Valley Catholic Community

COMBINED NEWS

HIGH SCHOOL FAITH FORMATION CLASS DATES: March 14th and 28th – 12:30 PM at St. John Bosco in Classroom #1. All High School students from both parishes are cordially invited. Please take advantage of this opportunity. MANY parishes do not even have a High School program; yet we not only have one, but we are fortunate enough to have our TWO PRIESTS teach the class! Concerned about the challenges and temptations your child is facing in High School? Want to provide your child with a solid spiritual foundation as they grow older, and start making more decisions on their own? Let Father Jack and Father McHugh help. MASS followed by CLASS is the way to go.

LENTEN PENANCE SERVICE – for all Good Shepherd/St. John Bosco children/Faith Formation students will be held on March 20th at NOON at St. John Bosco. If March 20th doesn't work, other services are scheduled for Tuesday, March 23rd 7:00 PM at St. John Bosco, and Wednesday, March 24th 7:00 PM at Good Shepherd. Please experience the healing Sacrament of Reconciliation.

CONFIRMATION STUDENTS AND PARENTS - A REMINDER THAT THE CONFIRMATION RETREAT IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 20th at Good Shepherd from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, including attendance at the 4:00 PM Mass. A separate e-mail/hard copy will be sent shortly with more details.

BISHOP'S YOUTH AWARD – young people in grades 8 and 12 that are active in their church community are encouraged to apply for the 2010 Bishop's Youth Award. Some examples of activities or services that help you qualify for this award are: serving as lectors, altar servers, Faith Formation aides, participation in Food or Clothing drives, parish youth work, etc. The students can be recommended by their pastor or the principal of their Catholic schools. Details of the process to follow will be listed in the packets on the table outside the Faith Formation office or by contacting Bob Rock at 788-1997, ext 204, or by submitting an email contact form that you can access by clicking here or clicking on the “Contact Faith Formation” link in the sidebar at the left side of this page.

FIRST COMMUNION RETREAT: This year's retreat will be held Saturday, April 17th from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM at St. John Bosco. We are in need of some adult volunteers to oversee the day (registration, snack, etc.). Please consider helping us prepare the 2nd graders from St. John Bosco/Good Shepherd to receive their First Communion. If interested, please contact Carrie Grandzol by submitting an email contact form that you can access by clicking here or clicking on the “Contact Faith Formation” link in the sidebar at the left side of this page..

ST. JOHN BOSCO SITE

OPERATION RICE BOWL: For 35 years Catholic Relief Services’ Operation Rice Bowl has offered Catholics in the United States a way to connect with our brothers and sisters overseas. This Lenten season, Catholic Relief Services invites Catholics to pray with their families and faith communities; fast in solidarity with those who hunger; learn about our global community and the challenges of poverty overseas; and give sacrificial contributions to those in need. CRS believes that through solidarity we can transform the world. St. John Bosco children have received or will receive their rice bowls this weekend in Faith Formation classes.  All money is due back to the Faith Formation Office no later than Sunday, March 21st.

FIRST GRADE FAITH FORMATION SERVICE PROJECT: The children in Mrs. Younger's First Grade class will be collecting food for the Valley Food Pantry all this month. Donations can be dropped off at the Faith Formation Office or the rear of the church. Thank you for helping the children in their service efforts!

GOOD SHEPHERD SITE

REMINDER TO PARENTS:

Absentee call is from 3:45 to 4:30 PM.
Student Drop off is 4:30 PM PROMPT.

Wonder what the purple banner is to the right of the Altar? The banner in the Baptistery area identifies our 2nd-level Eucharist class who received the Sacrament of Penance for the first time, January 30, 2010. There are 31 lambs on the banner, one for each child who received the Sacrament. The students are preparing for the Sacrament of First Eucharist, to take place on May 8, 2010 at Good Shepherd.