February Schedule

February 5.................Class

February 8.................Confirmation Rehearsal 7:00 p.m. Church


February 9.................Confirmation Retreat and Confirmation
.................................Retreat during day – Ceremony 7:00 p.m. Church


February 12................Class

February 19................Class

February 26................Class (1st Week of Lent)

CONFIRMATION HELP LETTERS!!!!

Just a reminder that we need HELP LETTERS! On the retreat our Confirmandi will have the opportunity to read letters from family and friends. These letters are the highlight of the retreat and the Confirmandi really enjoy reading these letters.

Typically they are letters of encouragement, saying how proud we are of them in their faith journey. many have reflections on their own journey and some are just a note of congratulations. Some even reflect on their own Confirmation day and how important their faith is to them in their daity life. We ask that the Spirit be with the Confirmandi on this special day as the receive the last sacrament of initiation.

The retreat is on February 9th, so with PSR only meeting on Sunday's we only have two more weeks to get these in. If you have people out of town, in the past I have accepted emails and I will print them off and make sure they are in their envelope for the retreat (stjoepsr@hotmail.com). We would hope to get these letters in by FEBRUARY 4th which is the deadline for PSR.

• If you drop them off at the Rectory during the week please mark the child's first and last name and attention PSR. They can be delivered anytime at the RECTORY, there is a slot on the side of the door which has a basket for mail. The last time I will check the RECTORY mail will be on WEDNESDAY - FEBRUARY 8th, which is the same night as the REHEARSAL.

If you have any questions let me know. Thank you for all that you do to prepare your children in the FAITH!

Here is a list of Confirmandi in case you would like to write one to the others

• Mark Bezold, Mike Bezold, Grace Bradtmueller, Connor Combs, Joshua Ehlman, Alex Franzen, Abby Hennge, Matthew Kreyling, Haley Moloney, Nathan Schimpf, Benjamin Smiley, Jared Stadtmiller, Abigail Tiemeier, Brennah Hunterm Trevor Stewart, Matthew Richter and Sam Brown.

Upcoming course for Adults

Announcement:

The Department of Catechesis and Formation of the Diocese of Covington is hosting a course for adults on Blessed John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. The four part course will be held February 2, 9, 16, & 23 from 6:00 to 8:45 p.m. at Covington Latin School. Instructors Adam and Kate Iadipaolo are graduates of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family who currently find any way possible to integrate John Paul II's thought into their teaching for high school students, young adults, engaged couples, seminarians, and more! Come find out more about John Paul II's new approach to the most fundamental and primordial truths of the human person! The cost to attend the entire course is only $15.

To register, contact the Department of Catechesis and Formation at 859-392-1527 or jschroeder@covingtondiocese.org.

This course qualifies for maintenance hours for diocesan religion teachers and catechists who have received the Advanced Level of Certification.

First Reconciliation - Tuesday January 17th

Dear Second Grade Parents,

First Reconciliation is Tuesday, January 17th, at 7PM in Church. Please arrive with your child by 6:50PM, as the service will begin promptly at 7:00PM. You may sit with your child in the front of church. There are no assigned seats. This is a simple service and there will be programs to follow. The children are to wear Sunday clothes.

Following a prayer service, the students will be directed row by row to receive the Sacrament. May we ask you to maintain a respectful silence during this time. You may be waiting for awhile in the pew. Please walk with your child to the priest. Introduce your child and then step back to allow privacy. After your child is finished, walk with your child back to the pew, so that his/her penance can be said. You are free to leave at this time. Pick up your child's certificate and pin in the rear vestibule of the church. Parents are welcome to stay and receive the Sacrament after all the children are finished.

Thank you for your support, as we strive to provide a prayerful atmosphere and a positive experience for our children as they receive this Sacrament of peace for the first time.

Second Grade Teachers and Staff

Sacraments - Reconciliation

As parents we want to make sure that our children are brought up in the faith. We make sure that they receive the sacraments at the appropriate time. When they are born we think about Baptism. When they reach the second grade we make sure that they receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Communion. Why do we do this?

Why do we make sure that are children are brought up in the faith and belong to the church? Well it seems like a simple answer, but it is more than just words. Many will say it is because we want to pass on the faith and feel that is enough. Sad to say, but that is not enough. We have to live our faith in what we say and do. One of the many blessings that we have as Catholics is that when we receive the sacrament it is only the beginning to our journey in faith.

We know that we are not perfect, we all sin. We try our best to live the faith and at times we let life get in the way and we may fail. However; our God is a loving and forgiving God and we can ask for His forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This is not something that we receive in the second grade and that is it. It is a sacrament that we can receive at anytime. Here at our parish the sacrament is offered:

• Saturday before and after the 8:30 AM Mass.
• Saturday afternoon between 3:00 - 4:00 PM (unless there is a 3:00 PM wedding).
• By appointment.

So what is stopping you from receiving the sacrament? If we are bringing our children up in the faith, we need to make sure we ourselves are living the faith through the sacraments. By participating fully in the sacraments we live out our faith. We grow closer and closer to our God and build a relationship that will last until eternity.

This Tuesday, January 17th, our second grader's will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I ask that you pray for them and their parents as they embrace God's forgiveness. This of course is not only a time to ask for forgiveness, but also I time to evaluate our lives and how we will become better Christians. Through our baptism we become part of Christ. We are brought into the church and it enables us to participate in the sacraments which will allow us to grow in grace. To live out our faith and be Christ-like to all! So again the question I ask is why do we bring our children up in the faith?

Spread the word!

Young Adult Mass

New Year, New You!
Are you a young adult and you want to kick off
the new year right? Then please join us for
Mass and fellowship with others just like you!

Thursday, January 26 at 7 P.M.
Location: St. Barbara Parish
(4042 Turkeyfoot Road; Erlanger, KY 41018)

** Food and Fellowship to follow Mass **

Young adult kickoff Mass! The Young Adult Ministry is starting a new monthly Mass. If you are in your 20’s or 30’s then, please consider joining us. The event will start with Mass, and will be followed with drinks, appetizers/snacks and fellowship with other attendees. No RSVP necessary. Please bring a friend(s) with you. Everyone is welcomed.

For Questions, Contact: the Board Chair, Todd Barnett, at toddjbarn@gmail.com
(Facebook: Diocese of Covington Young Adult Ministry)
If you have difficulties to access the diocesan young adult Facebook, please, contact, the assistant chair, Michael Whelan, at whelanm87@gmail.com
Sponsored by: Diocesan Young Adult Advisory Board; Diocese of Covington