dates for week of September 27

Tuesday September 29 their is a small faith group, Group Leader meeting at 6:30 PM in meeting room 2 for both 7th and 8th grade group leaders.

Wednesday September 30th is the first night of religious education.  We will begin with a Mass for the parents and children.  Following Mass parents and children will visit the classrooms to meet the catechists, pick up books, folders and other things that need attention at the beginning of the year.

week of September 20th

September 20th is Catechetical Sunday.  At the masses this weekend all of the catechists will be called forward to receive a blessing.  Thank them if you get a chance for working with the young people of the parish, the RCIA program, Baptism prep etc.  They are volunteering their time to share their faith with our parish community.

September 22nd the Faith Formation Council will be meeting at 6:30 PM.

September 23rd there will be a training session at 6:30 PM for the Small Small Faith Group middle school parents who have come forth to be the faith leaders in the small faith group they are part of.  Materials for the month of October will be handed out that evening as well.

If you have misplaced you registration materials, contact the parish office and we will get them to you.

calendar items for upcoming week

High School Teens will be meeting Wednesday September 19th at 7:00 PM in the Loft.  Bring your friends and discover what will be happening this year in the Loft!

A reminder to all the catechists that the kick-off meeting for the upcoming religious education year is Wednesday September the 19th, begining at 6:00 PM with a potluck meal and meeting to follow at 6:30 or so.

grade 7 & 8 religious education calendar

It has been brought to my attention that the times for religious education on the calendar being sent out have two different times for Wednesday evening religious ed. classes.  The correct time is at top left hand corner of the calendar 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM.  Please disregard the 8:30 ending time that is listed on calendar months.  Sorry for any confusion that this caused.

Action City update

The 2nd Annual Eau Claire Deanery Youth Rally on September 4 at Action City was fantastic.  If you were there you know the pizza was great, the band rocked and Pat Brueggen had an inspirational message for all.  And from what I could see everyone enjoyed the play time after, the go carts were kept busy, the climbing wall bell rang a few times and the place was buzzing with all sorts of fun for all.  Parents, check out the Catholic Times there will be a small write up in there about the Rally.  If you missed this year don't be bummed, we will have a Youth Rally next year for you to attend.

Middle School Faith Formation 7th grade orientation

WHEN: Wednesday 9 September 2009




WHERE: School Cafeteria (enter building using the North Lane entrance)


TIME: 6:30 PM


FOR: 7th grade students attending public school and one or both of their parents. 7th grade students attending Regis Middle School and one or both of their parents.


QUESTIONS: 839-8010, ext. 103 or pichlerk@saintolafparish.org

SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN

Each year our catechists new & old, as well as the classroom aides are given materials on safe environment for children provided to us by the diocese. Included in the catechist’s materials are lesson plan ideas for them to use with your children, they incorporate these ideas into certain chapters as they teach throughout the year. You may be thinking, “Why is the church doing this, they learn this in school?” Yes they do learn how to know the differences between good and bad touches and feelings in school, in going over this in a religion class we are able to bring God and his creation into the lesson. Also, as part of this process all of our volunteers and paid staff undergo a background check. We want you to know that the children you bring to us for faith formation are being cared for in a safe environment.


Here are some suggestions that the diocese of La Crosse asks us to share with you, parents should:

•  Know the red flags of abuse and abusers, ( if you don’t know them see Kathy Pichler and she will get a copy to you)
• Talk to your children
• Listen to/observe your children, watching for danger signs and sudden changes in behavior 
• Let your children know they can tell you anything
• Teach your children where their private parts are
• Talk to your children often about protecting themselves
• Teach you children what to do if someone tries to touch them
• Teach your children what to do if someone makes them uncomfortable

These are all basic things that we as parents already are for the most part doing so it shouldn’t be anything new for you to work with.

You will notice that the majority of the time there will be 2 adults in the classroom with the students. This is done so we do not have to leave them alone if someone needs to use the restroom, is sick or the catechist needs something from the Faith Formation Office. It is protection for your children as well as for the volunteers working with your children. Please keep that in mind as you fill out the volunteer form that is in the registration mailing each year, we do need aides every year as well as catechists. If for some reason we do not get enough volunteer aides a letter will go home with a particular class and parents will then be asked to take turns each week as the aide for that class.