Dear  Parents,

I have just returned from the arrival and opening day of another School Year here at Saint Denis. With the beginning of the school year it commence a time of planning and anticipation for all that will unfold this year. We are happy to welcome into this process and our new Pastor, Reverend Monsignor James J. Graham. Monsignor comes to us with much experience and with enthusiasm to be a part of our community and its rich tradition.

Since last spring we have undergone much in the area of transition in the Administration of the Parish. While Monsignor’s arrival brought much happiness; we also welcomed with joy a new Director of Religious Education, Mrs. Kathy Sacchetti. Kathy, who has been a parishioner of Saint Denis for many years, has brought a new vision to her role and in particular to the handling of Sacramental Preparations for our Children and you, their parents. Together with Monsignor leading us and with new a renewed sense of teamwork we are attempting to build on the rich legacy that is Saint Denis Parish.

To this end, I would like to share with you some new things that await you as you prepare for your child’s first reconciliation and first Holy Communion. Upon reflection and meeting with many people last spring we have taken great and careful effort to reflect on what we were doing and how we might improve the program so as to make the celebration of these sacraments of initiation more meaningful for your children. We have listened, reflected and surveyed the opinion of parents’ current and past so as to achieve the most amount of information to help us as a pastoral leadership team help you in you primary and sacred role of the education of your children in the ways of the faith. While Monsignor Graham arrived in the midst of this effort he has supported and has brought new ideas that we believe will be most beneficial.

The following are some of the changes that will be situated in this year’s Sacramental Preparation Program:

Realizing that there are many obligations that parents confront we have attempted to replace the standard administration and informational meetings with times for reflection. Our plan is to have motivational speakers address our Fathers in one setting and our Mothers in another setting. The attempt here is to place the emphasis on the parents being the primary educators of their children in the ways of the faith.

There will be a formation aid book for parents to use in reflection with your children. This book is not meant to be an academic benchmark that is turned in and reviewed, but rather a way for you as parents to talk about the Sacraments they are about to receive. It is not something in place of or added to what is academically being done with the children in faith formation in the classroom of RES or School.

The Masses used to teach the children (Small Group Masses) will no longer be held in the winter evenings when it is often too late for the children. Rather, we have chosen to move these Masses to Sunday afternoons when the children are seemingly more alert and the Mass will fulfill the Sunday Obligation to attend Mass.

With the use of a large committee already in place, we will be utilizing group work to prepare for these sacraments so that our teachers and catechist and parents are actively involved in the process.

Finally, after much reflection and critical input, we will have First Communion Weekend here at Saint Denis when all of the children in two Saturday Masses (on the same Saturday) will receive the precious of Holy Communion.

 

I believe that these recommendations became a reality because of the hard work of a committee that has worked to insure that our primary goal be met, namely the Childrens encounter with Jesus Christ. I express deep gratitude for all those who have assisted and will continue to assist in the committee and the particular work of the subcommittees. The committee will work very hard to plan and anticipate a successful and thus fruitful and joyous celebration of these great sacramental gifts.

With prayerful best wishes, I am

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Reverend Kevin J. Gallagher

cc: Reverend Monsignor James J. Graham

Father’s Meeting Thursday, October 18^th - 7:30 p.m. Grimes Center

Mother’s Meeting Tuesday, October 23^rd - 7:30 p.m.Grimes Center

First Reconciliation Saturday, January 19^th - 10:00 a.m.

Mrs. Mary Callan

RES Class A

RES Class B

First Reconciliation Saturday, January 26^th - 10:00 a.m.

Mrs. Peggy Ryan

RES Class C

RES Class D

Small Teaching Mass Sunday, March 9, 2008 - 1:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 1:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 13, 2008 - 1:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 1:00 p.m.

Retreat Day Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 9:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Mrs. Mary Callan

RES Class 2A

RES Class 2B

Retreat Day Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 9:00 – 2:30 p.m.

Mrs. Peggy Ryan

RES Class 2C

RES Class 2D

First Holy Communion Saturday, May 3, 2008 - 10:00 a.m.

Mrs. Mary Callan

RES Class 2A

RES Class 2B

First Holy Communion Saturday, May 3, 2008 - 1:00 p.m.

Mrs. Peggy Ryan

RES Class 2C

RES Class 2D