The Good News
Holy Trinity Faith Formation Newsletter - January 2023
Advent and Christmas Celebrations at Holy Trinity
We are blessed to be a part of such a loving community. All of us in Faith Formation wish you and yours a peaceful Christmas Season and New Year full of joy!
January "Did You Know" Faith Fact
The Epiphany House Blessing - "Chalking the Door"
What Is The Epiphany House Blessing?
The chalking of the door is typically done on or around January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany. Click HERE for a downloadable Epiphany House Blessing your family may use.
Epiphany (which means “revealing”) commemorates the Magi who came from the four corners of the world bearing gifts and following a star to meet the child who would become king. We celebrate Epiphany to remember that we too are invited to come and witness the life of Jesus and be blessed as we begin a new year.
“Chalking the door” is a centuries-old way to celebrate and to (literally) mark the occasion of the Epiphany with God’s blessing of our lives and homes with sacred signs and symbols to set our homes apart as places of Christian hospitality, as safe and peaceful outposts of the Kingdom of God in the world, as habitations of healing and rest. We again invite God’s presence into our homes and ask His blessing upon all those who live, work, or visit throughout the coming year.
Do I Have To Have Blessed Chalk For An Epiphany Blessing?
There is some blessed chalk available outside of the Faith Formation offices. Or, you are invited to bring a piece of chalk with you to Mass and ask Fr. Tim or Fr. John to bless it. Or you can bless the chalk yourself with these words or similar: "May God, who provided a safe dwelling place for the eternal Word, bless this chalk, the homes of the faithful, and the people who live there, through Christ our Lord."
Where Do I Put The Chalk Symbols?
This tradition has biblical roots going back to the story of Moses in the Bible when the Israelites were asked to put the blood of a lamb or goat on the doorposts and above the doors of the houses. So anywhere around the front door of the home is a great choice!
What Do The Epiphany Door Symbols Mean?
For 2023 this is what you will write on your door in chalk:
20 + C + M + B + 23
The Epiphany door blessing includes symbols for all 3 kings, plus the numbers from the current year. The first number “20″ is for the first 2 numbers of the year, and the last number “23” is for the last 2 numbers of the year. The 3 letters are the first Initial of each of the kings (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar). The “C, M, B also stands for the Latin blessing Christius Mansionem Benedicat which means “May Christ Bless this House”.
Congratulations to our children having received their First Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation (December 14)
Alyssa, Nolan, Alice, Meghan, Gavin, Josiah, Camden, Max, Giuliana, Millie, Hudson, Sophia, Izzy, Cameron, Elizabeth, Cullens, Evan, Jimmy, Lillian, Michael, Jonny, Gemma, Kaeden, Vincent, Owen, Riley, Charlotte, and Marcello!
Hands of Christ 2023
Congratulations to our Class of 2023 Senior Nominees for the Hands of Christ Recognition Award:
Alexandra Hansford
- Matthew Kull
- Amanda Lowenguth
- Elizabeth Nonkes
- Aidan Schoene
- Natalia Stornello
- Nicholas Vessa
- Carolyn Wygal
These students will be presented with their award by Bishop Matano at a special Recognition Ceremony in February, 2023 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Rochester.
NCYC November 16-18, 2023
The National Catholic Youth Conference, or NCYC, will take place on November 16-18, 2023 in Indianapolis and the Diocese of Rochester is going!
What is NCYC, the National Catholic Youth Conference?
NCYC is an amazingly unique opportunity designed specifically for high school students. NCYC calls Catholic teens to make a pilgrimage to Indianapolis, Indiana for a three-day diverse exploration of their faith.
We can not wait to share the exciting details with you! If you are at all interested in learning more (no commitment!) please join us following Mass on Sunday, January 8 at 11:45am in the Gathering Space. Our hope for this meeting is to capture the excitement and importance of NCYC and why it could be a good fit for you and your family.
- WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? 9th - 12th graders during the 2023-2024 school year
- DATES OF EVENT: Thursday Morning – Saturday mid afternoon, November 16-18, 2023
- LOCATION: Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Details on Registration Deadlines, Transportation, Lodging, Meals, Itinerary, Cost and Fundraising Opportunities for our group will be shared at our meeting!
Holy Trinity NCYC 2023 Interest Meeting - Sunday, January 8 at 11:45am in our Gathering Space.
youth service at holy trinity
Middle and High School Faith Formation students are asked to serve others in their school, parish, and community for a specified number of Christian Service Hours each year:
- Grade 6 = 6 Hours; Grade 7 = 7 Hours.
- Click for the Christian Service Form for GRADES 6 & 7
- Confirmation Year 1 = 8 Hours; Confirmation Year 2 = 10 Hours
- Click for the Christian Service Form for CONFIRMATION YEARS 1 & 2
Faith Formation Helpers
We have several opportunities for students to earn Christian Service Hours helping to setup, clean, and organize before & after our upcoming programs: Faith Formation Family Program...Jan 8 or 10 (6pm - 8pm) and/or also Feb 5 or 7 (6pm - 8pm) as well as with our First Holy Communion Preparation Sessions on Feb 1 and 15 (6pm - 8pm). Please email Mrs. K for details if interested.
BOTTLE & CAN COLLECTION
** CONFIRMATION YOUTH RETREAT **
January Classes and EVENTS
Faith Formation Sunday Program
- Jan. 1, 15...No Classes
- Jan. 8, 22, 29...Regular Class Schedule
Faith Formation Family Program
- Jan. 8 Sunday at 6:30pm...Faith Formation Family Gathering
- Jan. 10 Tuesday at 6:30pm...Faith Formation Family Gathering
Confirmation Years 1 and 2 Sessions
- Jan. 1 / 3...NO CLASSES
- Jan. 8 / 10...Regular SUN/TUES Classes
- Jan. 15 / 17...NO CLASSES
- Jan. 22 (Sunday) Fr. Tim to lead a Teaching Mass for ALL Year 1 and Year 2 students...NO TUESDAY CLASSES THIS WEEK...ALL STUDENTS ATTEND ON SUNDAY 1/22 at 6:30
- Jan. 28 (Saturday)...YEAR 1 RETREAT (12pm – 5:30pm)
- Jan. 29 / 31...Year 1 no classes due to Retreat; Year 2 Regular SUN/TUES Classes
- Jan. 8, 15 and 22...Sundays at 10:30am...Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Jan. 29...Sundays at 10:30am...FAMILY MASS...a very special Mass designed for our CHILDREN & YOUTH
Holy Trinity Faith Formation
For more information about our programs you may contact Tricia Kull, Faith Formation Coordinator at (585) 265-4750 or tricia.kull@dor.org
Contact for Children's Liturgy, Faith Formation (Religious Education), Sacrament Preparation (Baptism, First Penance, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation), RCIC Program, Middle and High School Youth Ministry, Youth Christian Service Opportunities.
Email: tricia.kull@dor.org
Website: holytrinityweb.com
Location: 1460 Ridge Road, Webster, NY, USA
Phone: (585) 265-4750
Facebook: www.facebook.com/holytrinitywebster/