SAINT FRANCIS PARISH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PREPARATION – PREP
Mrs. Mary Spieker – Director of Religious Education
stfrancisprep@yahoo.com
610-435-0364
January 2012
The Real Meaning of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"
Much more than a haunting melody with nonsensical lyrics, "The Twelve Days of Christmas"
was written by the English Jesuits during the 16th century as a catechetical device. The carol is
akin to the apocalyptic literature of Scripture that used obscure symbols to hide its true meaning
from the enemy in time of persecution.
by Father Edward T. Dowling, S. J | Source: Catholic.net
“The Twelve Days of Christmas” celebrates the official Christmas season which starts
liturgically on Christmas Day and ends twelve days later on the Feast of the Epiphany.
“My true love” refers to God, “me” is the individual Catholic. The
“twelve lords a leaping” are the twelve basic beliefs of the Catholic
Church as outlined in the Apostles Creed. The “eleven pipers piping”
are the eleven Apostles who remained faithful after the treachery of
Judas. The “ten ladies dancing” are the Ten Commandments. The
“nine drummers drumming” are the nine choirs of angels which in
those days of class distinction were thought important. The “eight
maids a milking” are the Eight Beatitudes. The “seven swans a
swimming” are the Seven Sacraments. The “six geese a laying” are the
Six Commandments of the Church or the six days of creation. The “five golden rings”
are the first five books of the Old Testament called the Torah which are generally
considered the most sacred and important of all the Old Testament. The “four calling
birds” are the Four Gospels. The “three French hens” are the Three Persons in God or
the three gifts of the Wise Men. The “two turtle doves” represent the two natures in
Jesus: human and divine or the two Testaments, Old and New. The “partridge” is the
piece de resistance, Jesus himself, and the “pear tree” is the Cross.
http://catholic.net/index.php?option=dedestaca&id=3465
How can we dare take our faith so lightly when many of our brothers and
sisters have given their very lives to spread the truths of our Trinity God!
Sacramental Updates
First Penance (Reconciliation)
Students
Penance:
preparing
for
the
Sacrament
of
– Continue to pray your prayers, memorize the10
Commandments, practice examination of conscience, and
the “Ten Steps” in preparation for the Sacrament of
Penance.
- There will be a parent meeting in February, date TBA concerning the preparation
for First Holy Communion.
First Penance is scheduled for Wednesday evening,
January 25, 2012 at 6:00 PM.
CONFIRMATION
Students preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation:
– Sacrament of Confirmation is planned for
Thursday, March 27 @ 4:30 P.M. with Bishop Barres.
The following is DUE:
The following requirements are due in January:
Mass of Enrollment form – January 8, 2012 at the 11:00
AM Youth Mass
Your good copy of your Bishop letter – bring to
class January 8 for proofreading – see below
Bishop Letter final copy due – January 29
Sponsor Eligibility form – January 22
Your Confirmation fee ($40.00) – January 22
Your DVD fee ($30.00) optional – January 22
- Please bring a “good” copy of your Bishop’s letter to class this
Sunday, January 8. This should be proofread by students AND
PARENTS. I will do a second proofread to help polish it up. These
letters will be returned to students on January 22 to make any final
changes and print on St. Francis letterhead, sign, and return by
January 29.
- Service Hours must be completed by the second week of February.
- Confirmation Interviews will be scheduled for the third or fourth week
in February. Schedules will be given out shortly. Please make sure you
are prompt and prepared.
- Please note: 8th grade PREP classes will continue after Confirmation and
go until April 29 with two Youth Masses to follow. Please discuss this
obligation and commitment with your child now. Unfortunately, it has
sometimes been “assumed” that PREP ends with 8th grade Confirmation.
There are still leaps and bounds to learn and we really never stop
discovering and learning about the wonders of our God!
- CATECHISM ALIVE! – Get a group of friends together and see what is
happening at St. Thomas More as they rally the troops of good Christian
men and women from grades 7 – 12 to learn about our faith. Mark your
calendars for:
March 4, 2012 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM
April 22, 2012 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Inclement Weather
In case of inclement weather, please watch for an announcement of
cancellation on the usual local stations. I will try to get the message
announced as soon as possible.
WFMZ – TV Note: Schedule delay or closing information will be listed on our website
and not on Channel 69 (except for extreme weekend weather conditions).
Advent Confession
Sadly, there was a poor turn-out for confession. It is important that we as parents
demonstrate to our children the importance and priority of the Sacraments. The
Sacrament of Penance is a wonderful and valuable opportunity to bring renewed
peace and grace into our lives. We hope to offer a special Lenten opportunity for
our PREP students to receive the Sacrament of Penance, but of course, it is also
offered each Saturday afternoon before the 4:30 PM Mass.
Students who came to our Advent confession and signed-in, will be given credit
towards their 2011-12 school year attendance. This evening cannot count as a
PREP class due to the low student turn-out.
ATTENDANCE
As stated at the beginning of the year, anything after three absences your child will
be asked to do extra make-up work, attend additional classes, or possibly repeat the
year if absences are excessive. If your child goes beyond three absences, you will
be contacted so we can discuss how we can make-up for this loss time so your child
can get credit for this year in PREP.
Sunday Morning Drop-offs & Pick-ups
Remember that students are to enter through the school hall doors at the rear of the building and
assemble by 9:30 A.M. Doors are only opened at 9:15 for students, so please do not drop your
children off any earlier. Any and all dismissals are from the front school
doors except on Youth Mass Sundays.
Also, a reminder that dismissal time is at 10:45 A.M. except on Youth Mass
Sundays. Then dismissal is immediately after Mass around 12 Noon. All
parents (or older brothers and sisters) need to come to pick up your little ones
(mainly grades K – 4) after class/Mass. They are too young to leave the buildings on their own.
Please let’s work together to keep our children safe.
MISSION
We congratulate our students for carrying on the work of Christ by reaching out
to others through our Mission work.
For the second half of the year, each class is asked to discuss
and plan a second mission they would like to work on. If your
child is asked to contribute a small amount of money for their
mission, please have them do a small chore at home to earn it
first. In this way, the mission work becomes more meaningful.
Youth Mass
Our next Youth Mass is this Sunday, January 8 at 11:00 A.M.
Please remember that all our children are asked and encourage to
participate in a special way during these Masses as lectors, greeters,
ushers, and gift bearers. If your child has not had a chance to help in one
of these areas, there are still five more Youth Masses to consider!
Of course, the rest of us participate in worshiping and honoring our God through our
participation of the prayers, songs, and gestures. May we ring in the new year with a joyful
Christmas Spirit!
“
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of
them.” Matthew 18:20
PROGRESS REPORTS
Progress reports were issued on December
18 to the students or mailed home if your child was
absent. We hope you have found them informative and use
them to congratulate and encourage your child. Together we are
striving to bring the knowledge and faith of our Lord and His Church to each
of our children.
MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY
There will be no class on Sunday, January 15, due to the national
holiday weekend.
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
Happy Birthday to: Marino, Arianna, Annie, Ricardo, Madolyn, Jonathan,
Tessa, Ilisha, and Louis. May our
dear Lord bless you on your special
day with his grace!
The PREP Word of the Month: THE GOSPEL OF LIFE
Written by Blessed John Paul II, defends the most fundamental
right we have: the right to life!
“Truly great must be the value of human life if the Son of God has taken it up and
made it the instrument of the salvation of all humanity!” Blessed John Paul II
January CALENDAR
JANUARY
CALENDAR
1
7
Sunday
Saturday
8
Sunday
15
22
25
25
29
NO CLASS
PENANCE RETREAT
Happy New Year!
9:00 -11:30 AM
Class & Mass
9:30 – 10:45 AM
Youth Mass
11:00 AM
Sunday
NO CLASS
Martin Luther King Holiday
Sunday
Class
9:30 – 10:45 AM
Sunday evening
Penance Practice
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Wednesday
Second Grade only – First Penance 6:00 P.M. in church
Sunday
Class
9:30 -10:45 AM
February CALENDAR
FEBRUARY
5
Sunday
12
19
22
Sunday
Sunday
Wednesday
Class & Mass
Youth Mass
Class
NO CLASS
Ash Wednesday
26
Sunday
Class
9:30 – 10:45 AM
11:00 AM
9:30 – 10:45 AM
Presidents’ Day Holiday
(8:00 AM & 12:05 PM)
7:00 PM for PREP
9:30 – 10:45 AM
Did you misplace or need an extra copy of our monthly newsletter? You can find it on our
parish web site at: www.stfrancisallentown.org
Respectfully, Mrs. Mary Spieker, DRE
Prayer for Respect for all Human Life
Heavenly Father, your cosmic gaze
focused on dust and you fashioned in y
our image and likeness every man and
women: give us, we beg you, a keen eye
to recognize that image so that
respect for all human life becomes our
way of life. Grant this through Christ
our Lord.
Amen.
Committee for Pro-Life Activities National Conference of Catholic Bishops.