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General SOR - - Reconciliation - - First Communion - - Confirmation
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January 30, 2008
Dear Parents:
Lent begins next week with Ash Wednesday. The SOR will begin with class at 6:45 PM, as usual, but will attend the evening Mass and will receive ashes as a whole SOR. Sunday clothing is appropriate for Mass. Immediately following the Mass, the children will return to their classrooms to collect their coats and whatever they need to take home. They will be dismissed immediately. If you normally pick up your child at the bell tower, you may choose to come to the classroom after Mass rather than leave the church to go out to the parking lot and drive around to the bell tower.
For the past few years, the Parish Penance Service included the SOR and, when a Youth Ministry session fell on that date, our high school students were included, too. This Lent is different. February 13 will be the SOR Penance Service. Fr. Mike and other priests will be here just for the SOR. The Parish Penance Service, with Fr. Mike and other priests, will be held on Thursday, February 28. We hope this works out better for everyone.
The SOR usually holds a raffle during Lent for the Diocese of Toledo Mission of Accompaniment (MOA) in Zimbabwe, Africa. The political situation in Zimbabwe has been extremely tense, especially in the past couple of years. Although the missionaries have not been able to live among the Tonga people due to the great danger to their freedom and very lives, we continued the raffle project last year in the hope that the situation would be relieved. Unfortunately, it is no better this year. The MOA has not deserted the Tonga people. There are just some government changes that need to take place before the missionaries will be able to safely return to the villages. Our MOA project was always intended to be an educational experience for the children that included a fundraiser. I have spoken several times with the Director of the Office of Global Concerns about the MOA, and it appears that our lesson this year will include a call to compassion for a people greatly oppressed and the continued need for our prayers, but without a fundraiser.
A questionnaire for St. Mary’s School was sent home with your child this evening. Even if you do not have any children, who have attended the school in the past or are attending presently, the St. Mary’s School Council would really appreciate your input. If you need another questionnaire, a copy is available at our website, www.stmarysvanwert.com. The questionnaires may be returned with your child next week or may be dropped in the collection basket at Mass. St. Mary’s School Council thanks you.
Tatiana is coming to St. Mary’s on February 9. A potluck will be held after the 4:00 PM Mass, and the concert is scheduled for 6:30 PM. I have spoken to a number of people, who have heard Tatiana. In fact, I know of some people, who are coming to Van Wert to hear her again. This is a concert you will not want to miss!
God be with all of you!
Yours in Christ,
Cheryl L. Freewalt
CRE