we have our very first couplehood evening.

It's all very exciting and keeps me going!

Have a Blessed New Year! And remember it's never too late to start your New Year's resolution!!!!
(P.S. I finally got back on the treadmill this morning January 18th - better late then never)