Seven (7) Ways Sharing Can Make You Happy

Sharing can do more than just save you a buck. New psychological research suggests that sharing fosters trust and cooperation in the community and contributes to personal well-being. This article offers some of the ways that sharing can boost your happiness levels and help your community thrive. The complete text, including several video clips, can be found at Sharing (http://tiny.cc/qxnng).
1. Sharing involves reciprocal giving, and the research is full of the benefits of giving, from greater physical health to personal happiness. 
2. Sharing can cause the release of oxytocin, a hormone that increases feelings of well-being.  3. Sharing builds trust, and trust is highly correlated with happiness.
4. Sharing increases positive social interaction with others, which can prolong your life. 
5. Sharing invokes gratitude, and gratitude is highly correlated with happiness. 
6. Sharing can decrease the disparity between “the haves” and the “have nots,” which increases well-being. 
7. Sharing involves cooperation, and cooperation has been essential to human flourishing.

from cl Weekly October 24, 2011

Mexico: Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead  celebration in Mexico is a celebration of loved ones who have passed. This is a 3 minute video that helps explain the customs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3obZze-V0YI&feature=fvsr

32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A (Nor the Day, Nor the Hour) November 6, 2011

First Reading: Wisdom 6:12–16 (Seek Wisdom); Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 (Be One); Gospel: Matthew 25:1–13 (Be Prepared)
Adults: What gifts do I share to making the world a better place?
Children: How have my parents, grandparents, or teachers shown me God’s love?

http://www.faithfirst.com/question_week.html

St. Jude Thaddaeus

Feastday: October 28
St. Jude Thaddaeus is the Patron of Desperate Cases
St. Jude, known as Thaddaeus, was a brother of St. James the Less, and a relative of Our Saviour. St. Jude was one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus. To learn more about St. Jude Thaddaeus vist http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=127 

Religious Education

Religious Education for Grades 1-6, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM and for Grade 8, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM; High School Youth Ministry, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in "the Loft"

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

"Responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation." -- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship

By our baptism, Catholics are committed to following Jesus Christ and to be "salt for the earth, light for the nations." As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, "It is necessary that all participate, according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This is inherent in the dignity of the human person ... As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life" (nos. 1913-1915).

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States provides a framework for Catholics in the United States.

Table of Contents:
■Introductory Note
■Part I - The U.S. Bishops' Reflection on Catholic Teaching and Political Life
■Part II - Applying Catholic Teaching to Major Issues: A Summary of Policy Positions of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
■Part III - Goals for Political Life: Challenges for Citizens, Candidates, and Public Officials
■References
■Major Catholic Statements on Public Moral Issues

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/forming-consciences-for-faithful-citizenship-document.cfm

“First Fridays for Food Security" Facebook Event: November 4

On Friday, November 4 (the first Friday in November) Catholics are invited to "fast" by limiting meal spending to the amount allotted for a family of their size in the USDA Modified Thrifty Food Plan, which is used as the basis for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly called food stamps). On Friday, November 4, participants can visit the Facebook event page to leave comments about their experiences and access information and reflections on food insecurity in the U.S.A handout on the theme of Poverty in the United States for use on November 4 (http://tiny.cc/4o7op) is also available. First Fridays for Food Security will continue on every first Friday through April 6, 2012.

From cl Weekly - October 24, 2011, Volume V, Number 43

Weekly Calendar

Monday, October 24 - Catechist Potluck in the conference room, 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM; Baptism Prep with Father in the Gathering Space, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM;  Tuesday, October 25 - Women's Prayer Group, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM in the Gathering Space; Faith Formation Council Meeting 6:30 PM in meeting room 2; Wednesday, October 26, Parish Story Time Morning Gathering, the Fr. Mike Meinen Years 9:00 AM, come and share you stories of St. Olaf (1964-1974); Religious Education for Grades 1-6, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM and for Grade 8, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM; High School Youth Ministry, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in "the Loft"; Thursday, October 27, Men's Prayer Group, 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM in the Gathering Space; Understanding the Mass, Liturgy of the Eucharist with Fr. Konopa, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Gathering Space; Sunday, October 30, Sunday School 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM; 1st Reconciliation Parent/Child Prep, 1:00 PM in the Fr. Robert Agnew Parish Center.

30th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A (Love God as Yourself) - October 23, 2011

First Reading: Exodus 22:20–26 (do not make other suffer); Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:5c–10 (Live in Hope); Gospel: Matthew 22:34–40 (Love Your Neighbor)
Adults: How do I live out the commandments in my daily life? Give examples.
Children: Can I see Christ by the way that I behave?

Religious Education Classes

Religious Education for Grades 1-6, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM and for Grade 7, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM; High School Youth Ministry, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in "the Loft"

Weekly Calendar

Monday, October 17 - Date Night, 6:15 PM in the Gathering Space; Tuesday, October 18 - Women's Prayer Group, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM in the Gathering Space; Wednesday, October 19, Parish Story Time Morning Gathering, the Fr. Robert Agnew Years 9:00 AM, come and share you stories of St. Olaf (1952-1964); Religious Education for Grades 1-6, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM and for Grade 7, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM; High School Youth Ministry, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM in "the Loft"; Thursday, October 20, Men's Prayer Group, 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM in the Gathering Space; Understanding the Mass, Liturgy of the Eucharist with Fr. Konopa, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Gathering Space; Sunday, October 23, Sunday School 10:15 AM to 11:30 AM.

29th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A (You Belong to God) October 16, 2011

First Reading: Isaiah 45:1, 4–6 (Taken by the Hand); Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1–5b (Remember the Faith); Gospel: Matthew 22:15–21 (Give to God)
Adults: Is there a financial issue that worries me and detracts from my work or life with my family?
Children: Do I realize that everything important in my life comes from God?

Religious Education

Grades 1- 6 will meet this evening beginning at 6:15 PM and ending at 7:30 PM. 

Grades 7 & 8 will meet this evening at the Regis High School Auditorium to view the movie "The Human Experience," remember to check in with Mr. Duss when your arrive, please arrive by 6:45 PM so you have time to check in with him and then find seats, you will be done around 9:00 PM.  High School Youth Ministry will meet at the Regis High School Auditorium as well to view the movie, meet by the flag pole before you go in.

28th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A - The Banquet is Prepared

First Reading: Isaiah 25:6–10a (Prepare the Feast); Second Reading: Philippians 4:12–14, 19–20 (Everything is Possible); Gospel: Matthew 22:1–14 (Invited to the Banquet)
Adults: What can I do this week to bring Christ to everyone that I meet?
Children: What is one thing I can do to show my friends that God loves them?

Weekly Calendar

Monday, October 10 - Couples Bible Study, 6:30 PM; Tuesday, October 11 - Women's Spritituality Group, 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM; Deanery Wide Catechist In-Service, 6:30 PM at St. Raymond's (speaker: Fr. James Kurzynski speaking on the changes to the Roman Missal and give practical tips on how to teach it to youth.); Wednesday, October 12 - Religious Education Classes for grades 1-6, 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM; for Grades 7 & 8 and High School Youth Ministry 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Regis High School Auditorium to view the movie "The Human Experience." (Please enter the building using the Fenwick Avenue entrance.); Thursday, October 13 - Men's Spiritulality Group, 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM; Sunday, October 16 - No Sunday School today.

Religious Education

Classes for Grades 1-6 - 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM; Grade 7 - 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.  High School Youth Ministry will meet from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.  Grade 8 Small Faith Groups are scheduled to meet this week.