In looking ahead, we hope our Family Faith Formation 2022 will provide greater opportunities for family sharing and meeting together. Beginning in January, we will start our program virtually with weekly newsletters and monthly zoom meeting. Since the weather is too cold to meet in-person outside, depending on the progress of the pandemic, we will explore different options to meet inside. Hopefully, by the spring time, our goal is to transition from monthly zoom meetings to in-person classes, similar to our Family Faith Program prior to the pandemic.

Sunday Morning 11:30AM

Sunday Afternoon 4:00PM

Wednesday Evening 5:30PM

Thursday Evening 5:30PM

Please note: Zoom sessions will be 30 minutes. In-Person Sessions will be 1-1.5 hours.

In next weekend's Family Faith Newsletter, there will be link to the 2022 Family Faith registration form. During the November Zoom Meetings beginning on Sunday, November 14, we will share this form and answer questions at our zoom meetings and during our in-person session.

This year, the season of Advent begins on Sunday, November 28. This is a time of year we prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas: the arrival of our Savior, Jesus. During these four weeks, we reflect through prayer, music, and good deeds the meaning of Jesus' birth to our world.

During our Family Faith In-Person Session next week, we will have various activities to help children better understand the significance of Advent. This month's Family Faith In-Person and Virtual Zoom Meeting will focus on this theme.

Date: Sunday, November 14 (Week of November Family Faith Zoom Meetings)

Time: 1:00PM-2:00PM

Location: Sacred Heart Church-Outdoors (Weather Permitting)

In Mark's Gospel this weekend, Jesus explains the perception of TRUTH. In this case, Jesus reminds us to be true to who we are, rather than presenting an image of ourselves that we think makes us look good. When we are true to ourselves and give our best, we are true to God.

During Jesus' time, scribes were interpreters of the Old Testament, and were a type of lawyer. They were often known to be in a good position to defraud others, including widows, who confided in them. In the Gospel Reading, Jesus refers to the scribes as not honest about who they are. But the widow who puts the two small, almost worthless coins into the treasury, is not ashamed to let people see her for who she is.

Jesus proclaims that the woman who put in two small copper coins had given more than all the rich people. In a very real way it is a summary of the whole Gospel, for God looks at the heart and its readiness to give generously. Even during our present day, we can easily become obsessed with image, that it unfortunately becomes the most important feature for our leaders, even more than their message or vision. We ask God to help us look at ourselves in TRUTH and at others as He looks at us.

God wants all of who we are. Giving Him our first offerings is about more than money. We should use our time, talents, and all of who we are to the Lord. In return, God promises to bless us and provide for us.

In making this craft, children reflect on the good that they give to God and others but just being their TRUE self.

Materials

• Construction paper
• Aluminum foils or other shiny materials
• Glue or tape
• Markers or crayons
• Scissors
• Other shiny decorating supplies (glitter, sequins, etc.)

Procedure

1. At the top of the construction paper, write the title:

"I give to God...more than just the "Shiny Stuff."

1. Use aluminum foil to create shapes that represent things God might want from us to be our TRUE self - create fun designs with the shiny foil!
2. Tape or glue some of the foil pieces to the paper.
3. Add words that represent things we might give to God, other than money (our talents, our love, etc.).
4. Attach a string or shiny pipe cleaner to hang the reminder display and consider what we offer to our Lord.

Questions for this week:

1. What does the Constitution do?
2. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

Come back next week to see the answer!